Onyx Storm Glossed Over Its Biggest Xaden & Dain Double Standard Far Too Quickly

Onyx Storm Glossed Over Its Biggest Xaden & Dain Double Standard Far Too Quickly


Rebecca Yarros writes a disturbing parallel in Onyx Storm concerning Dain and Xaden that Violet does not yet seem to grasp. As a master of plot, she weaves multiple storylines and plants seeds that often blossom later. She never dismisses anything without reason, and details that seem glossed over in one book often resurface later with Fourth Wing theories confirmed by Onyx Storm, a pattern likely to continue in the highly anticipated fourth Empyrean book. Yarros also has a penchant for writing imperfect characters, individuals with flaws and complexities that make them feel real.

This tendency, combined with her knack for ambiguity, draws the reader’s attention to certain plot points, inviting speculation and fostering deeper engagement with Fourth Wing theories. While some situations in Onyx Storm may seem to be resolved too quickly, particularly concerning the double standard for Xaden and Dain, this is not necessarily a criticism. Instead, it could be a deliberate choice to lay the groundwork for future conflicts and character development.

Dain Needed An Entire Redemption Story After His Biggest Fourth Wing Mistake

Fourth Wing Saw Dain’s Signet Violating Violet’s Boundaries

A key plotline in Fourth Wing is Dain’s lack of faith in Violet’s abilities and overprotectiveness, trying to persuade her to escape Basgiath and pursue being a scribe instead of a rider. This grates from the very beginning, but becomes increasingly overbearing and then appalling when Dain’s signet is revealed. When it becomes clear that Dain can read memories by touching a person’s face, specifically their temples, it casts a disturbing light retrospectively on all his interactions with Violet. In particular, it seems possible that on p.265, Dain has read Violet’s memories to discern her feelings about their kiss.

It is established that it will take a long time to regain Violet’s trust and respect…

Dain’s actions and undermining of his childhood friend’s trust are especially abhorrent because it is a mental as well as physical violation. Dain is a complicated Fourth Wing character, reaching for his signet because of insecurity and anxiety for Violet. He later uses the signet at his father’s behest. They also have a baseline of tactile familiarity – as Violet says, “He always touches me like that” – which makes it sting even more. This puts a lifetime of friendship back to square one, and it is established that it will take a long time to regain Violet’s trust and respect.

Despite His Onyx Storm Arc, Dain Still Isn’t Fully Redeemed

Dain Has A Way To Go Before He Is Truly Forgiven

Yarros makes a point of establishing where Dain is in Violet’s estimations in Onyx Storm. Violet calls on Dain to interject in an inter-quadrant fight, and they both say they appreciate each other’s way of dealing with that situation. Their level of trust is further improved by Violet needing access to General Aetos’ office. She can only gain access via Dain, so she has to put her trust in him by asking him to undermine his father. She also has to trust him to get the papers she needs himself, as he is unable to let her into the office.

By doing this, Yarros sets Fourth Wing’s Dain’s redemption arc into motion when he comes through and makes sure the material Violet needs gets to her securely. Despite this, Dain is still not fully redeemed in Onyx Storm. In the quest squad chapters in the isles, he takes a more background role. Toward the end of the book, Sloane says someone like him should not have as much power as he does, which is a reminder of how dangerous his signet can be and raises questions about how he has trained his signet over the last year.

Xaden Repeats Dain’s Mistakes As If They’re No Big Deal

Xaden’s Second Signet Seems To Shift In Onyx Storm

There are multiple occasions in Onyx Storm where Rebecca Yarros seems to be deliberately drawing attention to how Violet and Xaden’s signets intersect. Although this feeds into the idea that the couple are alchemic, it also has some worrying implications when it comes to Xaden’s second signet. Yarros makes this feel especially disconcerting for the reader when he interjects the narration, which is not italicized in the book. On p.187, Violet narrates, “It feels so right to be in his arms.” Xaden replies to the line: “Because it is.” Xaden breaking the fourth wall blurs their boundaries further.

This is very well written because Violet’s taken-aback reaction to this mirrors the reader’s – after two books, the reader is used to the formatting conventions Yarros uses when it comes to mental conversations between Violet, Andarna, Tairn, and Xaden. Violet rightly points out, “I didn’t say that out loud.” Xaden does it again later – when they can share thoughts again after being deprived of the bond, Violet narrates, “In terms of intimacy, this is even better–” and Xaden replies, “Than sex”. Instead of challenging it this time, Violet nods along, making it seem more normalized.

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11 Times Xaden Secretly Used His Second Signet In Fourth Wing and Iron Flame

After discovering Xaden’s second signet at the end of Iron Flame, it becomes obvious that Yarros left clues to this reveal throughout the series.

Violet is not the only person Xaden reads in Onyx Storm. Regarding Halden on p.157, he claims, “I picked up on a lot of things he was thinking.” Violet retorts that it’s not what his intention-reading signet does. Once again, it is brushed under the rug. Later, Violet has to shoot Xaden a “warning look” about reading Mira and Brennan. Then he reads Mira anyway to discern whether she is going to reveal the truth about his venin status, and Violet finds it remarkable that he cut through Mira’s shields (p.454).

Why Xaden Could Be Mindreading Violet In Onyx Storm

Violet And Xaden Both Contribute To The Blurred Boundaries

There are several possibilities about the thought-sharing in Onyx Storm that do not necessarily antagonize Xaden. Because these incidents are always interrupted by something seemingly more important happening afterwards, Yarros seems to be planting the ambiguous clues that make her writing so compelling. One counterpoint to the idea that Xaden is barging in on Violet’s thoughts is that he claims Violet may have pushed these thoughts down the bond. This could be read either as gaslighting or as genuine confusion. It seems more likely to be the latter, since these events seem genuinely new to both of them.

Onyx Storm book cover on dark cloudy background

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Onyx Storm Just Made Xaden Turning Venin Even More Tragic

Xaden sacrificed so much in order to save Violet at the end of Iron Flame, but one Onyx Storm reveal makes his turning venin even more tragic.

For example, the unforgettable throne scene in Iron Flame saw Violet entering Xaden’s internal monologue, as opposed to the mental conversing of their bond, so this ability seems to go both ways, related to Violet’s inntinnsic dream walking signet. Xaden’s signet could be growing, or his venin initiate status throughout most of Onyx Storm could amplify his inntinnsic abilities. However, his statement on p.448, “Whatever you’re thinking, stop,” arguably shows he does not have unfettered access to Violet’s mind. Both Violet and Xaden are getting stronger, but it seems like their respective mindwalking abilities are involuntary.

Although it would be a boundary violation if Xaden reached into either Violet’s intentions or her thoughts without her permission, this is also muddied by the bond. The couple is forced apart on multiple occasions in the novel, whether it is not being able to touch or being deprived of their mental bond. When they can reunite these ways, it could have a rebound effect as a relief from the withdrawal, as evidenced by Xaden stating “I miss being inside your head” on p.217. As an important part of their relationship, heightened emotions could amplify their abilities, too.

Yarros has spoken about Violet’s reduced perceptiveness previously…

Although it can be disconcerting at times, especially when Violet seems to make excuses for Xaden that she did not make for Dain, Yarros has spoken about Violet’s reduced perceptiveness previously. In an interview with Variety about Iron Flame, Yarros said: “I know a lot of readers expect her to come back and be strong and badass. But it’s illogical to think that when you strip away someone’s everything that makes their identity, that they’re not going to flounder.” Both Violet’s and Xaden’s flaws make for a compelling story about both love and power in Onyx Storm.

Source: Variety

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