Entangled Publishing organized hundreds ofOnyx Stormrelease parties across the United States and Canada, signaling a new level of hype for Rebecca Yarros’sEmpyreanseries. There were also a number of release parties globally. From midnight launches in bustling bookstores to intimate gatherings in cozy cafés,fans worldwide embraced the excitement ofOnyx Storm, the highly anticipated third installment in the series. The popularity of the events is a testament to the community building BookTok has done for the romantasy genre.
Cosplayers crafted leather-clad costumes, transforming into belovedOnyx Stormcharacters like Violet and Xaden, and their bonded dragons, one of thebest parts of theFourth Wingbooks. The sheer scale of these events underscores the fervent anticipation surrounding this release andjust how bigFourth Wingis, marking a significant milestone in the series' already impressive trajectory. Some outfits were incredibly detail-oriented and uncannily like readers have imagined the characters, while others embraced the funny side ofFourth Wingwith references only other Yarros readers would appreciate.
1Andarna & Violet
A Great Tomgue-In-Cheek Touch
These two book enthusiasts and cosplayers, known for their joint reading adventures and elaborate costumes, are gearing up for the release ofOnyx Storm. The pair, whorecreated their Violet and Andarna costumes from theIron Flamereleaseat Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) and even met author Rebecca Yarros, are once again embracing the magic. At theOnyx Stormrelease party, it looks like they had delicious themed drinks, which have been served at midnight release parties all around the world.
The“pretend I’m a dragon”top is a great tongue-in-cheek touch, and the sparkly shoes add a touch of whimsy to this gilded Andarna look. It also appears that the Violet cosplay includes a scaled corset, which is a great reference to Violet’s armor reinforcement, especially as the scales are green, true to the books.
2Andarna Details
Highlighting Dedication & Creativity
The excitement surrounding theOnyx Stormmidnight release at Barnes & Noble is palpable, with fans like Alex pulling out all the stops for their costumes. In their TikTok, Alex showcases the intricate details of their Andarna cosplay, including a stunning dragon mask.
The video highlights the dedication and creativity of fans, withAlex experimenting with different gold spray paintsto achieve the perfect shimmering effect. It’s inspiring to see readers embracing the spirit of the series and bringing the world ofFourth Wingto life through their own unique and imaginative creations. Alex’s cosplay honors Andarna’s early years when, like other young dragons, she is a golden color. This is part ofFourth Wing’s dragon lore and what the colors mean.
3Xaden’s Flight Jacket
Dedicated DIY Accessory
Another great example of DIY during theOnyx Stormrelease parties were fans making their own flight jackets using patches and pins. In this TikTok, reader Emily is recreating Xaden’s flight jacket. It includeshis quadrant name, among other ranking details, and even has his surname on the back in the style of a varsity jacket.
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Many readers showed up to the midnight release in riders’ black, and Emily’s Xaden look is no exception. TheRiders Quadrant inFourth Wingis at the top of the military hierarchy, and the most dangerous quadrant a Basgiath candidate could pick. The major draw of joining the riders is, of course, the dragons – but many cadets die during their first year at Basgiath.
4Violet Or Sloane?
Prepped For Sparring & Dragon Riding
Kallee’sFourth Wingcosplay is among the best examples of riders' black, which they donned for their localOnyx Stormrelease event. Kallee is no stranger to romantasy cosplays likeFourth WingandACOTAR. They also posted a great cosplay of Celaena Sardothien from Sarah J. Maas’Throne of Glassseries, which was a spitting image of how Celaena is described, complete with an assassin’s mask and hood. This time, Kallee opted for two French braids ending in low buns that would be both practical and stylish for sparring and dragon riding.
Leather details like a harness, a bracer and a dagger holster add texture and armored aesthetics to the all-black look. Kallee hasn’t made it explicit who this character is meant to portray, only that it isFourth Winginspired. However,many readers have commented on the TikTok saying it is exactly how they imagine Sloane, rather than Violet. The ending ofIron Flamehas cemented Sloane as a key player in theEmpyreanseries, and it will be very interesting to see her character develop inOnyx Stormafter she had to make a very tough decision.
5Imogen Cardulo
Bringing The Character Justice
This Imogen cosplay perfectly encapsulates the pink-haired rebellion member. The look inspired byImogen fromFourth Wingis one of several cosplays Bec has done, with other outfits including an impressive Illyrian cosplay from Sarah J. Maas’A Court of Thorns & Roses. They have brought their penchant for pink into the Imogen cosplay and reallydone the straight-talking character justice.
As well as major book chains like Waterstones and Barnes & Noble hosting big events, it is wonderful to see indie bookstores getting involved.
This cosplay, complete with riders' black leather details and chained earrings befitting Imogen’s aesthetic, was for anOnyx Stormmidnight release event at Romancing The Novel, which is a romance bookstore in Sydney, Australia. As well as major book chains like Waterstones and Barnes & Noble hosting big events, it is wonderful to see indie bookstores getting involved. Romancing The Novel looks like a beautiful space catered to people who love romance books, and theirOnyx Stormrelease event is just one example of how bookstores are building communities around the genre.
6Violet Riding Tairn
An Awesome, Slow Reveal
This hilarious cosplay of Violet riding an inflatable Tairn is one example ofFourth Wingreaders not taking themselves too seriously. The TikTok showing the reader’s completed look starts at the feet to slowly reveal them on the back of their blow-up steed.
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As Andrea has pointed out,the number of arms on the dragon would technically make it a wyvern. This is one of the interesting details in the lore for which Yarros has borrowed from mythology. In heraldic tradition, dating back to the 16th century, English, Welsh, Scottish, French, and Irish heraldry have consistently differentiated between wyverns and dragons. The defining characteristic is the number of legs: wyverns possess two, while dragons have four. The term"wyvern"predates the word"dragon"and essentially means"winged serpent".
7The Throne Of Tyrrendor
“My House, My Chair, My Woman”
One can only imagine the reactions this Throne of Tyrrendor got from readers at this cosplayer’s localOnyx Stormmidnight release. This brings to mind a particular scene fromIron Flameinvolving Xaden, Violet, and the unforgettable line,“my house, my chair, my woman”.The Throne of Tyrrendor chapter isone of the standout spicy scenesin the second installment of theEmpyreanseries, and is one of severalFourth Wingbook moments we must see in the Amazon show.
Christina donned a crown as well as the chair for her all-blackFourth Wingcosplay, and remarked what a good time she had at the Barnes & Noble release party. Not only this, but the iconic cosplay won the costume contest. The win was certainly well-deserved. Not only is it hilarious, but the throne being furnished in black is a reminder of the"shimmering onyx"that wraps around Xaden’s mind in that scene when their inner monologues merge.
8Violet With Andarna And Tairn
Even The Dogs Are Included
This cosplay of Violet, Andarna, and Tairn by romance author Alexis Almanzar is brilliant on so many levels. Before even getting to the dogs, hersilver-tipped braid is unique toFourth Wing’s Violet, as is the riders' black with her supportive corset.
Not only do her dogs look adorable as Violet’s two bonded dragons, but Alexisopting to dress her dogs as Andarna and Tairn is also a brilliant tributefrom one author to another. This is because of the behind the scenes of theFourth Wingwriting process. TheEmpyreanwriter Rebecca Yarros revealed that both dragons are based on the characteristics of her pet dogs. Tairn is based on the older dog of the pair, Diesel, who lived to the impressive age of 12-and-a-half and, as a result, developed Tairn’s old and grizzled personality (perTikTok).
9Bedazzled Sgaeyl
Beautifully-Detailed Scales
This excellent Sgaeyl cosplay by Monica was for Barnes & Noble’sOnyx Stormmidnight release at Huntington Beach, California. Monica had a wonderful time at the event and remarked on the fun games and the buzz of the community at the much-anticipated Yarros release.
Monica has thought creatively in using Isis wingsfor her decidedly bedazzled Sgaeyl. The iridescence of the wings evokes the shimmer of scales, while the tiara adds an in-character regality to the blue daggertail. The gems around the eyes resembling dragon scales is also a beautiful detail. AFourth Wingtheory about Tairn and Sgaeylsuggests more dragon meddling in the new release, which makesOnyx Stormall the more exciting.
10Londoners In Riders' Black
A Detailed Dragon Rider
Waterstones in the UK hostedOnyx Stormrelease events, including this party in London shared by Holly. Holly has done countless impressive cosplays, including several based on the works of Sarah J. Maas. This cosplayer and other readerswore riders' black and braids to the bookstore, which was bedecked with Basgiath War College banners.
Holly did not forget their riders' goggles, showing the attention to detail fantasy readers have with their costumes. While easily overlooked, flight goggles are mentioned a surprising amount inFourth Wing,with"nice flight lines"being a common compliment in the book series. Every rider has these tan lines, which is a marker of hours of flight training. This is part of what makesFourth Wing’s academy setting so distinctive. Seeing the enthusiasm for theEmpyreanseries in the UK emphasizes how widely enjoyed it has become since the first book, laying the groundwork forOnyx Stormbeing the best installment yet.
Source:TikTok
Onyx Storm
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
