Podcast Summary: Dear Fantasy Reader – Ep 2 Onyx Storm Battle Brief: Explaining the Final Chapters
Release Date: February 7, 2025
Introduction
In the second episode of Season 2, titled "Onyx Storm Battle Brief: Explaining the Final Chapters," the hosts of Dear Fantasy Reader—Hannah, Karly, and Kinsey—delve deep into the tumultuous conclusion of Rebecca Yarros' Onyx Storm, the latest installment in the Empyrean series. This episode serves as a comprehensive guide to unraveling the complex and action-packed finale, addressing listener confusions and dissecting pivotal moments within the narrative.
Breaking Down the Finale
The episode kicks off with Hannah (00:14) setting the stage for an intense discussion:
“Join us as we take flight into the world of the Empyrean series, diving deep into Onyx Storm, breaking down characters, scenes, foreshadowing and lore, fangirling over shadow daddies, building theories as we go and more.”
Carly (00:33) emphasizes the episode's spoiler-heavy content:
“With that content warning and spoiler alert, we will be covering anything and everything Empyrean series to this date and any content Rebecca Yarros has given us.”
Kinsey (03:01) commends the team's preparation:
“Us all and I used a map.”
The trio meticulously navigates through the convoluted ending, particularly focusing on chapters 63 to 66. Hannah (00:53) reiterates the gravity of the discussion:
“As Rebecca Yarros says, readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note and prepare to face the storm. We have dragons to ride.”
Chapter-by-Chapter Analysis
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Chapter 63 (Imogen's POV):
- Kinsey (03:18) outlines the chaos as Bodhi's dragon is injured and the team fights off attacking Wyverns.
- Critical plot points include the extension of wards from Orisha to cover Dreythis and the tragic death of Quinn.
- Hannah (04:53) notes the darkening sky, hinting at Zaden's channeling magic, though not conclusively tying it to a complete blackout.
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Chapter 64 (Violet's POV):
- Carly (04:53) describes Violet's pursuit of Theophany and the ominous note found in a package, leading to a climactic battle where Violet confronts her fears and ultimately defeats Theophany with a stone dagger.
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Chapter 65 (Zaden's POV):
- Hannah (06:17) reveals Zaden's transformation as he channels magic to save Sigail, resulting in significant losses and a poignant conversation between Zaden and Sigail about love and sacrifice.
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Final Chapter (Violet's POV):
- Kinsey (08:08) summarizes Violet’s confusion upon waking up three days later, uncovering her sudden marriage to Zaden and the mysterious disappearance of key characters and dragon eggs.
Addressing Listener Questions
The trio dedicates a substantial portion of the episode to answering top questions from listeners, providing clarity on overlapping chapters, character motivations, and unresolved plot points:
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Overlap Between Chapters:
- Kinsey (09:19) explains the temporal overlaps between Imogen's, Violet's, and Zaden's perspectives, using weather clues and specific recurring events to map out the sequence of events.
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Identity of Zaden's New Brother:
- Kinsey (10:35) and Carly (12:03) speculate on possible candidates, concluding that Garak is the most likely individual based on Rebecca Yarros’ hints and the character’s actions preceding the cliffhanger.
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Berwyn's Role:
- Hannah (13:30) clarifies Berwyn's influence over Zaden, highlighting the complexities of their bond and the limitations it imposes on Zaden's actions.
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Fate of Panchec and Dragon Eggs:
- Kinsey (15:34) discusses the mysterious circumstances surrounding Panchec's dragon and the stolen dragon eggs, acknowledging the ambiguity left by the author.
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Zaden and Violet's Marriage:
- Hannah (17:07) and Kinsey (17:20) explore the strategic and emotional reasons behind their marriage, including protection of Tyrandor and the implications for Violet's new role as Duchess.
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Theophany's Demise:
- Carly (24:44) and Hannah (24:14) analyze how Theophany was killed by a stone dagger, unraveling her connection to the Temple of Dune and the symbolic significance of her death.
Coping with the Cliffhanger: The "Onyx Storm Hangover"
Transitioning from the intense analysis, the hosts discuss their personal and collective struggles with the book's cliffhanger ending:
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Karly (27:04) shares her "hangover cure," recommending sports rom-coms like Playing for Keep by Becca Mack and Windy City by Liz Tomford as perfect palate cleansers.
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Hannah (29:10) opts for re-engaging with the podcast’s deep dives and community discussions as a way to process her emotions.
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Kinsey (31:37) highlights her approach of calming down through writing theories, rereading scenes, and light-hearted fanfic engagement.
The conversation underscores the importance of community and self-care when navigating emotionally charged narratives.
Engaging with the Community
Encouraging listeners to connect beyond the podcast, the hosts promote their Discord server and Bookstagram community as spaces for fans to share theories, discuss plot twists, and find support:
“So, yeah, like, find spaces where you can connect to other readers. Cause we're everywhere we are.” — Hannah (38:07)
They also announce upcoming content, including a deep dive into Rebecca Yarros' Denver Onyx Storm Tour Q&A, promising more insightful discussions and exclusive content for Patreon members.
Conclusion
Wrapping up the episode, Karly (39:05) expresses gratitude towards new Patreon members and reiterates the value of community support. The hosts tease future episodes that will continue exploring the intricacies of the Onyx Storm finale, ensuring listeners remain engaged and informed as they await the next installment in the Empyrean series.
Notable Quotes:
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Hannah (00:53): “As Rebecca Yarros says, readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note and prepare to face the storm. We have dragons to ride.”
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Carly (24:44): “It was a special stone dagger made from the temple of Dune. And Theophany is a former priestess of Dune, which means that she was dedicated.”
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Kinsey (09:19): “We found weather clues helpful in determining the overlap between chapters and several specific events that are mentioned twice.”
Final Thoughts
This episode of Dear Fantasy Reader serves as an essential companion for fans grappling with the complex and thrilling conclusion of Onyx Storm. By providing detailed analyses, addressing listener questions, and fostering a supportive community environment, Hannah, Karly, and Kinsey equip their audience with the tools needed to navigate the stormy aftermath of the Empyrean series' latest installment.
Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where the hosts will continue their in-depth exploration of the Empyrean series, ensuring that no dragon is left unmounted and no theory unexplored.