Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with their most forward-looking episode yet - Onyx Storm: Book Four Predictions Part 1! Just when you thought they were done with the Empyrean series, they've returned for one last wild ride through their theories before moving on to their next adventure.
We kick things off with the clip that broke booktok - Sarah J. Maas's announcement that the first “drafts” for the next ACOTAR book are done! Was it an arrow? Was it an 8? Was it something else entirely? Then we dive into our actual predictions for Rebecca Yarros's fourth Empyrean book. Despite promising we were done with Navarre for the time being, we just couldn't resist giving you what you asked for - a comprehensive theory roundup and prediction fest!
First, we explore how Book Four might begin, with Violet struggling to establish her legitimacy as the new Duchess of Tyrrendor (it won't be smooth sailing). We predict constitutional crises, assembly resistance, and potential war with Navarre looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, we theorize that Xaden has captured Berwyn and is torturing him for information about controlling his urges or breaking the Venin's control. And poor Tairn? We think he'll be recovering from his injuries for a while, leaving Andarna to step up as Violet's primary dragon connection.
Then we map out the geographical settings for Book Four, predicting a journey that takes us back to the Isles (particularly Unnbriel and Loysam), across the Emerald Sea (possibly to find the gods?), and potentially to Cordyn for a bargain with Tecarus. We debate whether Violet will leave someone in charge of Tyrrendor (Llewellyn? Brennan? The assembly?) while she searches for Xaden or the missing eggs.
Our death predictions get dark as we discuss who might not survive Book Four - with Ridoc, Dane, Talia, and possibly even Tairn on our list of potential casualties. We also identify our most pivotal characters for the next book, including Aaric (the pre-cog who knows way more than he's letting on), Bodhi (either as "the brother" or Violet's supporter), Mira (with her mysterious legacy from Lilith), Dane (possibly a Venin offspring?), and Imogen (who knows what happened during those missing twelve hours).
Our plot twist predictions will blow your mind! We dive deep into Norse mythology to explore what Fen Riorson's name might reveal about Xaden's lineage, theorize that Violet will learn to walk into minds while awake (not just dreams!), and suggest that Asher might have been a secret Irid rider who manipulated time. Plus, we predict the next book's title will start with "Silver" - maybe Silver Thread or Silver Shroud?
This episode is basically one giant Precog Corner where no theory is too unhinged and no detail goes unanalyzed. We're wrapping up our Empyrean coverage (for real this time!) before launching our ACOTAR season on August 11th, so don't miss Part 2 next week!
Spoilers for the entire Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
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Time Stamps:
00:00 - 05:33: The clip that broke booktok
05:34 - 10:56: Corrections and social media shoutouts
10:57 - 19:10: How Book Four might begin
19:11 - 33:32: Geographical settings
33:33 - 38:17: How we'll learn what's happening with Xaden
38:18 - 48:12: Who might die
48:13 - 58:34: Most pivotal characters
58:35 - 1:07:45: Plot twist predictions
1:07:46 - 1:21:10: Title predictions
1:21:11 - 1:26:40: What we're reading
1:26:41 - 1:31:16: Social media information and ACOTAR season announcement