The Empyrean series (Fourth Wing)

[Nadine in NY]

New discussion topic to talk about the Empyrean series (Fourth Wing & Iron Flame & ???) I want to keep this topic open for discussions of ALL the Empyrean books, so keep in mind that some participants may have just started reading Fourth Wing. Spoiler tag everything!!

This is a spin off from the week 12 discussion in the weekly check-ins ... for anyone who didn't read our posts there: I loved Fourth Wing but I felt like Iron Flame was too long and bloated. (And I hope I've spoiler tagged enough here.)

But I will admit, I was a little sad the next night because I didn't have Iron Flame to read at my bedside, so despite all my complaining, I clearly enjoyed the journey.

I am a little nervous about the next book. First it was to come out late this year. Then it got moved to next year. Now it's very vague, "maybe" next year. These are far from her first books so she must have a writing routine firmly in place and I will remain hopeful. But nervous.

Does anyone want to speculate about Violet's second signet? Yarros teases "every single hint you would need to know what her second signet is in Iron Flame." I just finished Iron Flame, and I saw a TON of hints about Andarna (view spoiler)[not being a blue or black dragon, (hide spoiler)] but I didn't see any hints about Violet's second signet!!!

The book is pretty clear that your signet is what you need. We get reminded over and over that Xaden likes to be secretive so his signet is shadows (view spoiler)[(and somehow she worked in that his second signet is also related to his personality but I don't remember what she said - maybe something about his need to know he can trust people) (hide spoiler)]

So what does Violet need? (view spoiler)[I'm not sure how her lightning power is related to what she needs, so I don't know where to go for a second power. She needs her friends to be safe, she needs a secret letter left behind from her mother so she can finally know her mother really loved her, she needs extra accommodations to protect her joints, she needs to learn how to communicate better with Xaden and stop blaming all their communication problems on him (but they already have telepathy), she needs to read all the old documents in the Archives ... Maybe her signet could be something to help her squad? Or perhaps it's related to Andarna's previous ability to stop time? or translating languages? But this book likes to make Violet the cool special one so her signet will be powerful - maybe she will be able to teleport short distances! Andarna's skill is she can make herself practically invisible - maybe Violet will get something related to that. (hide spoiler)]

[Nadine in NY]

I'm still noodling over this, having a conversation with myself right now!

I found these articles (both are full of spoilers for both books):
https://www.businessinsider.com/fourt...
https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/iron...

And in an interview Yarros says (view spoiler)[Violet's second signet has already manifetsted in Iron Flame. So, duh! it must be that she can talk to ghosts. She was not hallucinating Liam, she was actually communicating with him. (hide spoiler)]

Also, this article delves into who Tairn's previous rider was (view spoiler)[ and why Lilith Sorrengail was looking for a cure for venin. Who did she know who had turned? Her husband? Or was it Naolin, who saved Brennan? (but then she would have known that Brennan was still alive. Perhaps she thought it was BRENNAN who became venin?) Is Naolin the venin who Violet (and Xaden) keep dreaming about?

In the last chapter of Iron Flame, it seems clear that the venin General who is taunting Xaden knows him. Who is he? Did Xaden know Naolin? Was it Xaden's father?

The article also talks about Violet asking Xaden if he's a "distance wielder" (being able to cross hundreds of miles, basically teleporting) - but the other article says she's already manifested her second signet, and she hasn't done anything like that.
So I'm back to feeling convinced that she can speak to the dead.
That means she'll be able to speak to her mother, too, and get over this dumb idea that her mother doesn't care about her or is disappointed in her. (hide spoiler)]

[Nadine in NY]

LOL continuing my own conversation with myself here:

Does anyone have any theories about Xaden's mom? I mean, in a book like this, we can't just leave it at "she just left" can we??? She's gotta be still alive and important.

[Britany]

I'm coming to chime in!

I still loved Iron Flame. I know many of my friends didn't love it as much and got annoyed with the trust argument between X & V. I think his parents have to come back, right RIGHT?

Did you see the book trailer for the next one? Slated to publish 1.25. Onyx Night I think is the title.

I just the world Yarros created here. (view spoiler)[I'm surprised and a little disappointed that the school aspect is done (I assume) - could've used 1 -2 more books set there before it just blew everything up. (hide spoiler)]

[Nadine in NY]

Britany wrote: "I'm coming to chime in!

I still loved Iron Flame. I know many of my friends didn't love it as much and got annoyed with the trust argument between X & V. I think his parents have to come back, ri..."



yay!! now I'm not talking to myself!!! I think his father (view spoiler)[ might be that venin we see him fighting in the last chapter of Iron Flame. They definitely knew each other. (hide spoiler)]

And (view spoiler)[ I don't know if school is truly over? The only wards they have now are at Basgiath so they'll all be staying there at the school next year. Might as well keep on with classes! (hide spoiler)]

[Britany]

I sure hope so with Basgiath!! Do you think you'll do a re-read as it gets closer to January?

[Nadine in NY]

Britany wrote: "I sure hope so with Basgiath!! Do you think you'll do a re-read as it gets closer to January?"



No I rarely do that - there are so many other books I want to read, it's hard for me to decide to take the time to re-read something. Once I did re-read all the MurderBot novellas in preparation for a new one, and I was glad I did that ... but they are short so it didn't feel like such a commitment.

I took detailed notes on the plot of both books and included it as a spoiler in my review, so I can refresh my memory by reading that.

[Britany]

Oh what a great idea Nadine. I may need to read your review and notes as we get closer LOL.