Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.The Empyrean Seriesisn’t afraid to kill off major characters, and Rebecca Yarros has confirmed that a devastating death is coming in book 4.Onyx Stormhit shelves on January 21, and readers are already eager for the next addition to the series after reading theFourth Wingsequel.Onyx Storm’s cliffhanger endingpromises a much darker narrative whenthe nextEmpyrean Seriesbookarrives, though it could be a while before that happens. Yarros is teasing major developments in recent interviews, however, including the demise of a fan-favorite character.
Onyx Storm’s biggest deathsare relatively mild afterFourth Wing’s endingandIron Flame’s conclusion, but it sounds like the fourth installment will make up for that. During a Q&A session shared onTikTok,Yarros admitted, “Someone you love won’t make it in book 4.“She didn’t dive into specifics, but there are a number of beloved characters who could believably perish in the next chapter. Some feel like they’re nearing the end of their character arcs, while others feel more vulnerable thanks to their journeys inOnyx Storm.
8Tairn
Onyx Storm’s Andarna Story Suggests Violet Could Lose Tairn
Tairn is one of the most beloved characters inThe Empyrean Series, and readers would be devastated to see him die in book 4. Violet’s dragon feels like a constant source of security for her, and that’s precisely why he might fall before Yarros' series is through. Despite his grumpy attitude, Tairn is always there to ensure that Violet and Andarna emerge from troubling situations unscathed. He very much fits into a mentor role, and that puts him at risk inOnyx Storm’s sequel. Mentors have a tendency to die in fantasy stories, especially as the stakes increase for the hero.
It might be possible for Violet to survive Tairn’s death if she remains connected to Andarna.
The latestFourth Wingsequel lays the groundwork for Tairn’s demise, too, proving throughOnyx Storm’s surprising Andarna decisionthat Violet can survive with just one dragon bonded to her. Although Leothan believes that Andarna can break her bond because Violet bonded Tairn first, this is unprecedented territory for dragon riders. Therefore, it might be possible for Violet to survive Tairn’s death if she remains connected to Andarna.
I Still Haven’t Recovered From Onyx Storm’s Scariest Moment, And It Makes Me Worried For Future Books
One scene from Onyx Storm’s early chapters scared me, and now I’m worried that it foreshadows a character death in future Empyrean books.
Thetheory that Tairn and Sgaeyl’s mating bond is brokenalso supports this, as Tairn’s death would no longer kill Xaden and his dragon. Needless to say,readers should keep an eye on Tairn heading intoOnyx Storm’s sequel. He seems undefeatable, but that’s even more reason to believe Yarros could throw a curveball in the next book.
7Sgaeyl
Xaden’s Transformation Leaves Her In A Tough Spot
Speaking of Sgaeyl,Xaden’s dragon seems like a strong contender to die in the nextEmpyrean Seriesbook. Like Tairn, Sgaeyl has a lovable attitude and commands respect wherever she goes. It’s easy to fall for her, even though we don’t see her as much as Violet’s dragons. But Sgaeyl is in a precarious situation at the end of Onyx Storm, as Xaden has fully given into his venin transformation. It’s unclear where she is at the end of the book, and remaining with Xaden could put her in serious danger.
Being in enemy territory will be risky for her, and without Xaden, she might not fare better if she stays behind.
Jack Barlowe proves inIron Flamethat riders who turn venin can outlive their dragons, and Berwyn even threatens to kill Sgaeyl duringOnyx Storm’s final chapters. While Xaden channels from the ground to prevent this,it’s possible the venin will still attempt to harm Sgaeyl in the next installment. Being in enemy territory will be risky for her, and without Xaden, she might not fare better if she stays behind. I hope Sgaeyl finds a way to survive the tough situation she and Xaden are in, but I’m nervous for her all the same.
6Ridoc Gamlyn
His Onyx Storm Story & Role In The Series Make Me Worried
Ridoc is the real MVP ofOnyx Storm, which maintains his role as the series' comic relief character but also gives him more depth than previous books. Ridoc brings lighthearted humor to even the darkest moments ofThe Empyrean Series,and for that reason, I’ve been worried about him dying since the beginning.Killing Ridoc would be the perfect way to symbolically drive home a tonal shift in the series, removing the humor and moving to something darker. I’ve also been worried about the main four characters of Violet’s friend group since they made a pact to stay alive.
I’m So Relieved Onyx Storm Took One Character In An Unexpected Direction (& Gave Them The Story They Deserve)
Onyx Storm took one character in an unexpected direction, but by doing so, gave them the story arc they desperately needed after the last two books.
The fact that Ridoc gets so much attention throughoutOnyx Stormfurther fuels my suspicionsthat he’ll die in its sequel. Although Rhiannon and Sawyer are somewhat sidelined by the latest book, it takes the time to focus on Ridoc’s friendship with Violet, showing readers how endearing he truly is. This sets the stage to break our hearts inThe Empyrean Seriesbook 4. The only thing easing my mind about Ridoc’s fate is thetheory that he’s blessed byFourth Wing’s god of luck, Zihnal.
5Bodhi Durran
Bodhi Is Probably Xaden’s New Venin Brother
There are a fewcharacters who could be Xaden’s new “brother"from the end ofOnyx Storm,but Bodhi is the most likely candidate. And if Bodhi does become a venin, too, I don’t see him surviving the next twoEmpyrean Seriesbooks. It will be difficult enough for Violet to find a solution to Xaden’s venin problem, but it seems highly unlikely that two of the books' heroes will come back from turning. Therefore, whoever joins Xaden as one of Berwyn’s initiates could be the character that perishes in the nextFourth Wingsequel.
5 Clues That Bodhi Is Xaden’s New Brother In Onyx Storm
Onyx Storm doesn’t tell readers who Xaden’s new brother is, but the Fourth Wing sequel drops quite a few clues that point to it being Bodhi.
This stacks the odds against Bodhi, though that isn’t the only reason he could die in the next addition to the series.Bodhi lives in Xaden’s shadow, and he’s desperate to prove himself on the battlefield throughoutThe Empyrean Series. Even if he isn’t Xaden’s new brother,Bodhi’s desire to prove his worth could wind up being his downfall. He might push himself too far in book 4, resulting in a tragic end for his character.
4Dain Aetos
There’s Not Much Left For Dain To Do
Despite betraying Violet at the end ofFourth Wing,Dain Aetos is one of the bestEmpyrean Seriescharactersthanks to his redemption story inIron FlameandOnyx Storm.The latter book doesn’t focus on Dain as much, however, and it almost seems like he’s done growing. Dain opens his eyes to Navarre’s lies inIron Flame,and he spends much ofOnyx Stormproving that he’s on Violet and Xaden’s side. All that’s left is for Dain to confront his father, andthen his character arc could easily come to an end.
This makes me think that Dain is at risk in the nextEmpyrean Seriesbook, with Yarros potentially killing him just as readers are starting to love him.
This makes me think that Dain is at risk in the nextEmpyrean Seriesbook, with Yarros potentially killing him just as readers are starting to love him. It would certainly be an effective way to break our hearts, andit would motivate Violet, as the two have so much history together. Yarros has been vocal about her own appreciation for Dain, too, which might be why she views book 4’s looming death as devastating.
3Imogen Cardulo
The Marked Ones Could All Be In Danger
I’m on the fence about Imogen dying in the nextEmpyrean Seriesbook, but it’s certainly a possibility. Imogen is a beloved character, even though she and Violet get off to a rocky start inFourth Wing.We’ve seen her come around to Violet over the past few books, andImogen’s involvement inOnyx Storm’s ending twistgives us a chance to witness the full power of her memory-wiping signet as well. While I think there’s moreThe Empyrean Seriescan do with Imogen, I also think it’s possible to end her story in book 4.
Onyx Storm Signets Explained: Every New Power & Who Has Them
Rebecca Yarros' magic system is already vastly extensive, but Onyx Storm makes sure to introduce an even larger variety of powerful signet abilities.
Imogen could face punishment for taking Violet’s memories too, as there are others in Navarre who know what she’s capable of. If word gets out that Imogen aided Xaden or knows where he is, she could find herself in danger from Navarre’s leaders or even those in charge of the rebellion. Likewise, Imogen reveals her second signet at the end ofOnyx Storm, which could cause problems for the Marked Ones in the next book. I think it’s safe to assume they’re all in danger, and that means Imogen could be book 4’s big loss.
2Brennan Sorrengail
Malek May Claim What Was Stolen From Him
Mira Sorrengail has a close call with Malek inOnyx Storm,butI think Brennan has a greater chance of dying in the nextFourth Wingbook. Violet’s brother is believed to be dead throughoutFourth Wing,but she learns that he’s been alive and leading a rebellion at the end of book 1. Brennan’s leadership role already puts him in greater danger than many other characters, and he seems to have secrets that haven’t come out yet — at least if the mysterious rune on his hand is anything to judge by.
Violet losing her brother again will be undeniably tragic, especially now that we’ve gotten to know him properly.
We know that Tairn’s former rider, Nolan, sacrificed everything to save Brennan, and the rune on his hand could be connected to that. Although it hasn’t been confirmed,it seems probable that Brennan was resurrected during the Tyrrish Rebellion, potentially using the corrupted magic that turns riders into venin. If this does turn out to be the case, I wouldn’t be surprised if Malek came to collect what was stolen from him in the upcomingEmpyrean Seriessequel. Violet losing her brother again will be undeniably tragic, especially now that we’ve gotten to know him properly.
1Aaric Graycastle/Cam Tauri
There Are A Couple Concerning Clues In Onyx Storm
I’m not totally sold on Aaric dying in the nextEmpyrean Seriesbook; I think it’s more likelyOnyx Storm’s sequel will kill the rest of the Tauri familyand put Aaric in power. However,there are a few hints that Aaric’s fate will be more tragic, and they’re worth acknowledging. For one, the gifts thatOnyx Storm’s characters receive on Zehyllnaraise concerns about Aaric’s future, as he’s given a cracked mirror that instantly makes him bleed. While this could be a symbolic warning about the use of his signet, it could also foreshadow his death.
The nextEmpyrean Seriesbook doesn’t have a release timeline, but Rebecca Yarros is taking a break and writing a contemporary romance before starting it.
Aaric also floats the possibility of him dying inOnyx Storm,and sincehe’s a precog, that’s not a comment to take likely. It’s unclear if Aaric is able to use his signet to see his own future. If he can, the sentiment that he won’t rule Navarre and belief that he could die take on a deeper meaning. With Aaric’s role becoming more important inOnyx Storm,it would be tragic forThe Empyrean Seriesbook 4 to kill him. That means he could fit Yarros' description, qualifying as a character readers love and don’t want to lose.
