Warning: This article contains spoilers for Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros.

The cover for Onyx Storm is finally here, and its imagery and tagline confirm a major shift from previous Fourth Wing books. Onyx Storm will continue Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Series in January 2025, picking up where Iron Flame‘s twist ending left off. Although readers know Onyx Storm‘s release date and general direction, updates about the next Empyrean book have been sparse. Fortunately, TODAY.com shared the cover, and it will give fans of Yarros’ world something to talk about — at least until an excerpt or more substantial news drops.

The cover of Onyx Storm confirms a major theory about the book, with its dark and shadowy imagery suggesting a heavy focus on Xaden’s journey. The artwork also alludes to a change of pace from Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, as does the tagline. Although readers can’t glean specifics from the sequel’s newly unveiled cover, they can draw broader conclusions. After seeing its colors and design, they can almost certainly anticipate a tonal shift in the next Empyrean book.

Onyx Storm’s Cover Suggests It Will Be The Darkest Empyrean Book Yet

Its Tagline & Dark Cover Allude To A Tonal Shift From Iron Flame

Yarros doesn’t shy away from dark subjects in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, but Onyx Storm‘s cover suggests it will be the darkest Empyrean book yet. Its black background and eerie imagery is a far cry from the gold and red hues of the first two installments. While the darker cover is likely a reference to Xaden, it also signals that the stakes are getting higher. Given that Iron Flame ends with Xaden becoming Venin, a grimmer tone is to be expected in its follow-up. And if the cover’s colors don’t convince readers of this, the tagline will.

Onyx Storm‘s tagline reads “Brave the Dark,” confirming that this addition to the series will demand greater courage from Violet. While Fourth Wing‘s “Fly… or Die” seems ominous, it’s obviously a nod to the harsh path to becoming a dragon rider. And Iron Flame‘s “Burn It Down” is about pushing back against Navarre’s corruption. Both storylines are serious and dangerous, but Onyx Storm‘s tagline feels sinister in another way. It likely alludes to the Venin, wyvern, and whatever else is out there — and those threats are on a different level than the troubles at Basgiath.

What Onyx Storm’s “Brave The Dark” Tagline Could Mean For The Fourth Wing Sequel

Violet Will Need To Brave Xaden’s Condition & The Threats Outside Navarre

“Brave the Dark” could mean several things — none of them comforting — but Onyx Storm‘s tagline likely alludes to Xaden’s condition, as well as the Venin that serve as the series’ villains. With Xaden becoming Venin, it’s likely they’ll be a major focus of the upcoming sequel. Violet will need to learn more about the enemy, and this will require bravery from her, especially if she’s forced to face them again. She’ll also need to contend with the growing darkness within Xaden, which will test their relationship. These storylines guarantee that The Empyrean will get darker in Onyx Storm and beyond.

Source: TODAY.com