Rebecca Yarros just revealed a secretFourth Wingproject is currently in development—and her post onInstagramhas created a swirl of theories as to how this will affect the Empyrean Series. As this special project took Yarros back to the beginning ofFourth Wing, some believe this indicates she will be dropping additional Xaden bonus chapters, while others speculate that instead, Yarros is re-publishingFourth Wingentirely from Xaden’s POV. While it would be exciting to read the narrative from Xaden’s perspective, it wouldn’t add much to the series that isn’t already disclosed throughout his bonus chapters.
However, there is still a possibility Yarros wants to explore Xaden’s story through hersecretFourth Wingproject. Prior to the start ofFourth Wing, Xaden had already experienced and lived through a series of trials and major life events—and it’s known he takes responsibility for every single child of the rebellion at a very young age. Yarros has yet to explore Xaden’s background in significant detail, andit would be interesting to see her special project introduce aFourth Wingprequel novella from Xaden’s perspective.
Rebecca Yarros' Secret Fourth Wing Project Should Be A Xaden Prequel, Not Fourth Wing
Xaden’s Early Life And First Year At Basgiath Would Make For A Great Story
While many are speculating that Yarros’Fourth Wingproject will provide additional Xaden POVs from the original narrative,it would be more impactful for the series to add a prequel story for Xaden instead. Yarros has stated she doesn’t have the capacity to write another novel so soon afterOnyx Storm, so it’s possible a prequel novella would be a more likely option. Not only would this prove to be an easier project to produce, but it would give readers insight into Xaden’s background and early life at Basgiath before the events ofFourth Wing kick off.
Onyx Storm’s French Blurb Reveals A New Obstacle To Violet Finding Xaden’s Cure
Yarros' French publisher Hugo Day Romance recently revealed the back cover blurb for Onyx Storm, and it may impact Violet’s search for Xaden’s cure.
There have been severaltheories about Xaden’s past—including the mystery of what happened to his mother. While it’s not yet known how much Yarros will reveal about his past inOnyx Storm,a prequel novella before the fourth book in theEmpyrean Seriescould serve as a bridge between the two narratives. Xaden had a heavy responsibility for the children of the rebellion at an early age, and his entry into the Rider’s Quadrant couldn’t have been easy. Experiencing this from his perspective would help provide richer depth to his character.
A Xaden Prequel Novella Would Add More Depth To His Character’s Origins
The Rebellion And His Responsibility For Others Greatly Influenced His Character Arc
Yarros has revealed bits of Xaden’s past throughoutFourth WingandIron Flame, but for the most part, he’s rather closed off—oftentimes avoiding discussing his past, his scars, or his family. Clearly, Xaden’s past holds some heavy baggage, andunderstanding his previous experiences from his own perspective would add greater depth to his character’s actionsthroughout theEmpyrean Series. Given that his Inntinnsic ability allows him to read others' intentions, one can only imagine his need for interpreting true motives stem from his troubled childhood.
…It would do well for fans to have another medium to explore Xaden’s character—especially if his turning venin ultimately pulls him out of the main narrative.
Hopefully, Yarros does intend to explore Xaden’s character in this capacity, asthe groundwork already laid down for his character would prove to be an extremely moving and powerful story. Knowing Xaden’s fate is uncertain in thenextFourth Wingbook, it would do well for fans to have another medium to explore Xaden’s character—especially if his turning venin ultimately pulls him out of the main narrative. As Yarros has only just announced her secretFourth Wingproject, it’s safe to say that readers will have to wait a while before its true meaning is revealed.
