Onyx Storm: Chapter Summary and Spoilers (Chapters 51-60)

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Chapter Summary & Spoilers (Chapters 51-60)

The Bite-Sized Version

Just when our heroes could use a breather to process Violet’s second signet (being a dream walker), wyverns decide it’s the perfect time to attack Aretia (because timing is everything in this series!). Mid-battle, Theophanie makes her dramatic entrance riding a wyvern like it’s a fantasy Uber, revealing she was once a priestess of Dunne, which explains her silver hair. The plot thickens when one of the irid dragons, Leothan, unexpectedly show up to help, and drops the mother of all bombshells – he wants Andarna to leave with him to learn “the ways of the irids.” After an emotional goodbye that leaves everyone sobbing into their fantasy tissues, Andarna’s bond with Violet is severed, and she follows Leothan into the night like she’s leaving for dragon college.

While Violet spends three days in a blanket burrito of depression, we learn some jaw-dropping family secrets: baby Violet was once taken to Unnbriel to be dedicated to Dunne’s temple (worst baby dedication ever), which explains her signature silver hair. Meanwhile, political tensions reach boiling point when Prince Halden threatens war over Xaden sheltering Poromish refugees, and Xaden retaliates by cutting off Navarre’s supply of magical alloy (petty, but effective). The crisis escalates when Theophanie kidnaps Mira and demands Violet and Bodhi in exchange. After a chaotic strategy meeting where Brennan forces Violet to choose ONE objective (the audacity), our heroes race to Draithus only to find Mira’s dragon chained and bleeding.

In a twist that would make George R.R. Martin proud, Theophanie slits Mira’s throat right after Jack Barlowe arrives in his runed box. Thanks to some quick thinking and magical tag-teaming from Dain, Sloane, and Brennan, Mira survives (albeit with a fresh scar because apparently Sorrengail sisters collect those like trading cards). The final showdown reveals Theophanie’s true power – she’s not a lightning wielder but a STORM wielder like Violet’s mother. As Violet faces down Theophanie alone while wyverns head toward civilians fleeing up Medaro Pass, she seems to have one last trick up her sleeve. The battle for everything is officially ON, folks!

The Bit-Sized Version

Chapter 51

• Just when you thought Rebecca was going to let everyone process that whole dream walker bombshell, Chapter 51 said “LOL NOPE” and threw us straight into BATTLE MODE at Riorson House.
• So here’s the tea on this absolutely CHAOTIC situation: A horde of wyverns is approaching Aretia (because of course they are in this third book) They’re super understaffed because timing is everything:
  • Only 11 active dragon riders available (including Xaden Riorson)
  • Both of the Duke of Tyrrendor’s generals are conveniently elsewhere (seriously, who scheduled this?)
  • They’ve got some retired riders but like… not ideal for a huge battle!
• The battle is giving major “last minute group project” energy:
  • Xaden in charge (looking good while doing it, naturally)
  • Violet Sorrengail assigned to the wall despite her brother protesting
  • There’s this whole dramatic moment where Bodhi’s like “let me fight!” and Xaden’s like “someone’s gotta keep the family line going!”
  • Cue the most Xaden Riorson goodbye ever: “I love you more than this city. Do not die defending it.” Sir, that’s not how motivational speeches work for your dragon rider girlfriend!
• But WAIT, because this chapter has DRAMA:
  • Aaric comes running in like “protect Dunne’s temple!” and Violet’s is like sir, this is a battle with dark wielders we don’t have time for that
  • Rhiannon, Violet’s squad leader, is giving leadership realness, splitting everyone into teams
  • Violet’s out here making lightning shows to spot the enemies (and getting blisters for her trouble)
  • The wyverns are using new tactics, coming in small groups instead of formation (sneaky sneaky!)
• The chapter ends with a WILD battle sequence:
  • Tairn’s going full stealth mode using his black scales (werk!)
  • They’re doing aerial acrobatics that would make Top Gun jealous
  • But then… they spot FOUR wyverns heading toward where our dragon Andarna is waiting
  • Violet pulls off this EPIC lightning split-shot move
  • BUT PLOT TWIST: One of the wyverns has a silver-haired rider! (No one invited you, Theophanie)
  • And just when you think it can’t get worse, the chapter ends with Tairn in pain. 

Chapter 52

• We are jumping right into the immediate crisis at hand in this third book:
  • Tairn’s got a MASSIVE wyvern wingspur stuck in his leg (think “half the size of Violet Sorrengail” massive)
  • Our dragon Andarna is having a whole teenage rebellion moment at Dunne’s temple (girl, why are you never where you’re supposed to be!)
  • Violet’s best friend Rhiannon shows up like a boss and uses her powers to pull the wingspur out
• But then things get spicy when Theophanie makes her dramatic entrance, and honey, she’s dropping BOMBSHELLS. Turns out she used to be a priestess of Dunne (plot twist!) which explains why she’s silver-haired – it’s a whole priestess thing! She’s got this creepy faded forehead tattoo and everything. And when the current high priestess calls her “heretic,” you just KNOW there’s some juicy temple drama we haven’t heard about yet. She tries this whole “join the dark wielders” routine with Violet Sorrengail again before she does this WILD disappearing act with two other venin (apparently pulling a distance wielder move like Garrick!)
• The huge battle gets INTENSE:
  • Four more wyverns incoming
  • Our dragon rider is out here making lightning like Zeus on caffeine
  • BUT THEN the wyverns just start… falling? Like, straight out of the sky?
  • One absolutely DEMOLISHES the temple steps and a pillar
• And just when you think it can’t get more chaotic:
  • Xaden Riorson shows up looking like he just walked off the set of an action movie, blood-splattered and brooding, saving everyone from flying marble with his shadow powers
  • Sgaeyl and Tairn are having this whole dragon drama moment – she’s mad that Violet “let” Tairn get hurt, while Tairn’s all “excuse you, don’t blame my rider!”
  • And then… drumroll… IRID DRAGONS SHOW UP!
• The chapter ends with Leothan (one of Andarna’s kind) casually mentioning he fired up the ward stone like it’s no big deal. Which, excuse us, WHAT?

Chapter 53

• Let’s start with the good news (because trust me, we need it): One of the irid dragons fired up the ward stone, which means Aretia and most of Tyrrendor is safe! Yay! But hold that celebration because…
• Enter Leothan, who’s really one of Andarna’s kind since they come from the same den (family reunion, anyone?). At first, he’s giving major judgment vibes about how our dragon Andarna has turned out (excuse you, sir, she’s perfect), but then he drops this bombshell: he wants Andarna to come “home” with him to learn the ways of the irids. For YEARS. Without her bonded Violet Sorrengail.
• Now here’s where it gets SUPER spicy – turns out Andarna pulled off some next-level magical shenanigans! Humans are only supposed to be able to bond with ONE dragon (Tairn called dibs first with that iconic “Step aside, Silver One” at Threshing), but our girl from the seventh dragon breed was like “rules are more like guidelines” and created a second bond anyway. Because irid dragons aren’t just magical creatures – they ARE magic. Which means Andarna can basically rewrite the magical code however she wants… including breaking their bond if she chooses. Talk about your relationship trust issues in this third book!
• Then comes the absolutely GUTTING moment where Violet Sorrengail, being the selfless queen she is, tells Andarna she wants her to be happy “even if it’s not with me” (WE’RE NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING!). And then…deep breath
• Leothan just… YEETS the bond away (rude), disappears into the night, and (no longer our) dragon Andarna… follows him. Like, literally just poof gone, leaving everyone shook, especially poor her now former dragon rider Violet who basically collapses. Thank goodness for:
  • Tairn being like “BREATHE, HUMAN!”
  • Daddy Xaden Riorson catching her as she falls
  • Violet’s best friend Rhiannon being the supportive bestie we all need
• The chapter ends with this absolutely devastating line: “Andarna’s gone.” And I’m sorry but we need a moment to process this betrayal in the fourth wing series.
• P.S. Can we talk about how Sgaeyl is RIGHTFULLY ANGRY because honestly same, girl! The Duke of Tyrrendor’s dragon knows what’s up.

Chapter 54

• For THREE WHOLE DAYS, Violet Sorrengail is basically doing her best impression of a blanket burrito in bed while everyone at Riorson House takes shifts making sure she doesn’t completely shut down:
  • Brennan is on morning duty with his book club for one
  • Violet’s squad rotates afternoon shifts (A+ friendship goals)
  • Xaden Riorson is handling the night shift (and probably not sleeping much himself)
  • Meanwhile, Tairn’s keeping their bond WIDE open like some kind of magical emotional support dragon for his dragon rider
• But then on day four, Violet’s sister Mira bursts in like she’s auditioning for “How to Get Away with Depression” and is NOT having any of this bed-rest business. She’s like “you can cry, scream, or break stuff, but this blanket cocoon situation? It ends today!” And honey, the family drama between Violet’s siblings over who knows what’s best for her that follows is better than Bravo.
• Then we get this absolutely TENDER moment where Xaden helps Violet take a bath (and before you get any ideas, it’s actually super sweet and NOT spicy). He’s out here being the most gentle soul ever:
  • Carefully washing her like she might break
  • Asking permission to wash her hair (the RESPECT)
  • Having this deep conversation about grief over losing Andarna while making sure she’s taken care of
  • And delivering the most Xaden line ever: “Do you need me to take care of you or kick your ass? I’m fully capable of and willing to do both” (THIS MAN!)
• Then comes the BOMBSHELL revelation that makes your average family secret look like child’s play. Through Violet’s siblings’ bickering, we learn that Violet’s mother and Violet’s father took her to Unnbriel as a BABY to be dedicated to Dunne’s temple (because apparently that was their version of parenting 101). But wait, it gets juicer. The dedication tea is SCALDING:
  • The temple was like “This baby’s got too many paths, come back later maybe?” (Reading some serious mean girls energy here)
  • It explains why Violet has got that signature silver hair like the priestesses (genetics? Never heard of her)
  • Turns out their grandmother Niara straight up stopped talking to their parents after this whole dedication debacle
  • And there’s this absolutely WILD prophecy about someone’s heart either beating FOR Violet or WITHIN Violet (way to be specific, prophecy) turning dark for the “right reasons”
• And just when you think this family therapy session couldn’t get spicier, Xaden’s venin situation gets blown up wide when he jumps in with the “plot twist: I’M the dark heart!” confession. Violet’s sister Mira’s response? Pull a knife, because nothing says “I’m processing new information” like threatening your sister’s dark weilder boyfriend.
• The chapter ends with Mira storming out after realizing everyone’s been in on this “Xaden’s venin” thing other than her, but like… she’s been sitting on this whole “our parents tried to temple-ify our baby sister” bomb for HOW long?

Chapter 55

• First up, the political conflict is MESSY:
  • Navarre’s like “how dare you help refugees!” and about to declare war on Tyrrendor
  • Prince Halden is being extra™️ and has got troops at the border 
  • Our Duke of Tyrrendor’s response? Cut off their magic metal supply like “no alliance, no alloy!”
• Speaking of messy, our girl Violet Sorrengail is back in runes class and honey… it’s NOT going well:
  • She’s worse than ever because she used to use Andarna’s more delicate power
  • Tairn’s magic is like trying to thread a needle with a fire hose
  • Quinn actually gives some solid advice: “Get aggressive with it!” (which, honestly, is probably good life advice too)
• Then Felix shows up to spill some TRUTH TEA:
  • Calls out Violet for not following orders during the huge battle
  • Points out that the temple attendants were only in danger because Theophanie was hunting our dragon rider (ouch, but fair?)
  • Basically says “Violet’s squad needs boundaries” because they can’t keep following her into danger
  • BUT he’s impressed with her lightning-splitting skills, so… progress?
• But the REAL drama kicks in with this absolutely EXPLOSIVE argument between Bodhi and Xaden Riorson. Turns out the Duke of Tyrrendor’s been pulling Bodhi from classes to train him as his backup (subtle), but Bodhi delivers this absolutely ICONIC speech about how he was MEANT to be the rider while Xaden was meant to be duke before their parents’ execution changed everything. He basically says “I’ll die for you but I won’t be your Plan B when you give up” and honestly? We stan a man who can set boundaries while pledging undying loyalty in this third book.
• The chapter ends with this gut-punch combo of:
  • Xaden straight up admitting he’s preparing for his “demise” (rude)
  • But also saying he’ll fight for every day he has with Violet (swoon)
  • And then they decide to… um… “test the durability” of the throne room…wink wink
• P.S. Can we talk about how Violet’s just casually mentioning she can split lightning bolts now? Our girl’s out here becoming Thor while processing trauma.

Chapter 56

• First up, we’re back in that creepy Draithus dream, but this time our dream walker’s brain actually kicks in and she’s like “wait a minute… these aren’t my shadows!” She realizes she’s in Xaden Riorson’s dream (Violet’s second signet power making a surprise comeback!) and suddenly she’s seeing it as herself instead of through his eyes.
• Then the Sage (like, THE head honcho of all dark wielders) shows up being his usual creepy self, doing his force-choke routine on Xaden while making cryptic demands. But here’s where dragon rider Violet has her big galaxy brain moment:
  • She realizes it’s just a dream and Xaden is actually fine in bed
  • Remembers the only way these nightmares ever end is with the Sage’s sword strike
  • Puts together that PAIN = WAKE UP
  • But plot twist: she’s wearing dream-leather pants with no convenient sharp edges
• Then she has this brilliant “if this was MY dream, I’d be armed” thought (we love a girl who knows herself!), and suddenly – BOOM – there’s a dagger on her hip with this fancy polished wooden handle. The Sage’s face when he sees it? PRICELESS. Before anyone can stop her, she’s doing her best “stab first, ask questions later” impression on her own arm and – GASP – she’s awake!
• She then wakes the Duke of Tyrrendor up and they have this cute “let’s process our shared trauma” moment, but PLOT TWIST – someone’s at the door! And honey, it’s Garrick looking like he just lost a fight with a brick wall. He comes bearing a fresh black eye and what looks like a shield but is actually… drumroll… ONE OF TEINE’S SCALES.
• The final gut punch that has us all stressed for the end of Onyx Storm? Theophanie’s got Violet’s sister Mira. And she’s giving them this absolutely unfair ultimatum:
  • Bring Bodhi and Violet Sorrengail to Draithus in 5 hours
  • Or Mira dies
  • No pressure or anything!
• P.S. Can we talk about how the Sage in Xaden’s dream literally predicted this with his “she will come herself” line in that dream? The FORESHADOWING.

Chapter 57

• The Assembly chamber at Riorson House is basically chaos incarnate:
  • Everyone’s arguing about what to do about Violet’s sister Mira/Draithus
  • There’s like 10 dragons against HUNDREDS of wyverns (not great math for the final battle!)
  • The first years are ready to throw hands with anyone who says they can’t fight
  • And poor Sloane actually DOES try to throw hands until Dain Aetos is like “not the time”
• Meanwhile, our core crew is trying to strategize:
  • Brennan has got his tactician hat on
  • Xaden Riorson doing his best “stoic leader who’s definitely not planning something reckless” impression
  • And Violet Sorrengail just trying not to scream because HELLO, HER SISTER’S BEEN KIDNAPPED by dark wielders.
• But then we get this MASSIVE plot twist – turns out when Theophanie asked for Xaden’s “brother,” she didn’t mean Bodhi… she meant Xaden’s VENIN brother Jack Barlowe (Insert dramatic soap opera music here). Because apparently this third book wasn’t complicated enough already.
• Then Brennan goes full tough-love mode and drops these truth bombs on Violet:
  • Forces our dragon rider to pick ONE objective (the audacity)
  • Points out that she’s predictable because she always tries to save everyone
  • And basically says “your hero complex is the reason we’ll fail” (OUCH! But he has a point)
• The real tea? Violet finally realizes this isn’t about Mira at all – Theophanie’s been hunting HER this whole time! So she chooses to prioritize killing Theophanie as her objective, even if it means potentially getting abducted in the process. And THAT’S when Xaden drops this absolutely devastating “Bodhi will make an excellent duke” line because we all know our boy is going after Violet if she gets taken, even if it means losing everything else including Tyrrendor.
• The chapter ends with Brennan basically saying “cool cool cool, here’s the plan” for the final battle:
  • Raid the armory
  • Get Trissa’s secret rune stash
  • Make the Duke of Tyrrendor promise not to be an overprotective boyfriend (good luck with that one)
  • And most importantly: STICK TO THE PLAN
• Something tells us that’s not going to happen as we approach the ending of Onyx Storm!

Chapter 58

• The riders are racing to Draithus but here’s the situation: thousands of civilians are trying to escape up the Medaro Pass (you know, that super dangerous mountain path that nearly killed our faves when they were TRAINED CADETS). We’re talking families with children trying to climb this death trap because it’s literally their only way to escape from the dark wielders. Like, remember how hard it was in autumn with proper gear? Now imagine doing it as a refugee.
• Meanwhile, Tairn’s out here dropping WISDOM BOMBS to Violet Sorrengail:
  • Basically tells her “stop feeling guilty, it’s insulting” (dragons have OPINIONS)
  • Reminds her she’s their weapon against the dark wielders whether she likes it or not
  • And gives this super cryptic “I’d still be in Aretia if I didn’t support this” response about saving Violet’s sister Mira
• But HOLD ONTO YOUR DRAGON SADDLES because the scene they fly into during this huge battle is NIGHTMARE FUEL:
  • Teine (Violet’s sister Mira’s dragon) is literally CHAINED AND BLEEDING
  • Theophanie’s got Mira looking like she lost a fight with a brick wall
  • And Aaric’s off somewhere in the south doing who knows what (sir, this is NOT the time for a field trip!)
• Then Theophanie starts her villain monologue and drops some MAJOR plot bombs for the end of Onyx Storm:
  • Berwyn was who actually wanted Jack Barlowe returned because he apparently messed up with him by letting him spill too many of the Sage’s secrets
  • And she’s not going to make the same mistakes with Violet (um, what mistakes? Maybe elaborate??)
  • She’s also SUPER confident our dragon rider is turning venin today and is taking bets on whether it’ll be to save her sister, defend Xaden Riorson, or good old-fashioned revenge (porque no los tres?)
• And just when you think they might negotiate as Jack Barlowe shows up in his fancy runed armoire, Theophanie reveals why she was SO specific about saying Draithus would “stand” and not that anyone would actually LIVE – because dark wielders are apparently really into semantics as she… deep breath… SLITS MIRA’S THROAT. EXCUSE US, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!

Chapter 59

• We start off HOT right after Theophanie slits Violet’s sister Mira’s throat. Because apparently one act of violence wasn’t enough in this third book, she immediately hurls a dagger at Jack Barlowe (you know, the guy they’ve got locked in that fancy Rybestad chest and brought to Theophanie). Talk about multitasking!
• While Violet Sorrengail’s immediate instinct is to go full revenge mode on the silver haired demon, Theophanie gets yoinked away by a convenient wyvern (rude!). So our dragon rider does what any good sister would do – drops everything to try and save Mira. Enter Brennan with his healing powers, but there’s a tiny problem – this wound is WAY above his pay grade and he’s running out of magical juice fast.
• But wait! Here comes the cavalry – Dain Aetos and Sloane show up (against orders, because when has anyone in fourth wing ever followed those?). Sloane’s got some mysterious package with Dunne’s temple seal that’s addressed to Aaric (which, weird timing bro?), but more importantly, she’s got those sweet siphon powers. With some coaching from Dain, she manages to channel his power to Brennan (since using her own untrained power would be a one-way ticket to disaster town), giving him the boost he needs to save Mira during this final battle.
• Meanwhile, in the “things we need to protect” department:
  • Garrick literally DISAPPEARS with the chest containing Jack Barlowe (hello, convenient distance wielder powers) to make sure they protect whatever secrets Theophanie doesn’t want them to know
  • Dragons are playing aerial defense like their lives depend on it (which, fair)
  • Xaden Riorson is creating shadow walls like he’s building a magical fortress
• The chapter ends with Mira stable but unconscious (sporting a fresh scar because apparently the Sorrengail sisters collect those), and everyone splitting up to handle different aspects of the huge battle. The Duke of Tyrrendor has to leave to defend the city (cue dramatic goodbye kiss and cryptic follow up on Bodhi’s promise to protect the province), while Violet and Bodhi stay behind with some unnamed “problem” because obviously things weren’t complicated enough already at the end of Onyx Storm!

Chapter 60

• Okay folks, buckle up because this chapter of the third book is INTENSE! We’re picking up right after that whole “Theophanie just casually slit Violet’s sister Mira’s throat” situation (rude), and now we’ve got a PROBLEM – Teine (Mira’s dragon) is unconscious and needs to be evacuated like, yesterday.
• After some back-and-forth drama, Violet Sorrengail convinces a very grumpy Tairn to carry Teine to safety using chains (think aerial dragon rescue mission). This leaves our dragon rider on the battlefield with just Bodhi and his dragon Cuir for backup, which… maybe not the best plan? But our girl’s got priorities – saving her sister’s dragon > personal safety.
• Then enters Theophanie, strutting around like she owns the place, and here comes the BIG reveal for the ending of Onyx Storm – turns out everyone (including us!) was wrong about her powers. She’s not a lightning wielder like Violet… she’s a STORM wielder like Violet’s mother! And not just any storm wielder – she’s basically the evil version of Violet’s mom on steroids.
• Poor Bodhi tries to counter her dark wielder magic (bless his heart), but plot twist: his powers only work on their kind of magic, not venin magic. After some forceful convincing from Violet, Cuir literally yoinks Bodhi off the battlefield mid-protest (we love a dragon with common sense).
• The chapter ends with Violet alone, facing down Theophanie who’s whipping up what promises to be one NASTY storm for the final battle. Things are looking pretty dire, especially when our dragon rider spots a horde of wyverns heading straight for the civilians trying to escape up Medaro Pass.
• But our girl’s got her game face on – she can’t be everywhere at once, but she doesn’t need to be. She’s got something (or someone) else up her sleeve… though we’ll have to wait for the chapter to find out what that is!