Finally, and ACOTAR podcast that matches your obsession level.
This week Abby and Ronnie are diving deeeeepp into our favorite High Lady of the Night Court from Sarah J Maas’s ACOTAR series, Feyre Archeron! We’ll break down everything from Feyre’s (many many) powers to what she sees in the Ouroboros and everything in between. In our Maasverse section we follow up on our huge reveal in Rhys’s Family Deep Dive and answer some questions we raised about the Archeron family tree. Happy Listening!
What we cover this episode:
Then in our Maasverse Section:
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00:00 Intro - Nail Salons and Movie Theaters are Better, Everything Else is Worse
05:14 Episode Overview - Feyre Deep Dive
09:51 Announcements - Check out Schwoodley on Spotify, Social Media Milestones
12:00 COSMs - Revisiting our Tamlin Theories, Why isn't Jurian Fae?
16:43 Fun Question: Which Feyre is your favorite Feyre?
19:26 ACOTAR Deep Dive: What are Feyre's Powers? Where do each of them come from?
34:55 ACOTAR Deep Dive: Why does Feyre have a Connection to the Cauldron?
42:37 ACOTAR Deep Dive: What does Feyre see in the Ouroboros?
53:01 Maasverse: COSMS - A Banger Theory on Rhys's Mother and Sister, Amarantha is definitely Valg, Will Elain use Bloodbane?
01:03:33 Maasverse Deep Dive: Who is the Faceless Woman in Feyre's Dreams (Mostly Crescent City and a teeny bit of Throne of Glass)
01:10:39 Maasverse Deep Dive: Is Feyre Starborn? (Crescent City)
01:18:51 Maasverse Deep Dive: Why does Feyre Call herself a Wolf (Crescent City and Throne of Glass)
01:27:49 Precog: Revisiting the Ourobouros (Throne of Glass)
01:32:03 Precog: Where did the Fae come from originally? (Throne of Glass, Crescent City)
01:35:37 Precog: Is Rhys Making Feyre? (Crescent City)
01:44:26 trueCrime-intro-high-short.wav
Spoilers for Sarah J Maas's ACOTAR and (light) spoilers for the Maasverse!
Finally, a podcast that matches your ACOTAR obsession level.
Join Abby and Ronnie as they dive deep into the world of Sarah J Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses series! With each episode covering everything from A Court of Thorns and Roses through A Court of Silver Flames, we're able to sink our teeth into the juIciest theories out there. From shocking speculations about Feyre's abilities to huge reveals about Rhysand's lineage, this is a season you won't want to miss! We're digging into every little detail, every longing glance, leaving no page unturned as we uncover the true secrets of Prythian. And don't miss our Maasverse section at the end of each episode, where we expand our theories to the worlds of Crescent City and Throne of Glass. If you can't get those bat boys out of your head, if you're still thinking about Nesta's character arc, if you're dying to know what the heck is going on with Eris, then this is podcast for you! And as always, we come with receipts!
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Your favorite deep dive romantasy podcast is back with a look at our favorite human family from Sarah J Maas’s ACOTAR series, the Archerons! Get ready for an episode jam-packed with theories on the Archeron’s abilities, speculations on why Mama Archeron was so terrible, and questions on how much Mama and Papa Archeron really knew about the Fae. You won’t want to miss this episode!
Did the Archeron’s Have a Connection to the Fae?
We start with the romantasy book that started it all - A Court of Thorns and Roses. Is it possible that the Archeron’s were working with Tamlin the whole time? Why did Papa Archeron tell Feyre to go with Tamlin? And why did Tamlin seem sad when about Mama Archeron's death? We have some wild theories as to how this all could have played out, involving shifting, sentries, and a plan 49 years in the making.
Why did Mama Archeron tell Feyre to protect her sisters?
Does this make any sense, at all? Feyre is the youngest, and Papa Archeron is still alive! Did she know something about Feyre’s future? Why not ask Nesta? None of this really makes any sense!
Why did Mama Archeron try so hard to get Nesta to marry a prince?
Man, this woman has a chip on her shoulder. Why was she so insistent that Nesta marry a prince? Is Cassian actually a prince? Or did Mama Archeron make some kind of bargain with Tamlin, where he could have Feyre as long as Nesta got to marry a prince? Honestly Mama Archeron was so cruel we wouldn’t put it past her.
How did Papa Archeron convince Koschei to release Vassa?
Then we move on to a question that frankly doesn’t get enough attention - how did Papa Archeron, a human man, convince Koschie, a DEATH GOD, to release Vassa? We know he’s a good negotiator, but come on, that’s wild? How did he even find Koschei? This one goes deeeepp into speculation but ends up in a really fun place.
***SPOILERS FOR SARAH J MAAS’S ACOTAR, THRONE OF GLASS, CRESCENT CITY***
Maasverse: Was Mama Archeron Human?
Signs point to no. There’s something very witchy about this lady, and we don’t mean personality-wise. Her bed is made of ironwood, she only has daughters, she raises her children (Nesta especially) to be cruel and unfeeling - the signs are there! Plus Nesta and Elain both have mental gates of iron - are these sisters ironteeth?
Maasverse: Are there wyrdmarks around the Archeron’s door?
Whorls and swirls galore, babes. Yes, definitely. But the bigger question is - why are there wyrdmarks in Prythian at all, if the Valg have never been here? Could they in fact not be a Valg language at all, but connected to the Daglan? Or have the valg been here the whole time? And did the wyrdmarks actually work? After all, the Archeron’s were protected from Fae harm, just not in the way they thought they would be.
Maasverse: Precog Corner
Things get wild (as per usual) in our precog corner, with Abby speculating on the origin of the Illyrian tattoos, and Ronnie goes deep into lore about the river Acheron. Happy listening!
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Time Stamps
00:00 Our New and Improved (?) Intro
07:24 Social Media Shout Outs - Is Grandma Archeron Fae? We'll find out
08:17 How do we feel about the Archerons? Pretty badly
13:53 Archeron Background + Context
20:22 Do Mama and Papa Archeron have a connection to the Fae?
32:14 Why did Mama Archeron tell Feyre to protect her sisters?
39:14 Why did Mama Archeron think Nesta would marry a prince?
44:28 How did Papa Archeron free Vassa?
55:46 Maasverse: Was Mama Archeron human?
59:11 Maasverse: It's time to talk about the witches
01:09:14 Maasverse: Why were there wyrdmarks on the Archeron's door?
01:19:43 Precog Corner - Illyrian Tattoos, The River Archeron
01:27:30 trueCrime-intro-high-short.wav
***Spoilers for Sarah J Maas’s ACOTAR***
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with our most THEORY PACKED EPISODE YET! Get ready for wild maas-verse connections, intense deep-dives, and mind-bending, universe-defining theories as we dive deep into Rhys's family.
**ACOTAR SPOILERS**
Are Rhys’s Mother and Sister Really Dead?
We start with the deaths of Rhys’s mother and sister. What do we know? Tamlin was there. What don’t we know? Everything else. Look, all we’re saying is that Feyre never actually saw their wings in the study, and big dummy Tam Tam sure is good at shifting people. Are Rhys’s mother and sister really dead, or did Tamlin somehow save them? And if he did save them, why does he still seem so guilt-ridden?
Why Would Rhys’s Mother Give the Weaver the Ring?
Why did Rhys’s mother leave her wedding ring with the weaver? And why does Feyre seem to hear the ring speak to her? Seems pretty unusual for an Illyrian woman to be able to face down a death god and live to tell the tale. What in the Cauldron’s name is going on here?
How did Rhys’s mother seem to know so much about Feyre?
We round out our ACOTAR section with a parting question about Rhys’s mother - how did she know Feyre’s dress size? (Kidding - kind of!) She seems to have known a lot about Rhys’s future mate. Was she actually seeing the future, or did she just get lucky? Or did it have something to do with all those herbs she ingested to stop her period?
***SPOILERS FOR ACOTAR, THRONE OF GLASS, CRESCENT CITY***
Are Rhys’s Mother and Sister Really Dead? (Take 2)
Then we gear up for our biggest Maas-verse section yet with some truly huge, universe-defining, game-changing theories. We start by revisiting our theories on Rhys’s mothers and sister’s death, this time with Ruhn Danaan involved. Could Ruhn’s mom be Rhys’s sister? Abby isn’t convinced, but Ronnie makes some compelling arguments involving wyrdmarks, shifting, and glamouring. We know that Tamlin can do the last two - is it possible he knows about the wyrdmarks, too?
Why does Feyre’s wedding ring have a six pointed star on it?
Why does this ring basically have a map of Lunathion on it? Could the ring have originally belonged to Silene? Or, does this star connect her to Hypaxia, who used a six-pointed star to (attempt to) summon the dead? Was Rhys's mom a witch?
Is Rhys Starborn?
Then we get into the REALLY REALLY BIG THEORIES. Is Rhys starborn? Yes, 100%, and also there’s NO SUCH THING AS STARBORN. IT’S JUST AN ASTERI BLOODLINE. WE KNOW. GAME-CHANGING. MADNESS. Unfortunately, you’ll have to listen to the episode to find out the full details, but we’re 99% on this one guys.
Is Rhys Valg?
And finally, the other really big questions. IS RHYS VALG? Also yes. But that’s because we think Valg and Asteri might be the same thing. Or maybe he’s a Prince of Hel. Or maybe the Valg are Princes of Hel. There’s a lot of conflicting evidence!
We round it out with some wild pre-cog corner theories on the wyrd and the void and finish up as per usual with what we're reading. Happy listening!
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Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
02:53 Our Most Theory - Packed Episode Yet
04:45 ACOTAR Deep Dive
07:28 Announcements - Be nice on socials please!
12:27 Rhys's Family Tree and Background
17:27 What really happened to Rhys's Mother and Sister?
26:37 Why did Rhys's Mother give the Weaver her Ring?
41:11 How did Rhys's Mother seem to know so much about Feyre?
45:08 MAASVERSE Section
47:38 Are Rhys's Mother and Sister really dead? Maasverse Edition
50:48 Is Ruhn's mom Rhys's sister?
57:02 The Star on Feyre's Wedding Ring
01:03:49 Is Rhys Starborn?
01:20:35 Is Rhys Valg?
01:36:26 Precog: Rhys's Connection to the Weaver
01:40:12 Precog: The Void is gonna be mega-important (and there might still be Valg spiders in Prythian)
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie dive DEEP into the worst redhead in Prythian - Amarantha! Get ready for wild theories, mass-verse connections, and our most mind-bending episode yet as we unravel the mysteries behind Under the Mountain's cruel queen.
We start with the bizarre story of Clythia and Jurian that simply does not make sense. How could a Fae loyalist who hates humans fall madly in love with a human general? Why did she love him with an “unrelenting madness”? Is there more to this story than what we’ve been told so far?
Then we get to the good stuff - why did both Amarantha and Rhysand want to unleash Tamlin's rage? Does Tamlin have some kind of magical "kill switch" that makes him unstoppable once triggered? Was she really working for the King of Hybern, or did she have her own agenda? And what powers did she have, really?
Our mass-verse section gets wild as we connect the dots between Amarantha and potential Valg connections. Could she be a Stygian spider like Cyrene from Throne of Glass? We analyze her black eyes, her fingernail that carved out Lucian's eye, and that mysterious spell book she stole from the King of Hybern. Why does she need to rely so heavily on spells when other villains have innate power? And why did she replace the High Lord’s hearts with stones? Was she getting them ready to be possessed by Valg?
We round it out with the puzzling question of why Amarantha's sigil is a sleeping dragon when there are no dragons in Prythian. From glass mountains in Throne of Glass to Ariadne in Crescent City, we follow the dragon breadcrumbs across the mass-verse and wonder if this connects to the library in Adarlan or something far more sinister.
Spoilers for the entire ACOTAR series, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City
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Time Stamps:
Maasverse:
Maasverse:
Maasverse:
Abby and Ronnie are back this week with a deep dive into Feyre's Trials under the mountain in Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses!
We start with some lighthearted banter about singing abilities, hair growth supplements, and our embarrassing moments of mixing fantasy with reality (no, that guy with the blonde hair bun is not actually Tamlin, and no, that bleeding person is not a Venin).
Our theories start off strong when we ponder why Amarantha seemed to recognized Feyre's name. Ronnie suggests "Feyre" might mean "liar" in ancient Fae, while Abby proposes a wild theory connecting Feyre to an ancient Fae warrior mentioned by the Bone Carver who imprisoned Striga and Koschei.
Then we dive into Feyre's three trials, examining how each one flips classic tropes on their head. The labyrinth trial tests Feyre's hunting abilities but requires her intelligence rather than brute strength. We explore how Amarantha and Feyre represent two very different types of hunters - one collecting trophies, the other using clever traps to survive. We notice that Rhysand is the only one who refers to Feyre as "her" while everyone else calls her "it" - and he's the only one who bets on her winning!
For the second trial, we question why Amarantha seems obsessed with testing Feyre's literacy when she likely knew Feyre couldn't read. Was this trial designed to be impossible? Why was Lucien involved? Was this more about torturing Tamlin than testing Feyre? And why did Rhysand make Feyre's hand burn instead of just telling her the answer telepathically? So many questions!
Our breakdown of the third trial gets wild as we analyze Feyre killing two Fae to save Tamlin. We discuss the Attor’s transformation into Tamlin, wondering if that was Amarantha's magic or if she forces Tamlin to shift the Attor into himself? We explore how this trial tested both how far Feyre was willing to go for Tamlin and how her intelligence ultimately saves them both when she remembers his "heart of stone."
In our Maasverse section (spoilers for all three series!), we connect Feyre's trials to the "ordeals" mentioned in Crescent City, suggesting this might have been Feyre's Fae ordeal despite her human appearance. This strengthens our theory that the Archerons have Fae bloodlines!
Our precog corner gets wild with theories about Tamlin being held captive during the Under the Mountain period, explaining his blank expression and sudden defiance during the third trial. We also explore connections between Amarantha and the goddess Deanna from Throne of Glass - could Amarantha have been a priestess of Deanna or possessed by her?
Spoilers for the entire ACOTAR series, plus Throne of Glass and Crescent City in the Maasverse section!
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Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
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#acotar #sarahjmaas #feyre #tamlin #rhysand #amarantha #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #acomaf #acosf #acofas #acowar #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #faerie #romantasybooks #underthemountain #trials #booklover
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 05:20: Our singing careers probably won’t take off, but our hair looks great
05:21 - 08:43: Episode structure and disclaimers
08:44 - 13:15: Why did Amarantha recognize Feyre's name?
13:16 - 18:32: What did Alys mean when she said "don't trust your senses"?
18:33 - 35:21: First Trial - The Middengard Wyrm and the Labyrinth
35:22 - 48:12: Second Trial - The Riddle and Lucien
48:13 - 59:57: Third Trial - Killing the Fae and Tamlin's heart of stone
1:00:00 - 1:05:30: Maasverse connections - Was this Feyre's ordeal?
1:05:31 - 1:13:22: Precog Corner - Tamlin theories and moon connections
1:13:23 - 1:19:36: What we're reading and outro
Abby and Ronnie are back with a WILD deep dive into our favorite foxy red head, Lucien Vanserra! Get ready for some mind-blowing theories about everyone's favorite emissary as we explore his mysterious past, questionable loyalties, and potential future.
We kick things off debating whether Lucien and Elain are truly mates (spoiler: it's complicated!). While there's definitely a physical bond between them—Elain even feels that famous "tug on her rib"—something seems off about this pairing. Unlike our other mated couples who were instantly drawn to each other, Elain literally cringes away from Lucien when they first meet! Plus, when Nesta was thrown into the Cauldron, Cassian was crawling through his own blood to reach her, while Lucien just... staggers forward a step? Something seems off with these two.
Then we jump into the Spring Court spy saga and bring receipts that Lucian knew Feyre was deceiving Tamlin within MINUTES of her return. That metal eye sees EVERYTHING! But instead of exposing her, he plays along with her scheme, even helping create the illusion that he's vying for her affections. Is this Lucien's fox moment, or is he just done with Tamlin after the Hybern disaster? We explore why his loyalty to the Spring Court was finally starting to crack.
We dive deep into the tragic day Jesminda died and uncover some shocking revelations about what really happened. What role did Eris play? How did he anonymously get word to Tamlin? And why does he say “we know nothing” of what happened that day?
We theorize that Jesminda might be connected to Gwyn's grandmother—the river nymph who "seduced a high fae male from the Autumn Court." The timing works, the description matches, and Lucien has been to Sangravah! Could Lucien actually be Gwyn's grandfather? And what if Jesminda didn't actually die that day? The possibilities are mind-blowing!
Our investigation of Lucien's powers leads us to some jaw-dropping connections between his abilities and his parentage. That spell-cleaving white light? Definitely from Helion! But what about his fire powers? We explore the possibility that his mother's line traces back to something far more ancient and powerful than we've been led to believe.
We round it out with a look at why Lucien didn't save Feyre from the Naga. Was he playing matchmaker, intentionally setting up Tamlin to be her hero? Or was he still harboring resentment over Andras's death? Either way, this fox is definitely keeping secrets!
Spoilers for the ENTIRE Court of Thorns and Roses series, plus Massverse spoilers in the latter part of the episode!
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#acotar #sarahjmaas #lucien #lucienvanserra #elain #elainarcheron #azriel #tamlin #feyrearcheron #rhysand #jesminda #eris #helion #gwyn #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 04:55: Intros and Sara Bareilles concert tangent
04:55 - 10:09: Episode overview and announcements
10:09 - 17:03: Corrections, omissions, and social media shout outs
17:03 - 37:01: Are Lucien and Elaine truly mates?
37:01 - 42:23: Could Calanmai magic be affecting Lucian and Elaine?
42:23 - 49:14: Did Lucian know Feyre was spying on the Spring Court?
49:14 - 56:23: What happened the day Jesminda died?
56:23 - 1:04:06: Is Jesminda connected to Gwyn's grandmother?
1:04:06 - 1:12:08: Why didn't Lucien save Feyre from the Naga?
1:12:08 - 1:22:02: Will Lucien become a High Lord?
1:22:02 - 1:30:31: Massverse discussion: Are Lucian and Elaine truly mates?
1:30:31 - 1:36:50: Where do Lucien's abilities come from?
1:36:50 - 1:39:21: Is Lucien hiding more than we think?
1:39:21 - 1:42:42: What we're reading and outro
Your favorite romantasy deep dive podcasters are back with our explosive first ACOTAR deep dive episode - tackling the most controversial High Lord, Tamlin! This episode will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about this golden-haired beast and his connection to the larger Maasverse.
We kick off this ACOTAR character analysis episode with a heated debate about Tamlin's powers - from his classic High Lord magic to those mysterious shape-shifting abilities that go WAY beyond just beast transformation! We bring receipts on his ability to shift, glamour, and even his secret wind power that he keeps under wraps. Why would a High Lord hide one of his powers? Could it reveal a secret (and tragic) connection to Hybern?
Then we tackle the burning ACOTAR theory: how does Tamlin know so much about Feyre's mortal life? Abby makes a compelling argument that Tamlin's a daemati, while Ronnie brings out a completely mind-blowing theory that Tamlin might have orchestrated the entire events that led to the first ACOTAR book. This Sarah J Maas theory will leave you spiraling!
We examine the puzzling connection between Tamlin and Rhysand - why would Tamlin wear Illyrian hunting knives when he supposedly hates everything about the Night Court? We dive deep into their complicated past friendship and the tragic events that tore them apart.
Our investigation takes a fascinating turn when we question why Feyre keeps falling asleep uncontrollably around Tamlin. Is it just symbolism for how he dulls her senses, or is something more sinister at play? We analyze four specific instances and what they might reveal about Tamlin's true nature.
In our first-ever Maasverse section (spoiler warning for Throne of Glass and Crescent City!), we explore the mind-blowing possibilities of Tamlin's lineage. Could he be descended from Rowan and Aelin? Is there a connection to a Prince of Hel? And what about his beast form being the exact sigil of the Pack of Devils? These Maasverse connections are too striking to ignore!
Our Precog Corner gets particularly wild as Ronnie theorizes that Amarantha might have been Tamlin's true mate and Abby debunks the popular ACOTAR fan theory that Tamlin and Lucien switched places in Hybern.
Whether you're team Tamlin, team Rhysand, or just love romantasy, this episode delivers the deep dive discussion you've been craving. We combine thorough character analysis with wild theories and plenty of receipts to back up our claims.
Spoilers: Complete series spoilers for A Court of Thorns and Roses through A Court of Silver Flames
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Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review our ACOTAR podcast! Your support helps other Sarah J Maas fans discover our chaotic deep dives.
00:00 - 03:42: Intro and disclaimers
03:43 - 07:59: Episode structure and announcements
08:00 - 11:05: First impressions of Tamlin
11:06 - 18:16: Tamlin's powers and abilities analysis
18:17 - 29:35: How does Tamlin know about Feyre's mortal life?
29:36 - 34:16: Did Tamlin manipulate Feyre's entire life?
34:17 - 38:17: Tamlin's connection to Amarantha
38:18 - 43:18: Why does Tamlin wear Illyrian hunting knives?
43:19 - 50:31: Tamlin, Rhysand, and the death of Rhys's family
50:32 - 58:09: Why does Feyre keep falling asleep around Tamlin?
58:10 - 59:04: MAASVERSE Deep Dive introduction
59:05 - 1:06:47: MAASVERSE: Tamlin's powers origins theory
1:06:48 - 1:12:36: MAASVERSE: Tamlin's connection to Crescent City wolves
1:12:37 - 1:20:08: Precog Corner: Amarantha as Tamlin's mate theory
1:20:09 - 1:25:34: Precog Corner: Debunking Tamlin/Lucien switch theory
1:25:35 - 1:29:17: What we're reading and outro
Are you looking for a comprehensive ACOTAR series breakdown and character analysis? Then you've come to the right place! Join us for Season 2 of our podcast as we dive deep into all five A Court of Thorns and Roses books with spoilers galore for our complete series review.
This season, your favorite romantasy podcast is back, ready to dissect Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses saga. After wrapping up our Empyrean deep dive, we couldn’t resist diving into the Maasverse that’s taken over our lives—spoiler alert: it absolutely has! Expect unfiltered reactions, character analyses, and a treasure trove of off-the-wall theories. We promise, our discussions will include all the moments that made us gasp and yell!
Future episodes will tackle specific characters—like the highly anticipated Tamlin deep dive—as well as significant plot moments and thrilling theories. While we will include a Maasverse segment in each episode, rest assured we’ll provide warnings before diving into any Crescent City or Throne of Glass spoilers. For now, though, it's all about ACOTAR! Get ready to explore the series that sparked a romantasy phenomenon and don't miss our takes on each book's unique magic, complexities, and unforgettable characters.
ACOTAR: Your go-to guide for reactions and discussions on how this series captivated hearts and changed the genre. We can't wait to share our journey with you!
Connect with us:
Remember: Rate, subscribe, and review! And if you're just starting ACOTAR, come back when you've finished all five books - trust us on this one. You won't want to miss it!
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with their FINAL episode on the Empyrean series! Join us for Part Two of our Book Four Predictions where we dive DEEPER into our theories and tie everything together before we officially move on to ACOTAR!
We kick things off lamenting the summer heat before diving into our most burning questions about what's coming in Book Four. We explore what Violet will be able to do with her dreamwalking abilities - can she spy on people? Create things in dreams? TRAP people there? The possibilities are wild and we're here for all of them!
Then we tackle the future of Violet and Xaden’'s relationship (they're endgame, but that doesn't mean smooth sailing). We predict this will be another book of doubting Xaden - not their relationship, but everything else about him. With Xaden now publicly known as Venin, Violet will face a serious political challenge as Duchess while wrestling with all the secrets he's kept from her. How will she defend him after what happened at Draithus?
We explore what we'll learn from Grandma Niara (finally!), including what really happened when Brennan and Mira were left with her, Asher's mysterious travels, and what Lilith and Asher were ACTUALLY doing during the Tyrrish rebellion. Plus, we theorize about Mira's incredible ward-creating abilities - is she wielding pure power like Violet?
Our Basgiath predictions get intense as we question whether the dragons will continue fighting for Navarre when they know the real threat is the Venin. Will we see full civil war? Will more dragons defect to Tyrrendor? And what about those six missing dragon eggs?! We break down all our theories: are they with Xaden as an offering to the gods? Being used to fire another wardstone? Or taken by Navarre as an act of war?
We round it all out with our predictions about the Venin cure (yes, we think we'll find it, but no, we don't think Xaden will be cured yet), what we'll finally learn about Naolin and Brennan's mysterious past, and how the gods will play into everything. Plus, we share what we're currently reading - Ronnie's deep in ACOTAR's Wings and Ruin while Abby's enjoying The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
This is officially our LAST episode on the Empyrean series before we dive into ACOTAR for Season 2! Our first ACOTAR episode will be a general overview, followed by a deep dive on everyone's favorite Spring Court lord, Tamlin (trust us, it'll be good!).
Spoilers for the ENTIRE Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
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#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #romantasy #empyrean #book #bookpodcast #predictions #theories #acotar #sarahjmaas
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 03:50: We’re not summer girls anymore
03:51 - 05:19: Announcements (TV show updates and ACOTAR news)
05:20 - 18:23: Corrections and social media shout-outs
18:24 - 26:25: Book 4 Predictions - What will Violet do in dreams?
26:26 - 31:04: What will happen with Violet and Xayden's relationship?
31:05 - 34:50: What will we learn from Grandma Niara?
34:51 - 38:17: What will become of Basgiath in Book Four?
38:18 - 42:16: Will there be Venin offspring? Who will it be?
42:17 - 45:09: What will we learn about the Venin in Book Four?
45:10 - 50:32: What role will the gods play in book 4?
50:33 - 54:56: What role will the dragons and the Irids play?
54:57 - 1:01:33: What else will be uncovered about the history of the continent and the isles?
1:01:34 - 1:04:30: Will we find the cure in book 4?
1:04:31 - 1:06:39: Will we finally learn what happened with Naolin and Brennan?
1:06:40 - 1:09:35: How will the six missing dragon eggs play into the plot?
1:09:36 - 1:16:28: What we're reading and Season 2 preview
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with their most forward-looking episode yet - Onyx Storm: Book Four Predictions Part 1! Just when you thought they were done with the Empyrean series, they've returned for one last wild ride through their theories before moving on to their next adventure.
We kick things off with the clip that broke booktok - Sarah J. Maas's announcement that the first “drafts” for the next ACOTAR book are done! Was it an arrow? Was it an 8? Was it something else entirely? Then we dive into our actual predictions for Rebecca Yarros's fourth Empyrean book. Despite promising we were done with Navarre for the time being, we just couldn't resist giving you what you asked for - a comprehensive theory roundup and prediction fest!
First, we explore how Book Four might begin, with Violet struggling to establish her legitimacy as the new Duchess of Tyrrendor (it won't be smooth sailing). We predict constitutional crises, assembly resistance, and potential war with Navarre looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, we theorize that Xaden has captured Berwyn and is torturing him for information about controlling his urges or breaking the Venin's control. And poor Tairn? We think he'll be recovering from his injuries for a while, leaving Andarna to step up as Violet's primary dragon connection.
Then we map out the geographical settings for Book Four, predicting a journey that takes us back to the Isles (particularly Unnbriel and Loysam), across the Emerald Sea (possibly to find the gods?), and potentially to Cordyn for a bargain with Tecarus. We debate whether Violet will leave someone in charge of Tyrrendor (Llewellyn? Brennan? The assembly?) while she searches for Xaden or the missing eggs.
Our death predictions get dark as we discuss who might not survive Book Four - with Ridoc, Dane, Talia, and possibly even Tairn on our list of potential casualties. We also identify our most pivotal characters for the next book, including Aaric (the pre-cog who knows way more than he's letting on), Bodhi (either as "the brother" or Violet's supporter), Mira (with her mysterious legacy from Lilith), Dane (possibly a Venin offspring?), and Imogen (who knows what happened during those missing twelve hours).
Our plot twist predictions will blow your mind! We dive deep into Norse mythology to explore what Fen Riorson's name might reveal about Xaden's lineage, theorize that Violet will learn to walk into minds while awake (not just dreams!), and suggest that Asher might have been a secret Irid rider who manipulated time. Plus, we predict the next book's title will start with "Silver" - maybe Silver Thread or Silver Shroud?
This episode is basically one giant Precog Corner where no theory is too unhinged and no detail goes unanalyzed. We're wrapping up our Empyrean coverage (for real this time!) before launching our ACOTAR season on August 11th, so don't miss Part 2 next week!
Spoilers for the entire Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Follow us on socials:
Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We really appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #romantasy #empyrean #book #booklover #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #acotar #sjm #predictions #theories
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 05:33: The clip that broke booktok
05:34 - 10:56: Corrections and social media shoutouts
10:57 - 19:10: How Book Four might begin
19:11 - 33:32: Geographical settings
33:33 - 38:17: How we'll learn what's happening with Xaden
38:18 - 48:12: Who might die
48:13 - 58:34: Most pivotal characters
58:35 - 1:07:45: Plot twist predictions
1:07:46 - 1:21:10: Title predictions
1:21:11 - 1:26:40: What we're reading
1:26:41 - 1:31:16: Social media information and ACOTAR season announcement
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with the delightfully chaotic "Onyx Storm: Loose Ends!" We tackle all those burning questions from Onyx Storm that they couldn’t quite fit into an episode, but still deserve their time to shine! Some come from you, our amazing listeners, while others are plot points we've been stewing over that deserve answers in the next book!
First, we explore possible mistranslations in Warrick's journal entries. Could Violet's shaky command of Old Lucerish have led her astray? Would Violet and Dain would even know the proper words for "Venin" or "Irid" in Old Lucerish?
Next, we analyze those mysterious black bracelets—Mira's black tourmaline bracelet from Niara and the onyx cuff Violet gives to Xaden. Could these bracelets offer psychic protection? And what about Xaden's onyx cuff containing a piece of Riorson House roof? Is it helping ground his magic or protecting his soul?
We debunk the theory that Sgaeyl, Tairn, and Andarna are the three dragons who died from broken bonds—the timeline just doesn't work! Then we dive into the fascinating colors of bonds between riders and dragons. Why is Xaden's bond to Violet shimmering onyx? Why can't Xaden see Andarna at all? Could it be that Andarna and Violet don't have a traditional bond at all?
Our investigation continues with what it means that Violet is Xaden's "leash" or "tether." We explore the thread imagery throughout the books and wonder if every Venin has a tether to their humanity that the Venin leadership aims to destroy. Is this why Jack hated Violet so much from the beginning? Was he a Venin plant all along?
Things get wild when we question why nobody tried using Andarna's scale-changing magic against the Venin again after it worked once! And what was that first rune they removed from the Wardstone? If it wasn't preventing flyers from channeling, could it have been blocking the power of the gods?
In our wildest Precog Corner yet, Ronnie theorizes that "the six and the one combined" might be describing an Irid's ability to change colors, while Abby wonders if the Venin understand signets as ways to traverse different planes of existence—physical, dream world, and astral!
We wrap up with what we're currently reading (Ronnie's forever loyal to ACOMAF and ACOSF, while Abby's struggling through Song of Achilles after being spoiled by Sarah J. Maas's rich worldbuilding).
Spoilers for the entire Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Follow us on social media:
Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you! (But please come with receipts!)
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We really appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy
Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro - Everyone should own a pizza stone
05:45 Corrections, Omissions, Social Media Shout Outs - Tairn and Brennan, Bodhi's more powerful than we thought
10:29 Which other journal entries from Warrick might be mistranslated?
22:47 What role will Mira and Xaden's bracelets play in the next books?
32:43 Who are the three dragons that have died with their riders?
35:59 What do the different colors of the bonds between Violet, Tairn, Sgaeyl and Andarna mean?
44:37 What does it mean that Violet is Xaden's leash?
49:47 Was Jack always planning to turn Venin?
52:39 Why was Jesinia assigned to the rider's quadrant?
55:07 What's going on with the Cordella family tree?
57:15 Why does Violet never follow up on magic feeling different when Andarna changes her scales?!?
01:01:06 What was the first rune that Violet + co. removed from the wardstone?
01:08:26 Precog Corner - The One combined, The Astral Plane
01:14:46 What we're reading - ACOTAR, Song of Achilles
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with “Onyx Storm: Mailbag #3 / The Epilogue” - answering all your burning questions about the ending of Onyx Storm! This mailbag-plus episode dives into your comments, theories, and the details we missed in our previous discussions.
We kick things off with a deep dive into the identity of "the brother" - examining your compelling arguments for Garrick, Aaric, and even some wild cards like Panchek! We bring receipts on the timeline discrepancies, chapter overlaps, and why we're still firmly Team Bodhi despite your excellent counterpoints. Could Imogen's chapter be happening in parallel with Xaden in the valley? We analyze every possible male character in the battle and whether they could fit the criteria!
Next, we tackle Xaden's mysterious plan and the stolen dragon eggs. Could they be gathering materials to fire another Wardstone? We break down the exact timeline for dragon maturation (only 3-4 years!), discuss whether they'd need an Irid's help, and question how anyone would know which color each egg would hatch since “only elders” know what color a hatchling’s scales will be.
Then we address the passionate debate about where Xaden and Violet got married - was it really Unnbriel or did they risk everything by returning to Aretia? We examine the evidence: the ceremonial dagger from Dune's temple in Aretia, the favor owed, and the practical challenges of a Venin walking into warded territory. Something doesn't add up!
We round out with our wildest theories yet - how will Violet find Xaden? Could it be the stupid broken compass? Could it be Cat's mind-blowing tracking runes? Or is it possible that the Irids can track each other the way Venin can?
In our most revealing Precog Corner yet, we get into evidence that Violet isn't just dreamwalking while people sleep - she's entering minds while they're fully awake! We also theorize that when Xaden writes "it is yours now," he might be giving up more than just his title - what if Venin lose their human names entirely when they turn? The implications are heartbreaking!
Spoilers for the entire Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @dragonsinthedetailspod
TikTok: @dragonsinthedetailspod
YouTube: @dragonsinthedetailspod
Discord: Dragons In the Details Pod Server
Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We really appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #empyrean #rebeccayaros #book #booklover #bookstagram #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #irid #romantasy #romantasybooks #thebrother #bodhi #garrick #aaric #dreamwalking #venin
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 03:18: Intro and 90s food nostalgia
03:19 - 06:53: Announcements and episode overview
06:54 - 11:07: The Brother debate - Garrick timeline theories
11:08 - 18:16: Could Imogen's chapter be happening in parallel?
18:17 - 22:42: Arguments against Bodhi being the brother
22:43 - 31:08: Examining Aaric as a candidate
31:09 - 35:07: Wild card theories (Panchek, Sawyer, and secret sons)
35:08 - 41:05: Xaden's plan and the stolen dragon eggs
41:06 - 49:18: Dragon scales being hereditary and what it means
49:19 - 54:22: Where did Violet and Xaden get married?
54:23 - 59:57: How will Violet find Xaden?
59:58 - 1:05:16: Irids tracking each other and Leothan's mysteries
1:05:17 - 1:11:17: Precog Corner: Dreamwalking while awake theory
1:11:18 - 1:15:36: Precog Corner: Venin names and identities
1:15:37 - 1:19:00: What we're reading and outro
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with our second fantasy draft episode, this time focusing on the Marked Ones of the Empyrean series! We're choosing Garrick, Bodhi, Imogen, Sloane, and Liam in categories that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.
We kick things off with a heated debate about the proper condiments for french fries (mayo supremacy vs. sweet barbecue) before diving into our main event. First, we tackle the most onbvious question: who's the most powerful Marked One? Is it distance-wielding Garrick who can literally teleport across continents with his dragon, or nobility-born Bodhi with his signet-countering abilities and mysterious second signet? Our answers surprise you!
Then we explore whose signet would be the absolute worst to accidentally wield in the bedroom (memory erasing, anyone?), and debate which of our beloved characters is most likely to die in the upcoming books (we're looking at you, reckless Bodhi). We analyze who would make the best wingman or wingwoman (Liam already executes this to a T), who would have your back in a back-alley fight (Imogen's "I will destroy you" energy vs. Garrick's human wall vibes), and who will play the biggest role in upcoming books.
Our Precog Corner gets particularly juicy this week with two mind-blowing theories: First, could Fen Riorson actually be alive and held captive at Basgiath? We bring receipts from that cryptic Panchek-Berwyn conversation about "access to your son" and what it might really mean. Then we explore the fascinating connection between Liam's family name (Mairi) and its meaning "of the sea" - could this explain the mysterious box with the Mairi crest that lured the Venin? Are the Irids somehow connected to water, and was that box actually a booby trap?
We round things out with our current reads and some fascinating thoughts on the Washington Post article about "book boyfriends" and whether romantasy is creating unrealistic expectations for real men. (Spoiler: we think men should absolutely read these books!)
Spoilers for the entire Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @dragonsinthedetailspod
TikTok: @dragonsinthedetailspod
YouTube: @dragonsinthedetailspod
Discord: Dragons In the Details Pod Server
Submit your book recommendations!
Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We really appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #empyrean #rebeccayaros #book #booklover #bookstagram #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #irid #romantasy #romantasybooks #markedones #garrick #bodhi #imogen #sloane #liam
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 05:33: Intro: Would you like some mayo with your fries?
05:34 - 06:04: Announcements: Season 2 on ACOTAR, We’re on Discord!
06:05 - 13:58: The modern stat of “Book Boyfriends”
13:59 - 24:21: C/O/SM - Navarrian Troops, Black Holes, Siphons who aren’t Sloane, Is King Tauri Venin?
24:22 - 26:17: The Marked Ones Fantasy Draft!
26:18 - 32:50: Who is the most powerful Marked One?
32:51 - 34:47: Which Marked One’s signet would be the worst to wield in the bedroom?
34:48 - 40:14: Which Marked One is the most likely to die?
40:15 - 43:18: Which Marked One would make the best wingman / wingwoman?
43:19 - 44:35: Which Marked One would be the best in a fight?
44:36 - 49:44: Which Marked One will play the biggest role in upcoming books?
49:45 - 51:26: Which Marked One do we want to hang out with the most? (Liam, obviously)
51:27 - 54:12: Which Marked One’s signet would be the best to wield in the bedroom?
54:13 - 01:05:55: Precog Corner: Is Fen alive, The Mairi’s connection to the Irid’s?
1:05:56 - 01:10:11: What we’re reading!
The Iron Squad Fantasy Draft!!
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with a FUN twist on their usual deep dives - it's IRON SQUAD FANTASY DRAFT time! We're taking a break from our usual theory-heavy episodes to play a little game. Some of it's serious, some of it's silly, all of it's fun.
For each category, we each get to pick one Iron Squad member, but we can't pick the same person. Our draft pool includes Dain, Rhi, Ridoc, Aaric, Sawyer, Maren, and Cat.
First up: Who's the most powerful member of the Iron Squad? Is Cat more powerful than we thing? And how powerful is Molvic?
Things get juicy when we debate who's most likely to betray Violet. Ronnie picks Ridoc (but only because he'd think it was for Violet's own good), while Abby makes a compelling case for Maren, whose parents were killed in a trap meant for Violet. We also tackle the most unlikely couple in the Iron Squad (Rhi and Ridoc give major sibling vibes) and whose signet would be the ABSOLUTE WORST to accidentally wield during sex (freezing your partner mid-moment? No thank you, Ridoc!).
The laughs start coming when we pick whose signet would be the BEST to accidentally wield during sex (Cat, obviously - emotion manipulation has its perks!), who will play the biggest role in upcoming books, and who our personal favorites are. Poor Sawyer barely gets any picks throughout our draft, confirming Rebecca's admission that she hasn't given him enough attention!
In our wildest Precog Corner yet, Abby dives into the fascinating mythology behind our Iron Squad members' names. Did you know that Aetos means "eagle" in Greek and refers to Zeus's childhood companion who was later the object of Hera’s jealousy? The parallels to Dain, Violet, and Xaden are too eerie to be a coincidence.
Ronnie counters with a theory about the cure for Venin that might just change everything: What if there IS no cure because channeling from the source is simply a choice that Venin have to stop making? What if the entire series is actually a massive allegory for addiction? The implications are chilling!
We wrap up with our current reads - Abby's loving "This Is How You Lose the Time War" (a tight, dense novella about two beings on opposite sides of a time war falling in love through letters), while Ronnie's rereading A Court of Thorns and Roses and discovering all the hidden gems she missed the first time around.
Spoilers for the ENTIRE Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @dragonsinthedetailspod
TikTok: @dragonsinthedetailspod
YouTube: @dragonsinthedetailspod
Discord: Dragons In the Details Pod Server
Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We REALLY appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #empyrean #rebeccayaros #book #booklover #bookstagram #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #ironsquad #romantasy #romantasybooks #dain #rhi #ridoc #aaric #cat #maren #sawyer
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 04:44: Intro - Coca Cola still hasn't called
04:45 - 08:32: Announcements and podcast milestones
08:33 - 12:26: C/O/SM
12:27 - 18:16: Draft rules!
18:17 - 33:32: Who is the most powerful member of the Iron Squad?
33:33 - 41:39: Who is most likely to betray Violet?
41:40 - 46:51: Most unlikely couple in the Iron Squad
46:52 - 50:24: Whose signet would be the worst to accidentally wield during sex?
50:25 - 53:32: Whose signet would be the best to accidentally wield during sex?
53:33 - 59:19: Who is most likely to die?
59:20 - 1:05:05: Who will play the biggest role in upcoming books?
1:05:06 - 1:07:36: Who's your favorite member of the Iron Squad?
1:07:37 - 1:18:18: Precog Corner: Dain's name, what if there is no cure?
1:18:19 - 1:22:10: What we're reading!
The End Of Onyx Storm Part 2 - Violet’s Version
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with their deep dive into the final chapter of Onyx Storm! Buckle up for "The Ending of Onyx Storm (Part 2): Violet's Version" where we dissect every shocking detail of that cliffhanger ending that left us all shattered!
We kick things off with the an unusual question: how did Violet get to Riorson House ? We discuss distance wielders, siphons, and why Garrick might NOT be Venin after all (or is he?). Then we tackle what that mysterious "shape moving in the shadows" really is—spoiler alert: it's probably not Xaden!
Next, we dive into why Brennan's eyes bulged when he saw Violet. Is her hair fully silver now? Does she have a tattoo? Or is something even more dramatic happening? We explore why Andarna is so confident she can protect Violet from being burned, and what that means about her time with the Irids.
Things get wild when we discuss those missing 12 hours that Imogen wiped from Violet's memory. We start by discussing the timing and location of Violet and Xaden’s wedding - how could they have gotten married in Aretia when Xaden maybe can’t go in the wards anymore? And either way wouldn’t everyone have been looking for him? Did they actually get married in Unnbriel, and if so are Andarna’s time manipulation powers back?! Plus, we identify the four missing riders (our money's on Xaden, Garrick, Bodhi, and... DAIN?!) and debate who murdered those three elders in the valley (hint: it wasn't Xaden!).
Our most compelling theory yet emerges when we analyze that cryptic note: "Don't look for me, it's yours now." What exactly is "it"? We make a shocking connection between Malek, souls, and why Andarna is so determined to prevent Violet from burning. Could Violet now be dedicated to the god of death himself?!
We round it all out with our wildest Precog Corner yet, where Ronnie theorizes that Tairn might have been forced to kill Naolin after he turned, while Abby drops a bombshell about the true name of the continent and what it reveals about the gods!
Spoilers for the ENTIRE Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @dragonsinthedetailspod
TikTok: @dragonsinthedetailspod
YouTube: @dragonsinthedetailspod
Discord: Dragons In the Details Pod Server
Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you! (But come with receipts if you think we're wrong!)
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We REALLY appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #empyrean #rebeccayaros #book #booklover #bookstagram #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #irid #romantasy #romantasybooks #tairn #violet #xaden #andarna #venin #malek #gods
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 02:50: Intros and episode overview
02:51 - 07:44: Announcements and social media shout-outs
07:45 - 11:33: Jess's theory about Xaden sneaking into Violet's bed
11:34 - 18:19: Setting the scene for Chapter 66
18:20 - 22:18: How did Violet get to Riorson House?
22:19 - 29:33: What is the shape that moves in the shadows?
29:34 - 35:59: Why do Brennan's eyes bulge when they see Violet?
36:00 - 39:48: Why would they burn Violet?
39:49 - 47:26: The missing 12 hours and time manipulation
47:27 - 52:17: Who are the four missing riders and their dragons?
52:18 - 57:32: Who murdered the elders in the valley?
57:33 - 1:03:22: Where did they get married and why?
1:03:23 - 1:11:14: Why did Tairn need a cycle of rest?
1:11:15 - 1:19:30: What is "it" in "it's yours now"?
1:19:31 - 1:24:05: Why did Imogen erase Violet's memory?
1:24:06 - 1:34:44: Where is Xaden now?
1:34:45 - 1:39:42: Precog Corner: Tairn and Naolin's fate
1:39:43 - 1:44:51: Precog Corner: Amari, Malek, and the continent
1:44:52 - 1:51:41: Reading Corner: Empire of Storms
1:51:42 - 1:54:33: Wrap-up and social media information
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with part one of their mind-blowing deep dive into the ending of Onyx Storm! We're kicking things off with a return to our Diet Coke discourse (and bubbly drinks in general) before diving head-first into what happens to our favorite shadow-daddy on top of that hidden sun-soaked canyon.
We start by tackling the burning question that's keeping us all up at night: who is the brother that turned Venin? We bring receipts analyzing every possible candidate - from Bodhi (on his hands and knees "retching" in the town square... or channeling?), to Garrick (mysteriously missing at the end), to Aaric (who would be the last person Xaden would expect to turn). The evidence points to someone who felt they "weren't enough" during the battle, and we're ready to name names!
We explore the mysterious line about "the one who thinks himself my brother" - is it a person or could it be something else entirely? And what about Berwyn's cryptic comment "I have another" when Panchek claims to be the only one who can give him access to his son?
Our investigation gets wild when we discuss which initiate wants to kill their sage (besides Xaden). Could Naolin still be alive? Has he been Venin this whole time? And what does Berwyn have that Xaden needs so desperately? We theorize it might be knowledge about dreamwalking that could be crucial to whatever plan Xaden has set in motion.
We round it all out by analyzing why Xaden tells Sgaeyl "it is the only way" - what happened that made this path the only viable option? And what's the real purpose behind those Rhi and Imogen POV chapters? (Hint: it might have something to do with those missing 12 hours we'll discuss next episode!)
In our wildest Precog Corner yet, Abby theorizes about Bodhi's name meaning "awakening" or "enlightenment" in Buddhism and what that could mean if he's Venin offspring destined to evolve, while Ronnie explores the fascinating possibility that Venin can sense pain even when there’s no magic!
Spoilers for the entire Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Follow us on social media:
Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We really appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #empyrean #rebeccayaros #book #booklover #bookstagram #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #irid #romantasy #romantasybooks #tairn #violet #xaden #bodhi #venin #brennan #naolin #sgaeyl
00:00 - 5:54: Sparkling Water, Avril Lavigne, no skips albums
5:55 - 11:29: Intro + Opening Thoughts
11:30 - 23:43: Corrections, Omissions, Social Media - Gifts, Irids, and Venin; Were Aaric and Andarna working together, Mairi family + Maorsite
23:43 - 29:01: How we felt about the ending of Onyx Storm
29:02 - 49:16: Recap of the ending (through Xaden’s POV)
49:17 - 1:05:57: Who is the brother?
1:05:58 - 01:11:10: Who is the one who thinks himself the brother?
01:11:11 - 1:14:50 : Who is Berwyn’s son? (Probably not Jack!)
1:14:51 - 1:21:14 Who is the other initiate who wants to kill their sage?
1:21:15 - 1:26:32: What does Berwyn have that Xaden needs?
1:26:33 - 1:28:33 Why this ending was “The Only Way”
1:28:34 - 1:35:42: The purpose of Rhi and Imogen’s POV Chapters and why doesn’t Rhi know about dragon’s farsight
1:35:43 - 1:43:58: Pre-cog corner - Is Bodhi the key to the end of this series? Do Venin have abilities even when there's no magic?
Your favorite literary chaos agents Abby and Ronnie are back with their most compelling theories yet! Join them for a deep dive into the most intriguing dreams in Rebecca Yarros' Onyx Storm. Fair warning: things get complicated, theories get elaborate, and we're seriously considering that the Venin might be running some sort of magical MLM scheme.
What Madness Awaits You This Episode
Dreams, Schemes, and Thoughtful Theories
The Venin MLM Conspiracy: Seriously, how do they have so many signets?
Violet's Hidden Superpower: What if the Venin are actually trying to stop time?
The Perfect Spy Theory: How Violet accidentally became the ultimate spy
Every Single Dream, Dissected
Dream #1: Where we first suspect the Venin are up to no good
Dream #2: Foreshadowing some spice
Dream #3: This changes everything
Maren's Dream: Violet becomes spymaster
Dream #5: Who's hair is that?!?
Dream #6: The juicy one
Precog Corner Gets Wild
Why does Leothan think that dream-walking is dangerous?
Siphon deep dive that'll make your head spin
What Makes This Podcast Your New Obsession
Dragons in the Details is where Empyrean series fans come to:
Analyze every detail with the thoroughness it deserves
Develop theories that are elaborate but surprisingly plausible
Discuss character development like the complex topic it is
Appreciate romantic tension in all its forms
Hunt for Easter eggs with dedication and coffee
Episode Breakdown (For Your Convenience)
00:00 - 03:26: Why audiobooks give us the ick (but hey, Onyx Storm's audiobook is out!)
03:26 - 08:34: Setting the stage for dream chaos
08:35 - 21:11: Brennan conspiracy theories with fresh evidence
21:12 - 33:02: Dream #1 and our MLM theory that we're totally serious about
33:03 - 38:38: Dream #2 predictions that'll blow your mind
38:39 - 48:47: The time manipulation bombshell
48:48 - 52:35: Maren's dream gets us theorizing hard
52:36 - 1:15:56: Hair mysteries that keep us up at night
1:15:57 - 1:26:32: The dream that made us lose our minds
1:26:32 - 1:29:52: General dream madness
1:29:53 - 1:38:07: Pre-cog corner where we get really nerdy
1:38:08 - 1:43:05: What we're reading (spoiler: it's Sarah J. Maas)
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Fair Warning: We spoil EVERYTHING in the Empyrean Series. Like, everything. You've been warned.
You'll love this if you're into: Rebecca Yarros' intricate plotting, Fourth Wing series obsession, Empyrean universe deep dives, fantasy romance that keeps you up at night, thoughtful book analysis, Violet and Xaden's complex relationship, dragon rider fantasy, romantasy that takes over your reading list, BookTok discoveries that become life-changing reads
Characters we're invested in: Violet Sorrengail, Xaden Riorson, Brennan (questionable), Tairn (dragon perfection), Sgaeyl, Bodhi, Ridoc, Lilith, those terrifying Venin, dragon riders in general, the Basgiath War College crew, signet powers we wish we had, dream walkers, time manipulators
Subscribe to Dragons in the Details where no theory is too unhinged and no detail goes unanalyzed. We're your trusty captains in the world of fantasy romance!
Your favorite crazy book theorists and co-hosts Abby and Ronnie sit down to talk about YOUR THEORIES again in Onyx Storm: Mailbag #2!
We start off strong, with Abby realizing that Cath is in fact a man and not a nickname for “Cathy.” We then dive into whether Cath’s breath smelling bad is actually a clue to Cath’s age, and ponder if he might actually be way more important than we thought.
We debunk the popular “Ridoc is a venin” theory with some very key evidence from the Cliffs of Dralor. Sorry guys, Ridoc’s definitely not a venin - but we’re still not sure why he hates sewing. We get into the Battle of Suniva and try to figure out how long the venin have been secretly stealing daggers, and conclude that when Devera tells us something’s important, we should listen.
After that we discuss Tairn and Codagh’s lineage and get into the “Is Tairn really Thereux?” question. We get into some of our wildest theories to date with speculation on Brennan’s identity (why did Violet think he would know Old Lucerish?) and realize that Lilith has known about the Venin for way longer than we thought.
To round it out, we talk about the symbolism of Bodhi’s name (and Cuir’s name) and ponder what role they might play in the larger story. We wonder why everyone seems to always forget that the irids are invisible and could literally be anywhere, at any time (looking at you Unnbriel), and conclude with a fun reading corner on Crescent City (no spoilers! We promise.)
Spoilers for the entire Empyrean Series
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Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We really appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #empyrean #rebeccayaros #book #booklover #bookstagram #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #irid #romantasy #romantasybooks #tairn #violet #xaden #bodhi #cath #lilith #theophanie #ridoc #venin #codagh #alloy #daggers #dragons
Time Stamps
00:00 - 02:59: Intro
03:00 - 07:49: Is Cath an elder? And also a man?
07:50 - 13:18: Ridoc is NOT a Venin
13:19 - 19:50: The Venin have been after the Daggers this whole time (or, why we should always listen to Devera)
19:51 - 24:54: Is Tairn secretly Thereux? (Spoiler: Probably not)
24:55 - 30:15: Why are the wyvern snatching up dead gryphons?
30:16 - 33:28: Ok, so like, what’s the deal with Brennan?
33:29 - 38:00: Lilith has known about the venin for way longer than we thought
38:01 - 40:08: How much magic can venin channel
40:09 - 43:32: The symbolism of Bodhi’s name
43:33 - 46:00: Violet’s just a big battery (And also, we’re starting to forget our own theories)
46:01 - 50:24: Why is everyone forgetting that the irids can turn invisible?
50:25 - 54:06: Are the isles the gods?
54:07 - 01:01:25: Reading Corner (We’re both reading Crescent City!) and Conclusion
Your favorite crazy book theorists and co-hosts Abby and Ronnie sit down to talk about the history of Navarre in Onyx Storm: History Part 2 - The Second Krovlan Uprising, The Tyrrish Rebellion, and Other Fun Stuff!
We start with the Second Krovlan Uprising, where we explore what REALLY happened when Deverelli brokered that mysterious deal between an unnamed Isle kingdom and Krovla. Why did the Krovlish Raiders try to cross into Navarre at Athebyne? Was Unnbriel the unnamed isle, or did Violet jump to conclusions? And what's the connection between the feathertails the raiders were looking for and the feathertails that Asher was studying?
Then we jump to the Tyrrish Rebellion, examining the motivations behind Fen Riorson, Lilith Sorrengail, and other key players; looking deep into Fen’s alliance with Viscount Tecaurs, and discuss the shocking revelation that "other dragons" were hiding in Aretia! We bring receipts on Lilith's capture of the rebellion leaders, Brennan's supposed "death," and the rebellion relics. Why does Sgaeyl hate Brennan so much? And what was Naolin's ACTUAL fate??
We round it out with a look at Basgaiath War College's founding (how could it have been built on Runes?!) and the various cover-ups throughout Navarre's history. When did they start erasing the Venin from the archives? Why is there no irid in the Rotunda at Basgiath? And why are the Venin traveling along bodies of water??
Our precog corner gets WILD this episode as we theorize about a secret Irid den in Aretia, water dragons, and the possibility of another continent! Is this why Asher pointed Violet toward these specific historical events? The blanket of lies is starting to unravel!
Spoilers for the entire Empyrean Series
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @dragonsinthedetailspod
TikTok: @dragonsinthedetailspod
YouTube: @dragonsinthedetailspod
Discord: Dragons In the Details Pod Server
Email us your questions and theories at dragonsinthedetailspod@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
Please remember to rate, subscribe, and review! We really appreciate it!
#onyxstorm #ironflame #fourthwing #violetsorrengail #xadenriorson #rebeccayarros #fantasy #podcast #bookstagram #romantasy #empyrean #rebeccayaros #book #booklover #bookstagram #booktok #bookpodcast #bookpodcasts #irid #romantasy #romantasybooks
Timestamps:
00:00 - 5:26 - Intros (Please don’t spoil Throne of Glass for Abby)
5:27 - 9:26 - Announcement (We’re on discord now! Dragons In the Details Pod Server)
9:27 - 20:56 - Corrections, Omissions, Social Media Shout Outs
20:57 - 43:55 - The Second Krovlan Uprising
43:56 - 1:31:52 - The Tyrrish Rebellion
1:31:53 - 1:38:12 - The Founding of Basgiath
1:38:13 - 1:47:22 - Undocumented History, including the Venin Cover-Up
1:47:23 - 1:51:26 - Precog Corner!
1:51:27 - 1:53:33 - What we’re reading + Outros
