Why Was Violet Dedicated In Onyx Storm & What Does It Mean For The Next Fourth Wing Book?

Violet’s uniquely half-brown, half-silver hair has lengthy been questioned by followers of Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Collection, and the writer had remained moderately tight-lipped in regards to the thriller behind her distinct hair coloration for a lot of the collection. Nonetheless, Onyx Storm lastly addresses this peculiar character trait all through the narrative, and eventually confirms that Violet’s hair is partially silver resulting from being devoted to Dunne as a toddler. Dunne, one of many six gods in Fourth Wing‘s pantheon, is named the goddess of warfare, and except for Malek, is among the most talked about gods within the Empyrean Collection novels.

Rebecca Yarros has lengthy teased and danced across the topic of Violet’s hair, however Onyx Storm‘s narrative works effectively to neatly map out and lead as much as the massive reveal. When Violet visits the isle kingdom of Unnbriel, she begins to note similarities between herself and the temple attendants, all of whom have silver hair—and it looks like an odd coincidence till Violet sees a younger lady with the identical hair sort as hers. Nonetheless, it is not till Mira reveals all she has realized from their grandmother, Niara, that Yarros confirms Violet’s mother and father had begun her dedication to Dunne.

Every little thing The Empyrean Collection Has Advised Us About Dedication & How It Works

Relying On The God Or Goddess, Dedication May Require A Lifetime Of Service

Onyx Storm book cover on smokey background — Customized Picture by Yeider Chacon

The gods within the Empyrean Collection, and their many temples all through the continent, have lengthy been alluded to, however the thought of dedication is not actually mentioned in nice element till Onyx Storm. In response to a remark made by Brennan in Chapter 54, mother and father used to dedicate their infants to the service of a selected deity in the event that they thought the contact of a god would assist that little one. This dedication would require the service of a person for a set variety of years, or within the case of Dunne or Loial, the one devoted could be certain to a lifetime of service.

“Guardians are now not permitted to dedicate youngsters in service to their favored deity. The choice to serve the gods for all times have to be made after the age of majority and of 1’s free will.”

—Public Discover 200.417, Transcribed by Rachel Lightstone

Nonetheless, little one dedication has apparently been unlawful in Navarre because the two lots of, stating that one should select to simply accept this path for themselves. However plainly dedication all through the Empyrean Collection didn’t all the time depend on consent from the kid. Mira later explains that the priestesses who started Violet’s dedication selected to not proceed at the moment, stating they might solely settle for youngsters whose futures are sure. It is also made obvious that those that have been touched by Dunne, like Violet, typically yearn to return to temple, because the partial dedication creates a longing that is onerous to disregard.

Why Did Asher Sorrengail Dedicate Violet To Dunne?

As Of Now, It Appears He Did So To Save Her Life

Fanart of Violet from Fourth Wing — Artwork by @hachandraws

The revelation that Asher took Violet to Unnbriel to be devoted to Dunne comes as an enormous shock within the third Empyrean Collection novel, and from the collection’ chapter epigraphs, there are a couple of clues that could possibly be as to why he did. However at face worth, Violet involves the conclusion that her father selected to dedicate her to be able to “repair her” or save her life. Violet was born a really sick little one, and nonetheless offers with a number of well being situations, and it is probably her father believed she wanted some type of divine intervention to treatment her.

It does not appear to be Asher’s actions are in any respect coincidental, and it is believable Yarros has not but revealed his true intentions behind Violet’s dedication.

Nonetheless, it is doable Asher Sorrengail had different causes for doing so. There’s lots Violet’s father left behind in his analysis for her to find, and it is extremely probably her dedication comes into play as effectively. Asher had educated Violet to develop into a scribe, supplying her with huge quantities of information that had ready her to struggle the venin, and had even despatched her on a mission to Deverelli to get well his life’s work. It does not appear to be Asher’s actions are in any respect coincidental, and it is believable Yarros has not but revealed his true intentions behind Violet’s dedication.

Why Violet Sorrengail’s Dedication To Dunne Wasn’t Accomplished

The Temple Priestesses Mentioned Violet’s Path Was Unsure

When Mira is explaining all she realized from their grandmother in regard to Violet’s dedication, it’s made obvious that whereas Asher began the method of dedication, the priestesses refused to finish it at the moment. The priestesses solely settle for youngsters whose futures are sure, and, evidently from no matter they noticed in Violet’s future, she would have a number of paths to select from. Mira later goes on to elucidate that they acknowledged if Violet had been to decide on her path poorly, she might nonetheless earn their mentorship, however this path got here with the danger of changing into venin.

“She stated the guts that beat for you—or inside you—would do the flawed factor for the best cause, learn for unspeakable energy, and switch darkish.”

—Mira Sorrengail, Onyx Storm, Chapter 54

Whereas it is nonetheless unknown as to how the priestesses of Dunne, the goddess of warfare, had any perception into Violet’s future or the selections that might alter the course of her life, it is clear they knew both she or “the guts that beats for her” — on this case Xaden — would flip venin. However in the end, the alternatives that Violet made to steer her down this path, one that’s intently tied to Xaden, had been what saved the priestesses from finishing the dedication. Nonetheless, it looks like there’s nonetheless a chance, now that the alternatives have been made, for Violet to finish the dedication in a future Empyrean Collection novel.

What Violet’s Partial Dedication To Dunne May Imply For Onyx Storm’s Sequel

Violet’s Search For Solutions Has Possible Solely Begun

The cover of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros with many covers lined up as the background and fire surrounding it — Customized Picture by Ana Nieves

The revelation of Violet’s partial dedication has influenced a number of theories to emerge on-line since—all of which counsel what it might imply for the way forward for Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Collection. And a number of other moments all through Onyx Storm trace that Yarros is way from finished exploring this storyline. When in Unnbriel, the priestess who first signifies Violet was devoted to Dunne, explains that she nonetheless sees Dunne’s temple amongst Violet’s potential paths—later stating that it’s not too late to decide on a lifetime of service to Dunne. This has sparked a number of theories suggesting Violet will both full her dedication, or already has.

The Empyrean Series book covers on sparking fire background

Associated

10 Theories & Predictions For The Subsequent Fourth Wing E-book After Studying Onyx Storm

After Onyx Storm’s cliffhanger ending, readers have begun to place collectively many convincing theories as to what’s going to occur subsequent within the Empyrean Collection.

On the finish of Onyx Storm, Violet returns to Aretia with no reminiscence of what occurred because the battle in Draithus. Nonetheless, it is clear she has been lacking for a number of hours, and her whereabouts unaccounted for. However because the letter that states Violet’s marriage to Xaden comes with a blessing from the temple of Dunne, many consider their wedding ceremony was not the one ceremony to be carried out—and that Violet’s dedication has been accomplished. Both means, Violet’s restricted understanding of her dedication will probably ship her to hunt solutions for herself, and probably see her go to Niara in Onyx Storm‘s sequel.