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Dear Fantasy Reader
Ep 2 Onyx Storm Battle Brief: Explaining the Final Chapters
00:41:48
Join squadmates Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly for an Onyx Storm Battle Brief as they break down and explain the book's jaw-dropping, emotionally wrecking end chapters. With intense action, foreshadowing, and hidden Easter eggs packed into the finale,...
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- [00:00]
Carly
Foreign.
- [00:05]
Hannah
Dearest Fantasy Readers, welcome to the Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast where we travel through the pages of our favorite Romantasy novels. I'm Hannah.
- [00:15]
Kinsey
I'm Kinsey.
- [00:16]
Carly
And I'm Carly.
- [00:18]
Hannah
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.
- [00:34]
Carly
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. So if you haven't read 4th Wing, Iron Flame and Onyx Storm in its entirety, go do that and we will be here waiting when you are done.
- [00:48]
Kinsey
Also, due to the nature of these books, this podcast is rated R in content and language.
- [00:54]
Hannah
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.
- [01:08]
Carly
Yeah.
- [01:10]
Hannah
Today we are first of all, biggest spoiler warning we've ever given because we are breaking down and explaining the end of Onyx Storm. So please, this is your last chance. If you have not finished the book, run. There is so much confusion around the end chapters for good reason as they are packed with action and Easter eggs. It's important to note that there's a huge cliffhanger and Rebecca for sure intended some level of confusion, but we have received lots of questions for things we do have context and explanation for. So today we are going to walk through a brief explanation summary of the key moments to help clear up as much confusion as we can. Then we are going to answer the top questions we received from you all. Rebecca did say at the Denver Q and A we attended this past weekend that she recommends rereading the last 100 pages of the book to better understand it. So we did that for you.
- [02:12]
Kinsey
You're welcome.
- [02:14]
Hannah
We will be diving into our chapters by chapters deep dive here soon where we will surely discover and connect so much more about this entire book and build theories that could help explain the cliffhanger itself and what it could mean for book. But for the purpose of this episode, we are sticking mostly to the direct context of the book and giving you the possibilities to help explain what is going on. If you would like a more detailed breakdown, we have a PDF bullet pointing the key moments, locations and objectives of the characters from chapters 57 to 66. You can access that resource over on our Patreon as a Feathertail member. Huge, huge praise to Kinsey. She spent hours breaking it down for.
- [03:02]
Kinsey
Us all and I used a map.
- [03:07]
Hannah
There you go with that drum roll Dragon Riders, we are taking flight into our Onyx Storm battle brief.
- [03:18]
Kinsey
We are starting with chapter 63 in Imogen's point of View, which picks up right where Violet's point of view left off in chapter 62. The confusion with this chapter seems to be with where exactly chapter 63 overlaps, which to us is parts of both chapter 64 with Violet and chapter 65 with Zayden. In chapter 63, Bodhi's dragon cure is injured and Imogen and Glayne help fight off the wyvern that are attacking him. The overall objective in this chapter is to extend the wards from Orisha to cover Dreythis. Imogen is alerted that the Venin are descending on the tower where Quinn is delivering alloy hilted daggers that are needed to extend the wards. Imogen and Dane go to the tower to save Quinn and to defend them both. Imogen is forced to reveal her second signet of turning objects to stone. Quinn is stabbed by a Venon and dies. Garruk appears as the tower is being drained by Venon and distance wields Imogen and Quinn's body to Professor Trissa who is weaving runes in preparation for expanding the wards from Orisha's wardstone. Garruk expresses that he is nearing burnout and can't distance wield again and leaves in search of another way to help. Imogen notes Bode outside on the ground retching and orders all of the riders within the walls of Dreythis to bring their daggers to her location as the alloy is needed to expand the wards. She then notices that the sky darkens further. Now this detail is important because it could be close to when Zaden channels, but may not be the exact moment as that seems to be different from a complete blackout you think she'd describe.
- [04:54]
Carly
We return to Violet's POV in chapter 64 where she is pursuing Theophany. Taryn suddenly panics for Sigale, which could overlap with the moment Sigail is captured. In Zaden's POV chapter 65, Theophany uses that moment of distraction to drop a weighted net over Taryn, which causes him to crash into the forest below. As Violet tries to disentangle herself and Taryn from the net, she finally opens the package that Auryk had sent Sloane to deliver earlier in the battle, finding an ominous note that warns only those touched by the gods should wield their wrath, a stone dagger and instructions to Strike in the dark Violet nears burnout as she struggles to free Taryn and attempts to strike Theophany. She feels fear consume their bond and realizes that Zaden is about to fully channel as Venon. Violet tries to stop Zaden through their bond, but she's blocked by his icy onyx shield. A wave of shadows consumes the land, taking out Wyvern in its wake. Violet infiltrates Jaden's shields just enough to tell him she loves him and feels his icy walls crack, but it's too late. In the midst of darkness, Violet recalls Arryk's note and stone dagger and realizes that Arryk must have manifested a precognition signet, and Darna appears, distracting Theophany long enough for Violet to stab and kill Theophany.
- [06:18]
Hannah
While all of this was going on, Zaden had been summoned by his sage whose name is Berwyn. We pick up in Zaden's POV and Sigail has been trapped in a net and we discover that Panchec is the traitor who's been helping the Venon, which explains how Theophany knew where Violet was going to be. Throughout the book, Berwin stabs Panchik's dragon with a dagger that causes the dragon to desiccate, which tells us they've created a new weapon capable of killing dragons with a single stab wound. We then find that Zaden has a new Venon brother, and Zaden is surprised that this unnamed character turned Venon after watching Zaden struggle with being Venon over the past five months. This new brother seems to be a Rider as a dragon is noted to be unconscious and surrounded by Wyvern, but we don't know for sure. Berowen threatens to kill Sigail, which leads Zaden to channel magic from the Earth, fully cementing his fate as a Venon and supercharging his abilities. He sends a wave of Shadows blacking out the city and specifically killing the Wyvern that were targeting Violet's loved ones, notably Imogen and Dain, in exchange for the power he pulled from the Earth. Zaden loses all but a fragment of his soul as Violet finally breaks through his shields and tells Zaden that she loves him. Clinging onto her words, he manages to hold onto his love for her as the rest of his soul dies. Zaden has a cryptic conversation with Sigale that includes mention of a favor he is owed, a promise Violet made him, and how he and Sigeil need to convince Taryn of their plan.
- [08:09]
Kinsey
We are thrust back into Violet's POV with the final chapter. She wakes up outside of Ryerson House with Imogen and Andarna by her side and Violet is very confused. Brennan rushes out to her revealing several the wards extended to Dreythis. Violet has been missing for 12 hours. Zaden and Garak are missing alongside two other riders. Six dragon eggs have been stolen, four riders and their dragons were killed, and three elder dragons were killed. Violet then notices a piece of parchment in her pocket and an emerald ring on her finger. The parchment is an official declaration of marriage to Zaden from the Temple of Dune and a note from Zayden that reads don't look for me, it's yours. Now Violet realizes that Imogen must have wiped the last 12 hours of her memories and she turns to Imogen demanding to know what she did. Imogen reveals that she only did what Violet asked her to do and see.
- [09:04]
Hannah
Oh my gosh. Jeez, what an what a three finger.
- [09:13]
Carly
Right now we are going to answer the top questions that were submitted to us.
- [09:20]
Hannah
How do the chapters potentially overlap?
- [09:23]
Kinsey
We found weather clues helpful in determining the overlap between chapters and several specific events that are mentioned twice. Chapter 63 From Imogen's point of view definitely overlaps with Violet's Point of View chapters at the end of 62 through part of chapter 64. It also overlaps with a part of chapter 65 from Zayan's point of view. The important overlap to note from Imogen's chapter is that the end of her chapter is likely near where Zaden is channeling at this point. They were about to put the wards up, which we know are up after Zaden channels. Also, Garak just left an Imagency's Bodie outside the building, calling to question whether either of them would have had time to get to zaden in chapter 65 and turn into his new venon brother.
- [10:07]
Carly
Chapter 64 from violet's point of view overlaps with chapter 65 of zaden's point of view. Chapter 64 from violet's point of view has the moment where they send Sigale in distress, which is likely the moment she was captured by the net. Taryn and Sigail being captured by the nets likely happen within moments of each other. Violet's chapter ends shortly after they are covered in shadows, which is shortly after Zaden channels in chapter 65. Who is Zayden's new brother?
- [10:35]
Kinsey
Who are the possible people it could be?
- [10:38]
Hannah
Using Rebecca's own words from her Variety interview, the brother is quote, hinted at, but it's not laid out because you're never in that person's point of view, so it's hinted at. End quote. Now she did give us some clues on how to figure out who the new brother is in her Denver Q and A where she said I would pay attention to who's missing at the end. I would pay attention to someone who feels like whatever they have been given is not enough.
- [11:07]
Kinsey
End quote here's what we do know about this new brother. Zayden states that this unnamed person watched him struggle over the past five months. He also refers to them as a he specifically and the last person he would expect to do this. The only male characters that knew Zaden was a Venon that long are Garak and Bodhi. Arryk could have also possibly known through his precognition signet. Given Garak and Bodhi's positions at the end of Imogen's chapter, it is less likely that Bodhi is the new brother as he would have had to fly a great distance on an injured dragon to Satan's location. That being said, it's suspicious that he was seen retching over the ground and we don't have confirmation of his final location. Garruk on the other hand was on the edge of burnout when he left Imogen. If he distance wielded to Zaden, then he would have gotten there in time and he would have been forced to channel from the earth to survive burnout. Garruk is also confirmed missing, which all fits in with Rebecca's clues.
- [12:04]
Carly
Arryk defied orders throughout the final battle and was last seen flying south which is in Zaden's direction. He would fit the description of being the last person Zaden would expect to turn Venon. Since Arryk is the Prince of Navarre and joined the riders quadrant to help fight against Venon. He was technically missing during the battle as he wasn't where he was supposed to be, but less literally than Garak who was described as missing by Brennan at the very end. Some people speculate that Brennan could be the brother because he's literally Violet's brother. However, it seems there's a cult like dynamic with the Venin referring to each other as brothers and sisters, so it's likely figurative and not literal. We also don't know exactly when Brennan found out about Zaden. He was accounted for at the end of Violet's final chapter and we assume he was in Orisha during the battle after leaving with Meera. The only other male writers who knew about Zaden being Venon, but not for the entire five months Are Riddick and Sawyer for this reason? We do not think it could be them. But the last time either of them are seen on page was back in Ri's chapter. So.
- [13:16]
Hannah
What do we know?
- [13:17]
Carly
Right. It can't be Dain because he was accounted for by Zaden when Zaden did his blackout. Shadows across the city. And the brother was with Xaden.
- [13:29]
Kinsey
Who is Berwin?
- [13:30]
Hannah
Berwyn is the sage from Iron Flame. He is the reason Zaden turned at the battle of Byzgaeth. And Zaden thought he'd killed him. This is why Zayden specifically says the line he should be dead. That is not about the brother. That is about Berwin.
- [13:51]
Kinsey
Not Liam. Confirmed.
- [13:54]
Hannah
Or Naolyn. Yeah.
- [13:57]
Kinsey
How did the Sage summon Zaden? And why can't Zaden kill the Sage?
- [14:02]
Carly
We think Zaden started to be summoned by the Sage in Violet's point of view. In chapter 62, while fighting Theophany, his shadows started turning southward against his command, which could indicate the beginning of his summons. Shortly after he left Violet to fly south. And in Imogen's point of view, she mentioned being frustrated that she hasn't seen Dade and shadows for 20 minutes. Zaden mentions a bond that exists between him and his sage, Berwyn. It seems that the Venin who make initiate's turn have some sort of control over them, which may be why he can summon Zaden and why Zaden can't harm him.
- [14:40]
Kinsey
Hmm.
- [14:41]
Hannah
Is Jack the sage's biological son?
- [14:45]
Carly
I don't think Jack is his biological son. It's more likely this term is used because Jack is Berwin's initiated. Similar to many religions, the Venon appear to use familial terms such as son, brother, and father to describe their connections.
- [15:02]
Hannah
How did Panchec's dragon die? And did Panchec die?
- [15:07]
Kinsey
The sage used a new type of dagger that can kill dragons the same way that riders can kill Venon with imbued daggers. We don't know how they're able to do this, but Panchak's dragon was killed. So unless Panchik was already Venon or turned Venon at this point, he should have died with his dragon. The detail of this was intentionally left vague in true Rebecca fashion, so we don't have final confirmation on Panchak's fate.
- [15:35]
Hannah
Sounds about Rebecca, right?
- [15:37]
Carly
Sure does.
- [15:38]
Kinsey
But it's very scary that they can just stab and kill dragons.
- [15:42]
Carly
Yeah, I don't love that. Why does Zaden channel knowing he will fully turn Venon?
- [15:50]
Hannah
He channels to save Sigale from Berwyn his sage. And in turn, this also saves Taryn and Violet.
- [16:00]
Kinsey
Did Zaden's Shadows kill dragons?
- [16:03]
Carly
No. Zaden was able to specifically target the Venon and Wyvern when he channeled and unleashed his Shadows. But if you're talking about the dragons killed within the 12 hours Violet was missing, we don't know how they were killed. Since they were within the wards, he couldn't be at his full Venon strength. And it's unlikely Sigail would allow Zaden to channel her magic to harm other dragons.
- [16:26]
Hannah
But we don't know.
- [16:27]
Carly
But we don't know.
- [16:29]
Kinsey
What favor was Zaden referring to when talking with Sigale?
- [16:33]
Hannah
The high priestess from the Temple of Dune in Orisha promised Zayden a favor after they defended the temple, her Arryx recommendation. The context seems to be that he cashed in this favor to have the priestess marry him and Violet. This would need a favor because Zaden is quite obviously Venon with distended red veins on his temples. So imagine just walking in and. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [17:02]
Carly
Gonna need a favor for that one. Why did Zaden and Violet get married?
- [17:07]
Kinsey
For one, Zaden loves her, and he kept referring to Violet as his consort throughout the book. It also means someone he trusts is watching Tyrindor. And having a title might protect Violet from the repercussions of her actions.
- [17:21]
Hannah
I'd just like to add, Zaden did say, I'll use Tirandor to protect you, not you to protect Tirandor, So the marriage could protect Violet as the duchess, since now they are going to be targeting her as a means to kill Zedan, tying back to the same thing in Fourth Window.
- [17:40]
Kinsey
That being said, the title did not protect Fen Ryerson, so it only extends so far. The title could also be used to allow her to graduate early to lead the war efforts.
- [17:54]
Hannah
Did Zaden and Violet get married at the temple in Orisha?
- [17:59]
Carly
This is most likely. They wouldn't have had enough time to fly to Unbriel, the island of Dune. And Garak couldn't use this distance wielding signet on an island without magic. Fair.
- [18:11]
Kinsey
Can you break down the note that Zaden left Violet?
- [18:14]
Hannah
Gladly. The note reads, don't look for me. It's yours now. Oh, okay. The general interpretation is that Zaden is telling Violet not to come looking for him and that he has left Tiran Door to Violet as the duchess through their marriage. Rebecca was asked about this note in her recent Variety interview about Onyx Storm. The interviewer said there's some arguing going on in the fandom. For a key reason. At the end of the book, when Zaden leaves a note that says, it's yours. Now, without explaining what it is about, whether Zaden only refers to Tirandor as a she or her, or if he has called the province an it, I have found passages where he does say it. But can you clarify what's correct here? And Rebecca responded, quote, he goes back and forth. Because I'm pretty sure he says, I need your help protecting it. When he's talking about the fact that he's been reinstated to the dukedom. That's off the top of my head. I don't have a copy of the book with me. I think that's phenomenal and I think that's wild. People are parsing it. I gotta be more careful. But he goes back and forth. So sounds like we're right back to Tirandor.
- [19:33]
Carly
Yeah.
- [19:34]
Kinsey
What is going to happen to Sigale? Did she break the bond with Zaden? Does she go with Zaden or stay with Terne?
- [19:41]
Carly
While we are not certain exactly what has happened between Sigil and Zaden's bond, specifically at the end of Zaden's point of view chapter, it seems that Sigale is willing to go along with Zayan's plan and continue to help him. This implies it is still intact, but we are missing a whole 12 hours and we just don't know enough to say.
- [20:01]
Hannah
I really hope that she does.
- [20:04]
Carly
Though.
- [20:05]
Kinsey
I would rather her break her bond with Zaden than break her bond with Taryn.
- [20:09]
Hannah
Teryn. Thank you. That sounds horrific. I don't know if I'd forgive Rebecca for that one.
- [20:14]
Kinsey
I don't forgive her for Andarna. So, moving on. Why did Andarna tell Violet, quote, I won't let them burn you.
- [20:23]
Hannah
Execution by dragonfire is the sentence for traitors. It seems that Andarna is assuring Violet that she won't let them harm her for whatever it is that Violet did or knew about in the 12 hours prior. Which is likely why Violet had Imogen erase her memories.
- [20:44]
Carly
What happened in those 12 hours?
- [20:46]
Kinsey
The only thing we know for certain that has happened in the missing 12 hours is Violet and Zaden getting married. Four riders and their dragons have gone missing, including Garak and Zaden. Six dragon eggs have been stolen. Four. Four dragons and their Riders were killed and three Elder Dragons were killed.
- [21:05]
Carly
So a lot.
- [21:06]
Kinsey
A lot of shit went down.
- [21:08]
Hannah
So much more we don't know.
- [21:10]
Carly
Yes. So much and almost no information.
- [21:12]
Hannah
So much and so little.
- [21:14]
Kinsey
Can't wait.
- [21:17]
Carly
Why were the dragon eggs stolen? And who stole them.
- [21:21]
Hannah
While we get no further context, that explains why the dragon eggs were stolen and what was done with them. The writer speaking to Brennan implied that Zaden was responsible. Notably, the Queen of Unbriel requested a dozen dragon eggs in exchange for their help with the Vennan. So do with that what you will. I'm still standing by Zaden though, and all of his rights and wrongs. Hopefully I don't regret that.
- [21:51]
Kinsey
Who killed the Elder dragons?
- [21:54]
Carly
We do not know who killed the dragons, but it is likely related to the theft of dragon eggs, which again was implied to have been Zaden by the writers speaking to Brennan, who is.
- [22:04]
Hannah
Missing at the end of Onyx Storm.
- [22:07]
Kinsey
The only people at the very end that we know for certain are accounted for are Violet, Imogen and Brennan. There are four missing riders. We know for sure Garrick and Zaden are among them. The two unaccounted for could be Panchec, since he was with the Sage and either turned or died. It could also be Bodhi or another marked one to hide their whereabouts from Melgren Signet. If Bodhi's missing, that could explain in part Zaden leaving Violet in charge of Tyrandor because Bodhi never wanted to be the next Duke. If Auric is missing instead of a third marked one, then he could possibly use his precognition Signet to evade Meld.
- [22:45]
Carly
Why did Brennan act shocked when he saw Violet at the end of Onyx Storm?
- [22:50]
Hannah
So there are two one where Brennan's eyes bulge and another when he does a double take to Violet. Rebecca addressed the first in the Variety article where the interviewer asked, quote, when Brennan first sees Violet in the final scene, his eyes bulge. Is that due to some change in her appearance? Rebecca responded, no, just Brennan's perspective is she's been missing for 12 hours, it's already noted that they have missing riders, so he's just very much relieved and is shocked to see his sister and see that she's no longer a monk. The missing end quote, which also debunks that Brennan was the brother. So that explains the first moment. But the interviewer conflates both of the moments in a follow up question saying, quote, because there is a theory that her hair has gone full silver and so that is why he's first shocked when looking at her end quote, to which Rebecca responded, interesting.
- [23:51]
Kinsey
Sounds about Rebecca.
- [23:52]
Hannah
Sounds about Rebecca. I do not see this as discounting Brennan's double take as a reaction to her hair possibly being all silver, but we can confidently say that Violet had just lifted her hand to her mouth. And that's when Imogen points out that she has a massive emerald ring on her finger. Paired with the confirmation of their marriage certificate, this indicates that she is married, which surely shocked Brennan as much as it shocked all of us. Fun fact addition. The emerald stone used for Violet's ring is the missing emerald from the dagger of Tirandor. You should go look and see when it went missing. Wink, wink, wink, wink, wink, wink.
- [24:41]
Kinsey
How did the stone dagger kill Theophany?
- [24:44]
Carly
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. This is seemingly a practice where a person dedicates their life in service to a God. The epigraph in chapter 62 says, There is no goddess more wrathful than Dune. Entering her temple will slice the soul from any attendant who has shunned her grace. It can be assumed that since the AFNI turned Venon and sought a different source of power, she shunned Dune to become her own God. And as the AFNI fought Violet in their last battle, she said, do you know the pain of never being allowed to return? Of knowing that it would sever the very thing that's kept me untouchable all these years and was unable to step into the temple? Implying that she would have died if she did, which is why she could not return. The knife likely severed the remaining piece of Theophany and she forcefully entered Dune's temple because that's where the stone originated from killing her.
- [25:52]
Kinsey
Yeah, take that.
- [25:56]
Carly
You got what you deserve, Theophany.
- [25:58]
Hannah
And those are all of our most asked questions about the end of Onyx Storm. Of course we are going to be deep diving and covering all of these chapters again at the end of our chapters by chapters. Deep dive. So we will be going back over all of this after we catch all of the Easter eggs from the beginning of the book. But we can pretty confidently say, I mean, how many times did we reread this to make this episode?
- [26:21]
Kinsey
Too many.
- [26:21]
Hannah
So many. So many.
- [26:22]
Kinsey
Too many times.
- [26:23]
Carly
Yep.
- [26:24]
Hannah
So we'll of course throw in theories, but we tried to keep this one as only context from the book as possible. They're all the context clues. Have fun.
- [26:36]
Carly
If we would have spiraled on theories, this would have been six hours for us.
- [26:39]
Hannah
Such a long episode.
- [26:40]
Kinsey
You should thank us by how short this episode currently is.
- [26:44]
Hannah
Yeah. And then some of our listeners are probably like, no, we want all the theories. So it's a give and a take.
- [26:48]
Kinsey
Great.
- [26:49]
Carly
We will get there. This is strictly just a. These are the possibilities. And we hope this helps because we got so many questions so quickly. I think this was really needed.
- [26:58]
Hannah
We had so many questions. Yeah. So we had to reread and I was like, okay, this makes a lot more sense now.
- [27:03]
Carly
And then argue. Yeah.
- [27:05]
Hannah
And then debate.
- [27:06]
Carly
We're like, what is happening?
- [27:07]
Hannah
Yep.
- [27:08]
Carly
Yeah.
- [27:08]
Hannah
But we got there.
- [27:09]
Carly
We got there.
- [27:11]
Hannah
All right. As a parting gift, because I know the end of this book was not so hopeful for many of us. Me, Rebecca herself said that she wanted us to finish it feeling hopeful and that to her it was an optimistic ending. I don't know about that, but that does give me some solace. So do with that what you will.
- [27:38]
Kinsey
It was a hell of a cliff hangover, so that's so good. The credit to that one goes to Carly. She said it first, so. And like many of you, we did endure an onyx storm hangover.
- [27:51]
Hannah
And still are.
- [27:52]
Kinsey
Yes, still are.
- [27:52]
Hannah
Really?
- [27:53]
Carly
Yeah.
- [27:54]
Kinsey
We got a lot of requests for our hangover cure rituals, so we're sharing them with you now.
- [27:59]
Carly
I cannot over recommend a sports rom com. Okay. This is my go to move. All right. We all have one. They're always lighthearted, funny. They have a happily ever after. They are low stakes. They are the comfort food of books in my opinion. My favorite series currently is the Playing for Keep series by Becca Mack. It is a hockey sports romance series and the Windy City series by Liz Tomford that has different sports in it. They're both interconnected standalones so you can read whichever has the vibes you want and skip over the ones that aren't for you. If you want something with a fantasy sci fi element, though, I highly suggest the Horror King series by Zoe Draven. Every book gets better and better in that series.
- [28:46]
Hannah
I didn't quite realize you had a sports rom com fetish.
- [28:52]
Carly
I love them. They're like what I read whenever I need, like a comfort book. I love that they are always funny and like sweet and they're just low stakes. You know when you just need a book to like bring your stress levels down, that's what I do. And they just reset my brain. So it's like I can't read a fantasy book and then another fantasy.
- [29:11]
Hannah
It's a palate cleanser. Yeah, exactly.
- [29:13]
Carly
That's exactly what I call them and nobody ever understands that. So thank you for saying that.
- [29:16]
Kinsey
Romances are always palate cleansers to me, but I haven't read a ROM or a sports rom com specifically in a long time. Like, I read A hockey romance like a year ago. So maybe I should dive back into sport romance.
- [29:31]
Carly
I will say that I haven't tried the Playing for Keeps audiobooks, but the Windy City series. Great audiobooks.
- [29:37]
Kinsey
Ooh. Okay, good to know.
- [29:40]
Hannah
So I cure my hangover as best as is actually realistically possible, which is not very realistic, by extending my experience in the world. For me, that looks like rereading Deep Diving and discussing it here on the podcast, of course, and in our discord. So finding other ways to talk to other people in the community. I also just started another book. It's a romantasy. I don't need a palate cleanser. I'm just like, give me more, give me more. But it's surprisingly helping.
- [30:11]
Kinsey
Okay, which book is that? Because you read that all weekend and I couldn't even have a conversation with you because you were just like, I have this arc and I have to read it. It's so good.
- [30:21]
Hannah
I got the arc unexpectedly on Thursday and I'm already 50%. To be fair, I did have conversations. You were also listening to Throne of Glass on audiobook, and I didn't want spoilers. Ma'am, don't tell people, but it's called Duskbound, and it's a book. It's book two in the Espritian series. Riftborne is the first book, and it was the first book I read after finishing our deep dive season. So Fourth Wing and Iron Flame were all I read for months last year. And so I read that book and then the book two comes out. So, so soon. This was not an official arc situation sponsored by any means. The authors are so, so sweet. And anyway, so it has me in a chokehold. It is pretty much outside of the pod, the only thing keeping me afloat right now through my hangover. So I highly recommend that. Or of course I'm going to say the Kindred's Curse saga. It's my favorite.
- [31:19]
Kinsey
For my hangover, I touched some grass and reconnected with nature. I'm just kidding. Not really, no. I actually injured my knee, so I haven't gone skiing in, like a month. So what I did was I got all my cries out and I relaxed the first day after finishing Onyx Storm.
- [31:37]
Hannah
I thought that was a given. I also did that.
- [31:39]
Kinsey
Yeah, I think everybody did that. That's just, like, how you process. But then I started writing down all my theories, I reread certain scenes, and I processed all of the trauma by making memes. Yay.
- [31:50]
Carly
So I sure did.
- [31:52]
Kinsey
I also went straight to my comfort read which, to no surprise, is the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. So I am currently rereading Tower of Dawn, which is a. Like, less emotionally. How do I put it? Yeah, it's not, like, gonna wreck me, but the very next one will, so I'm just gonna be right back in a reading slump.
- [32:16]
Hannah
Pace yourself.
- [32:17]
Carly
Yeah.
- [32:18]
Kinsey
So I'll hit another book hangover right before the next Hunger Games book, but that's fine. It's a comfort series, even though it hurts me.
- [32:25]
Carly
We also curated a list of recommendations from our followers. We put up a question on our stories. We got a bunch of answers, and I have condensed them here for you guys. So we have read Cowboy Smut, which I have never. Oh, well, you should. You're missing out. It's fantastic.
- [32:40]
Kinsey
Whoa.
- [32:41]
Hannah
What?
- [32:42]
Kinsey
Yee haw. Let's go. Yee haw.
- [32:45]
Carly
I was like, I love this. I. I actually have one that it's in my audible that I need to read, so that might be my next go to.
- [32:51]
Kinsey
Do you have a Cowboy Smut that you do recommend?
- [32:54]
Carly
Not that I know the titles off. Off the top of my head because I often read things on Kindle Unlimited, and then I put them back and I forget.
- [32:59]
Kinsey
That's okay.
- [33:00]
Carly
Unfortunately, you're good. Another person said cry, which, you know, highly relate. You know, you gotta get. You gotta get the emotions out. We had several people message us saying, listening to our podcast, which was so kind and sweet. So we're so happy we can help you get through the hangover. So thank you so much for saying.
- [33:18]
Hannah
I need to see this list. So I'm like, wait, we got.
- [33:21]
Carly
A lot of people responded to that, and I just wanted to say thank you. It felt so good to feel like we were helping you guys with that. So thank you.
- [33:28]
Kinsey
Thanks.
- [33:29]
Carly
Recommendations for fanfiction, which is always great. You know, go find fanfiction to stay in the world.
- [33:34]
Hannah
I have a recommendation. Oh, I feel like I've said this a million times on this podcast, but it's Zaden's POV of Fourth Wing by bellb. It's B E E E B E E. I will put it. I'll link it down in the show notes because I for sure have done that before.
- [33:49]
Kinsey
Bria sent me a fanfic of Dane and Sloane and I. I don't know what it's called, but I know I liked it.
- [33:57]
Hannah
Did you have the line from it about the codex?
- [34:00]
Kinsey
Yeah, it's about the codex.
- [34:01]
Hannah
Spoiler. If you don't want to know the. From the fanfic.
- [34:04]
Kinsey
I Can also link that fanfic in the show notes for you guys.
- [34:07]
Hannah
We will absolutely do that.
- [34:08]
Carly
So, Kendi, is it a smutty fanfic?
- [34:11]
Hannah
I'm on the slave train. What's the quote about the codex? Do you know it?
- [34:16]
Kinsey
No, I don't have it memorized. Bria does, but it's.
- [34:19]
Hannah
I think it's something like.
- [34:20]
Kinsey
Is that in your codex?
- [34:21]
Hannah
Is that in your codex?
- [34:22]
Kinsey
Is that in your codex?
- [34:25]
Hannah
Oh, I have to read that now?
- [34:27]
Carly
It's a smutty fanfic.
- [34:29]
Kinsey
Yeah, it's a smutty fanfic. Are you sure?
- [34:32]
Hannah
Sure. So what's gonna happen when I finish book 2? Because book 3 is not out of the Esprithian series. I'm gonna use that as my hangover here for book two. Gotcha.
- [34:42]
Kinsey
For that series, I'm reading some of the quotes from the fanfic already, and I'm like, oh, my God, Cher.
- [34:49]
Hannah
Girl, come on. Like. What?
- [34:51]
Kinsey
Well, like, just goes to the hilt and.
- [34:54]
Carly
What, you don't read enough smut?
- [34:56]
Kinsey
Yeah, he's busting all the way, girl. To the base.
- [34:59]
Hannah
Oh, I thought you were talking about the hilt of a dagger.
- [35:03]
Kinsey
Oh, no, girl, I'm talking about dagger.
- [35:07]
Hannah
Yeah, I'm Okay. Well, I feel inexperienced.
- [35:12]
Kinsey
There's just a bunch of, like, hot fire emojis that we're, like. We're all sending back and forth. Anyway, I recommend that fanfic continue.
- [35:20]
Hannah
Okay.
- [35:21]
Carly
We will have to link that in the show notes.
- [35:23]
Hannah
Yep.
- [35:23]
Carly
Listen to Rebecca Yarrow's playlist on Spotify.
- [35:26]
Hannah
Which I thought was a great recommendation. I would cry more with that.
- [35:29]
Kinsey
I've actually been doing that. I've been listening to it in the shower.
- [35:33]
Hannah
Crying. Yeah, no, but, like, no need for tissues there. Right?
- [35:36]
Kinsey
I like it because I'm like, oh, yeah, now, I know, like, that goes to that scene, but it's also, like, there's some, like, good vibe songs in there too.
- [35:44]
Hannah
Wouldn't have thought that.
- [35:45]
Kinsey
No, there are. I like it. I've been listening to her, to her.
- [35:48]
Carly
Playlist, and then another one was just to reread a favorite book, which I think we've all kind of touched on a bit here. And watch a Comfort show was another one.
- [36:00]
Kinsey
Can I suggest one?
- [36:01]
Carly
Is it going to be Ted Lasso?
- [36:03]
Kinsey
It is Ted Lasso.
- [36:05]
Carly
Well, do I know you?
- [36:06]
Kinsey
Ultimate Comfort Show. Please watch Ted Lasso. It'll make you laugh. It'll make you cry. It's amazing.
- [36:12]
Carly
It's really good. Someone said just start the series over, which I totally understand. Yeah.
- [36:18]
Hannah
Started fourth wing Especially now with new context, whole new experience.
- [36:21]
Kinsey
That's what I did with Iron Flame. I just immediately went back to fourth wing.
- [36:26]
Hannah
The problem with you guys saying earlier about go back to your comfort book, it's this series. So two birds, one stone.
- [36:35]
Carly
Yeah, yeah, it's both. And then somebody wrote in to visit a friend and she said specifically that after Onyx Storm, she impulse bought a plane ticket to go see friends. So that's a serious book hangover. But I.
- [36:47]
Hannah
That's dedicated.
- [36:48]
Carly
Yeah. But I'm so glad that it inspired you to go see your friends. So, you know, visit a friend.
- [36:53]
Hannah
I'm curious if the friend has also read Onyx Storm. Cause were you like, I need to be around someone who doesn't know anything about this or is it like we're both consumed and we needed each other? I'm curious. Please, I'm curious. Please tell us. Let us know.
- [37:06]
Kinsey
Either way, it'll make you feel better. Like you just need to like hang out with some friends.
- [37:10]
Hannah
Yeah.
- [37:11]
Carly
So I love that. I think honestly this past weekend, getting to go see Rebecca Yarros and see you guys and meet so many amazing women and cosplayers and all of that was really helpful for me. So I actually think seeing friends is such a great hangover here recommendation.
- [37:25]
Hannah
I agree. Yeah, I took it for granted. But theorizing with friends, like when we were on the book retreat, that was so fun. And so, gosh, if you totaled up our face times over the last two weeks, like at least a week worth of.
- [37:40]
Carly
Yeah, like a full time job of.
- [37:42]
Kinsey
Just FaceTiming hours and hours and hours. But it helps tremendously. Like, it makes me feel a lot better about the ending of the book and I feel good about it now.
- [37:51]
Carly
I'm glad.
- [37:52]
Hannah
Well, and if you don't have any in real life friends to talk to about the series, DM us. Yes, we've got a Discord. It is free to join. They pop off in there sometimes. Sometimes. It's quite entertaining. Shout out to all of our Discord members. You guys are awesome.
- [38:07]
Carly
Yep.
- [38:08]
Hannah
So, yeah, like, find spaces where you can connect to other readers. Cause we're everywhere we are.
- [38:15]
Carly
Yep.
- [38:15]
Kinsey
Yeah. That's why I made my Bookstagram. I was like, I gotta talk to somebody about Iron Flame.
- [38:21]
Hannah
So I mean, that's what the whole podcast was created because of. Right.
- [38:25]
Carly
And then we all found each other all through Bookstagram.
- [38:29]
Hannah
Yeah.
- [38:30]
Carly
I mean, really, like the Bookstagram community is a great place to find people who love what you love and make friends. And I've made more friends in the last year than probably the last 10 years combined. Just finding people who love what I love. So it's been great community.
- [38:43]
Hannah
Even this last weekend, everyone we met up with, we'd met on Instagram.
- [38:47]
Carly
So it's like oh yeah, and they're the most wonderful women. Like they're just wonderful supportive women who are so much fun and I could not have asked for a better weekend or a better group of people to spend it with.
- [39:00]
Hannah
So love you guys.
- [39:01]
Kinsey
Much love.
- [39:02]
Hannah
Thanks for making the weekend awesome.
- [39:04]
Carly
We love you.
- [39:06]
Kinsey
All right, and that wraps up our episode breaking down and explaining the end of Onyx Storm. Thank you so much for listening. Before we go, we want to give a special shout out to our newest Patreon members, Briana C. And Rosie D. Thank you all for supporting the podcast and helping us continue to create high quality content. If you'd like to hear your name in a future episode, you can join our Feather Tales Tier 3 and we'll make sure to shout you out in our next recorded episode as a Feather Tale.
- [39:34]
Hannah
You'll also get exclusive ad free full video episodes with the option of audio only, early access to our regular season episodes and PDF resources including the one from this episode, including our Fourth Wing and Iron Flame recap summaries as well, and Carly's Onyx Storm annotations which will release weekly alongside our Chapters by Chapters Deep Dive plus more. If you'd like to join but would prefer to keep your name private, just let us know. You can check out our Patreon linked down in the show notes to see all of the perks across our three tiers. We also have a base tier for general support donations as well. And if Patreon isn't for you, there are still plenty of ways to support us. Leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify subscribing, recommending us to your fellow Empyrean readers, and simply tuning in to each episode means so much.
- [40:26]
Carly
Thank you again for listening. Don't forget to subscribe wherever you are listening and join us for our next episode discussing our experience, seeing Rebecca Yarros on the Onyx Storm Tour and our favorite responses from the Q and A. Stay tuned for our Chapters by Chapters Deep Dive of Onyx Storm, where we will be deep diving into all things character scenes, theories, foreshadowing Easter eggs, lore and more.
- [40:46]
Hannah
If you haven't already, check out our first season Chapters by Chapter Deep Dive on Fourth Wing through the lens of Iron Flame. There are over 30 hours of binge worthy content to explore where we picked up all of the things that Iron Flame changed about Fourth Wing and there are timestamps in the show notes and every episode if you would like to jump around.
- [41:05]
Kinsey
As always, we encourage you to email us all of your thoughts, theories and suggestions. Feel free to DM us on Instagram or join us over on our free Discord Group chat.
- [41:14]
Hannah
Until next time, Dearest Fantasy readers, prepare yourselves for a recap of Rebecca Yarros Denver Onyx Storm Tour Q and A as we continue our journey through the Empyrean series.
- [41:31]
Carly
Yay. We did it. I think I want a T shirt that says Cliff Hangover.
- [41:43]
Kinsey
So cute. Cliff Hangover.
- [41:49]
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