Well, Echo Fort, Book 2 of Sins of the Zodiac by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, came out yesterday. I nearly read it in one sitting, but at 787 pages, that wasn't quite possible. Still, less than 24 hours.
I'll do my best to give my spoiler free reactions first, and then post musings and predictions that require spoilers below the cut. Let's go.
First, the spice rating for this book is lower than the first, surprisingly. While there are several spicy scenes, there's no...ahem...completion. I'd say it's one big tease, but these authors play the long game so it's really just the slow part of slow burn. Still no clue which couples are endgame although at least one of them is giving "mates" to me.
There are several new POVs. Along with Vesper and Everest, our badass FMCs, there's more Bastian, we get Kaiser and Harlon POVs, and a new character, Septa. We even get POVs from Ransom Rake and Prince Dragor. Some of these are merely to give a small bit more insight into what is happening "offscreen", especially near the end, but they continue to open the world up and help to see all the intricate working parts. This book is political.
As for the plot: well, at the start of the book we get a world map and thank the stars for that because we are no longer stuck just at Never Keep. Everest continues her investigations into what the Reapers are up to, but Vesper is on a secret mission and ends up deep in enemy territory as a result. Meanwhile, we are introduced to characters in Avanis (Stonebreaker territory) and start learning more about the political situation there. But while we start with our characters in multiple places, in the last 150 or so pages, the plot threads start pulling together toward an epic conclusion. In true Twisted Sisters fashion, no one ends the story where they started.
It is very much a middle book. Lots of moving parts. Lots of plot threads set down. Some woven to a natural end but much more introduced than concluded. But very satisfying.
On an interesting story-crafting note, I was having a discussion with my son about high stakes in storytelling. I mentioned I like "enemies to lovers" as a trope because of the heightened stakes. He prefers the stakes to be emotionally driven rather than plot driven. I will note that the most masterful part of the storytelling here is that the emotional stakes were upped. I am invested in the characters. I care about them. And I was almost moved to tears by one character-driven moment that had nothing to do with romance. The emotional toll of the war, and the disillusionment the young warriors get as they encounter the real toll the war is having on the Waning Lands, is heavy.
But I'm veering close to spoiler territory with that so let me put up the page break and post the warning.
Here be spoilers past this point
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Okay, so the most moving relationship in this story is Vesper and Everest. They are both so prickly, so guarded, so proud, so driven. And their friendship is so unexpected. But it's the kind borne of respect. In a kinder world, they would be friends. But they are born to be enemies, so the best they can offer each other is the promise of a glorious death in battle. And yet...
I am convinced they are Nebular Allies. If you have read any World of Solaria books, you will know what I am talking about. The moment when Vesper tries to kill Kai to help Vesper break the soul-tie, that's real friendship there.
Okay, more observations. I'm thinking Vesper/Bastian is one of the endgame ships. First, because I'm convinced that all of the endgame ships will be cross-element. Second, because Bastian gave a comment that hints at Elysian Mates. But they are both so broken, and Vesper's betrayal is going to be hard to come back from. I really am dying to know how Vesper ever breaks from of Dragor.
Kaiser and Everest. As I expected, the Fearsire magic created a really interesting dynamic. It provided some good forced proximity, and it allowed for some really interesting insight into Kaiser as a character. He is utterly dispassionate. As in, completely unfeeling to the point where he has to be told how to act like a normal person because he only has logic to run on. The way Everest's Void powers affect him is such a character element. The attraction between them is real, but the soul-tie also created a power dynamic which would have been a real problem in the long run. It's good that Everest broke it.
And then there is the question of what happened in the end with Kaiser. I'm hoping, hoping, hoping he did not die. He was on the edge. But I hold out hope. Because he can feel again. Now that the power balance between he and Everest is righted, I would love to see that continue.
Because it's clear Everest and Harlon are not endgame. Not just because Kai is hotter. But because the wall between Ever and Harl is growing. The spicy scene between them that went nowhere is proof of that. It wasn't just Everest's fear of losing him as a friend. She wants something he can't give. And their loyalties are as disparate as between the enemy countries. Maybe more so.
More character bits: Ransom Rake got a "save the cat" moment? I mean I'm not totally surprised. The Twisted Sisters have redeemed bigger bullies in the past. And the second you meet Commander Rake, you realize that it's as bad as being the son of Lionel Acrux. So the fact that he shows that he's not totally corrupted yet is a big deal. He offered honorable death to a spy rather than see her tortured and violated. And he had genuine horror (as do most of the young warriors) at the bringing of war to civilians. He remains a braggart, of course. But it will be interesting to see his development. I also am curious now that it's clear that he prefers men, if that will be an issue that causes a further break with his father. Cascada seems bent on selective breeding, and would expect him to sire children if he proves to have prowess on the battlefield. Thus far, the Waning Lands don't look like they have the technology for doing that anyway but the old-fashioned way. Somehow, I don't see him excited about playing stud anymore than Everest was excited about being relegated to a brood mare.
Mavus Angelico: I love to hate this bastard. We all know he was bad news from the start. And I'm beginning to wonder if he has any interest in the war ending. Yes, he's aware of the players. He realizes it's an endless war for a reason. But does he benefit from it ending? No. That leaves me very, very suspicious.
The Vampires: We have a name for one. He's pretty. That seems reason enough to believe we will, sooner or later, know more. But the fact that the Covens are willing to ally with Pyros is very interesting. What I want to know is, will the power of the vampire covens be broken if Everest can end the endless war.
Which brings me to the big magical elements.
Everest's Void power: It's confirmed. She is the Void. And by the end of the book, the immense power that she has is undeniable. The question is, which prophecy is the true one? And will Everest come to understand in time that victory will not be obtained by one element dominating?
The Ether: I'm loving where this plot point is going. For one, it makes clear why Vesper is just as essential as Everest is. She has a role to play in restoring the balance. It's calling to her. But also, there is an interplay between the Ether and the Void. And all of this is what will destroy the Waning Lands if they don't stop fighting each other and instead turn to where the real evil is.
What I loved:
Everest got everything she thought she wanted in this book. She proved her power on the battlefield. Her father wants her. Her brother acknowledges her. She has struck her mother's killer with a mortal wound. So why does she feel so empty? I suspect it may take much of the next book for her to realize that what she's been aiming at was vainglorious. But I have hope that her inner sense of justice will lead her to do the right thing in the end. Sometimes it takes getting what we think we want to realize that it's not actually what we need.
Vesper is so, so broken. I feel so badly for her. And I feel worse that she had a shot at something good, something real, and didn't take it. But I know why. She made that star deal. And she still only wants revenge and then oblivion. She needs to be put back together and made anew. They all do. Despite all of that, she still had a number of incredible moments. She remains sarcastic and bold even when she is in the depths of despair. And she also shows that she really does have the makings of hero. But she's so cynical, she hates herself for it.
We finally learned what Everest's order is!
Oh, I also loved that we saw Cayde's comeuppance. Not only does he have a much less sexy real name--Alestro?--but he has truly been hoist by his own petard. Not only has Vesper's curse left him a wreck, he can't consummate his marriage. Poor Septa. I don't know if we're supposed to be rooting for her or not, but I feel for her. But only a little. Or rather, I'm sorry her intended was so disappointing. I just hate that she's probably on a collision course with Vesper because I think they should team up against him. Can't wait to see where that thread leads.
That's all my thoughts for now. Only 8 more months until Cinder Vale.
I just finished reading Never Keep by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, the first book in the Sins of the Zodiac Series. I'm keeping this review suitable for all ages, but the book is definitely 18+. Also, this is not a spoiler free review. There will be spoilers mentioned for the book, as well as the other books set in the world of Solaria (Zodiac Academy, Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, Darkmore Penitentiary).
First the spoiler free section. I would rate this 4 to 4.5 stars out of 5. Spice is around 2 chili peppers. Explicit, but with plenty of feelings, not a whole lot of it, and pretty vanilla. (Not a complaint. Just where it sits on the scale.) Writing quality is a real cut above Zodiac Academy. And despite being set in the same world, the feel is definitely much more high fantasy. There's splashes of foreign languages (like real, fantasy languages, not the smattering of Italian and Spanish that show up in ZA). There's interesting devices for riding the wind and waves. Even the familiar elements (the Fae Order forms, the elemental and cardinal magics, etc.) feel much more like a proper fantasy novel. Again not a complaint. I love urban fantasy. But I grew up on 3 inch thick doorstoppers with 50 page glossaries. I'm loving this turn into less familiar waters.
Why didn't it rate 5 stars. Pacing. It's a slow start. Understandably so because there's a ton of world-building work being done. Unlike Zodiac Academy which uses the isekai format (girls from our world tossed into Solaria so we learn along with them, plus it's still very familiar in terms of vehicles, technology, society, etc.) all of these characters have been part of this world their whole lives. Their perspectives are limited though, by their experience so there's plenty to learn. But the basics of the Waning Lands take a lot of explaining.
Like, a lot of explaining. There's a four way war going on between four kingdoms. Each only uses one of the four elements. Anyone Awakened with more than that single element becomes part of the Reapers, the quasi-priesthood that oversees the zodiac-based religion, as well as magical training at Never Keep, the neutral zone where warriors from all four nations are awakened to and train their magic. Remembering the names of the kingdoms, their elements, the names of their warriors, and a ton of the world-building lore elements is a lot of work and it takes time to set up.
In addition, the mid-plot has some slow moments. There's a mystery being slowly uncovered, and we're following two FMCs, each with very different personalities and challenges, and it takes a lot of set up to get to the final 20%.
The final 20% is half of why it rates so highly. The pace picks up. The plot twists are twisting. And, in true form for the authors, it ends on a cliffhanger with lots of emotional damage.
The other half of the high rating is the characterization. There are, as I mentioned, two FMCs. They are very different. They are not necessarily likable, but I found myself wanting them to succeed. I hurt when they hurt. They are believably flawed. Their actions fit their motives and background. And they don't end in the same place where they started.
Now for the spoilers! Look below the fold if you want all the details, or go read all 20-something books in the Solaria-verse and come back later. (Although you can totally read this book without having read ZA, RBOTZ, and DP)
Okay, first of all, I am loving the new order forms. The Succubus was a really unique take on the lore, especially having the magic refill through feeding on any kind of desire, not just the most obvious. The Fury...talk about overpowered. That is dang frightening. Right up there with Phoenix. And what on earth is Everest? I mean, yes, she looks like a Snow Leopard, but I'm feeling like there's something more there.
Speaking of Everest, FMC number 1, I love her. I'm tempted to describe her as neurodivergent-coded. She has a very unique and individual fashion sense, and the sewing talent to create it. And she gets so excited by creating clothing. As a former costume designer, I love this so much. And she realizes she doesn't fit it, but rather than keep trying, she accepts her outcast status and just embraces who she is. Her quest for recognition and vengeance is understandable, but she is completely outclassed against Kaiser Brimtheon. The filial piety she shows in persisting in her vendetta despite that is impressive, if foolish.
Do I love Vesper, the Sky Witch, as much. Not really. Like Tory in Zodiac Academy, her "take no BS" bad girl attitude is occasionally annoying. But, again, it makes sense. She has a ton to prove and her chip on the shoulder is justified. And she is such a lost little girl under the tough shell. She is so utterly broken by the end of this book and I'm going to be very interested to see what she becomes in the wake of the betrayals and tragedies she endures. Also, I hate Prince Dragor. Girl should have known better, but she just wanted someone to love her.
Now, the magic. Is it the same magic as Zodiac Academy, etc.? Yes. And that's so cool because if you've read those then you realize some really key things right away about how shady the Reapers are. Principally, that Healing is a Cardinal Magic available to any Awakened Fae. Even single element Fae should be able to Heal the way they can do other Cardinal Magic (sound shields, illusions, etc.) The fact that only Reapers can heal is sooooooo shady. And when the Vampires from the coven in the attack on Never Keep use healing? OMG. When are these kids going to realize how badly they're being manipulated?
The Stardust. Don't get me started on the stardust. Okay, so you need dragons to make it. And the Reapers have been keeping a dragon captive, presumably to make stardust. Why are there no other dragons? Why is the stardust linked to portals? Is someone going to figure out the other ways to use it?
What are the Reapers doing? I mean they're clearly up to not just dark magic Ether stuff like what Vesper uses, but more likely something involving shadows. Whatever it is, it is creep AF. I am so worried for Harlon.
Finally, the romance. They said this would be true enemies to lovers and they are delivering. I am already convinced that Everest and Kai are one of the endgame couples, but there is work to be done here. Not just "they're on opposite sides of a war" word. Not just "how is she going to get over him killing her mom?" work. There's also "he's bound their souls together magically and removed her free will" work. But hey, forced proximity trope. And her Void powers make him feel something. There's material to work with here. But the key word is work . Kai is on the Anthracite Coal end of Morally Grey so I really want to see how it works out.
Who Vesper is going to end up with is a very different question. Not Dragor, of course. He's awful. Her crush made sense, but boy did she get woken up. The authors could do the coming back after betrayal trope with Cayde, but I'm thinking that's not likely. Not because they couldn't pull it off. But it doesn't feel like that. (Good examples of recovery from betrayal trope include From Blood and Ash series and Nightborn Duet from Crown of Nyaxia series. In both, it's clear the betrayer is conflicted between love and their prior mission, chooses the mission but regrets what it did to the unexpected complication that was the love. And then there is lots of work to regain trust.) I'm leaning toward the dragon introduced in the second to last chapter. Call it a hunch. But we'll see. Vesper needs healing and she's not going to fall in love easily next time. She has been burned badly thus far.
Something about how Sloane and Dain’s signets both need physical contact to function, and about how Dain’s means that no one wants to touch him, and Sloane’s means that she doesn’t want to touch anyone.
So, I've got questions about why being an inntinsic is an executionable offense. Big Onyx Storm spoilers, so the rest is below the cut.
For the last two books, we've known that manifesting inntinsic as a signet is a death sentence. And I had assumed it was a Navarre thing. There isn't a security clearance high enough to ensure that random 1st years aren't just revealing the venin secret.
And this has been discussed in critiques online. YouTuber Krimsonrogue pointed out that it seemed foolish to kill off an intelligence asset when the sensible thing is figure out how to control it.
But what if it's not a human law, but a dragon law?
Sgaeyl protected Xaden, not even telling Tairn. But Sgaeyl does what Sgaeyl wants. She's a law unto herself. And that last POV chapter? She's choosing Xaden over dragonkind. Or at least, she's taking the risk that he can still be saved.
(A moment to appreciate Xaden. That man inspires loyalty from his women.)
But on the isle with the irids, they accused Andarna of gifting Violet a signet even more dangerous than lightning. And we learn later that it's dream-walking, a form of inntinsic.
Xaden is quick to point out that as harmless and passive as it seems, it's as dangerous as his ability to read intentions. Buy why do the irids, who have shunned human contact for centuries, think it's dangerous?
Is there a reason that dragons don't want this particular expression of magic to manifest? Why?
Currently mourning the fact that we never got to see Xaden and Violet engaged after the “we were betrothed, not engaged, and yes, there’s a difference to me” comment in Iron Flame.
Ugh they would have been so adorable and so insufferable to everyone around them. Don’t get me wrong, I love the way Onyx Storm ended, but I’m so sad we didn’t get a proposal (a real one, the three times Xaden heavily hinted at it don’t count) or a wedding, or even Mira pretending to be disgusted but actually so happy for them.
If we don’t get some kind of flashback scene or memory sharing of their marriage in book 4, I am going to die. I am simply going to pass away because I cannot handle not knowing or experiencing the love and the emotions and the yearning that took place in that scene. I really feel for Violet, because imagine discovering that you married the man you are wildly in love with and have no memory of it. Imogen, when I catch you—
They were basically common law spouses from Part 2 of Iron Flame on. I'll admit, War Bride Violet was not on my bingo card, however.
I'd love a big renewal of vows or something like that, with a big celebration. Can't be an actual wedding though because this is the opposite of a secret marriage. She's the Duchess now so everyone is going to know this is official.
Can I just say I am so excited and happy to see all the love and rooting for Dain x Sloane.
I shipped Dain and Sloane since Iron flame. I just LOVED this premise. On one side you have the man who was unwillingly involved in the brother's death and on the other side the sister of said brother. Like honey the ANGST.
Ngl I was kinda "scared" the first time to post about me shipping Dain and Sloane back then (The acotar fandom gave me PTSD) because I knew people wanted Sloane to end up with Aaric, which would also have been fine, but then imagine my surprise when I actually had people saying they would also be okay with Dain and Sloane ending up together.
And NOW after Onyx Storm, which itself made my Dain x Sloane heart jump and dance. Giggling and kicking my feet.
"Gods. Don't I know it." Ahhhhh the yarning
Now to see all the love for Dain and Sloane makes me so happy 😩💓
dain holding sloane by the waist so she doesn't throw hands and then letting her punch him? twice? dain telling sloane he doesn't coddle first years anymore and ordering her to train.her.signet.? dain helping her siphon when she's nervous and telling her she is life? "EYES HERE"??
I can feel the brainrot setting in and it's glorious
... in rereading bits of FW while editing ttios, the amount of unhinged theories I am now coming up with are RIDICULOUS.
(Onyx Storm spoilers - a virtual fucking novel - below the cut)(has been edited since first posted)
In no particular order ...
Barlowe knowing accurate things about the feathertails at Threshing - like that the breed abhors violence and won't fight - and going to kill it. Now, given that we know that Panchek was working on the inside, do we believe that he is where Jack got his info? That, given the apparent super sneaky venin living in the walls (... money is still good on daddy Aetos there too), they knew to try and kill the feathertail once it was known to exist because of the wards somehow? Venin long game of taking down Basgiath's wards so they can't restore them since no seventh breed?
Xaden always telling Violet she'll be the death of him. Well, she has been ... the death of his soul, at least. Also given all the god talk, there's completely going to be some literal bargain with Malek to save him (if he gets saved). I'm guessing that Malek might be the other god to which she could dedicate herself. Though, with Xaden saying "it's always you" to Violet since she's in the middle of shit all the time, that could be an unfortunate side effect of her partial dedication to Dunne.
Which, leading up to that last little point, with that ending, how the fuck is the next book going to be a romantasy with the main couple separated? Unless we're really going to get an Imrrick story (if, of course, Garrick isn't the new brother).
In the very first class of Dragonkind, Kaori says you'd be ash if you ever tried to get close to the Vale and Violet mentions some girl with a rebellion relic pulling down her sleeve. Interesting tidbit, but we ignore it, right? But then, in Onyx Storm, Brennan LITERALLY MENTIONS taking Xaden to sit by dragon eggs in what is presumably Aretia's response to the Vale. So what, do dragons let relic riders near them? Does Brennan get the same courtesy afforded to him due to the rune on his hand? (which, don't get me started on that mystery we still need a fucking answer for ...)
Another reason why I think Xaden saved Sgaeyl? Because if Sgaeyl dies, so does Tairn and then so does Violet. In IF, Tairn says that Sgaeyl would be emotionally inconvenienced if the shadow wielder died, but doesn’t directly answer Violet when she asks him if she’s just an emotional inconvenience to him. So killing Xaden? Might not kill Violet, but the other way around was pretty drummed into us, as was the interdependence of mated dragons’ lives.
Xaden's "there's nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn't find you" line is COMPLETELY going to come into play now with the Onyx Storm ending. Mostly because, given the GMA interview RY did today, she said she fought with her editors to get the ending she wanted which to me, means ending on Violet's POV as opposed to Xaden's POV like the previous two books. What do we get in Violet's POV? A note from the man saying don't look for him. We also learn from RY at the release party she attended that that specific line is still her favorite (either line completely or just of Xaden's) from the series. Violet may not look for him, but you don't think that Xaden's going to still be able to find her?
She'll probably still be able to contact him though, and probably through her dreams (that dream-walking signet is a foresighted signet for her not because she needed to know what her NON-DREAMING DRAGON WAS DREAMING ABOUT JEEBUS, but because she'll need to contact Xaden still and dreams are going to be the way she does it. If, of course, venin sleep. Which ... do they?
Or due to the compass. We might be getting a PotC thing there with that ... which ... I don't know how I feel about that.
Harkening back two points ... if he's ever on a battlefield, I believe that he still won't harm Violet solely because of the ch.48 epigraph about an entire village being decimated by venin except for one house because the venin doing the decimating was the dude's wife. (which, speaking of Xaden's love declaration in this book, he's totally gonna become a Maven or something, isn't he?)
While I'm here ... I think Bodhi might be the new brother. Mostly because I think he turned to work on the venin from the inside, to use his signet-countering signet on the venin themselves. Also because in the Imogen chapter, she also watches blue fire from a wyvern "roll down Cuir's neck, extinguishing to smoke before they reach him." She makes it sound due to the angle, but what if it's because Bodhi was able to counter the fire at that point? Also, Cuir is pretty badly injured at this point, so it's plausible. And even though Bodhi might have the good reasoning for turning, it could also make sense why he's puking after, upset at his decision. And Garrick might just be missing since he had to walk during that missing 12 hours and didn't have the energy to walk back yet.
Liam's ice wielding ... like the fuck? Does this mean that Sloane is going to develop a second signet too? Or that she won't because there was only one other dragon rider descendant in her family and that dragon is dead because they bonded Liam, and she only said the stuff in IF because Thoirt was explaining secret shit to her?
The dragons are going to end up being a big bad somehow. You don't have the line from the Fables about demonizing dragons and then learning that they draw from the source themselves - plus all the talk from the venin and the Isles and even the damn Irids as well as tidbits in quite a few of the epigraphs - without realizing some shit is going to down with them. (Also, need I also continually say that this series is the Empyrean series - so many of our questions are going to be solved due to the fucking dragons).
But also, do the gryphons then also draw the same way the dragons do? But the magic balance is better there because they also die with their bonded flier?
There's a theory on the RQ Discord server that gemstones are going to come into play and I agree with that, if only also because of the seemingly random throwaway line about Poromish gemstones during the Parapet info dump. Plus during the triumvirate dinner, one of them brought a piece of jade - a gemstone - onto the table when it looked like negotiations were going well and put it back into her lap when things went to shit again. Not to mention the citrine necklace, the ruby one Cat was given on Zehyllna, the onyx and amethyst and other mentions of random gems throughout the series ...
I'm also going to guess particularly with emeralds, since the venin want a specific thing as well - ch.50 dream - "You will bring what I want ... or she dies. I'm through waiting, and I will not allow her to win such a prize." If you harken back to ch.6, Xaden extracts a promise from Violet - "Swear you'll sound the alarm if I go too far, that you'll keep it safe, even if it's from me." I don't believe it's Tyrrendor, since Tyrrendor is always referred to as a she. Her ring has an emerald that she thinks is from the Blade of Aretia and the emerald-hilted Sword of Tyrrendor keeps appearing in Xaden's dreams. Are the weapons a matched set? Plus the sword almost comes into play in negotiations with the Deverelli. There's SOMETHING with those two weapons somehow. Plus Xaden's keeping the Blade of Aretia in his gift from Zihnal ...
Speaking of RY and things she's said recently ... someone we love will die in book four. This ... is obvious. Given the Rhiannon and Imogen chapters - and the fact (I think) that she'd like to write their stories eventually - I think those two are safe. We've had Ridoc scares the last two books - the arrows in IF and the kitchen jump-scare in OS - so I hope it's not him, but RY also really adores Ridoc so ... she might. BUT ALSO, it could mean metaphorical death given the whole new mystery venin brother of Xaden's (less likely, but hey).
Going back to things from FW/IF that I'm surprised haven't come more into light ... General Daramor and the original army from the Barrens. I'm a little surprised Violet hasn't tried looking for non-censored texts about that from Tecarus's library.
Speaking of Tecarus ... do we think he's secretly working with the venin as well? Mighty suspicious that the most indefensible palace known to man and its city are like the one non-drained area in like the entirety of fucking Poromiel ...
Some of the things that seemed random are coming to light and I don't know if it's that she's retconning as some have pointed out or if her plotting of the whole series truly is *that* detailed and her editors have just done her no favors when it's come to pacing and worldbuilding. Or she's done herself no favors with it given when she wants the info dumps for all of us.
Not theory related, but worth commenting on since I'm here ranting ... the ship names? I jokingly poked fun at that in viayn so to see it in actual text? I just don't know. Also, I know everyone's getting Drake/Mira out of this, but there's also potential Mira/Syrena too since Mira white-knuckles her pack when Aetos informs Cat she's closer in line to the throne and they're all wondering if it's Syrena who's dead.
Regardless of it all ... the one thing I think we can ALL agree on in book four? Better have some Broccoli. And I'm convinced Ridoc also helped Drake come up with that name.
If you feel like it, will you expand on how you think they are still involved romantically in the end of onyx storm? Like I get that they are married but that seems to more to secure Violet’s future without him. It doesn’t seem to be because he has any hopes of any kind of future for the two of them together. Romantically or otherwise. He doesn’t want her to look for him. Aren’t they as broken up as they can be at this point? I’d love to hear your thoughts (and love another/different perspective because these thoughts I’m currently having are honestly making me feel ill).
Also thank you for your contributions to the fandom!! Honestly I think fanfic is the only thing that’s gonna get me through this. Hope we get an upsurge of riorgail fluff from everyone 🙏🏼
I have never felt like doing anything more, anon!!! I get what you're saying, and I think that's the way Rebecca/Red Tower WANT us to see it, because they want us to be anxious about where it's going so that we buy the next book. However, I refuse to subscribe to that! Here's why:
(I wrote an actual essay, so it's below the cut:)
"Together romantically" My answer to the other ask was me visiting the Xaden Liarson school of verbal gymnastics so that I didn't spoil the ending for that anon. However, judging by Xaden's behavior throughout ALL of Onyx Storm (and frankly, books 1 and 2 as well) he wouldn't marry her just to dip overall. Like, even not being meta here, he wouldn't do that. He's selfish when it comes to her, for one thing, and he says this repeatedly. For another, he CLEARLY wants to marry her just to marry her. I don't want to get sucked in to another re-read (and someone else asked for my thoughts on the ending in general, so I'll reply to that ask once I'm done with my second re-read in the next few days with more page numbers and quotes and things) but in the scene with his mother, Xaden's reaction seems to illustrate that marriage is NOT a tool for him like it was for his father. He wants to marry Violet because he loves her. Now, obviously the shotgun (crossbow?) wedding was ALSO a move to protect her and solidify her place without him as you said, but with how he talked about marriage throughout the book, and how he talked about HER, he's not marrying her just to dip. He's just not! It means something to him, as she does, and he's not going to forsake that.
Violet Violet isn't letting him marry her just to dip either. Her thoughts throughout the entire book are that she isn't scared of him and she isn't running, and she isn't letting him run from her, either. The way the scene is set up with Sgaeyl, we see:
(Sgaeyl) glances over her shoulder. "And you think she'll help?"
"She loves me."
"Tairn does not, and you haven't looked in the mirror yet. The red veins branching from your eyes look like her lightning."
"She'll help." It comes out with a hell of a lot more certainty than I feel. "She promised."
I am slightly worried about pronoun fuckery in this bit, but we know Violet loves him more than anything, and this portion of Xaden's chapter makes it clear Violet has to agree to whatever the plan is (murdering dragons, stealing eggs, etc) and that Tairn does as well. I think Tairn would actually support them breaking up, to a certain degree, and whatever the plan is, Sgaeyl does NOT think Tairn will be down.
And then, for more confirmation:
"We will ask," Sgaeyl finally says, flexing her claws in the rocky soil "And her decision will determine our fate."
They need Violet on board for whatever they're doing. Violet isn't going to be on board with him dumping her post wedding. I know some of these lines can point in other directions, but I don't think they do, for the reasons I'll go on to spell out below!
3. Memories I know some people were confused about what, precisely, Imogen made Violet forget, and it seems like she's missing 12 hours (which, insane signet growth, Im). I could not get over Violet forgetting her wedding. Hours after I finished the book, I was like, oh my God. She can't remember her wedding, and I burst into tears. Repeatedly. At length. Which is insane, because these books NEVER make me cry. All this to say, (again, given Xaden's tone specifically surrounding marriage) they aren't going to take having her forget their wedding lightly. They just aren't. She has to forget everything in those twelve hours, because she helps Xaden concoct/finalize whatever the hell he's planning on doing (I'll probably share what I think he's planning on doing in my response to the ask I mentioned above, but the gist of it for now is that mans is going on a quest of his own), but Violet ASKS Imogen to make her forget. In the marriage aspect, Xaden's protecting Violet, but in forgetting, Violet's protecting Xaden. This is why I say romantically together as well. I think the love is more important than anything else. I think the point of this book was to make it clear they'd both do absolutely anything for the other, and the ending is a culmination of that. I know some people suggested that they have her forget so that she can't be interrogated and used against him, and I think that's definitely true (although I think making her duchess also protects her from this, but Violet has always doubted her own ability to lie). Personally, my gut instinct interpretation was that deal she made with Ridoc that she'd let Ridoc kill him if Xaden took being venin too far (which, side note, do we all just forget about them being interconnected when it suits us??? He can't die because then Violet will die. We've been over this. I digress). Clearly everyone seems to think his little "display" at the end of the book is "too far." I don't know if he killed anyone important in that scene (again, I actually thought Bodhi dies? At first? And THAT was why she had to marry Xaden to secure the duchy while he was gone? but Red Tower seems to be very in tune to fandom priorities, and with how many people love Bodhi, killing him off page would certainly be a choice) but he's still at least an Asim, if not a Sage (given the veins, I'm 99% sure he's a Sage, but again, we don't get anything concrete in that ending. side eye, Red Tower. side eye.) and therefore everyone thinks he betrayed them, and he needs to get out of there before everyone else kills him! By forgetting, Violet is saving his life. That's romantically together to me.
4. Quest! Xaden doesn't leave Violet to pull an Edward and frolic around Europe for a few months or whatever it is. He has a plan. This what he shows Sgaeyl, I believe, and what Vi and Tairn have to agree on. It involves stealing the dragon eggs, killing the elders and/or the other dragons (save me third re-read of this damn scene, save me) and getting the hell out. @maethologies told me privately that the very act of going on the Quest means Xaden has hope for a "cure", just like Violet said he still had hope if he was trying to get Brennan to mend him. I think this is the Second Krovlan Uprising tie in: trade the dragon eggs (side note: why are there 7? did Andarna steal an egg and bring it back ????) and get allies against the venin (and eventually Navarre) (and perhaps do other cure-related tasks, idk). I also personally think Xaden's going to find more answers for Violet about her connection with Dunne. A huge theme of this book was that (explicitly) Xaden and Andarna don't know who they are, but Violet doesn't really know either. She spends book 3 helping them, and in book 4, I think they help her. Basically, he returns to the isles for quest part 2! Also, I think bringing 3 riders with him is a clear sign he's not just dipping. I'm hoping my second re-read helps me finalize who the hell he brought with him besides Garrick, but if they go to the isles like I'm thinking, my moneys on Dain or Aaric for the language translation (both of whom love Violet). I have a variety of other quest nonsense to share in the other ask, but the gist of it is that he is moving with a purpose! And his purpose is Violet! Because he's in love with her!
5. Meta This is where I get a LITTLE messy. I don't know if everyone reading this saw my 2024 reading wrap up, but I have read the vast majority of RY's catalog, and I consider myself to be very familiar with the themes she likes to write, and the situations she likes to return to, over and over again. A HUGE focus for her is the war in Afghanistan. She's been obsessed with that for ten years, which makes complete sense given who she is and her lived experiences. If you happen to not be super familiar with Rebecca as a person, her husband was in the military for a very long time, and her primary sub-genre is military romance. I don't know if this carries over internationally, but in the United States, marrying your partner early on in your military career is incredibly common, because it protects them in the event of your death and while you're deployed. I was really upset about him marrying her and then immediately leaving at first, but when I thought about it, it makes complete sense for who Rebecca is and what she's gone through. I'm not trying to accuse her of self inserting or anything like that, but she clearly likes to write situations that are important to her (as do I! As do we all!) and so it makes sense to me that she'd call upon something like this for X and V. It does NOT make sense to me that she'd call upon something she went through with her husband she's still married to and then make it a break up. Will it cause tension? Obviously! But to quote Mr. Riorson himself, they're past the break up stage. (Rebecca does some silly things with foreshadowing in her books, and sometimes she says things like this to prove them wrong, and other times, she says things like this prove them right. I really think this is a "prove them right" scenario, but I'm basing that off vibes, frankly, and my knowledge of her body of work. My Rebeccca-dar, if you will.)
6. Xaden Liarson I see your point about the note, and maybe I'm deranged, but I do actually just think he's lying. I don't think he's stupid enough to think she won't come looking for him at this point. He knows her too well for that. I think the "don't come looking for me" or whatever it is is a cover up for everyone else who thinks he betrayed Tyrrendor. Also, it slows her down! I am certain she'll look for him eventually (peep her broken compass from the god of luck, anyone?), but the note + the memory wiping make it so she can't immediately go looking for him. I think that's the point of it, not that she never looks for him again.
To conclude this literal essay, I think they're still together romantically because of Riorgail's most up-to-date characterization on their own and dynamic together, as well as who Rebecca is as a writer. I actually could probably write another essay on this, and I probably will in the other ask, but if there's anything else, let me know!! I need to bleed this book out of me so I can be normal again. But even if they are "broken up", it doesn't matter long term. The five book series WILL end with them together. That's how romantasy works. Xaden isn't dying. Violet isn't dying. Everyone else is fair game, but those two are fine, LOL.
Also, you are SO welcome for fic, always. I am not a fluff girly, unfortunately. I don't really write it in general, but we'll see if I get possessed. I do have a girl dad Xaden fic in the works (in which I have to re-work their wedding....) and I have some new smut ideas I want to write sometime soon! I think that will scratch the itch for me, anyway! As I've mentioned throughout this post, my hangover cure of choice has been to dive right back into Onyx Storm again, and I honestly think that was the best idea for me. I didn't do that after Iron Flame because I thought it was somehow "bad" to do so, and then I just longed for these characters for months. But, you do you! I wanted to make a masterpost of my hangover cure recs, but we'll see if I ever get to it. If you've read this far I am personally giving you a virtual gold star.
In the Polish village of Zalipie, all the buildings are covered in painted flowers. Over 100 years ago, when everyone had wood-burning stoves, someone painted a flower on their ceiling to cover a soot stain, and it became a trend. In 1948, the town started an annual painted cottage competition to help recover psychologically from WWII, and now all the homes, churches, bridges and barns are covered in flowers – inside and out. Source Source 2
