Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast: Episode 11 Summary

Title: Onyx Storm Deep Dive: Ch. 38-40 | Easter Eggs, Theories & Key Moments
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Hosts: Hannah, Kinsey, Carly

Welcome to Dear Fantasy Reader, your ultimate companion for delving deep into Rebecca Yarros' beloved Empyrean series. In this detailed summary of Episode 11, hosts Hannah, Kinsey, and Carly dissect chapters 38 to 40 of Onyx Storm, unraveling key plot points, character developments, intricate foreshadowing, and bubbling theories that fans are buzzing about.

Introduction

The episode kicks off with Hannah, Kinsey, and Carly sharing their current reading adventures and updates on other fantasy novels they've been enjoying. This segment sets a friendly and engaging tone, establishing a connection with listeners who share a passion for fantasy literature.

Current Reads and Recommendations

• Hannah finishes the ACOTAR series and highly recommends "The Never List" by Jade Presley.
• Kinsey delves into the Powerless trilogy and the Bridge Kingdom series, expressing excitement for upcoming releases.
• Carly explores "Duskbound" by Parker Lennox and Bri Greenwich and "Cultish", a nonfiction work about cult language, along with Ali Hazelwood's Love Theoretically.

Star of Navarro Award

The hosts commend Aloha pt. for their meticulous coverage of the Empyrean series, highlighting the importance of thorough research in enhancing the podcast's content quality.

Carly (07:10): “This week's Star of Navarro award for a review that made our heart soar goes to Aloha pt. Who wrote these ladies do such a good job covering all things Empyrean.”

Deep Dive: Chapters 34-37

Plot Recap

The trio provides a concise summary of the events in chapters 34 to 37, focusing on the reunion of Quest Squad and the Triumvirate over dinner. Key plot points include:

• Zaden's Turmoil: Struggling with abandonment by his mother Talia, Zaden faces emotional breakdowns, highlighted by his desire to erase his pain.
• The Poisoned Dinner: The Triumvirate orchestrates a trap by poisoning the chocolate cake, leading to a tense rescue mission.
• Violet's Strategy: Demonstrates her cunning by pre-emptively poisoning the Triumvirate, manipulating them to secure an allyship.
• Arrival at Xelnia: The squad lands on an island rich in magic, examining the stark contrast to Hadatas.

Notable Quotes

• Carly (10:32): “An honor is all mine. Grab your leathers, Quest Squad, as we are officially being tested by the Triumvirate.”
• Kinsey (17:08): “The fall being fatal. It definitely fits the situation.”

Character Analysis

Zaden

Kinsey delves into Zaden's mental health struggles, emphasizing his profound sense of abandonment and loss.

Kinsey (11:15): “Strong, let's discuss Zaden's mental health, tragic backstory, Talia being an absolute bitch.”

Hannah echoes the sentiment, exploring the depth of Zaden's vulnerability and his subsequent detachment.

Hannah (12:34): “Rebecca's just, like, twisting. How can I twist the knife even harder?”

Talia

The hosts analyze Talia's complex character, debating her true motivations and capacity for love. They discuss her performative actions versus genuine emotions, highlighting how her upbringing and cultural values influence her decisions.

Carly (18:19): “She's a really interesting character. I think for me, I don't empathize with her so much as I understand her a little bit better.”

Auric

Auric's composed demeanor during the poisoned dinner sparks curiosity and suspicion among the hosts, leading to theories about his true intentions and possible foresight abilities.

Hannah (40:16): “He was yummy. This chapter, I don't know what to tell y'all. I think I text you and I was like, I am absolutely in love with Auric.”

Favorite Moments

Each host shares their standout scenes from the chapters:

• Hannah: The surprising proposal twist and Riddick's declaration of love post-poisoning.
• Kinsey: Zaden's clever trickery against the Triumvirate and Garak's nonchalant consumption of poisoned cake.
• Carly: Violet's strategic poisoning of the dinner attendees and Dara’s supportive actions during the crisis.

Favorite Quotes

• Carly (57:54): “This is the part where I tell you I've already killed you.”
• Kinsey (58:38): “Honestly, I find you lacking. And I'm not sure I want you as an ally.”

These quotes encapsulate pivotal character interactions and plot developments, showcasing the intensity and emotional depth of the narrative.

Easter Eggs and Foreshadowing

The hosts meticulously unravel hidden details and symbolic elements sprinkled throughout the chapters:

• Epigraph Analysis:

  • Chapter 34: “It has been the experience of my lifetime to spend these months with others who value knowledge just as reverently as I do...” by Captain Asher Sorengale.
  • Chapter 35: “The God of wisdom is the trickiest to placate...” from Major Rorley's Guide to Appeasing the God.
  • These epigraphs hint at underlying tensions and the deceptive nature of the Triumvirate.

• Symbolism of Jade Stones:
  Jade stones are used as voting markers during the dinner test, symbolizing purity and wisdom, yet their usage by the Triumvirate reveals a superficial adherence to their purported values.

• Eyes as a Symbolic Element:
  The unique eye colors differentiate characters and hint at deeper magical connections, particularly Violet's hazel-blue-green eyes linked to her heritage and potential powers.

Notable Observations

• Amaryllis Continent:
  The name "Amaryllis" signifies pride, strength, and determination, aligning with the continent's role in the unfolding conflict and magic dynamics.

• Magic in Xelnia:
  Violet's description of the palpable magic upon landing in Xelnia foreshadows significant magical developments and confrontations ahead.

Theories

1. Talia's Deceptive Plot

Kinsey theorizes that Talia orchestrated the poisoned dinner as part of an elaborate scheme to eliminate Quest Squad members, hinting at deeper political machinations.

Kinsey (95:03): “To me, I don't think this is a coincidence. I think it was entirely planned.”

2. Asher Sorengale’s Hidden Identity

The discrepancy in Asher’s last name between his personal interactions and official research documents suggests a hidden identity or past affiliations, possibly connecting him to historical events on Hadatas.

3. Garak's True Role

Carly posits that Garak might evolve into a pivotal character, potentially taking on a new brother role after his poisoning, signaling his deeper involvement in the overarching conflict.

4. Riddick’s Mysterious Nature

Despite initial suspicions, the hosts deduce that Riddick is unlikely to be Venon due to subtle clues in his behavior and lack of physical evidence post-attack, leaving room for alternative explanations of his intentions.

5. Source of Magic Drainage on Hadatas

Kinsey speculates that Hadatas might be the epicenter of the magic drainage phenomenon affecting the Isles, with Xelnia’s natural barriers providing protection against the drain.

6. Destiny and Precognition

The hosts explore the implications of Auric’s precognitive abilities, questioning how much of Zaden's actions are influenced by foresight and whether this could alter the series' trajectory.

Conclusion and Upcoming Content

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express excitement for future discussions and episodes. They tease an upcoming deep dive into chapters 38-40 and hint at exploring themes like Xaden’s gifts, further unraveling the mysteries of Onyx Storm.

Listeners' Engagement

The hosts encourage listeners to join their Patreon, participate in the monthly book club, and engage with the community through Discord for deeper discussions and exclusive content.

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Dear Fantasy Reader! Stay connected for more in-depth analyses, theories, and heartfelt discussions as we continue our journey through Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean series.