Summary
With the thirdEmpyreanbookOnyx Stormupcoming in early 2025, fan theories are speculating about Violet Sorrengail’s second signet. Violet has consistently exceeded her own and others’ expectations throughout the series, so it’s reasonable to expect the revelation to be dramatic onOnyx Storm’s release.
One popular theory shared by readers is thatViolet’s second signet could have manifested under duresswhile being tortured by Varrish. The implications of this are fascinating – if true,Violet Sorrengail could confirm a theory about her fatherand his research. However, a detail from the book shows that Violet may have to find another way to learn how to cure venin.
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Why Violet’s Second Signet May Not Be Speaking With The Dead
A compelling theory about theEmpyreanseries is that Violet’s second signet has beenstaringFourth Wingreaders in the face. It proposes that Violet can speak with the dead. When she is being tortured by Varrish inIron Flame, she hallucinates Liam and converses with him. Violet immediately thinks:“You’re not really here. You’re a hallucination from pain and dehydration. A mirage.”Liam can reply to her thoughts. The exchange, along with Yarros’ penchant for hiding revelations in plain sight, hasled many to speculate that her second signet is mediumship. This implies potential contact with her father inOnyx Storm.
However, anIron Flameplot detail complicates this theory – while in the torture chamber,Violet has been fed the newly introduced serumthat dampens the cadets’ dragon communication and signet abilities. While on the serum, she can’t communicate through her bond with Xaden, Tairn, and Andarna, nor can she summon her lightning abilities or any others that may manifest. As Violet acknowledged in chapter 35, Liam could be her subconscious telling her what she needs to hear to get through the experience. Yarros has confirmed that she chose Liam to avoid confusing the reader with Violet hallucinating Xaden (perEntertainment Weekly).
Liam As A Spirit Visitation Is Also Unlikely
As much as having ghosts in theEmpyreanseries’ universe would make for great reading, it, unfortunately, seems like it’s unlikely Liam is a spiritual visitation. Firstly, this is given context in the lore in the chapter itself. When the image of Liam says that perhaps Malek (god of death) sent him as a kindness, Violet refutes it –“Malek doesn’t do kindness. Nor does he allow souls to wander about.”Indeed, if anything, Malek would do the opposite of kindness for Violet sinceshe didn’t burn all of Liam’s belongings, which is meant as a tribute to the god.
Low stakes have been a common complaint in the fantasy genre.
It’s also unlikely because of Yarros’ approach. In the same interview, she explains:“death is a part of life […] when you go to war, your friends don’t always come home, and so it was important to me to keep that realism.”She then clearly states:“I wouldn’t bring anyone back,”because it makes the stakes lower.
Low stakes have been a common complaint in the fantasy genre, including paranormal romances such asThe Vampire Diaries –Yarros’ refusal to follow suit gives an otherwise fantastical series grounding. Along the same lines, it seems more likely thatshe included the hallucination to add military realism to the scene. Torture is a part of war, and Violet needs to have a way to psychologically make it through that experience.
Rebecca Yarros Hinted Violet’s Second Signet Has Already Manifested
Rebecca Yarros hinted in herEntertainment Weeklyinterview that Violet’s second signet has manifested,but she didn’t give too much away, prompting manyFourth Wingtheories about her signets. It’s important to note thatthe signet-blocking serum is at an experimental stageand little is known about it, so it’s not impossible that mediumship could be an ability of Violet’s. Her second signet comes from Andarna, who is descended from a previously unknown seventh breed of dragons who are a mystery. This means Violet’s second signet could be one of several possibilities or evenmultiple powers inOnyx Storm.
Andarna is short for Andarnaurram, which translates to “the second honor.”
Onyx Stormwill explore venin abilities, including drawing energy from the earth. Violet’s primary signet, contrastingly, is“pure power”drawn from the sky. Hersecond signet could be another way she could counter the venin’s powersto honor the balance of magic in nature. InIron Flame, Varrish almost burns Violet out by demanding she channel her lightning repeatedly – it’s possible that he had other motivations for his obsession with the signet. This is suspiciously brushed under the rug after Varrish is defeated,killing one ofIron Flame’s best villains. This may be picked up again in the much-anticipated release.
