The Empyrean Series
Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, & Onyx Storm
The Empyrean book series is my new obsession.
The Empyrean Series, if you did not know, is an adult romantasy (romance-fantasy) series by Rebecca Yarros. (By adult, I mean the content is definitely 18+, not for kids. Okay, necessary disclaimer over.) The first book in the series, Fourth Wing, was released in 2023, and the second, Iron Flame, came out in 2024. I randomly picked up Fourth Wing while out on errands one day a few weeks ago, and I was immediately hooked. I inhaled both books like a drowning person starving for air and am currently on my second read-through of the Iron Flame.
Currently, I am anxiously awaiting the publication of the third book in the series, Onyx Storm, coming January 2025!!! (Disclaimer: Although I bought these books with my own money and read them of my own volition. if you use the links on my blog and then shop, I might earn a small commission on those purchases.)
The Empyrean series is centered around the dragon riders of Basgiath War College, a brutal, harsh military school in the fictional land of Navarre. The story is brutal, dramatic, political, and romantic, and I am completely obsessed with the main character, Violet Sorrengail, and her relationship with Xaden Riorson. I convinced my husband to read them as well, and I cannot wait for him to realize that he and I have basically been written into this fantasy world.
How To Do Diversity Right
There are so many things to like about the Empyrean series, but one of my favorites is the natural way diversity is handled. Rather than feeling like tokenism, shallow inclusion in name only, the world of the Empyrean series is richly peopled with a gorgeous cast of humans of all kinds. Different skin tones are described without prejudice, and subtle passages about “hair that is usually tightly braided, close to the head” show that the world of the Poromian Continent is racially diverse without using ham-handed metaphor or world-breaking references to continents that don’t exist. Furthermore, one of the characters is deaf, and communicates via signing, which is included by simply using a different verb (to sign, instead of to say) when they are speaking. I was absolutely delighted at the way these different characters are portrayed, and the believable, rich world they live in. It certainly doesn’t hurt that my handsome husband bears a striking resemblance to the tall, dark, handsome Xaden.
Another factor I really enjoyed about Fourth Wing and Iron Flame is the realistic way that war and alliances are tackled. We all like to think we are the ‘good guys,’ on the right side of history, but everyone does, and everyone can’t be right. Loyalty, fealty, military order, the meaning of truth, the meaning being a traitor; all are explored in this series. “History is written by the winners” is a concept explored in depth in Basgiath, how easily truth or lies are created and destroyed, something I think we all could use reminding of.
On Riding Dragons
Now, I know the mark of any good book is that it puts you into the story, usually into the protagonist, and really lets you feel along with them as they experience the plot. Of course, I’ve been self-inserting myself into the fantastical stories I’ve read since childhood. I have wanted to star in an adaptation of my favorite literature since Harry Potter announced casting calls (only I didn’t look like anyone in the HP universe, and I wasn’t British lol). When SyFy decided to adapt The Magicians, I didn’t know until the show was already announced and cast. But with the Empyrean series, it’s only just been announced that a production company and studio are involved. I want to ride dragons!
Main Character Syndrome
Now, it’s one thing to bear a vague resemblance to a character. It’s another entirely to look exactly like them. Violet has dark blonde hair that fades to silver halfway down. I’m currently over a year out from the last time I got my hair lightened, so the bottom half of my hair is platinum silver, and the top half is dark blonde (my natural shade). Violet has hazel eyes, I have hazel eyes. Violet is of moderate height and slim build – well, you get the picture. And to make matters worse (or better?), Xaden, her lover, is golden brown with silky black hair – just like my husband. Now, of course, looks aren’t everything, but I have the personality too. Bookish but athletic, intelligent but stubborn as hell, argumentative and domineering.
I would kill at an audition for Violet, is all I’m saying. Tell it to the universe.
