Despite its short length, Threshing Day is easily one of the biggest new releases of 2026 — and that’s because it brings readers back into the world of Fourth Wing during the wait for The Empyrean Book 4. The story collection doesn’t just deposit them back in Navarre, however. It also allows them to see Rebecca Yarros’ fantasy world through new eyes.
Threshing Day features 13 stories, each following a character from Fourth Wing on the day they bond their dragon. While Yarros’ series takes us out of Violet’s POV on occasion, this is the first time we’ve spent an entire book in other people’s minds. It’s a refreshing change of pace, and it confirms what the main series is missing: more chapters from different perspectives. Fortunately, there’s a real possibility we could see more of them moving into the back half of the story.
The Empyrean Could Benefit From More POV Chapters
Many beloved fantasy series take advantage of their large casts of characters, jumping from perspective to perspective rather than telling the story through a single lens. Although The Empyrean focuses primarily on Violet, it could benefit from a more expansive approach. Threshing Day proves how effective it could be, both in expanding Yarros’ world and in offering readers variety.
After all, there are parts of this world readers aren’t privy to because we’re only seeing it through Violet’s eyes. For example, it’s hard to know dragons outside of Tairn, Andarna, and Sgaeyl, as Violet doesn’t have access to their thoughts. They deserve further characterization, though, as do their relationships with their riders. Getting more insight into those bonds will make the inevitable losses of books 4 and 5 more impactful.
Onyx Storm also increases the scope of The Empyrean‘s world, and after its twist ending, it’s likely Yarros will need to be multiple places at once. While limiting readers to Violet’s perspective for most of the first three books makes sense — it keeps us as blissfully unaware of the major twists as she is — it’s probably time the story starting using a more regular multi-POV format.
Expanding Perspectives Might Be Inevitable After Onyx Storm
With Violet and Xaden splitting up at the end of Onyx Storm, more POVs might be inevitable when the next Fourth Wing novel finally arrives. Xaden’s narrative with the venin is likely to be just as thrilling and important as the resistance to the villains. And with Violet across the continent, Yarros will need to find some way of showing readers what he’s up to. It’s possible she’ll use Violet’s second signet, as dream-walking is a convenient way to visit people at a distance. Yet with Onyx Storm working in multiple POVs in its last chapters, and Threshing Day continuing to give us more of them, I’m holding out hope the next book will lean all the way in.
What was your favorite perspective in Threshing Day? Check back on Backtalk Books for news and features about upcoming releases!
