Threshing Day is a great way for readers to ease the wait for The Empyrean Book 4, but it’s also laying the groundwork for the next installment of the series. Rebecca Yarros published the latest addition to her Fourth Wing universe on September 29. It’s already making waves throughout the fandom, as the collection features many Easter eggs and clues to speculate about.
The 13 POVs offer insight into some of Fourth Wing‘s most interesting characters and their bonds with their dragons. They go beyond that, though, hinting at some big twists on the horizon. The dragons are suspicious, some of the humans are too, and the biggest takeaways from Threshing Day all but prove it. SPOILERS ahead for Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros.
Brennan Sorrengail Is Queer, Supporting a Fourth Wing Theory
Threshing Day’s very first POV chapter opens with a revelation that seems minor at first glance. That’s the fact that Brennan Sorrengail is, indeed, queer. In a queernormative fantasy world, that’s not a huge deal on its own. However, the revelation that Brennan is interested in men does add fuel to the Fourth Wing theory that Naolin and Brennan were an item — and that Naolin turned venin saving the man he loved.
There are numerous hints throughout the current Empyrean books that support this, from Tairn’s reluctance to even mention Naolin’s name to the bizarre rune on Brennan’s hand. If Yarros is finally leaning into this, we could meet Naolin in Onyx Storm‘s sequel. If he is venin, it’s not likely to be a pleasant reunion. It’ll give Brennan and Violet something to bond over, at least.
Asher Sorrengail Keeps Getting More Suspicious
Violet’s father continues to be one of the biggest mysteries of The Empyrean, but he makes his first on-page appearance in Threshing Day. Unfortunately, his cameo raises more questions than it answers. On the surface, he shows up at Brennan’s Threshing to offer support for his son. Yet his conversation with Brennan has readers deep-diving into the meaning of the bracelet he gives him — which is remarkably similar to the one Mira receives from their grandmother in Onyx Storm — and wondering whether he had a secret dragon. (Dragons, apparently, “love Sorrengails.”)
Xaden Riorson’s Lineage Isn’t What He Believes
Xaden’s Threshing Day chapter isn’t the most enlightening, but it does set up a lineage twist that could have greater consequences. When Xaden meets Sgaeyl, she calls him the “grandson of Maxim Riorson.” He denies this, certain she’s mistaken, and she lets him shrug it off. Yet Sgaeyl doesn’t seem like the type to make a mistake, and Yarros isn’t an author to include such a line without reason.
This revelation about Xaden’s lineage shouldn’t affect Tyrrendor, unless there’s more we don’t know. However, it explains the strength of his two signets, as he’s bonded to his grandfather’s dragon. It also may cause some internal friction when the truth comes out.
The Dragons Are Lying About Their Ages
If there’s one clear takeaway from Theshing Day, it’s that the dragons are lying. Each chapter of the book opens with information about its dragon from Colonel Kaori’s Compendium of Dragonkind. Among the details listed are the dragons’ ages and recorded riders, but not all of them add up. Experienced, battle-weary dragons claim to be younger than they appear and have no recorded riding experience. Garrick’s dragon, Chradh, is a prime example. Garrick calls him out on it, too, to which he cryptically replies, “What even is a year?”
Imogen’s dragon is another obviously suspicious one, lying to Basgiath in order to bond a rider directly descended from her previous one. After Onyx Storm, we already know there’s friction within the Empyrean, and that some dragons are intentionally bonding marked ones. However, Threshing Day highlights how deep that deception goes — and raises concerns about whether the dragons on “our side” are truly trustworthy.
Kaori Is on the Dragons’ Side, Not Navarre’s
Kaori is the one responsible for recording the information about the dragons that appears in each chapter of Onyx Storm. It seems impossible that he’s missing all the signs that the creatures are lying. What’s more likely is that Kaori’s true allegiance is to the dragons, not Navarre. He appears to be covering for them as they lie through their teeth.
At one of Yarros’ events promoting the book, she also noted that Threshing Day is an account that readers can trust more than the other Empyrean novels. Who’s telling the story is a major theme of her series, and it seems Kaori and the dragons may be more honest than the scribes. What that means for Jesinia remains to be seen, but… we’re officially side-eyeing Violet’s friend.
Dragons Riders Can Bond and Channel Earlier Than Basgiath Says
Imogen’s chapter is among the most brow-raising in Threshing Day, as it reveals that the process for bonding a dragon isn’t as strict as Basgiath claims. Like most of the marked ones’ dragons, Glane chooses her rider prior to the Threshing. However, she and Imogen already know one another, as Glane was her grandmother’s dragon. The book also reveals that Glane officially bonded Imogen during Presentation Day, not during Threshing Day. She even starts channeling to her on the latter.
That timeline is much faster and easier than any we’ve seen, and it raises questions about why Basgiath is so bent on upholding the more formal proceedings. Imogen’s experience also sets a precedent, leaving readers to wonder whether any other dragons have bonded humans without all the fanfare. (Asher Sorrengail, is that you?)
Bodhi Is Probably Xaden’s New Venin Brother
Anyone holding out hope for Bodhi will be sad to learn that Threshing Day contains several clues that he’s Xaden’s new venin brother. Although this isn’t definitive — and cases can be made for other characters as well — Bodhi’s POV chapter doesn’t look good for him. He outright notes that Xaden is closer to a brother than a cousin, and he recalls his mother telling them to stick together. Both lend themselves to the idea that he’s the one who follows Xaden at the end of Onyx Storm.
On top of that, Bodhi’s dragon says something that’s either an obvious clue or a very purposeful misdirect. Cuir tells Bodhi he’ll choose him “every day until your death or your demise.” At first glance it’s a perplexing statement. As Bodhi notes, those appear to be the same thing. However, in a world where humans can become corrupted, they truly aren’t. Dropping this in Bodhi’s chapter seems intentional, suggesting his demise may not be his end.
Dain Aetos Isn’t So Bad After All
Dain Aetos is one of The Empyrean‘s most frustrating characters, as he starts out insufferably loyal to an obviously corrupt Navarre. However, when Dain realizes what his kingdom is capable of in Iron Flame, he makes the right choice — and continues to move in that direction after. His redemption is shaping up to be one of the best arcs in the series, but not everyone is sold after Onyx Storm. Threshing Day may endear more readers to Dain, as it offers context for his earlier actions. It also shows his biggest act of rebellion yet.
Dain’s father shows up before his own Threshing, pressuring him into watching the marked ones and choosing the “right” dragon. Dain reveals that his mother left them, making his desire to please his one remaining parent more understandable. He also does the exact opposite of what his father tells him during the Threshing, even if he continues to distrust the marked ones for some time after. It’s a sign of what’s to come, and Sloane’s chapter brings it back around nicely. It reveals that Dain saves her from her own self-destruction during her Threshing. It’s against the rules, but clearly, Dain is learning to value human life first.
Sloane Mairi Will Be Pivotal to The Empyrean’s Conflict
Sloane has one of the most heartbreaking Threshing Day chapters, but it also alludes to bigger things to come for her. Liam’s sister has an incredibly powerful siphoning signet, and if Naolin truly is venin, she’s his counter. Her dragon, Thoirt, seems to know how important she is, too. When Thoirt bonds her, she tells her that she knows Sloane will eventually wield despite her reluctance. If not, she claims “this war will be lost.” That’s a heavy weight to put on Sloane’s shoulders, but knowing what’s to come, it makes sense.
It raises questions about how Sloane will impact The Empyrean‘s main conflict heading into Book 4. She’s already had a significant impact, helping save Basgiath and Mira. However, Thoirt’s words allude to something bigger. They support the theory that Sloane could be involved in the cure for veninism, too.
Aaric’s Plans Are Bigger Than Anyone Realized
Perhaps the most surprising chapter in Threshing Day is Aaric’s, as the young prince is carrying far more rage than he lets on in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm. When he bonds with Molvic, he emphasizes that he’d rather die than be complicit to what his family is hiding. His words go beyond ordinary dedication though. He tells his dragon that he intends “to tear this kingdom apart,” a shocking way to end Threshing Day. More surprising is that Molvic readily accepts his terms. The dragons clearly have political agendas. Aaric’s words prove he’s got a grander plan as well, and they make a convincing case that he stole the dragon eggs at the end of Onyx Storm.
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