Fourth Wing Chapters 5-10 Explained | Fantasy Fangirls Podcast Insights & Theories
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Two sisters, Nicole and Lexi explore chapters 5-10 of Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing!
Lexi and Nicole begin with Battle Brief (summary of this section), then dawn their Signet Powers deep diving into critical insights, theories, and foreshadowing, and then finish off with taking a trip to the Archives to learn about the Rebellion War, The Treaty of Aretia and the Marked Ones.
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Sometime during my first read through, I started picturing her scalp prickles as his shadows running through her hair since he’s obsessed with her hair. I searched the ebook and the word prickle was first used under the tree after the “secret club” meeting, shortly after he noticed her hair and his breath caught. This time she did mention she felt like he was reading her, but she didn’t mention tingles at the other times he definitely was reading her thoughts. After that, the prickles only happen when others are around, so I feel like either he or his shadows can’t help himself and he is secretly breaking his “only within these walls” rule. It could be a bond, or him walking into the room and staring at her, but in every other book I’ve read it’s always something like “I feel a pair of eyes on me” and the word prickle is so specific.
I don’t think it’s him reading his thoughts, just his shields going down and sensing the connection because of Xadens pov in the special edition of fourth wing but I love that theory just about as much as
I can’t believe I’m engaging in discussions I would have HAAATED in high school English but now as an adult I’m completely obsessed and sooo into this. Oh how the turns have tabled!!
Just found this podcast so happy! I don't have any book friends or family that's interested in reading. So I'm living vicariously through you two. So lucky to have a sister you can geek out with! Love the channel already ❤️
Oh that means so so much to us!! Thank you!!!
I’m so glad you did this before iron flame. I just finished fourth wing and started iron flame
love the idea of them being called to service before their 3rd year because in the first few chapter in one of the very first battle brief classes Violet notes that something in Professor Devera's tone leaves her with chills as she believes it wouldn't just be 3rd years called in to service
Yes!! Same!
1:00:35 Gabriel Michael as Xaden in the graphic audio is sooo good. The whole graphic audio is just my fav ❤
In the last chapter of the book Xaden says I told you I knew better poison master when Brennan comes to the room.
31:00 the narrator is one of my favorites. I didn’t care that she was sick while she recorded the book. She was still amazing!!!!!
This podcast is really helping me recover from my Iron Flame hangover. I borrowed the books so I can’t reread them unless I buy them (which I am personally choosing not to). But it is so nice to be able to stay in this world a little bit longer!
Yes! I was Navy and you don't have to get used to things but you have to function. I love this chat so much. I'm almost done with Iron Flame and I wish I had annotated my copy of Fourth Wing the first time through.
Has anyone considered Naolin was only able to save Brennan because he siphoned too much power and instead of dying himself turned Venin and that's why his bond with Tairn was really broken? And also how Brennan became aware of everything 🤔 It's been in my head for so long but maybe I'm just reading too much into it lol
I love this theory!!
@lilacorn me too! The theory is stuck in my head and honestly the way these stories go, I feel like at least 1 person Violet knows will probably turn venin in one of the next 4 books by choice or accident 👀
Just found your podcast love it and whoever sent you that theory that the rebellion relics have two signets holy molly ,they were so spot on 😮😮😅
When the professor tells her “ you had so much potential” I’m pretty sure they meant potential as a scribe and that’s why they talk to her in past tense.. just my opinion ❤
Okay so on my third reread (finally listening to the graphic audio) and noticed that when the first year was complaining about battle brief I just blew past it but looking back Xanden says “learn what they teach you. Keep what you KNOW but recite what they tell you” they’re actually talking about the Venin and how it’s hard be they KNOW the truth! Don’t know how I missed that!
I LOVE this podcast! OMG, thank you for creating this. Loved the book. So excited hearing your opinions.
Hey! I'm so glad that I found you! Good luck and keep going.
Also at 1:01:04 I'm listening to the audiobook while reading it and honestly, I found "Graphic Audio" much more interesting specifically because it includes sound effects and the VA's do sound young like 20-23.
on my 2nd read through and listening to your podcast as I go. Came here looking for an answer specifically to this: When Imogen takes Violet to the mat, she's accused of using her power - does this include lesser powers? Because how could her signet of erasing memories be used on the mat to hurt Violet?
Around 32:00, when you guys are talking about the book of Brennan and why Mira did not give Violet the book on conscription day I think she waited that long to give her the book. When Mira helped Violet pack her bag she was talking and said “arms out for balance. If the pack slips, drop it. Better it falls than you”. And if that happened the book would have been lost and they wouldn't have gotten it back that is just my two senses but. IDK
Love this podcast! Definitely helping with my fourth wing hangover!! Keep it up :)
Yay! Thank you!
Oh my god you mentioned the Xaden POV fanfic!!!! I loved it so much
If the marked ones have been to the Vale, that would add another layer to why Xaden was so hurt by the idea that Sgaeyl had a hatchling he did not know about. Like I have met all these hatchlings and you didn't tell me one was yours. I have read theories where Naolin brought Brennan back from death, but he had to siphon magic from the land to do so so became venin. Do we know it was General Melgren's dragon? Because why would his dragon work against his signet?
I just found your podcast a few days ago and im LOVING it. I dont know if you mentioned it but... In the little thingy above chapters, especifically chapter 5, its from Violet's mother, saying in the oficial brief for king tauri by General Lilith sorrengail: "Its not in this general's opinion that the children of the rebellion's leaders should be forced to witness their parents' executions. No child should watch their parent put to death"
Im leaning HARD against the Lilith is actually one of the good ones, not a rebel herself but in her own way, after the second reread, anotating every single miniscule gesture that she does towards Violet. Its there, if you put the dots together.
The trampled grass has always been there so while it’s noted for us it’s just what Violet knows of the tree. Maybe it’s her way of knowing its the right one especially in the dark!
Love, love, LOVE this podcast, your banter, everything!
One tiny suggestion: I recommend getting pop filters to soften the puffs of air that happen when you say "p" and other plosives. I listen with earbuds, and it can be distracting/painful depending on the volume.
❤❤❤
Yes! Thank you for the rec! We are getting some very soon and should have them by episode 4 or 5 :)
I think the "nearly all of our parents" part also might include Xadens mom. Going by the last chapter when Xaden says that he wont be going into that subject.
I'm still not convinced that Dian was reading her memories every time he touched her face. But I can see the idea that he started working his dad after the meeting under the tree as a possibility if he was reading her memories.
Love you guys. The show is hilarious.
I think if xaden can read her thoughts, it’s due to the connection through their dragons. Remember she didn’t know they could talk all together and then xaden thought her how to break through her mind? He had been talking to Tairn the whole time. Plus- it could just be a mated bond.
32:52 actually Mira would not be able to get that book if Violet had fallen because they burn everything that the person had. So if Violet had fell everything she had in her pack would have been burned
I love calling the book of Brennon a declassified survivor guide 😂😂
Hearing you say “wither away” in regards to Violets dad has now got me thinking if it is Violets dad who is the venin
I love the podcast but I'm glad i waited till i was done with the book. I thought with the chapters that there wouldn't be spoilers for the test of the book. Whew! Crisis averted
This is why I tried to get friends to read this with me!!!
I am so happy I found this!!!!🎉🎉🎉
His aunt is dead from my understanding. She was trying to show that though he has no siblings but he has a cousin Bodhi. So she doesn't know they are related but she can tell they are. She is making connections. And I noticed the battle brief discussion. I knew there was secret info coming. Lol it was delicious. I also noticed the shadows but it wasn't a smack in the face until my second read.
51:08 It's definately Brennan. In the last chapter, when Brennan is introduced, Xaden brings up that line again.
Ok, so I know I'm behind on my re-read in preparation of Onxy Storm, but I just had a thought. I am just getting to the point where they are seeing the gauntlet for the first time, and just like you, Nicole, I feel the italics mean something. Maybe you picked this theory apart already and I've forgotten, but when Violet is questioning herself and hears the little voice in her head that says, "But you've already made it this far," could that be Andarna speaking to her? Violet doesn't say it's her own voice that she's hearing. Violet refers to the voice as a "she" and that it's "been riding my shoulder lately." Could it be Andarna encouraging her along to get to threshing? Thoughts? Or was this thought presented already, and I missed it?
Sooo, I listened to the dramatic adaptations of the books, and the way the pronounce Mera’s (or Mira’s?) dragon is “Tine” (rhyme with “fine”)
I'm pretty sure it's mentioned that sygael was bonded to his grandfather.... I may have made that up in my head no promises 😂
Yes! You're correct! We realized this... but only after recording haha
It says Dain can only read recent thoughts. So its just as important what hes asking her right before he touches her. That question would bring up soecific thoughts he wanted to know instead of just whatever she was happened to be thinking about.
Im pretty sure all the parents of the rebellion kids were executed in the vale,, so that could make sense why the red head covered her mark because her parents have been in the vale and were incinerated 45:45
I haven’t finished listening to your podcast yet, but a couple of theories I have. It is stated specifically, I believe that dragons are loyal and very bony, if that’s the right word. Meaning if the rebels were doing something wrong, they would not participate. So that would mean that when the dragons gave the rebels their mark, that would give them extra powers because the dragons know that what the government did is wrong. Also, Xaden’s shadows can go anywhere, hear and touch things. Would it be possible for them to penetrate thoughts as well. He does keep reiterating that he knows everything.
Is it ever specified what the relic is that the rebels have? Does it specify the tattoos?
Also, the lies of the government are proven when Liam’s father was not listed on the death scroll
I thought the same thing about the dragons gifting them a power bc they knew the kids weren’t in the wrong (even the parents, too) !!!
Listen to it with graphic audio 🎉🎉
I think it was a writing / editing continuity error with Violet not knowing that the marked ones have to be in the riders quadrant.
I wonder how long ago she read the treaty, if it was directly after Brennan's death so maybe she wasn't very focused on it so much because of her grief.
True! We also had someone on TikTok mention that some of the treaty's addendums are classified - so those sections, she might not have been able to read!
Okay so I only read the first chapter of iron flame so I'm not sure about anything.I think when Coda had to mark the children of the rebellion he gave them a little bit of extra magic and the ability to block his rider's signet when they are in the group.
And I think he did this because the dragons know the truth but what Navarre was trying to hide and that their parents died trying to be good people wanted to help them in some way.
And I think with how powerful both Xaden and Sagayle both are I think that bit of extra magic turned into an almost kind of second signet. And I think the second signet is either reading minds or reading emotions which is why Violet has that tingle when he enters or is near him using that extra magic
Bodhi’s mother is dead. He mentions later in the book that he wouldn’t mind seeing her in death when they were debating whether or not to fight the venin.
I think she read the treaty prior to the amendment of the marked ones being forced into the quadrant. Her Dad took pity on her, expecting her to be a scribe, but didn't let her read that part because that would have put her on the path of finding out much sooner
I don't want to use my long awaited Audible Credit for this book, using your Podcast to get the cliff notes 😅
Mira tells her that if she loses the bag let it fall. She gives the book after so she couldn't lose it. So even if she made it but lost the bag she still has the book, the daggers and boots and vest. All the important things.
End of Ch 10: "You want to know why you’re still alive? Because you’re the scale I currently judge myself against every night. Every day I let you live, I get to convince myself that there’s still a part of me that’s a decent person" 😭
I think the main treaty could be publicly accessible but there could have been classified parts or addendums that aren’t.
She mentions later that their are parts of the treaty that are classified. 31:31
I have a honest question about the rebellion relic mark did the dragon give it to them or was it the room stone thing that the rebellion leaders gave all of the children that they held at their parents executions because I am 99% sure that xaden states in the end of the book or maybe it might actually be in the next book. I’m pretty sure he states that at the execution the room that they were holding blazed up their arm and left the mark or am I mixing it up
Also, I found your podcast from the Onyx storm bonus video and I’m now going back to watch all of your content because I absolutely love how you guys discuss your theories and everything
Ok sorry for playing devil advocate for Dain's comments about Xaden being out of Violet's league when they spar. But he says it from fear it being an opportunity for Xaden to kill her; Xaden has purposefully given the impression to kill a Sorringale . Even Violet freaks out that this will be when Xaden might kill her and is all "if I'm going to die I will go down fighting" (paraphrasing).
Also I just started Irong Fame so no spoilers replies
I found you on tiktok and have been loving the podcast, but can you please fix the order of the videos in the playlist for Fourth Wing. It is all out of order and difficult to just let play.
37 min: Fen's sister didn't make it out alive I think, bc at the end Xaden says something along the lines of "Bodhi smiles likes his mother USED to"
oh NICE CATCH!!!
Foreshadowing in Ch7: "This”-he gestures back toward the citadel-“isn’t some fable where everyone makes it out alive. It’s hard, cold, uncaring reality. Not everyone here is going to make it home." 😭
I had a thought when Xaden says keeping you alive is hard. Is it possible that Brennan told Xaden to protect Violet? Wouldn’t that mean that everything that happens between Xaden and Violet was planned by Brennan!
Just a quick thought what do you guys think happened to the leaders of the rebellions kid's that were over 20? Do you think they were also executed or is Xaden's deal involving them as well?
Ohhhh good question! Thats our assumption which is just gut-wrenching :(
He said the only way they'd be near tairn is in the veil but what if the redhead was uncomfortable because they'd seen tairn before because he had to be near sygael while she was with xaden
OH! Good point!!!
I really think her mom and dad sheltered her from anything to do with Venin and the rebellion, since that was what the rebellion was about. Partially protecting her and partially because she's smart enough to figure things out from it, which she did. Also, SPOILER learning how protective her mom actually was in Iron Flame, it is unlikely her mom would have let her near anyone who participated in the rebellion. It was stated multiple times that she was a prime hostage target, and I don't believe Lilith was ignorant enough to not know that. Living at Basgiath and it being under Lilith's command and her dad being the one teaching her, Violet's parents were in prime positions to keep anyone away from her they didn't want near her as well as control what information she was given.
After reading Iron Flame, don't you think you're a little hard on Dain / Lilith here?! Also, think of how emotionally hardened Lilith had to become to rise up as a female General. While I don't necessarily agree with it, I totally understand her lack of expression and emotions toward Violet in public settings in her "General" mode. She can't risk showing her compassion as a female leader or a mother because it would expose a weakness that her male counterparts might not posess.
About there being fewer dragons willing to thresh, and how the riders aren’t really prepared for what’s to come etc.
I get why command is keeping information, I get their alterior motives etc.
I find it suspicious, the dragons surely know about all that’s going on, and they can speak into the mind of their riders, why are they not educating the riders them selves and prepa them? What are their motives?
Are there good/bad dragons? Is there a sort of dragon rebellion as well?
We know nothing about poromiel. Except the people of Navarre are taught the land is “dead”? That we know it is not, Brennan is in fact rebuilding the city. That must mean there are other people living there?
Are they building their own army? Are dragons bonding with people there and that is why there are fewer and fewer coming to threshing at basgiath?
Not sure where I saw this or if I’m remembering from the book but I was under the impression that ALL of the marked children bonded!
Talking about audio version of the book what are your thoughts on the upcoming graphic audio version ?
We've never listened to a graphic audio book however this is one Nicole would DEFINITELY like to try!
I just had a theory with archive where Violet puts one foot on the ground what if that's where her father information in real life about the feather tales
I don’t think all of the rebellion children know all the details. Some of the first years at the time may have just assumed Violet was going to be killed but others like Garrick and Imogen knew more (like the Brennan “thing”) Imogen probably got in trouble with Xaden because she knew better.
I really think it’s when his shadows notice her or they reach out and embrace her like he really wants to
32:10 Not only if she had fallen, she could just have lost her sack down the parapet.
I can't walk a straight line half the time... parapet would've gotten me! 😆
I don’t think Dain saw the meeting under the tree, only xaden and violet. Melgren can’t see things when three or more marked ones gather so I don’t think he was able to see the meeting
Xaden can hear through his shadows. Idk about him being intrinsic but he would know alot through his shadows.
Agree!!
I’ve heard you two say that the dragons are getting annoyed at the humans for keeping the Venin a secret, but the way I took it was, just like the humans, only dragon leadership knows about it?
Liam best golden retriever boy💜
I’m 5’2 so I’d definitely not make the chimney 🙃 but if anything running those logs I’d fall right off 😂😂😂😂
I interpreted Dain ALMOST touching Violets face on pg 92 bc Violent answers him quickly after him lifting her hand to her face and says he drops his hand and shoves it into his pocket. Ngl there were a lot of moments that still don’t make perfect sense even on my reread, just writing style and flow of sentences. Did anyone else interpret that the same?
One hundred percent. She snaps to attention so he doesn't cup her face in that instance.
My question is, if Brennnan actually died and after that he was resurrected by Naolin, shouldn´t Tairn know Brennan is alive? In that case, WHY DIDN´T HE TELL VIOLET??!
WHY INDEED. We talk a little about this betrayal in E7!
Yall say at the end to email our thoughts after I've commented my thoughts multiple times already 😬 I'm sorry 😂
Thats okay! We love comments too!
Also, the way to pronounce sgael, is like scale, like dragon scale 🙂
😂😂😂 “oh he’s totally not alive”
I think that she feels Xaden staring but doesn't connect that feeling to him yet.
I don’t think xaden knows about the whole who is sparring who since he didn’t know she was going up against jack and even asked how she always knows
Yes exactly! (From Lexi)
Could Violet be illegitimate? Maybe her mom did the dirty with a rebel at some point and that's why they(violet and xaden) are connected?
Is it just me? Or are they pronouncing Rebecca Yarros' name wrong?
Oh no! Jack Fucking Barlow!
#FourthWing #IronFlame #RebeccaYarros #Spoilers #mindlittlelisteningears
Disagreeable take, but i've always seen snape as master manipulator and at the end it was just one last chance to screw harry over with more lies.
ok so first I'm curious is it just me or does anyone else not understand Brennan and neolin's relationship. Because it's only ever mentioned once by Violet that she knew they were friends but thought maybe they were more than that after finding out that Neolin sacrificed himself "trying" to save Brennan (I may be slightly off on that since I've only done one read through). Here's why I don't understand it, Neolin's signet was syphoning, and we all know signets represents who riders are at their core, so my theory is that Neolin was a power-hungry person as show by his signet which is quite literally the ability to take power from others. So, after Brennan was on the brink of death if not already there Neolin took it into his own hands and tried to save him but once he realized Tairn wasn't enough power he broke that bond with his dragon and syphoned from the earth turning him into a venin. But I just don't understand how they could possibly be that close especially since Brennan never mentions him or gives Neolin props for saving him.