February 2025 Not First in a Series BOTM - Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

[Jamie]

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.

Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath.

**This BOTM thread will be open until March 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Grace]

Here for the journey
Too soon to reread

[Jessica]

Meanwhile I'm like yes for once my urge to immediately reread a series upon finishing pays off.

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Woot woot! Soooooooo excited to start this! I’m glad I waited since it won BOTM and our team really be needing the points. 😂

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ So it just occurred to me, is it possible Violet will have multiple signets through Andarna. Like, one for each color? (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ Y’all! I need more Xaden. Although Tairn is freaking hilarious. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ I just realized I don’t know how Jack was turned Venin. I think it’s Markham that is Venin at Basgiath. Aetos is too obvious. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ Professor Riorson! What. Call me hot for teacher (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "End of chapter 2 [spoilers removed]"

Interesting thought, I was thinking the same
(view spoiler)[Also thinking if she can change signets as she goes and her needs change... (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "End of chapter 12 [spoilers removed]"

hmmm (view spoiler)[Markham would be too obvious, no?
Like he talks to way too many people and is in assemblies, so they would notice him with his eyes.

I do think that someone at Basgiath is venin, I just think it's not someone in very high power.
Tho, I agree that high colonels/generals etc are working with venin. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

@Grace (view spoiler)[ Yeah, they are definitely working with them. I just think Aetos is such a prick he’s too obvious a choice. I get they were trying to be selfish and protect their own but something more sinister is going on. I was thinking maybe Markhem didn’t have red eyes like Xaden because he hasn’t channeled much or he’s figured a way to cover it up. I think Markhem is responsible for getting rid of all the historical documents. It references time and time again that the scribes pretty much decide what the history will be. It’s so true too. It’s still true today.

I’ve had a bad migraine today so I’ve not gotten to read much. I just finished chapter 15 where Xaden is teaching the sparring class.❤️ I’m obsessed with him by the way. He’s obviously hot and that bad boy thing going but the way he loves Violet….it’s the why I read romance novels. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 16 (view spoiler)[ If Dain screws her over I think I will cry. I was starting to like him. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ Now we have Violet’s ex! Xaden jealous is hilarious. Good riddance with Aura gone. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ They’re in Deverelli and my heart just goes out to Xaden. At least they could always come back there and live if they don’t find a cure. They have options 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Xaden (view spoiler)[jealous Xaden is amazing!!
Also, Professor Riorson is H.O.T. (hide spoiler)]

Deverelli (view spoiler)[yeahh... but they are missing a huge part of who they are. No magic, and their dragons are in pain.... They wouldn't survive long, I bet they'd do crazy... (hide spoiler)]

Scribes (view spoiler)[I definitely agree that Markham is hiding texts, but he is not the first generation of scribes who does this. He is just continuing what was already being done.
Scribes are not innocent...
But whether they are traitors to Navarre (by working with the venin) or just trying hard to protect Navarre and hide what's out there is the real question. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

@Grace (view spoiler)[ Yeah I spoke too soon about them staying in Deverelli. I said that before Xaden told Vilolet that Sgaeyl was in pain. That broke my heart. I feel so bad for her and we haven’t heard hardly anything from her in this book so far. At least to 49%.

I didn’t get to read at all yesterday. I had a busy day and I’m trying not to rush through this one like I did Iron Flame the first time I read it. I should get to read some here in a bit. I think this one is a bit slower for me. I still love it! The interactions between Tairn and Andarna are priceless!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Chapter 33 (view spoiler)[ Since Cat just grinned at Aaric. Since she’s looking for a crown, maybe she will hook up with him. We need more chemistry and relationships in this series. 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

that last update Shannon.......... 😶

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 34 (view spoiler)[ I can’t believe Xaden’s mother is there. I was not expecting that one. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Theory
Starting chapter 50 (view spoiler)[I wonder if the Sage is Tairn's old rider and that's how he saved Brennen's life. I've wondered this before but it just came back to my mind as she's having another dream about him. Of course she alluded to the idea he may have been more to Brennen. I think there's something to that and it will come into play (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Beginning of chapter 53 (view spoiler)[ From Vilolet’s mom journal she wrote “Asher retuned today. God’s help us if anyone finds out. I’m not sure I’ll forgive him for what he’s done to her.”

I’m sure she’s talking about Violet but how mysterious. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

HELP!!!

End of chapter 59 (view spoiler)[ Violet just noted there wasn’t a mark on the back of his neck and not one on Dean’s arm. Does that mean Sloan is Venin? I’m assuming she’s talking about where she channeled power for the ward stone in Iron Flame and it left a mark. Would she be using Venin power? (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Finished : I hate when shit ends like this. Just sayin.

(view spoiler)[ So. I’m assuming Xaden married Violet so she could be in charge in his stead. As to who is turned Venin. I think it’s either Garrick or (I’m going out on a limb here) Liam. When he was asked to “bring his brother” they assumed she was referring to Garrick and Garrick says “Everyone knows we were raised together.” Then Sgaeyl says “you have another who calls you brother.” Xaden says “The only other person who would have qualified for that title is Liam.” Even though Sgaeyl was referencing Jack Barlow the only two people Xaden calls brothers are Garrick and Liam. Now, as to it being Liam, I went back and read where he died in Fourth Wing and they never take his body with them. What if those Venin somehow raised him up. I still think Naolin is the Sage or somehow in with all of them. I know it’s far fetched but it just seems odd she would have him say that Liam was the only other person he would call brother. I have to quit starting series I don’t have all the books to. This series was by accident. I went in blind on a buddy read and had no clue it was a series. Fucking stupid. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Edit

(view spoiler)[ I think Naolin is the Maven, not the Sage. Whatever the big Ike is called. 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "Beginning of chapter 53 From Vilolet’s mom journal she wrote ..."

I think this was also a bit vague
(view spoiler)[but did you connect the dots?
she was talking about Asher almost dedicating Vi to Dunne.
She isn't fully dedicated, her process was started tho

there are some clues that can point to her being fully dedicated by the end of OS (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Yes. I figured that part out.