Summary
There’s a popular theory about howOnyx Stormcan bring back Violet’s dad, butI’m hopingthe nextEmpyrean Seriesbookdoesn’t repeat this familiar twist a third time. Rebecca Yarros’Empyrean Seriesisn’t afraid to kill off characters, something the author does frequently in bothFourth WingandIron Flame.However,The Empyrean Seriesis also getting a reputation for resurrecting characters — especially ones who are pretty important to the overarching story. BothFourth WingandIron Flamedo this, bringing in characters who were previously thought to be dead.
The end ofFourth Wingreveals Violet’s brother is alive, despite all evidence to the contrary, andIron FlameundoesFourth Wing’smost satisfying momentby bringing Jack Barlowe back into the fold. These sorts of twists are exciting once or twice, but they aren’t somethingThe Empyrean Seriesshould make a habit of. And with thetheory that Violet’s dad is also a venincirculating,I’m worriedOnyx Stormmight repeat the series' resurrection trick a third time.
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I Hope Onyx Storm Doesn’t Repeat The Empyrean Series' Brennan & Jack Twists With Violet’s Dad
Doing So Would Feel Repetitive & Unsurprising After The First 2 Books
The theory that Violet’s dad is a venin and still alive is a pretty popular one heading intoOnyx Storm,but I’m hoping the book doesn’t confirm it. AfterThe Empyrean Series’Brennan and Jack twists, this turn of events wouldn’t even be that surprising. In fact,having Violet’s father come back to life would feel repetitive, with the upcoming sequel leaning heavily on a trope that’s quickly becoming overused.Iron Flame’s endingproves that Yarros has a knack for surprising readers, and she should keep that going rather than reusing the same twist again.
At this point, it would be more surprising to keep Violet’s father dead, turning the venin theory on its head completely. Plus,Onyx Stormalready has to deal with two characters who are currently Venin: Xaden and Jack. Adding another to the list is unlikely to add much to the story, and it would leave Violet in crisis over two people she loves. Xaden’s venin twist has enough of an impact without bringing Violet’s father into it. It’d be far more interesting to keep him alive through his research only, and it would ensureThe Empyrean Seriesdoesn’t lose its stakes.
The Empyrean Series Should Avoid Bringing Characters Back To Life Too Often
It Will Lower The Stakes Of Onyx Storm & Future Sequels
The other reasonOnyx Stormshould avoid repeating the previous two books' twists is that it will lower the stakes of the series. This would be a shame, especially after everything Yarros has done to establish them.Fourth WingandIron Flameboth have major deaths at the end, and they feature no shortage of minor character deaths throughout their runs. If Yarros keeps bringing characters back, however,The Empyrean Series’world won’t feel as ruthless as it’s made out to be. From what we’ve seen so far, it makes sense that Violet has deceased loved ones.
Death should feel final inOnyx Stormand futureFourth Wingsequels, with just a few characters managing to surprise readers.
After all, the setting Yarros builds inThe Empyreanseries is dangerous and unforgiving. The author reminds us of that at every turn, so she shouldn’t make returning from the dead a frequent occurrence — even if it’s as a venin. Death should feel final inOnyx Stormand futureFourth Wingsequels, with just a few characters managing to surprise readers. If it happens every book, however, the stakes will feel lessened.It’s not worth lowering the stakes for a twist involving Violet’s dad, especially when he can still have a role inOnyx Stormposthumously.
Onyx Storm Doesn’t Need To Bring Violet’s Father Back To Give Him A Role In The Story
Mr. Sorrengail Can Still Impact The Plot Posthumously
Bringing Violet’s father back as a venin comes with all kinds of risks, and it’s probably not worth doing whenhe can still be involved inOnyx Stormfrom the grave.Violet’s father has a mysterious backstory, and we know that he was a Scribe doing research on Feathertails before his death. There are plenty of ways to work his background intoThe Empyrean Series’overarching plot without bringing him back to life. In fact, his research already keeps him involved in the main story, and it can continue to do so going forward.
Onyx Stormhas plenty of questionsto answer surrounding Mr. Sorrengail’s death, and there are better twists it can drop as Violet unpacks her father’s past. Revealing a conspiracy behind his untimely demise would keep Mr. Sorrengail’s presence inOnyx Stormand its sequels without resorting to resurrection. It’s possible Violet can discover some harsh truths about her mother’s past posthumously, too. There’s no shortage of people keeping secrets inThe Empyrean Series,and those will always outlive them.
Onyx Stormcomes out on August 03, 2025.
Onyx Storm
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
