Romance Recs

Deep Dive: Onyx Storm

• Jordan, Devonnie, Christina • Season 2 • Episode 13

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Join Jordan, Devonnie, and Christina as they discuss the latest installment in Rebecca Yarros' Empyrian Series, Onyx Storm. If you've finished the book, we invite you along to celebrate, react, and rant with us. We discuss everything from the dragons, the gods, young love, our theories, and more. This won't be a chapter by chapter breakdown but will be full of our honest reactions and discussions. Whether you loved it or hated it, this deep dive is for you.



Unlike our usual episodes, this one will feature only one book title. If you're looking for new romance book recommendations, we invite you to check out the rest of our catalogue where we recommend books based on a different trope or genre each episode. 


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Devonnie:

Welcome to Romance Recs, where book besties explore the world of romance novels and encourage you to expand your TBR. Join us as we dive into the hottest releases and hidden gems of the genre. You can find us on Instagram and threads at Romance Recs Pod. Hi guys. Hi, it's Dev. I just finished listening to The Night is Defying by Chloe C. Penaranda, and I am about to start on audiobook. I'm on an audiobook wave. So Let Them Burn by Camila Cole, because I got an advanced listeners copy to her second in that series, which is This Ends in Embers. So I'm excited about all the audiobooks I'll have to listen to.

Jordan:

Hi, I'm Jordan. I'm here. I am currently reading Broken Souls Little Hope Series Number 3 by Ariana Cane. I am also just starting an ARC copy of Spring Awakening by J. S. Jasper. And surprisingly, I am between audiobooks. I do not have an audiobook for you today.

Christina:

Hi guys, it's Kristina, and I am currently reading Goldfinch by Raven Kennedy, which is the last in the Plated Prisoner series. And today we're gonna buckle up for some Onyx Storm bookish banter.

Jordan:

Yay!

Devonnie:

Yes. Yes. Bring on the dragons.

Jordan:

Yes, let's dive deep into this. This is not our usual content. Usually we will give you recs based on genres or tropes within the romance, genre as a whole. But today we're gonna dive deep into just this one book. The third installment of the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yaros. No matter how we feel about certain books, or the direction it's going, or anything like that, or the questionable, decisions made about certain things by the author that we may or may not agree with, it's still meaningful.

Devonnie:

yeah,

Jordan:

Here we are.

Devonnie:

series is why we're here together. So we got to kind of love it for at least that

Jordan:

Yep.

Devonnie:

yeah, let's kick this party off. We've got onyx storm hype everywhere. Everyone's probably dropping their reviews right now So thank you so much for tuning into ours. This is not a spoiler free episode. I'm gonna tell you that right now So if you just buckled in and you're ready for bleeps and cover ups and cutouts unbuckle, babe Unbuckle. This is not the episode for you. Things

Jordan:

Pull the parachute.

Devonnie:

was, yeah, it will be very spoiled in this episode. Uh, we are not holding back. I'mma give you some time to go finish your read, and then come back and listen.

Jordan:

Yeah, or just go find another episode to listen to for a new rec if,

Devonnie:

Yeah. No spoiler free.

Jordan:

I think we're gonna start with our quick overall rating rank and then we can do our quotes.

Devonnie:

Quotes? We all picked quotes from the book, right?

Jordan:

I did.

Christina:

Yes.

Devonnie:

You did? Yeah, I did too. Okay, cool. Overall rank or rating? Ooh, what is this? Is this out of five stars? Are we doing

Jordan:

So overall star rating. Yeah, for those of you who just tuned in to us for the first time on this episode because of Onyx Storm, thank you. Normally we don't rate books. We tell you why we liked them or why you might like them because rating is such a personal thing. But just to give you a little glimpse as to what you're gonna get from Our POV for Onyx Storm. Yeah, we're going to give you our overall ranking.

Devonnie:

Yeah.

Jordan:

Christina, why don't you start us out with your star ranking?

Devonnie:

And then give us your quote. We'll do the rating and then the

Jordan:

And there's no judgment here. A little bit.

Christina:

We listen and we don't judge.

Devonnie:

listen, we don't judge. Ooh, you beat me to it, Christina. Oof.

Christina:

So my rating of Onyx Storm overall was a 2. 5. My rating of Fourth Wing was five stars and Iron Flame was like three and a half, four stars.

Jordan:

Okay, so it's just hopping

Christina:

gone down for me, but that's okay.

Devonnie:

Yeah.

Jordan:

Alright, Dev, what do you got? What did you

Devonnie:

I gave it a 3. 5, but I think on Goodreads I actually rounded up to 4 because you can't do half and rather than let it sit at a 3, I pushed it to a 4. But yeah, I think a 3. 5 is my happy place with the book.

Jordan:

Okay, and compared to the other three, where does it rank for you?

Devonnie:

Uh, I Fourth Wing was 5 Yeah, fourth wing was a five star read for me for sure. Iron Flame, do I want to say that, baby that was a two. Uh, we did get some redeeming qualities from me in Onyx Storm. We did. But Iron Flame just was not my favorite of the series.

Jordan:

Okay I gave it a four on Goodreads. When I was reading it the whole time, I'm like, maybe a three. and then the last 15 percent hit and I'm like, this is a solid 4.

Devonnie:

Yeah. Yeah, the ending came to save it.

Jordan:

to be fair, the more I think about the book, the more I like it. So I think I'm going to give it like a 3. 75. Like it's right there. I think on my reread I'll do it higher. For me, fourth wing still five stars. Like I loved it. This one. Yeah, this one is definitely I think my second favorite so far And then iron flame. I don't even know why I'd rank it. I couldn't even reread it before Starting this because I just couldn't bring myself to. Let's do quotes though before we forget and we get too far into it. Usually we start our episodes with a recent book quote we've stumbled across, or a rant, or a rave. Okay.

Devonnie:

I've got a couple. I've got two that I'm gonna say now, though. I'm gonna save one for later, but the first quote actually happens very early into the book, and It's when Andarna is talking to Violet, kinda in reference to Xaden and Violet's feelings towards Xaden. At this point we all know she's getting like flack from some people who know, or from herself too, and Tairn was not playing, but Andarna goes, I am as unknown as he is, and you still trust me. I will not be another battle you have to fight. And I really love that quote. I think Andarna is just, even in the middle of her like, teenage tantrum that she has been having for two books I think that was just a beautiful representation of how much she loves Violet and cares for Violet. But also how understanding she is of the fact that Yeah, we're, I'm different. He's different. I get it. This is weird, but you love me. I love that. And just pulling herself out of the equation, especially when Tairn is not playing with Violet. He lets it be known that he does not like Xaden. He's over this man. I think, having one of your dragons be nice is cool or whatever. Yeah, I've got that one. And then the other one is actually Violet's mom in correspondence that was discovered from her to Violet's dad. She says, and I quote, help her my love. I'm afraid our daughter has atrocious taste in men. And I couldn't agree more. Okay.

Christina:

Still agree with her. Oh my god.

Devonnie:

Yeah.

Jordan:

Alright, Mrs. Atos, calm down over there.

Devonnie:

Not the Dain girly.

Jordan:

Alright, well, one of my favorite quotes. I'm going to read one now and I'm saving one later when it's relevant when we talk about it. Violet. Starts out with Violet. Do you still love me? I enunciate every word and lean right into his space just to prove that I'm not intimidated by him. He cups the back of my neck and pulls me within inches of his face, close enough to kiss. I could reach the rank of Maven, lead armies of dark wielders against everyone we care for, and watch every vein in my body turn red as I channel all the power in the continent. And I would still love you. What I did doesn't change that. I'm not sure anything can. And I think that is what we friends call foreshadowing.

Devonnie:

Yeah. Yeah.

Christina:

There was a lot of foreshadowing in this book.

Devonnie:

And that's one of my favorite quotes too. That was actually the third one I was going to read. But that's one of my favorite quotes because it reminds me of the scene in Queen Charlotte when Queen Charlotte has that same kind of discussion, that stand up moment with, King George. Yeah. Do you love me? And they kind of go tit for tat, but basically all the love just pours out. So that's one of my favorite little things.

Jordan:

I just love it. It's the foreshadowing for me. The fact that this is pretty early on in the book, and he knows what's gonna happen. He knows he's gonna do this. This, he's gonna reach the rank of Maven, and he is going to kill everyone he knows, except for her. He knows that one spot, that one light.

Christina:

Okay, so I couldn't find a single quote I liked in this book except whenever Tairn called Xaden the dark wielder. But, uh, I did really love the dedication at the beginning, so I'll read that. The dedication says, To the ones who don't run with the popular crowd. The ones who get caught reading under their desks. The ones who feel like they never get invited, included, or represented. Get your leathers. We have dragons to ride. And I just love that.

Jordan:

Yeah,

Devonnie:

Yeah. That dedication was one of the best. Where do we start?

Jordan:

When the book ended, what were your first kind of reactions? In a few words. Like for me, I felt heavy. I felt a bigger shock from this one. I felt a bigger shock from this one than I did with Iron Flame. See, like for me, Iron Flame, it ended and everyone was all shocked and I'm just like, Okay, this is a natural turn of events in my mind. Of course, it's five book series. Of course, someone's gonna go evil and of course, it's gonna be our MMC., duh. Like, but for me, this one, I anticipated this move, like at the end, in a dip, to happen in a different way and to be the fourth book. So for it to all of a sudden jump and all of this happen, because I avoided all the spoilers, thank God, because I think that would have ruined my whole read. I was shooketh,

Devonnie:

yeah, I honestly the way the book ended number one, I really wanted it and this can still happen, but I really wanted it to be violet. And what I expected was violet to be. The one to turn bad. I really wanted that for her. I didn't want that for

Jordan:

I wa

Devonnie:

that's I know I say I'm saying I want but that's what I saw happening because and there's some and the reason I'm Gonna use a moment. I wrote this down The first thing I wrote down in my notes about onyx storm when I was like thinking about the book was how she got that broken compass When they were in Zinal and I thought that was so perfect I was like you absolutely deserve a broken compass cuz you're the way you're like trying to say I will save Xaden I'll say there's so much other shit going on babes. What do you mean? You're gonna you're focused on saving him I feel like from the very beginning of the series. We've seen Violet show that she's like an Untrust like almost a unreliable narrator in a story. Like you cannot rely on her So if you start this series thinking that oh my gosh, she's for the down and outs She's gonna lift her people up. Absolutely. Not. She is actually only serving herself Violet is incredibly selfish

Jordan:

yeah, she was forced into this position too. Every step of the way, she has been forced into it. Her hand has been forced. From going on to the parapet, to now. Everything has been forced on her.

Devonnie:

and so when I when she got the compass I was just like Okay. Yeah, she's gonna have to choose she is going to have a Have to make a like choice to stand on business about how she wants her future to look and so when the end came I what I expected was for violet to channel I thought she would channel and then join Xaden and then they would figure this out together But then we'd see the battle between them their dragons the people they love all of that but I feel like there's still some things that can happen because Why would you have Imogen do that? I get it. It's probably something as basic as she doesn't want to know where Xaden has gone because she doesn't want to be reliable for people going after her, reading her mind or whatever. But I think there is something dark and nefarious about that little hour, hours gap that she's been missing that I'm gonna be like, I feel like that's where we're gonna see her moral compass really spinning about whatever it is she did.

Jordan:

We'll get into this in the end, because I have more to, that's different.

Devonnie:

to say about that. Hehe.

Christina:

Of all, real quick, about that compass. I literally get Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. It points to what you want most, not north. So that's kind of what I

Jordan:

Or Spark of the Everflame.

Devonnie:

Yeah, true.

Christina:

So that's kind of what I was thinking. But, so when I finished reading the book, I was spoiled by the way so I already knew the ending, so it didn't shock me, and

Jordan:

How much what was spoiled? Because there are

Devonnie:

Yeah, what did you

Jordan:

I don't

Christina:

so I had been told, uh, in the video I watched, it was, oh, her second signet is sleepwalking, or dreamwalking, and at the very end, you're gonna have Zaden and Violet get married, then they're, she's gonna lose twelve, hours of her life. And so that's, I knew that going into this. And I was like, that's stupid. And so when I got to it, I was like, Oh, I hate that. Didn't like it. But

Jordan:

see, I think it, that ruins it.

Devonnie:

Yeah, that

Jordan:

me, reading it, it was amazing, and that's the best part of the book.

Christina:

I also,

Devonnie:

didn't spoil me though. I predicted that in book two. Happen in book two.

Christina:

and you could see the marriage happening to even if I wasn't spoiled because he

Jordan:

Yeah, but not that

Christina:

like chapter four, and he was just declared a Duke. So I'm like, well, obviously she's going to be duchess. But

Jordan:

but that, that, but not that way. Right after he ranks up in the Venin.

Devonnie:

see the marriage. I didn't see the marriage

Jordan:

No.

Christina:

Uh, I think he talks about it like three or four times, because then he talks about the marriage contract with her. But anywho, uh, when I finished reading the book, I felt like I had just read Iron Flame. 2. 0. The whole thing was the exact

Jordan:

Oh, okay.

Christina:

You have this exact thing of we're gonna argue about everything, and then at the end, there's another cliffhanger that's the exact same cliffhanger as the second book. It cracked me up. I was like, that's

Jordan:

I wouldn't say that's the same

Christina:

That he turned Venin. Well, that he turned

Jordan:

But that's not the cliffhanger. That's not the cliffhanger of this book, though. He's got to

Christina:

But then I felt like the,

Jordan:

different.

Christina:

I felt like the cliffhanger in Iron Flame didn't even really matter because the stakes weren't high for this book like he's angsty, not evil,

Jordan:

now he's evil. Now

Devonnie:

Yeah. So I wasn't prepared for him to go that far towards the end. So for me, I guess I did kind of count him leveling up in. Venin dom. I don't know. I wasn't expecting that. So that was kind of a cliffhanger. I was like, damn. But when you threaten Violet, I guess, you know, he gotta do what he gotta do. But I don't know what level he is. I don't know if he's a sage now, or a maven, or whatever. But I know he's definitely, probably higher than what he, yeah, than what he was before.

Christina:

said he's no longer the initiate. Sage.

Devonnie:

Exactly.

Jordan:

Alright, I have more thoughts about his nefarious happenings. But we're gonna break it up.

Devonnie:

Oh,

Jordan:

I think we should jump in to the beginning of the book. We just did first started talking about the end, but let's go back to the beginning. Because the Prologue starts with her following him and this actually ties into what we were just saying because if you go back and think about the prologue, we find her following Xaden, but he's going down to visit Jack. Because we learn later, Jack is now, in source, his brother. They have the same Sage or Maven or whatever. We should have looked that up a little bit more closely. But anyways, I think it's his sage his mentor, right? That he is now tied to. And he, I think other things happen that we don't see because he continues to go to visit him. We know that, but we never hear about what he does when he goes there. So I think, There's a lot of things we don't see because he can't hurt Jack because they are connected.

Devonnie:

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, and we know his gift is like intention, so he can literally be down there quizzing and questioning him and revealing stuff and it. They don't ever mention if Imogen goes with him, do they?

Jordan:

No, he goes by himself.

Christina:

goes with Violet when she goes to visit him.

Devonnie:

All right. Okay. So I was just wondering, because like also was Theophany was like very worried about what Jack had been spilling. Or not Theophany. Was that? No, yeah, it was Theophany.

Christina:

Yeah, because Pancheck and them were down there questioning too in between when we don't see

Devonnie:

Right. Right. There's a lot we don't see. And that was one of the things Rebecca mentioned. Yeah. Rebecca mentioned like when in the first I think it was during fourth wing why we couldn't have a Xaden POV and she's because he won't stop lying or something like that or he wasn't

Jordan:

It would give away, what, did she say, it would give away too many

Devonnie:

yeah too many things before they were supposed to be revealed And I think by letting us know that he was doing all these things but not showing us and not telling us these things It's definitely her way of sneaking some stuff in there that we are gonna be able to like unravel later on But yeah, she's following him

Jordan:

Yep. And yeah. So the first third of the book, the prologue through chapter 22, it's pretty slow. I was listening to it cause I listened to it on Audible and I was just like, come on this is not where I thought we would be going. Even if it's not where I think we're going, it's not even a recap. It's just hanging out

Devonnie:

Yeah,

Jordan:

and not even a fun hanging out.

Devonnie:

No, I mean they get into some trouble and stuff kind of but it's like I wanted the stakes at the beginning of this. I wanted us to be tossed literally into some high stuff But I feel like

Jordan:

In chapter 2, the Venin make it in again. The Venin attack and they make it over the wall

Devonnie:

yeah,

Jordan:

to get Jack, but here's my thing. We learn later that Xaden consents where the Venin are. Where was he to raise the alarm about all this?

Devonnie:

right.

Jordan:

did not. And all of a sudden, all the Venin are in? Where was Xaden?

Devonnie:

Yeah. just said we, that's why Garrick and I have been killing or isn't that what he says? Garrick and I have been killing them. That's what he says, but it's like I feel like he should have, we should

Jordan:

He can feel that others have gotten past them! He could've! He could've told Sigail,

Devonnie:

Violet Tairn.

Jordan:

Everyone could've known, All the dragons could've known, who could've told their riders what is happening?

Christina:

wasn't talking to Seidon at this time.

Jordan:

Yeah, but she, but, that's true,

Devonnie:

I think she still would have told Tairn and then so he could tell his because Segayl don't

Jordan:

was with Garak, or Bodhi or one of them, if he was with them, He wouldn't have been fighting! And he felt them. He could've just been like, alert everybody. I mean, there are things they could've done. So

Devonnie:

Maybe that could be like purposeful by Rebecca or that could be a

Jordan:

help them? Did he help them to get Jack out?

Devonnie:

Yeah, which I mean They didn't succeed and also

Jordan:

No. But did he help them by not raising the alarm and tell them where to get in? Because he knew where all the patrols were. Anyways, that was my big note. Cause we don't know how much Xaden was, like, being influenced.

Christina:

Also, I think in that first 22 chapters, we meet Halden, and I just want to say that Violet would have never been dumb enough to date that guy. That seems so dumb to me.

Jordan:

Oh, not to me. I can totally see it. I can totally see her dating him. Absolutely. You have to remember she was really smart. But, she was raised, not just by her father, but around all these cadets. And this looser lifestyle. Higher standing. This is who she hung out with and her social pool was small and she would go from place to place. And, like she said to her Arc is just Arc. That's they're just her friends. Or her dirty cheating ex. I loved this. I absolutely loved that he is her ex. I ate that up. Dirty history. Because, give me a break, Christina. Think of yourself now. And think of the people you dated when you were a teenager.

Devonnie:

Exactly.

Jordan:

Or you were into as a teenager.

Devonnie:

Cause I would

Jordan:

And if

Christina:

and that was not healthy at all, but that

Jordan:

Exactly! But that's the thing. Christina, that's the thing.

Devonnie:

Yeah.

Jordan:

your brain isn't he was hot. He was prince. He was gonna be king. He was charismatic. You can't Like, yeah, he's a douche, but he's charismatic.

Devonnie:

I think it's very believable for the station of life and the type of life Violet was leading at that time. She was, and this whole time, she was supposed to be a scribe. The writer's quadrant was never even supposed to exist for her. So I think being around knowledge and people and having access to information, I could see Halden being the thing. And also xaden is Halden. Without the, I guess the bold face cheating Jack, because Xaden actually

Jordan:

He's the loyal

Devonnie:

but Xaden is still a jerk. He talks to people disrespectfully. He holds himself higher than everyone else because he knows he's more powerful. He's powerful in actual power. Holden is powerful in name. So I feel like they are, they're the same thing. It's just that Xaden respects Violet in a way that Holden didn't. But she has terrible taste in men. Very clear to me, especially now knowing that her mom wrote that letter talking about Holden because her mom was probably punching air watching that relationship. And then then her mom, did her mom get to see her and Xaden or know about? She did know about her and say, yeah, then she, then there's a lot of evidence saying that Violet makes terrible man choices. It's just, we love Xaden because he's a shadow daddy and bandages her up when she's broken. But really and truly him and Holden are very different. They're two powerful men. They just wield their power differently.

Christina:

I felt just like the storyline was just basically the cat storyline all over again, just to make someone jealous.

Jordan:

I liked seeing the other point of view I didn't like the cat storyline. I liked this one with that one because I liked seeing Xaden have to deal with it from the other point of view. I liked that because I hated the way he handled it. I hate, yeah, and I hated the way that he handled her jealousy of Kat in Iron Flame. And so to see him be humbled, In that way, I loved

Devonnie:

Yeah. Yeah.

Jordan:

And to see him jealous, I kind of like the way he handles jealousy. It didn't feel like too much. I, well, to be fair shooting him across the room and into the wall. That's fine. If he was like a good guy ex, I think I would definitely have different feelings, but he could feel his intentions. You have to remember that. He could feel his intentions towards Violet.

Devonnie:

Yeah, that, and Holden's just shitty, but also I gave everything terrible Xaden did, I gave a grain of salt because he's Venom, and he shouldn't be normal, he shouldn't be the regular Xaden we're used to, he should have to struggle to not want to kill people every second, or to suck magic out of everybody, so I think he did a good job being Venom in this book, kudos to you, babe! Xaden, you did that, because I expected you to be draining people left and right, the entire book, and You didn't. You lasted really until the end, until y'all were literally losing and everybody was down and out. So yeah, I think he was a good Venin in this book. He didn't do too much.

Jordan:

Because we didn't even get to see really his inner turmoil very much. But like looking back,

Devonnie:

through Violet's dreamwalking.

Jordan:

which is probably the reason he won't sleep next to her, because he knows, I think his dreams, he knows they're not just dreams. I think he knows this other guy is a dreamwalker because he is training him whenever Xaden sleeps. And I think that's why he won't sleep next to Violet.

Devonnie:

Interesting. I thought, Oh, wait,

Jordan:

Because Dreamwalkers can control the dreams, and they control things in the people's minds from what we can gather. So I think at night when he goes to bed, his mentor, I think he trains him and tries to level him up every night. And I

Christina:

then she would be the one that was made to match his ability,

Devonnie:

Made to match him.

Christina:

ability.

Jordan:

Yep.

Devonnie:

That's interesting. I didn't think about it as training. I thought I guess also, I just thought about the location that they're in whenever they have this dream because it's the same dream, right? She's been having a million times. So in my mind, I've been picturing that dream as the moment he turned Venin. I keep seeing it as the.

Jordan:

No, it is, but I think that the sage is, I think it's him doing it to him every night and making him relive it. Because at the end, I just re listened to the last couple chapters before this, we got in here because I wanted to understand what happened better. And I think that's what's happening in the dreams is I think he is going into Xaden's dreams whenever he's in like range or magic or whatever, right? And I think he's bringing him back to his low point. Which is when he turned and I think he's forcing him to channel in the dream Because that's how he's training him is making him channel in the dream and doing all that

Devonnie:

Right, and how else would you train a fucking initiate or whatever do they go to school? You know, that, that actually makes a lot of sense. I didn't think about there's no vet in college. How are you supposed to put your hands on all your pupils?

Jordan:

which is also why later when we hear about Violet, when she, they have this big revelation that she's a dreamwalker, Xaden's yeah, those are real because I think he knows he's Being manipulated by

Devonnie:

he could be lying. Yeah. You're right, Xaden could be lying

Jordan:

He does lie

Devonnie:

unfortunate. He be lying.

Jordan:

He loves to omit things

Devonnie:

Yes,

Jordan:

or just make comments and be like, Oh, really? Or it could be this without sharing with the class.

Devonnie:

On, in the vein of dreamwalking, I am curious as why Leothan, the Iriod from Andarna's Den, why, or I don't know if it's him specifically who said this, but they say that Andarna gave Violet the most dangerous gift of all. And if that's dreamwalking, I'm trying to understand why that's so dangerous.

Christina:

I

Devonnie:

Enterings,

Christina:

can change people's thoughts in their dream and manipulate them like an intrinsic. Almost, she can read their thoughts and change them and manipulate them into her, what she wants.

Devonnie:

then if they wake up, doesn't that fall off?

Jordan:

no, I don't think, I think she can trap them in their dreams. Because the only way she finds to get out of that dream is whenever she gets hurt she physically hurts herself. So I

Christina:

to wake Xaden up

Jordan:

and like it's said, she doesn't know how to wield this power yet. Okay, so I think, we're just going all over the place, but I do have a quote that I marked because it's really interesting to go with her and I think this is, It's foreshadowing for what her signet can do. So at the end, when Theophany says to her, she said, So stubborn, it must be killing you, realizing you don't have every answer. You aren't the solution to every problem. You're just another lightning wielder, mortally incapable of being everywhere at once. So I think eventually, in a way, she'll be able to be in more places than one. Because I think she'll be able to reach out to other people's minds when they're like, unconscious, or in a certain state, or, I don't know what the limits are. But we, I don't, any of us know that yet.

Devonnie:

Yeah. I hope Rebecca knows, because this magic system is confusing as hell.

Jordan:

Oh

Devonnie:

I hate when they use the term lesser magic. Because I'm like, ugh.

Jordan:

What does that mean? Can anyone do it? Or only

Devonnie:

And right, like I hate it because I'm, I think that confuses me the most when everyone has a signet. I understand. But then when in, when you get into the voice projection and the lesser magic of it all, I'd be wanting to punch

Jordan:

and then runes on top of that?

Christina:

a pen.

Devonnie:

yeah, like what a base we are. I think it's too much. I think the magic system needs to, it should have just been signets. And I would have taken signets and runes. No lesser magic. Okay, you got a little disc, you need to jump high, you put on, you draw your little rune on you, and now you jump high, it washes off, for 24 hours or whatever. I'm getting tired of the lesser magic. Okay?

Christina:

Signets, remember when Sarah J. Maas said, Oh, mates are rare. And then Rebecca Yarrow said, Second Signets are rare. And everybody has one.

Devonnie:

Let me tell you, that, okay, I have big feelings about the second signets. One, happy feelings, because I feel like some of them may have been released too early. Revealed to us in books one and two. I'm not positive, but I feel like I need to reread those two just to see if I'm right Okay, there's a lot that I'm like, huh? On top of that though the second signets that were revealed because everybody got them in the crew I'm like the inner circle basically of onyx storm. Everybody has one yeah So I feel like

Christina:

don't have one? Oh,

Devonnie:

Yeah but they all of them are also lying about them. And so my understanding now needs to be, why are we lying about having second signets?

Christina:

Be helpful.

Jordan:

because they aren't trusted by the king and the government,

Devonnie:

Oh shit, all the people who have second sig Right, they can tell Violet. But all the

Jordan:

but it's only Violet and the Tyrish people that were with the,

Devonnie:

I didn't make that

Jordan:

it's like nature's way of making up for being marked by the dragons, is their dragons, I see as A dragon marked them in a negative way, right, and their dragons are able to now channel an extra signet to make up for what was done to them by dragons.

Devonnie:

Interesting. I didn't think about who was getting them. I just knew that everybody got

Jordan:

That's why Dain he's like later. You're gonna explain how he's able to do this

Devonnie:

Also, can we talk about what the hell Imogen's signet is? Second signet? Are we

Christina:

yeah, just a few chapters before when Sawyer, I think, said, Oh, there's never been a rock wielder in history. And then she's wielding stone and

Jordan:

oh she was wielding still I do. I don't even remember that part because

Devonnie:

It's like either she turned stuff into stone, right? Like she turned metal into stone And so I was like, huh? And I remembered when so he said that no there's never been a images like

Christina:

stone wielder, and Imogen's bet.

Jordan:

There is something there's something I literally just read darn it. Where is it? It was some it was in the correspondence at the beginning of a chapter and it said something like there are I think it Was it six or twelve significant signets that only appear every century when a great need is there? But it's not just two, right? Oh, so it's the six. I think that's what's

Christina:

What we're seeing, yeah, the resurgence of the new six, yeah.

Jordan:

Because

Devonnie:

they're up against the Venin. That makes sense. Yeah,

Christina:

Agreed.

Jordan:

So I think that's also part of why that's happening. Which, at least there's an explanation for it, and it's not just everybody loves each other.

Devonnie:

Have some rapid fire thoughts real quick. They're all over the place, but I think they're

Jordan:

I think that we're just, we had an outline,

Devonnie:

We're on

Jordan:

everywhere now. We're going on vibes now, sorry everybody, but here we are.

Devonnie:

I just see the time so I'm like I gotta get some hits off. Who was Theophany as a priestess? I am very concerned about who she was as a priestess, but I also want to know Who Violet was talking to or who was, or if they were talking to Violet's mom. There was a communication about something about, fuck you and my daughters, or something like that. Do you guys remember that? But I don't remember who sent that communication. I don't think it was Violet's mom. I think it came from someone else, and I don't know who that is. I'm very curious if that was Theophany in some way or something. I don't know. I was just

Jordan:

Violet's mom,

Devonnie:

And Theophany knew

Jordan:

right? Lilith, or,

Devonnie:

Uh huh.

Jordan:

Lilith, she was the answer to Theothany. She was the balance. So Theothany came first, which, badass villainess. I am

Devonnie:

favorite part of the

Jordan:

gone. She cannot be gone. I don't want her to be gone. She

Devonnie:

She's gone, but she's she was my favorite.

Jordan:

So

Christina:

plotline was pointless.

Jordan:

Not necessarily, we don't know that yet. No,

Christina:

because she died and Violet didn't get any of the answers that she kept promising

Jordan:

But that's

Devonnie:

That is

Jordan:

But that's the point, is we're gonna learn more. I don't think it was pointless. The, it, Theophany made her think about things. She made decisions because of Theophany so I think that she, I

Devonnie:

fact that you was saying Theophany is killing me. With the tea.

Jordan:

I know, I'm all over the place with all these Anyways, yeah, whatever. I don't have the

Devonnie:

you both. Yeah, I agree with you both. I think, I don't think it was pointless. I think she was the best villain I've read in so long. Because she ground my gears with the way she was always 10 steps ahead of them. It was so good. I'm also pissed now that I can't get any of these answers. Because Violet should have went to the dark side. When a girl was telling her, I have answers for you, babe. Come get me. I would say, ooh, coming, babe. Give me the answers. Because, yeah, and so now, Jordan, I am pissed, and I hope she's not dead, because I would love her to regurgitate or regenerate, whatever. Regurgitate? Is that what you vomit up your food? Well, whatever she gotta do to get back in the land of the living I need Yeah, vomit on herself back up because I need the secrets when I tell you she oh my god She was the best she got me so pissed every time she hopped on the screen on the page in my ear Anyway, every time she was like talking or speaking. I was like damn. She is so good y'all suck How did she get here before you like you guys suck as cadets? She

Jordan:

Yeah,

Devonnie:

in here left you a little note at the thing you were getting.

Christina:

Go off,

Devonnie:

could honestly, yeah sorry, there goes my rant for today, right? How I love Theophany but also babe, why are you dead? and the cadets suck because they couldn't beat her. And also why did it take us that long to realize that she wasn't wielding lightning, that she was actually wielding the storms?

Jordan:

that's I didn't even think about her being a stormwheeler, but I thought it was super weird when she hid. All of the wyvern in

Devonnie:

In the cloud!

Jordan:

I was like, Violet can't do that. I should have realized that's what was happening. Because

Devonnie:

that should have made,

Jordan:

like my first thought was, she can't control the clouds. Her lightning just comes down. So how is that? How does she

Devonnie:

that's all.

Jordan:

to there?

Devonnie:

that's good writing on Rebecca because that should have been a plain explanation and it

Jordan:

people probably did pick that up. I think some people probably did. But not everybody. And

Devonnie:

Not I said the cat I was like, oh my gosh, she's really controlling the lightning guys. She is making sure she misses her wife her big idiot No, babe. She's moving the cloud. She's moving the store

Christina:

Can we I think we can all agree that we loved Ridoc this book though.

Jordan:

Oh, Ra, next question. Ra, oh my dear.

Devonnie:

guys, okay. Y'all know I

Jordan:

fight all of you for

Devonnie:

Yes, though, I feel it. Let me tell you, I was, y'all know I like to listen and read, right? I'm listening to the audio, I'm reading the book. With my own eyes and my own ears, when it makes it belie like, when Rebecca tries to make me think that he was just stabbed and bleeding out in the pantry,

Jordan:

You are freaking

Devonnie:

my book. I flung my book. I was screaming in here. I was like no, he can't die. But I was expecting a big death. So Ridoc fit the bill. I was like, okay, they saved Garrett, but they're going to save Garrett. But Ridoc, I didn't realize how much I

Christina:

him and his dragon having contest of who can prank who is my favorite.

Devonnie:

But don't they match? Their energies match so much. Because why is your dragon playing? Yeah

Christina:

They're the same age?

Devonnie:

it. Children, why is your dragon participating in this game?

Jordan:

Oh, but we got good glimpses into other dragons and

Devonnie:

Dragon, it was

Jordan:

But we'll get to that. But Ridoc, when he went off on Violet with some like honest real talk about Xaden. I was like, this is what everyone's thinking. Real world reality being shoved onto an enemies to lovers, in a fantasy world. And it was, So sexy to listen to. I was like, what do you think he sounds like in other places? If he can do that,

Devonnie:

Peyton, I hope you're listening.

Christina:

he

Jordan:

won't, he doesn't listen to any of these.

Christina:

how sexy Xaden was.

Devonnie:

Yeah, I know. I

Jordan:

Oh yeah. When he was like, I don't know if I'm scared or turned on by him right now. And I love that he's for everybody. And I,

Devonnie:

Ridoc Riddick is streets.

Jordan:

And he calls them out just because I joke around doesn't mean I'm like, I'm not, I shouldn't be taken seriously in

Devonnie:

I loved when he did that. Because yeah, we can laugh and joke and we have to because we're all gonna die. Life sucks. But I'm not an idiot. I have useful advice. Don't count me down. And I think we all

Jordan:

I have a

Devonnie:

well, some of us, Right, we have people who could, who are probably like that. That you think, oh, they're always laughing, they're always smiling, they're always joking. But no they have valid opinions just because you laugh doesn't negate your like intelligence or your contribution So I really love that. He actually Stands on business and tells his friends like hey Time out here. I don't know what you thought this was but this is what it actually is. Yeah, so Ridoc strong Yes, he did

Christina:

I literally, I

Devonnie:

sad about

Christina:

like, when Sawyer gets back on his dragon and he's look at you! And the dragon stops and says, look at you from over there!

Devonnie:

Yeah. Yeah.

Christina:

love him.

Devonnie:

Yeah. Ridoc was funny. He was funny. He was great. Sawyer, I'm so sad for him. I miss his energy and he's just so down right now and I get it. He's got a learning curve and I love that he tried to, you know, get on his, there's a lot going on with him. But yeah, my heart goes out to him because I know this is hard and like he can't really help as much or he thinks he can't, but he's still useful. So he's just got to believe he is.

Jordan:

I liked how he went to different people for different things. He went to Violet when he knew he needed her kind of encouragement, because she understands what it means to have to do things in a different way. And like someone who wouldn't pity him. And I just, yeah, he's great. I love

Devonnie:

Yeah. Wait, I have a question about Sawyer and Rhiannon. Are they together? Did I miss something? Are they in love?

Christina:

They did fuck

Jordan:

on her.

Devonnie:

Huh?

Jordan:

Do we know they

Christina:

in book one, yeah, he came out of her room right after they became dragons. I think that first night, first dragon riders. She opens the door and he came out of the room, yeah.

Devonnie:

Okay. Cause every time Rhiannon, she was kind of annoying me a little bit with her treatment of Sawyer and her like pushing him because I understand pushing him, but also he was like, he needed to eat. All right. I don't know. I guess I'm talking about and I'm understanding both sides because there really isn't time to grieve. Everybody's under attack, but I felt like she was just. Yeah, I think she was just like, I don't know, pushing him a little too much. And then I was like, is there more at stake? And I couldn't remember if they were like. Together or anything. So I think for me, I would understand if they were in a relationship and she was like pushing them. So they weren't in a relationship, but

Christina:

dating some other girl.

Devonnie:

right. Okay.

Christina:

some other girl in the second book,

Devonnie:

That's what I remember. Yeah. Okay.

Jordan:

most of them have slept with each other.

Devonnie:

Yeah. They just nasty advice

Jordan:

Sad that we missed that. Violet never. Did all that. I would have liked to see Violet a year before with Xaden and her really just taking advantage of the who knows when we're gonna die

Devonnie:

Yeah.

Christina:

Rai tells her that. She's you just need to get fucked and have some fun. And she's no.

Devonnie:

fun. Yeah, that was

Jordan:

No, I just need to think of him. Sorry.

Christina:

Oh,

Devonnie:

Ha!

Christina:

that continues into this book. That's my biggest problem with this book, where she thinks her orgasms are more important than the safety of the continent. And I'm like, girl, I want to slap her with the book. There's more bigger problems going on. Figure this out later.

Jordan:

Here's my thing, though.

Devonnie:

sex scene. I hated them all.

Jordan:

Yeah, they were a little theatrical.

Devonnie:

Too much! Too much theatrics!

Christina:

was always like, I love you, but you can't be near me. Don't touch me, but we should kiss and we love each other. And I'm like, okay.

Jordan:

okay, but I get that it's annoying, but I think it's very similar to most couples in other romanticy books. Every other mailman character. That is morally gray, puts her above his people. So if you have that complaint, I think you should have that complaint with most other MMCs. Kingfisher Reese, uh,

Christina:

Oh, I have

Jordan:

definitely Rowan, doesn't care about anyone else. I think if you want someone who's gonna put his people above the FMC, then you're a Tamlin stan.

Devonnie:

Yeah.

Jordan:

Because that's what Tamlin does.

Devonnie:

Yeah. I just didn't like I didn't care much about her putting the, I just didn't like the scenes. I

Jordan:

Yeah.

Devonnie:

made me sick. I couldn't do it. I just didn't like reading it. And I, but I also, I think it's because I learned, I didn't love Violet in this book. I didn't love her in book two and I didn't like her in this book. So I think, and that might be on purpose, Rebecca. Are you doing that on purpose? Because I don't like her as a character. I'm sick of her. And you know what I'm sick of? But I love him! You're gonna be fine, babe. Just, we got this. There's nothing wrong with

Jordan:

Oh, yeah.

Devonnie:

The denial, her denial factor is a little too high. If she would have easily said Okay, you're Venin. This is big. This is bad. Let's figure out what, a little more panic, babe. Cause she panics a lot in this book. She shows that she can panic, but for some reason, when it comes to Xaden, it's just the Venin thing is, it doesn't matter. And that's what I don't like because this is

Christina:

that's what my problem is

Jordan:

Okay

Christina:

not about above the people. It's just there's bigger problems. You should be focusing on that

Devonnie:

focused on him. Yeah. Yeah

Jordan:

for me, the biggest problem in this book, This is getting me worked up now, I remember. What is the fucking chain of command? These are essentially Barely not

Devonnie:

You're right don't get me

Jordan:

got handed, they just got handed these all powerful dragons. This is where my next quote comes in. Are you ready? You get one chance to form your own squad, and you choose your ex, your current lover, the quadrant's resident smartass, two people who have tried to kill you in the past year, one over said current lover, and whatever Dain is. These are your choices for the most important mission any writer could possibly undertake. I'm glad someone said it, Tairn chimes in. Like, how

Christina:

Mira and Tairn knew what was going on.

Devonnie:

No. Yeah.

Jordan:

Just because of Tairn? Is that literally all? But how are How? Yes, I understand how maybe she could get away with things because of Tairn, but How are they not crucifying all of

Christina:

tries to do that. Colonel Atos does that. He sends him away to Samara or whatever for two days because he can't punish her, but he's I'm gonna punish your friends, but that's the only thing we ever see.

Devonnie:

That's all. Yeah. That's the only thing that gets The chain of command thing. Yeah. I'm with you. I hate, and you know what it is? It, there was no chain of command, but I also hate how violet like puts on her, I'm the baddest B. In this town, I've got these two direct. That pisses me off because she's screaming to everybody. This is my squad, this is my team, this is my mission. Mine mine, mine. But then she's also thinking, oh, I don't wanna lead a people. I don't wanna be a queen baby. But they, these two things cannot exist as much as they, you can have second. Thoughts like, Ooh, am I cut out for this? But let me see some of that. I don't want to lead a people when you talk about, I have the two best dragons I understand you can be a baddie. But also don't come and tell me you don't want to be a queen like I want that I'm the baddest on the throne to

Jordan:

it's kinda it all, it doesn't feel natural because yes, it contradicts each other, but it almost feels like Rebecca wrote that reluctance to lead in her just for the want to be able to say the famous quote of the best leaders never wanted to be leaders. It's almost like it's being written just to play into that cliche. Yeah, it's, it doesn't feel natural to everything else

Christina:

Well, cause now she's a duchess, and so I assume she has control of Tyr and Durr's armies,

Devonnie:

we'll see

Christina:

didn't say it's yours

Devonnie:

power. Yeah. And that's what I thought from that too, that it's yours. I'm pretty sure he was talking about the throne.

Jordan:

Oh yeah, absolutely. That's why she has the family ring and everything.

Devonnie:

Right, right.

Jordan:

but, I need a whole book just on the dragons. Cause I do not understand, like I kind of understand the base level of their hierarchy, but they All are super long lived and they should know most of this stuff. So are they just like playing puppeteer with all these people and like laughing at whatever they do? Like I don't get it. Like they have to know

Christina:

the Empyrean keeps secrets from humans, but that doesn't seem fair if it's important to the survival of both races,

Jordan:

I'm really, there's a lot we're missing. I feel like because it doesn't make sense.

Devonnie:

well, rebecca also didn't name the series the best guy at war college series. It's called the empyrean series So this is not about the humans. It's about the dragons I ultimately feel like we're getting human content and at the end she's gonna crank up the same way We kind of got like our side characters. We got to know them a little more we got to See their dragons. I feel like the next book we're going to be in with the dragons because we need to figure out the areas. We need to know what did I do for however many days she was away and then randomly pop up in the nick of

Christina:

Yeah, don't get me

Devonnie:

like there's. Yeah, there's a lot of stuff that I wanted to know about the dragons and I feel like Rebecca is going to give it to us in the next book because this series I feel is about the dragons. One thing I don't like is that Tairn, I know it's probably painful. Talk about your previous writer, please. Cause I need to know what happened,

Christina:

Darna even says that. And Darna

Devonnie:

that he won't

Christina:

about my

Devonnie:

about my grief.

Christina:

about yours.

Jordan:

Yeah, you and Violet don't talk about yours.

Devonnie:

You inviolate. So I think it's important.

Jordan:

for her. Like I love,

Devonnie:

Period. Yeah, she put her Her wing down.

Christina:

every time Violet brings it up, Tairn's No. Immediately, it shuts it off. So there's something there.

Devonnie:

There's I know and I want to know.

Christina:

I think it's important to note, Because supposedly, Neolyn died saving Brennan, right? And people had said Brennan was dead, right? But the Ereds say you cannot Save death. But if Nanolin did that, then that's the cure to the venin because that's what the errand said. The errand said there's no cure to venom because you can't cure death. But if Nanolin found that way out, then that would be the cure,

Jordan:

I think he is the big head Venin.

Christina:

A lot of people thought that. He turned Venn in, channeling to save

Jordan:

I think he's the most powerful. I bet that's why he doesn't want to talk about him. Not because he died. And that's why he is and I bet that is why he is so against Xaden the moment he turns. Because it's so personal to

Devonnie:

Ooh, yeah,

Christina:

But then does that mean when you turn, does it break your bond with that rider?

Jordan:

I think it can be, but we know that dragons can break their bond. If they choose to break that bond with a

Christina:

because she's pure magic.

Jordan:

but if Venin's are No, I bet he could I bet Taron could turn is very powerful I bet or maybe once they hit a certain level of Venin and if he channeled all the power he possibly could and Just

Christina:

If has no soul left, then that

Jordan:

he has no soul

Christina:

with your soul to a dragon. So if there's no soul left, there's no bond.

Jordan:

right.

Devonnie:

Xaden still has a soul. We can see it in the way he's able to come off the ice.

Jordan:

Now at

Christina:

one speck.

Devonnie:

That speck is gone, baby. Gone in the winds. That speck is gone. That was me blowing that speck away. Bye, bye

Christina:

Gonged, gonged like Andarna.

Devonnie:

yeah, so I want to see how his relationship with Segale turned out forever, because she did come back. And I'm pissed she came back, because she should have stayed. Anyway,

Christina:

I thought we were gonna get in book four, Andarna coming back and having all this dragon lore. That's what I was expecting, her being this big bad bitch. Ready to fight and win. And then no, she came back two weeks later. I'm like, what was the point of Bella,

Devonnie:

Babe.

Christina:

her

Devonnie:

Not Bella!

Christina:

she had her Bella moment. She had her Bella moment of crying in bed that season's passing and

Jordan:

I was crying about that though. I was crying about her leaving. Oh my god,

Devonnie:

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Christina:

Exactly it.

Devonnie:

I did feel bad for her.

Jordan:

like when they, when she was like, he was like, we have to leave. Like that whole interaction before Andarna leave. I was like crying. I'm like, this is

Devonnie:

That was really sad. But also Leothan, right. She came back. Leothan gave

Christina:

felt like it wasn't worth it, yeah.

Devonnie:

He tore her up. He was like, you let her do this. Yeah. The let her go because look at her, look at the things she, and that's true. And Darna is a representation of violet. I think that she's just like violet, whatever violet needed projected. It's in and Darna, she was a child. She hasn't seen all she was doing was listening. Hello shell. She hasn't actually seen the world like Tairn and scale. Like they've actually. Probably done this song and dance all already. And Darna is just soaking up whatever she's currently seeing. Yeah. So I think it was right for, to let her go, let her learn about herself, let her learn about her people. And if it turns out that she learned enough to say, you know what? I love that y'all are peaceful. Love that for us. But my people need help. I would love that to be the reason she came back. Like she started seeing, you know? Yeah, but we'll see, I guess. How long we have to wait

Jordan:

we don't know. I think we do need to I

Devonnie:

Cute.

Jordan:

Oh, geez.

Devonnie:

That was going to be my rant today about how I'm done reading these long ass series books. I'm sick of it because I'm tired of the, I'm not reading nothing that's unfinished and that's a lie because I am,

Jordan:

I do think our time is almost up, but I do want to at least Just acknowledge the fact, which says a lot that we haven't even talked about it, that they went island hopping. We don't need to get into all of it, but I've been saying since book one, the first people I get to talk to, I said, these gods are gonna play a big role in this series. I've been saying that since day one, and I felt so validated this book. I will say that. I was like, yeah, fuck yeah. And in the, in the whole thing with her at the temple. We don't know all that. We haven't even talked about that.

Devonnie:

We have,

Jordan:

like her, little girls. She's been dedicated but wasn't I What does that mean? What does that mean?

Devonnie:

Yeah. I actually have that as a question. Why did Asher get her dedicated? What does it mean? I guess we kind of know why, but yeah the PR and that ties into the magic and the prophecy and whatever

Christina:

Oh, and Eric, is that everyone's name? I don't listen. Eric, uh, being able to have precog and send her the thing from the temple. I love that.

Devonnie:

because he was doing it the entire book

Jordan:

Yessss. And I wondered what he's doing. I love him. I do love him. I hope he's got lots

Christina:

I love him.

Devonnie:

you see Ridoc for you, Arik raw. Next question.

Jordan:

see that.

Devonnie:

Ronics question. He is what

Jordan:

I don't fuck

Devonnie:

could never be.

Christina:

Oh, hold on. I have a quote I saw on TikTok or something that, okay. So here it is. A marked wing leader and a first year when his dad caused her brother's death is Vi and Xaden. But now we have a wing leader and a marked first year when his dad caused her brother's death. That's Dain and Sloan.

Jordan:

I love, oh, I love Dain Sloane. I love

Christina:

Eyes on me. I was like, yes, daddy.

Jordan:

But the way she responds to him, too, when I don't wanna hurt you, and he's don't I know it. Or I'm gonna really hurt

Devonnie:

yeah. Yeah.

Jordan:

it. And I'm

Christina:

But also when she touches him and he, and she says, you shouldn't have this much power. What power has he got?

Devonnie:

mean? What do you mean? So dayna's lying to us too. I will say danger redemption arc y'all Henri could never sorry pen. Danger redemption arc, but

Jordan:

not true because in our interview Next week, uh, a new episode. We do an interview with Penn Cole, which we've already recorded. It's fucking phenomenal. You need to stay tuned. February 4. But no, she, but had you converted, you understand Henry. So don't

Devonnie:

understand henry now Right, but i'm saying watch reading henry hasn't I understand him now, but watching Dain show up for Violet now and show up for everybody, it has been so good because we all wanted to throat punch him in book one. Get your hands off her, buddy. So anyway, yeah, I'm loving, I can't, stay tuned for that. I want

Jordan:

but I think, so back to the, our beginning, I think that's one of the main reasons why she had her memory wiped was so Dain could not

Devonnie:

Dane, period

Jordan:

he can't read it.

Devonnie:

Yeah, you're onto something

Christina:

I saw a recent interview with Rebecca where she defends Dain too. And she says he was only a 21 year old boy who was just listening to his dad. He didn't know better. And she said Xaden does the exact same thing with reading her without her knowing. And y'all love him just because he fucks

Devonnie:

Yeah, and because he got shadows,

Jordan:

I agree. And I, the reason I do, I'm loving Dain, in his redemption, is because everyone constantly throws him under the bus and is like questioning him, and he knows it. But he just takes it. He's yes, I deserve this. And I'm

Devonnie:

And I'm still gonna

Jordan:

and I'm not gonna argue with you over this.

Devonnie:

Right, right.

Jordan:

I'm here. And I think that's the greatest thing he

Devonnie:

That's the best, yeah. I'm not here for the talking. Yes, I understand why you hate me. Now let's go do what we have to do, please.

Jordan:

He has a lot of guilt. He carries that

Devonnie:

He does, yeah.

Jordan:

and that other one. I can't remember their name of and like

Devonnie:

And his dad is a cry in shame. His dad is the worst. And now he can see that his dad is the worst. Because he

Christina:

broke into his dad's office for her.

Devonnie:

Yeah, and that's crazy. You would not expect that from first year Dain or second year Dain.

Christina:

Second year day. Yeah.

Devonnie:

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah I mean there's so much we still haven't even unpacked for onyx storm it guys if y'all want to engage in like debates If you heard anything on this episode that really ground your gears or you want to defend somebody that I actually hate Jump into the comments Send us a DM. We want to talk to you. I'm pretty sure there's a way for you to text us from this episode in a link, right? Let me hear your thoughts, besties. We want to know how you're feeling. Are there any theories that you wish we would have covered? Let us know.

Christina:

Yeah.

Jordan:

Do you like these deep dives? That's what I want to know because we mostly focus on rex But if you want more deep dives, I mean, we're happy to

Devonnie:

us know. Yeah,

Jordan:

layout for this one, and we just felt so passionately. We kind of just went off the rails. So let us know what you think of these rails. If what? Let us

Devonnie:

I'm a di deep.

Jordan:

We're going to dive that deep. So dipping far. say it like that.

Christina:

Harder.

Jordan:

if you're new, if you're new to us, please go back. We have as of right now, 28 other amazing episodes. We have interviews, so many, hundreds of RECs. Take us, listen. If you've been with us for a while please. Leave us a rating. We'd love you to leave a rating, leave a comment, review, follow us on socials. Also, yes, share us, subscribe, please subscribe. That's how we know what we're doing is being enjoyed and it just helps everybody. So thank you.

Christina:

new book besties.

Jordan:

Yeah, join us. Come to the dark side.

Devonnie:

book besties is always growing. There will never be a cap, so come on over. Peeps.

Jordan:

Thanks for listening to us ramble about Onyx Storm. If you're looking for more Romance Recs like we just said, go follow us on Instagram and threads, mainly, at Romance Recs Pod. You can find our favorite book Recs from our episodes as well as behind the scenes content. Again, that's at Romance Recs Pod. So make sure to give us a follow and we'll be back. Next week, with an interview, the fabulous Penn Cole.

Devonnie:

Penn Cole.

Jordan:

Thanks everybody!

Christina:

Bye.

Devonnie:

Bye!