Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast – Ep 1: Onyx Storm Initial Thoughts & Reactions

Release Date: February 3, 2025

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Season 2 of the Dear Fantasy Reader podcast! Hosts Hannah, Karly, and Kinsey delve into Rebecca Yarros’ latest installment in the Empyrean series, Onyx Storm. This episode captures their initial thoughts, emotional reactions, and critical analyses of the book's key elements.

1. Overall Impressions

The trio begins by sharing their overarching feelings about Onyx Storm, highlighting both their enthusiasm and the challenges they faced while reading.

• Carly expresses deep satisfaction, stating, “I loved it. It was essentially exactly what I expected for the middle book” [04:55]. She praises the shift in scenery and character development, particularly focusing on Riddick and the evolution of Zaden.

• Kinsey admits initial struggles with the book’s pacing and density, mentioning, “I had a little bit of a hard time getting into it” [05:00]. Despite these challenges, she acknowledges the emotional depth of the story, noting, “I have not had a good cry like this in a while” [06:17].

• Hannah reflects on her evolving perspective after processing the book’s events, stating, “After having a few days to process, I'm going to start with the things that never changed for me” [06:46]. She appreciates the world-building and magic systems introduced in Onyx Storm.

2. Emotional Impact and Character Development

The hosts delve into the emotional resonance of the book, discussing pivotal moments that elicited strong reactions.

• Carly shares her connection to the characters, saying, “Fourth Wing stole my heart, Iron Flame fed my mind, and Onyx Storm shattered my soul” [12:03]. She emphasizes how Onyx Storm deepened her emotional investment in the series.

• Kinsey recounts her emotional turmoil, particularly concerning Andarna’s actions, confessing, “I have cried, but it was like a tear. I wasn't, like, sobbing” [06:28]. She highlights the traumatic events that heightened her emotional experience.

• Hannah grapples with the book’s lack of hopefulness and the off-page marriage scene, expressing her distress: “I just like, oh, my God, why would she do this so early?” [06:46]. She appreciates the depth of Violet and Zaden’s relationship but struggles with the narrative choices affecting her emotional engagement.

3. Key Plot Points and Theories

The discussion shifts to specific plot points, revealing their theories and interpretations based on the book’s content.

• Wards and Signets:

  • Carly thrilled about her correct theory regarding the wards in Orisha, stating, “I was so excited when I was right” [14:23]. She anticipated their significance in the magic system.
  • Kinsey discusses the revelation of second signets, expressing vindication: “they have second signets and I'm super happy about it” [19:08].

• Character Analysis:

  • Zaden: Both hosts discuss Zaden’s character development. Hannah notes, “Zaden... played this book” [32:10], while Kinsey admits initial suspicion but grows to appreciate his depth and humor.
  • Riddick: Carly lauds Riddick as the standout character, saying, “he stole every scene he was in” [04:55]. Kinsey echoes this sentiment, describing him as her favorite character in the book [31:04].
  • Theophany and Betrayal: The hosts dissect Theophany’s betrayal, analyzing how it aligns with their theories about Venon infiltrations and the presence of an informant: “they have an informant” [82:28].

• Magic Systems and Lore:

  • Hannah is particularly excited about the exploration of new magic systems, remarking, “I cannot wait to get into that” [06:27].
  • Carly and Kinsey discuss the complexities and implications of different magic systems introduced in Onyx Storm, anticipating deeper dives in future episodes.

4. Emotional Highs and Lows

The episode captures the hosts’ emotional rollercoaster as they navigate the book’s intense moments.

• Major Losses and Grief:

  • Kinsey shares her devastation over Aunt Darna breaking the bond, admitting, “I sobbed for two chapters” [66:07]. This moment stands out as her least favorite scene in the series.
  • Carly recounts her profound sadness during Quinn’s death, stating, “I cried during this scene” [78:05]. She praises the emotional depth Rebecca Yarros achieved in these scenes.

• Hope and Despair:

  • Hannah struggles with the book’s ending, particularly the off-page marriage and the lack of immediate hope, saying, “I really hate it” [86:27]. However, she clings to the possibility of future hope through Violet’s dreamwalking abilities.
  • Carly remains optimistic about the book’s ending, appreciating the emotional authenticity: “I loved the ending because I feel like I felt every single emotion there was” [87:05].

5. Favorite Moments and Quotes

The hosts highlight their favorite moments and memorable quotes from Onyx Storm.

• Kinsey’s Favorites:

  • Riddick’s playful pranks: “He was getting soaked and he's like, no, these are my only boots” [99:18].
  • Auric’s linguistic prowess: “He was perfectly fluent in every single language” [99:38].

• Hannah’s Favorites:

  • Zaden’s carefree arrival on Devarelli isle: “he was so carefree to the point of asking Dain about their childhood together” [103:07].
  • Emotional exchanges reflecting deep connections between characters.

• Carly’s Favorites:

  • Riddick’s humor and depth: “There is more to him than just being the uplifting character” [32:56].
  • Significant quotes that encapsulate the characters’ relationships and struggles.

Notable Quotes:

• Carly [101:40]: “Don’t dehydrate on my account. It takes more than the weather to fell me. Wish I could say the same for you.”
• Hannah [102:07]: “Is it just me or does my pillow smell like you? Signed X.”
• Kinsey [103:17]: “Don’t shut up. Yeah, this book was traumatic.”

6. Future Episodes and Deep Dives

The hosts outline their plans for upcoming episodes, promising deeper analyses and explorations of the book’s intricate details.

• Breaking Down the Ending: A dedicated episode to dissect and explain the climactic chapters of Onyx Storm, addressing confusion and unraveling plot twists.

• Chapters by Chapters Deep Dive: An extensive series focusing on each chapter of Onyx Storm, uncovering easter eggs, theories, and lore embedded within the narrative.

• Theories and Speculations: Future episodes will delve into unresolved questions and fan theories, offering educated guesses and interpretations based on Rebecca Yarros’ storytelling.

7. Community Engagement and Support

The podcast concludes with appreciation for their Patreon supporters and encourages new listeners to join their community.

• Patreon Perks: Exclusive ad-free episodes, early access to content, and special resources like recaps and annotations.

• Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, leave reviews, and join their Discord group for ongoing discussions and theory exchanges.

Final Thoughts

In this heartfelt and comprehensive initial episode, Dear Fantasy Reader sets the tone for an engaging Season 2 dedicated to Onyx Storm. The hosts' blend of emotional honesty, critical analysis, and shared passion for the Empyrean series creates a relatable and insightful listening experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where Hannah, Carly, and Kinsey will continue their deep exploration of Onyx Storm, providing clarity, theories, and a community-driven discussion to enhance your reading journey.