This Onyx Storm Theory Makes Me Feel Better About The Book’s Devastating Shadow Wielder Reveal

A clever Onyx Storm theory has made me feel a lot better about the book’s devastating reveal regarding Navarre’s shadow wielder. Many interesting Onyx Storm theories have popped up since the book’s release, as readers such as myself have dissected every new piece of information Rebecca Yarros gave us. This includes more details about the world as a whole and some of the minor characters. However, driving many of these theories is the fear audiences have for Violet and Xaden after the book’s conclusion, which left them both devastated and separated in a way that seems irreversible.

The emotional gut punch of Onyx Storm‘s ending was set up throughout as Xaden’s venin condition got worse, and seemingly the entire world outside of Violet began to reject him, resulting in his departure. As a result, readers have scrambled to find some detail that hints at this not being permanent. That search has landed on the idea that the major reveal about Lynx, one of the first years in Second Squad, may not be what it seems.

Onyx Storm Theory Reveals Lynx Is A Mimic, Not A Shadow Wielder

Xaden Was The Only One Using His Signet When Lynx Manifested

Lynx’s signet might be the ability to mimic other signets rather than him being the new shadow wielder now that Xaden has become venin. Of course, Lynx is likely one of the Onyx Storm characters you probably do not remember much as he was one of the three first years from the protagonists’ squad that previous books did not truly focus on. Lynx does not have a lot to do in this installment either besides one major scene that reveals he has become the new shadow wielder of this generation despite Xaden still being alive.

Lynx’s manifestation occurs while Xaden is arguing with Halden over taking in refugees fleeing the venin. Xaden’s shadows then manifest to prove his point that he will not be contested. The theory suggests that because Xaden was wielding at the time of Lynx’s manifestation, his mimicry signet simply latched onto that power, allowing Yarros to subtly introduce a new signet to us. If true, the reveal of Lynx’s true signet would open the possibility for Xaden to be cured despite the lack of one the group found in Onyx Storm, reigniting hope for both him and Violet.

Lynx Being A Mimic Opens The Door For Xaden To Be Cured In The Empyrean Book 4

If Lynx Is A Mimic, Then The Magic Has Not Given Up On Xaden

Lynx being a mimic would open the door for Xaden to be cured in book 4 of The Empyrean Series, even with Onyx Storm making it appear impossible. Onyx Storm dashed hopes for a venin cure quickly. The visit with the irids and Violet’s lack of progress on finding information in her father’s research seemingly prove that a cure does not exist to find for the venin even if they wished to turn back. This, combined with Lynx’s manifestation, killed some of Xaden’s hopes for a cure. However, revealing that Lynx is a mimic could revive those hopes for Violet.

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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.

Xaden assumed that the magic had given up on him due to Lynx being the new shadow wielder, cementing his idea that he was now irredeemable. If Lynx is proven to be a mimic, likely by sparring with someone else and using their signet over the shadows, then Violet could realize that the magic has not given up on Xaden after all. Bolstered by this realization, Violet’s hopes and efforts for finding a cure could grow even as Xaden slips further. That being said, this theory does have one problem that the book after Onyx Storm would need to fix.

There’s 1 Problem With This Hopeful Onyx Storm Theory

Lynx’s Limited Page Time Limits The Theory’s Evidence

The problem with this Onyx Storm theory is simply its lack of evidence, as it focuses on a minor character who is rarely mentioned. While Lynx not using this signet before this point could be explained by it simply not manifesting until then, Lynx’s lack of appearances after this reveal is both confusing and limiting. Despite being the new shadow wielder, Lynx is not truly seen in the Battle of Draithus, the most likely explanation being that he was helping the first years with evacuation over the older riders.

Because other major shifts, such as Andarna’s decision to leave in Onyx Storm, were quickly reversed, it is odd that Yarros did not use the battle as the perfect way to prove this theory correct. Yarros could simply be waiting until book 4 to do this, but if she does, she would need to do some more setup to make sure this does not seem as random as Liam’s second signet reveal. Even so, this Onyx Storm theory, limited as it may be, does help me hold onto hope for Xaden as the wait for book 4 continues.

Onyx Storm

Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic​.

Genre

Fantasy

Publisher

Entangled: Red Tower Books

ISBN#

1649374186

Author(s)

Rebecca Yarros