Onyx Storm Needed Its Most Annoying New Character, Even If It Doesn't Seem Like It

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.Onyx Storm's most annoying new addition seems unnecessary at first glance, but the book actually needs him to set up another character's story — and to add further depth to Violet's. There are a lot of minor characters to keep track of in Onyx Storm, but Halden Tauri is one that won't escape readers' notice. Navarre's crown prince, who also happens to be Violet's ex-boyfriend, is too obnoxious to fly under the radar during the Fourth Wing sequel. He's easily Onyx Storm's worst new character, and he'll get on readers' nerves as much as he gets on Violet's.

Fortunately, Halden's story fades out well before Onyx Storm's ending, but he does spend a portion of the book complicating the mission to find Andarna's seventh breed of dragon. During their initial trip to the Isle Kingdoms, Halden proves a clueless and entitled leader, even getting the guard he's traveling with killed. He also endangers Violet and Xaden, and they're forced to clean up his mess. This subplot may seem a bit pointless, given how quickly Halden falls to the wayside, but it likely serves a greater purpose for the next Empyrean Series book.

Onyx Storm Needed To Include Halden To Show The Difference Between Him & Aaric

Contrasting These Characters Sets Up Aaric's Arc In Future Empyrean Books

Although Halden's arc is short-lived in Onyx Storm, the book needs to focus on his poor leadership and diplomacy skills before having Aaric join Violet's "Quest Squad." The third Empyrean Series book gives Aaric — also known as Cam Tauri — a much bigger role than Iron Flame, and it's clearly setting him up for something bigger. It seems likely King Tauri and even Halden will die in a future Fourth Wing sequel. At the very least, they'll be ousted from power, as it's obvious that neither of them is suited for it.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros with a green forest background and blood splatters

After Onyx Storm, I'm Convinced These Two Characters Will Die By The End Of The Empyrean Series

There are two characters who have to die in future Empyrean Series books, as Onyx Storm is setting the stage to replace them with a better leader.

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AndOnyx Storm highlights Aaric's strengths as a leader by contrasting his storyline with Halden's. Halden's disastrous trip to Deverelli doesn't just show that he's unfit to represent Navarre. Held up against Aaric's more successful attempts to form alliances, it's clear that Yarros wants us to reach the conclusion that Aaric would be a better heir to the throne. She might be setting Aaric up for a bigger power play in the next Empyrean Series book, and getting us to support him over Halden is an important part of that.

Halden's Onyx Storm Story Gives Insight Into Violet's Dating History Before Xaden

The Reason Their Relationship Ended Sheds Light On Violet's Iron Flame Insecurities

In addition to highlighting Aaric as a better leader, Halden's Onyx Storm story also sheds light on Violet's dating history. This may not seem important on the surface, but learning about Violet's love life prior to Xaden gives readers a better understanding of their interactions. The fact that Halden cheated on Violet makes sense of her insecurities in Iron Flame, and it adds context to why trust is such an important part of a relationship for her. Some of Iron Flame's biggest complaints now fall flat because of Onyx Storm's most annoying character.