Summary
The EmpyreanSerieshas no shortage of unlikable characters, andthe fact thatIron Flamekills off one of its best villains makes me believe we’ll see even worse threats inOnyx Storm.Rebecca Yarros' romantasy series doesn’t hold back when it comes to portraying the cruelty of Violet and Xaden’s world.Fourth Wing’s main charactersaren’t just tasked with facing terrifying and otherworldly enemies like the venin; they’re also forced to contend with threats from the inside of Navarre’s corrupt political system.
The enemies within the walls of Basgiath War College take center stage inIron Flame,as they want to keep the venin attack that unfolds inFourth Winga secret. When Violet, Xaden, and most of their group return at the beginning ofIron Flame,they become an inconvenient problem for the leaders hiding what’s really happening outside Navarre’s borders. These villains create problems for Violet and her friends when they return to Basgiath, and the worst of them gets his comeuppance beforeIron Flameends. While this is satisfying, it does make me worried aboutwhat’s coming inOnyx Storm.
10 Fourth Wing Characters We Want To See More Of In Onyx Storm
Despite the many newcomers, there are a few established Fourth Wing side characters audiences want to see more of in the next book, Onyx Storm.
I’m Surprised Iron Flame Killed 1 Of Its Best Villains So Early In The Empyrean Series
Burton Varrish is one of the worst characters introduced inIron Flame,as Basgiath’s vice commandant goes out of his way to make Violet’s second year a nightmare. Varrish is the one who tries to have Violet assassinated duringIron Flame— twice — and he also tortures her for information later in the sequel. Varrish is dedicated to keeping the threats outside Navarre a secret, and he goes to great lengths to ensure Violet is kept quiet. He’s incredibly unlikable, and he’ll make readers as angry as Dolores Umbridge inHarry Potter.Of course, that’s why he’s a great villain.
He’s incredibly unlikable, and he’ll make readers as angry as Dolores Umbridge inHarry Potter.Of course, that’s why he’s a great villain.
Although I spent much ofIron Flamehating Varrish, there’s no denying that he’s everything a villain should be. His actions are detestable, he has understandable motives (even if I don’t agree with them), and he’s capable of making readers angry.It’s almost a shame Yarrros kills him off so early inThe Empyrean Series,as he had the potential to become so much worse — and meet an even more satisfying end. But since Yarros gets rid of Varrish so early, I can only assume she has worse in store inOnyx Stormand beyond.
Varrish’s Death In Iron Flame Makes Me Think Worse Is Coming In Onyx Storm
We’ve Likely Only Scratched The Surface Of Navarre’s Cruelty
The venin are obviously the major villains ofThe Empyrean Series,butthe threats within Navarre are equally concerning. And Varrish is probably the worst of the corrupt officials we’ve seen so far, if only because he’s the most present throughoutIron Flame.Colonel Aetos is a bigger problem, though we’ve seen less of him in the first two books. And General Melgren will be a difficult threat to deal with, as he has one ofFourth Wing’s most powerful signets, making him nearly untouchable. He also has more power than Varrish and Aetos combined.
With Yarros so willing to kill off Varrish inIron Flame, I’m willing to bet thatworse officials will serve as the secondary villains ofOnyx Stormand futureEmpyreanbooks. The corruption within Navarre’s leadership has yet to be thwarted, which means Violet and the rebellion will need to face it before the books are finished. If Varrish is any indication, Aetos and Melgren will probably be much crueler enemies when they fully join the fray. This offers something to look forward to in futureFourth Wingsequels, but it also makes me worried about the books' heroes.
How Future Fourth Wing Books Can Top Varrish As A Villain
Rebecca Yarros Could Throw Us A Curveball
It’s difficult to read many of Varrish’s interactions wiith Violet inIron Flame,andYarros might have a hard time topping his ruthless actions inOnyx Flame.While the author has other antagonists to work with, she’ll need a way to make them even more sinister than Varrish. This could mean putting the series' heroes through even more painful challenges than Violet faces inIron Flame.I’m hoping Violet and her friends don’t have to endure more torture or losses, but that’s probably optimistic after the first twoEmpyreanbooks.
Yarros could also throw us a curveball when it comes to Navarre’s higher-ups, revealing that they’re working with the venin rather than simply ignoring them.
Yarros could also throw us a curveball when it comes to Navarre’s higher-ups, revealing that they’re working with the venin rather than simply ignoring them. Such a twist would explain their willingness to look the other way, andit would make officials like Aetos and Melgren way more evil. And of course, the venin themselves will prove scarier than Varrish, even if the rest of Navarre’s leaders don’t. So, I’m assuming Yarros will give us plenty more characters to hate asThe Empyrean Seriescontinues. If she successfully makes them as bad as Varrish, it will be easy to do.
