Iron Flame Spoilers - Tumblr Posts
Violets nightmare knew what night the wards would go down, weeks before violet did. Longest night = solstice = *when jack took down the wards*. Can't wait to learn what violets "dreams" really were. Not sure how I'll survive waiting, though
I think that maybe she was drained by a venin while pregnant. Because when a venin drains a person, it leaves grayish scars on them. That could be why silver hair, she was drained in the womb.
Fourth wing spoiler!!
I wish I knew more about what Violet’s mom was sick with when she was born. She talks about how it leached the color from violet and so half of her hair is pigmentless. It almost makes me wonder if Violet’s mom turned venin when she was pregnant with violet and then just never pulled from the earth again? Because why silver?
This is the second signet that keeps coming to my mind, too!
IRON FLAME / FOURTH WING MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
You have been warned.
Violet’s Second Signet
I am like 95% certain Violet’s second signet is magic mending.
We know a rider’s first signet represents the core of who a person is whereas a second signet represents a pressing need.
For Xaden, his most pressing need is information.
Violet’s ultimate desire is peace for her loved ones. Tecarus mentions it as well. She shows compassion for everyone including those who she is not on good terms with. When others falter or show fear, she encourages them and defends them.
For Violet, her most pressing need is helping her loved ones. How does she do that? By permanently mending their magic past their current limits so they have the best chance to defend themselves and survive.
Violet mentioned in Fourth Wing that she hated the fact that she was a weapon re her lightning signet (though we all know now her actual signet is power molded as lightning). She hated that she had the potential to harm and cause so much death. Her innate wish was to have a signet that was good for the world, similar to Brennan with mending. (below)
That’s exactly what magic mending would be for her and, like Brennan, and would be the key to everything she needs.
In the end of Iron Flame, Brendan was asked if he could repair the wardstone and his reply was he can mend most things except magic. The fact this was mentioned at all makes it a very real possibility and potential foreshadowing. (below)
And we know there has already been a number of instances of this explaining the sudden improvement of various signet abilities of those near Violet.
She was able to magically enhance Rhiannons powers subconsciously by needing Rhiannon to be able to port the dagger from its sheath on her shoulder, through the wall and into Rhiannon’s hands. (below)
She was able to magically enhance Mira’s shield ability when she needed it most during a venin attack which allowed Mira to shield without the wards and permanently improve her skills (below)
She (potentially) has been mending Tairn’s magic to fly even faster than he has before. This was mentioned a number of times.
She has the potential to mend the corrupted magic in venin and in the earth. You cannot give back magic that was taken, but maybe Violet can.
She may even have the potential to mend the magic within the failing wardstone (a magical item).
That is how she will stop the venin along with her dragon Andarna (whom is the only dragon with fire that can torch them).
That is how she will save the love of her life. She will mend the magic that corrupts Xaden’s soul OR she will mend the earth of the magic stolen from it and thereby repay the soul debt owed of those whom stole from it.
Iron Flame spoilers, read at your own risk
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Everyone is going off about how Xaden might die by the end of the series since he became venin, but imagine this.
After months pf trying to fight off the urge to draw power from the earth again, Xaden falters. And all that power? It starts consuming his soul. He runs away to get to the Rybestad chest so he doesn't kill anyone. But once he is out of the wards, since it was mentioned that magic feels different there, he loses himself and joins venin.
Violet is heartbroken after hearing this, considering she likely spent months hoping to find a cure to no avail and knowing how hard Xaden fought it so they can have a future together, she gives up on looking for cure in the fables and looks through her father's resarch. Through that, she discovers how to weaken the venin enough to defeat them all. She also figures out the cure.
So, there is this big battle near the end where Xaden tries to convince Violet to join the venin. She begs him to come back to her, but he is too far gone. He goes like Anakin Revenge of the Sith style: "You betrayed me! I did this to save you! So we can be together! If you're not with me, then you are my enemy!" You get to drill. He attacks her and almost kills her. As he stands there, killing her, she tells him something cheesy like: "I'm sorry I failed you. Just remeber that I will always love you." And that flips the fucking switch in Xaden's head, long enough for him to let her get away, before he is lost once more.
In the last few chapters, Violet starts working on weakening the venin, but brings herself near death due to burning out. Before she takes her last breath, she tells Dain how to cure venin and begs him to save Xaden. She dies in her childhood friend's arms, like he feared would happen in the first book.
Xaden shows up as Violet sags in his arms and realises what she did. Dain turns and tells him what she says, but Xaden just starts toward her, gets her from his arms and tells him to get lost. As Tairn, Sgaeyl and possibly Andarna (we don't know how the fact she bonded as a feathertail will impact the bond nor do we know how powerful she and her den are) die, he waits to join them, while holding his love in his arms. He is crying softly, regreting what he did, telling her he loves her and how she needs to come back so they can have that future together, especially since she found the cure now.
But, nothing happens. Violet doesn't come back, and Xaden doesn't die. He is still venin, so Sgaeyl's death doesn't impact him. And as he realises it, he feels himself being shred from the inside. He finds her alloy imbued dagger, tells her once again he loves her and to wait for him with Malek. He puts a dagger through his heart, but what he doesn't know is, even though he went full venin, the pure love he felt for her, cured him (let me have this). He died human, not venin.
When their bodies are found, there are no traces of red veins on Xaden. Everyone guesses that he was healed before he killed himself, but Dain knows better. He stays quiet, knowing that his oldest friend's lover cured himself for her. They all pray that they are at least happy together in death.
In the end, Jesinia is asked to write down Violet's story, as she was the hero of a war that raged for hundreds of years. She retrieves the letters Xaden wrote to Violet so she can record their love and how it was that, single most powerful thing that actually made Xaden corrupted by venin, not power as the royal family wanted it to be shown, and how that same thing made Violet find a cure to save her lover.
There is an epilogue in the end that says soemthing like: "This part of the story was revealed by Malek himself." And it is like in a way where it is not an official part of what Jesinia wrote, but more of a look in the afterlife so the people (us, the readers) can see what happens there. Xaden shows up after his death, confused to find himself on his favourite hill in Aretia. And there is Violet, smiling softly at him. He rushes to her and they embrace, while overhead the dragons can be seen flying. She berates him for killing himself, but admits that she understands and would have likely done the same. And the story ends with them embracing in his grounding space as a metaphor that he finally let her in completly and how they will love each other no matter what.
Did I make myself cry with this at two in the morning? Absolutely! Did I share it so I don't suffer alone? Also yes. Share your thoughts in the comments and feel free to add something to this.
xaden going from "stop being weird" with violet's questions to "i like it when you ask me questions" is too cute 🥺
Mira and Brennan: *arguing about his fake death*
Violet: *sees Xaden and runs up to him and they start smooshing faces*
Mira and Brennan: ..... really right in front of our salad?
“You should be scared of me.”
Violet and Xaden - Fourth Wing
Artist: @kotikomori for @readingportal
I know it was a serious scene but that was all I could picture (Spoilers for IF)
Round three in defence of Violet Sorrengail
because apperently she is still the bad guy regarding Xaden's and her relationship problems and this take irritates the fuck out of me more and more the more I reread Iron Flame because have we read the same book?
Buckle up my dragon riders (who if we're honest half of us would end up like Dylan) this will be a bit long.
So what can you expect from this post:
I'm going to copy some paragraphs from my post "Round two in defense of Violet Sorrengail". On the one hand because I still stand by what I said and on the other hand so that you have a more chronological progression. Round three is basically an extension and supplement to round two (and other small posts i made on that topic)
Also i will absolutly call out Xaden on his bullshit but i won't paint him here as the devil. I still love Xaden it's just my annoyance with him is compounded by the fact that he 100% deserves it looking at his behaivor and how he handled things and the fact that certain parts of the fandom hate Violet for their relationship problems and won't look at Xaden at all.
Also some words to their relationship overall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First, I want to address the lack of empathy for Violet
People are usually like "I know Violet is in a tough spot and she is only 23 but still..."
No honey it's so much fucking more then that.
I would love to see your reaction when you find out that your whole life, everything you believed in, was a lie. Then on top of that, you didn't even have time to process the whole thing properly.
After the revelation, Violet went straight into battle, in which she almost died! Then she finds out that her brother is still alive and then overall her being involved in the whole revolution. Violet didn't even got a break to process the whole thing properly and on top on that, in the first half of the time she didn't even have anyone to turn to. Her two dragons betrayed her and so did the man she loved and who wants to discuss relationship problem with a brother who played dead for 6 years? Plus she couldn't really talk to her friends either because then she would be forced to explain the context to them so they could develop an understanding, which obviously wasn't possible.
I completly agree that all this running in circles between the two of them was annoying as hell and you really only saw improvements almost at the end but Xaden is sooo much more to blame for the two of them not making progress than Violet.
Moreover it doesn't hinder the plot at all. We are shown their problems at the beginning and when she is with Xaden. I know shocking that we have come across problems that a couple is having when that said couple comes into the picture. She didn't cry about her problems to anyone accessible. Whenever we learned about her relationship problems it was in her inner monologue. It is completly normal, it is realistic, for someone in Violet's situation to thing about her whole relationship. If she wouldn't think about her issues with Xaden then it would means she wouldn't care.
You know you see this mindset in many areas of life where you think you would act better than the person in question, but how can I believe them when so many people can't put themselves in Violet's position? I admire Violet for being able to keep up with Xaden's bullshit for so long. I don't think I could.
The bullshit I will adress now
Like Ufff Xaden I love you but do better.
Let's start with empty promisses:
“You are going to tell me everything once I can properly shield, right?” It’s all I can do not to grab onto him and start shaking. Hard. “That’s what you promised in your bedroom.” He is not doing this to me. “‘Anything you want to know and everything you don’t.’ Those were your words.”
I so seriously wish he had never said that he would give her complete disclosure then at least I and Violet in this matter, would not have right to be mad about it that he wouldn't keep It
And another promise or rather let's say he didn't live up to his words
“I’ll earn your trust as soon as you realize you don’t need full disclosure. You only have to have the guts to start asking the questions you actually want answers to."
This statement annoys me on so many levels. First of all, let me quote Violet for some variety: "Trust is earned, and he isn’t even trying." He is indeed not trying or better tried not enough throughout the book. He didn't prove to Violet that she doesn't need full disclosure. We are here in chapter 3, unfortunately looks like this was forshadowing. Now to the second part of the Statement. *Talking a deep breath* Exuse me the audacity??? When you have the guts??? He did not just put the responsibilty on Violet here. Sirrrr you are the one who fucked up.
Which brings us to the next point (Hard work and this stupid 'Ask me a question'-game)
"I’m not afraid of hard work, especially not when I know just how sweet the rewards are."
Hmmm sureeee. You whole behaivor in IF says otherwise aka the whole question game .
Xaden is the one who broke Violet trust but for him waiting for a question from Violet basically means he expects from Violet to make the first step when he actually should do it! He broke her trust not the other way around. He makes it so easy for himself when he himself said he don't mind hard work to get what he wants. Yes, then act like that.
Also let's add another one:
“Both ways, but you’re shutting me out while I’m trying my damnedest to open up to you.”Says the man who’s never so much as told me he loves me. If he does. Gods, I’m so sick of having to make the first move when it comes to this man.
This! This! This! Yeah Violet I was also sick of it while reading the book.
today isn’t the day to open myself up to that rejection, too.“Sure, as long as you can keep your secrets. Has it ever occurred to you that this”—I gesture between us—“is all because you don’t trust me?” I take a step backward. “You expect complete, blind faith without giving it. It. Goes. Both. Ways.”
First of all This! This! This! and Yeah Xaden where is your hard work?
Also sorry but no this boy had the nerve to look disappointed when Violet didn't ask her question. Honey you could have simply start the conversation!
Like even Garrik is calling him out "Just doing my part to help your communication skills thrive in a stable relationship."
Now ladies and Gentleman let's jump to the prime of I want to struggle Xaden - Chapter 55
*Talking a deeep breath*
"You let me stew in it for months?"
"You didn't ask me!" He pushes off the wall but stops himself from taking more than a step. "I've been begging you for months to ask me what you want to know, to break down that last insurmountable wall you're keeping between us, but you didn't. Why?"
He has the nerve to put this on me?
Yeah seriously the audacity. He has the nerve to put it on her???
"You're the one who said you'd never be entirely truthful with me. How am I supposed to know what you will and will not answer? How am I supposed to know what there is to ask?"
Yes exactly
"I'm not mad about the deal." How does he not understand? "I'm pissed that you kept it from me, that you insist on making me ask for things you should openly share
And this is a principle Xaden and the hater don’t understand.
Because you were too pissed about my refusal to answer the superficial questions about the revolution to ask the real ones about us.
Let's talk about this quote in detail because it shows the two main issues I have with people calling Violet stupid and whiny for wanting full disclosure (or let's say two and half reasons because Xaden literally promised her that!)
First it's not (only) about the revolution it's about the simple fact that Xaden, subconsciously, shows Violet that he doesn't trust her when he doesn't speak up on his own about things that should be mentioned regarding their relationship; them and on top makes her work for it with expecting her to ask the right question.
He can tell me or he can choose not to, but I’m done having to guess which questions to ask.
This speaks for itself
Second, now let's look at Information about the actual revolution because Violet is not as stupid as the hater makes her out to be because let me quote this again "You are going to tell me everything once I can properly shield, right?"
Violet is not just like that standing here demanding crucial information that could put everyone in danger if it becomes public. She explicitly said once she can shield. Again Violet is not stupid. Moreover once she can shield it's her fucking right to know. Violet is such an important part of the revolution starting with her signet being such a powerful weapon. But wait there's more. She got important information about the Venin and worked out the plan on how to get information to restore the wards and also actively translate that information. She has a right to know what is going on.
Another point is how he handled Cat, or rather how he did NOOTT handle her.
Excuse me it was his ex who was vindictive and hateful to Violet for literally existing and he did nothing. Why did we get 'I will throw you off a cliff myself' from Dain and not Xaden? What annoys me even more and also confuses me is the fact that he even suspected that Cat would cause problems, hence the runes in her dagger like then why not talk to her??? Or the fact that Cat was literally his betrothed.
He basically just go with the flow and let Violet Deal with it (Although it has to be mentioned Cat just being a bitch, Xaden can't help it either)
Now after all this bullshit the light at the end of the tunnel - Chapter 58
“We don’t keep secrets. No more ask me. No more tests to see who’s in and who’s out of this relationship. It’s full disclosure between us…” I take a steadying breath and map out the golden flecks in his eyes just in case it’s the last time. “Or it’s nothing.”
“Done.”
OMG it was that easy?
"I understand that there will be times you can’t tell me everything—that’s the nature of what we do as riders—but I need you to stop setting me up for failure by insisting I figure out what there is to ask."
"Done."
Omg it was that easyyy??
Okay In the end, their whole problem was reflected on again by Violet and yes Violet even blamed herself partially, she was scared to ask because she feared the truth, but considering what the question was about (talking about the scars on his back) who can blame her? Xaden should have been much more accommodating all the way there. Violet's world was turned upside down, not his. Xaden shouldn't have waited for Violet to ask a question, but simply should have started the conversation.
Also I know it wouldn't have been actually that easy considering their circumstances. They're leading a freaking revolution and at the beginning of the book they were geographically separated so realistically there wasn't that much time to simply talk but the point still stands when you really want to be annoyed with someone because of these constant, repetitive and therefore annoying problems that the two of them had in their communication then please look at Xaden first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now some words to their relationship overall.
They fucking love each other.
They are unhinged for each other. They would die for each other.
It's the fact how happy Violet was that Xaden wrote her a letter. It's the fact how obssesed Xaden is with Violet's hair. It's the fact how both crush for the other. How both long for the other.
“You’re my gravity. Nothing in my world works without you.”
“Gravity,” he whispers, a slow, beautiful smile curving his mouth.
I wish everyone who says Violet doesn't deserve Xaden (and vice versa) wet socks for the rest of their lives 😛
If you have read this far, take some cookies 🍪🍪🍪
Violets nightmare knew what night the wards would go down, weeks before violet did. Longest night = solstice = *when jack took down the wards*. Can't wait to learn what violets "dreams" really were. Not sure how I'll survive waiting, though
I think that maybe she was drained by a venin while pregnant. Because when a venin drains a person, it leaves grayish scars on them. That could be why silver hair, she was drained in the womb.
Fourth wing spoiler!!
I wish I knew more about what Violet’s mom was sick with when she was born. She talks about how it leached the color from violet and so half of her hair is pigmentless. It almost makes me wonder if Violet’s mom turned venin when she was pregnant with violet and then just never pulled from the earth again? Because why silver?
This is the second signet that keeps coming to my mind, too!
IRON FLAME / FOURTH WING MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
You have been warned.
Violet’s Second Signet
I am like 95% certain Violet’s second signet is magic mending.
We know a rider’s first signet represents the core of who a person is whereas a second signet represents a pressing need.
For Xaden, his most pressing need is information.
Violet’s ultimate desire is peace for her loved ones. Tecarus mentions it as well. She shows compassion for everyone including those who she is not on good terms with. When others falter or show fear, she encourages them and defends them.
For Violet, her most pressing need is helping her loved ones. How does she do that? By permanently mending their magic past their current limits so they have the best chance to defend themselves and survive.
Violet mentioned in Fourth Wing that she hated the fact that she was a weapon re her lightning signet (though we all know now her actual signet is power molded as lightning). She hated that she had the potential to harm and cause so much death. Her innate wish was to have a signet that was good for the world, similar to Brennan with mending. (below)
That’s exactly what magic mending would be for her and, like Brennan, and would be the key to everything she needs.
In the end of Iron Flame, Brendan was asked if he could repair the wardstone and his reply was he can mend most things except magic. The fact this was mentioned at all makes it a very real possibility and potential foreshadowing. (below)
And we know there has already been a number of instances of this explaining the sudden improvement of various signet abilities of those near Violet.
She was able to magically enhance Rhiannons powers subconsciously by needing Rhiannon to be able to port the dagger from its sheath on her shoulder, through the wall and into Rhiannon’s hands. (below)
She was able to magically enhance Mira’s shield ability when she needed it most during a venin attack which allowed Mira to shield without the wards and permanently improve her skills (below)
She (potentially) has been mending Tairn’s magic to fly even faster than he has before. This was mentioned a number of times.
She has the potential to mend the corrupted magic in venin and in the earth. You cannot give back magic that was taken, but maybe Violet can.
She may even have the potential to mend the magic within the failing wardstone (a magical item).
That is how she will stop the venin along with her dragon Andarna (whom is the only dragon with fire that can torch them).
That is how she will save the love of her life. She will mend the magic that corrupts Xaden’s soul OR she will mend the earth of the magic stolen from it and thereby repay the soul debt owed of those whom stole from it.
Iron Flame spoilers, read at your own risk
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Everyone is going off about how Xaden might die by the end of the series since he became venin, but imagine this.
After months pf trying to fight off the urge to draw power from the earth again, Xaden falters. And all that power? It starts consuming his soul. He runs away to get to the Rybestad chest so he doesn't kill anyone. But once he is out of the wards, since it was mentioned that magic feels different there, he loses himself and joins venin.
Violet is heartbroken after hearing this, considering she likely spent months hoping to find a cure to no avail and knowing how hard Xaden fought it so they can have a future together, she gives up on looking for cure in the fables and looks through her father's resarch. Through that, she discovers how to weaken the venin enough to defeat them all. She also figures out the cure.
So, there is this big battle near the end where Xaden tries to convince Violet to join the venin. She begs him to come back to her, but he is too far gone. He goes like Anakin Revenge of the Sith style: "You betrayed me! I did this to save you! So we can be together! If you're not with me, then you are my enemy!" You get to drill. He attacks her and almost kills her. As he stands there, killing her, she tells him something cheesy like: "I'm sorry I failed you. Just remeber that I will always love you." And that flips the fucking switch in Xaden's head, long enough for him to let her get away, before he is lost once more.
In the last few chapters, Violet starts working on weakening the venin, but brings herself near death due to burning out. Before she takes her last breath, she tells Dain how to cure venin and begs him to save Xaden. She dies in her childhood friend's arms, like he feared would happen in the first book.
Xaden shows up as Violet sags in his arms and realises what she did. Dain turns and tells him what she says, but Xaden just starts toward her, gets her from his arms and tells him to get lost. As Tairn, Sgaeyl and possibly Andarna (we don't know how the fact she bonded as a feathertail will impact the bond nor do we know how powerful she and her den are) die, he waits to join them, while holding his love in his arms. He is crying softly, regreting what he did, telling her he loves her and how she needs to come back so they can have that future together, especially since she found the cure now.
But, nothing happens. Violet doesn't come back, and Xaden doesn't die. He is still venin, so Sgaeyl's death doesn't impact him. And as he realises it, he feels himself being shred from the inside. He finds her alloy imbued dagger, tells her once again he loves her and to wait for him with Malek. He puts a dagger through his heart, but what he doesn't know is, even though he went full venin, the pure love he felt for her, cured him (let me have this). He died human, not venin.
When their bodies are found, there are no traces of red veins on Xaden. Everyone guesses that he was healed before he killed himself, but Dain knows better. He stays quiet, knowing that his oldest friend's lover cured himself for her. They all pray that they are at least happy together in death.
In the end, Jesinia is asked to write down Violet's story, as she was the hero of a war that raged for hundreds of years. She retrieves the letters Xaden wrote to Violet so she can record their love and how it was that, single most powerful thing that actually made Xaden corrupted by venin, not power as the royal family wanted it to be shown, and how that same thing made Violet find a cure to save her lover.
There is an epilogue in the end that says soemthing like: "This part of the story was revealed by Malek himself." And it is like in a way where it is not an official part of what Jesinia wrote, but more of a look in the afterlife so the people (us, the readers) can see what happens there. Xaden shows up after his death, confused to find himself on his favourite hill in Aretia. And there is Violet, smiling softly at him. He rushes to her and they embrace, while overhead the dragons can be seen flying. She berates him for killing himself, but admits that she understands and would have likely done the same. And the story ends with them embracing in his grounding space as a metaphor that he finally let her in completly and how they will love each other no matter what.
Did I make myself cry with this at two in the morning? Absolutely! Did I share it so I don't suffer alone? Also yes. Share your thoughts in the comments and feel free to add something to this.
xaden going from "stop being weird" with violet's questions to "i like it when you ask me questions" is too cute 🥺
Mira and Brennan: *arguing about his fake death*
Violet: *sees Xaden and runs up to him and they start smooshing faces*
Mira and Brennan: ..... really right in front of our salad?
“You should be scared of me.”
Violet and Xaden - Fourth Wing
Artist: @kotikomori for @readingportal
I know it was a serious scene but that was all I could picture (Spoilers for IF)
Round three in defence of Violet Sorrengail
because apperently she is still the bad guy regarding Xaden's and her relationship problems and this take irritates the fuck out of me more and more the more I reread Iron Flame because have we read the same book?
Buckle up my dragon riders (who if we're honest half of us would end up like Dylan) this will be a bit long.
So what can you expect from this post:
I'm going to copy some paragraphs from my post "Round two in defense of Violet Sorrengail". On the one hand because I still stand by what I said and on the other hand so that you have a more chronological progression. Round three is basically an extension and supplement to round two (and other small posts i made on that topic)
Also i will absolutly call out Xaden on his bullshit but i won't paint him here as the devil. I still love Xaden it's just my annoyance with him is compounded by the fact that he 100% deserves it looking at his behaivor and how he handled things and the fact that certain parts of the fandom hate Violet for their relationship problems and won't look at Xaden at all.
Also some words to their relationship overall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First, I want to address the lack of empathy for Violet
People are usually like "I know Violet is in a tough spot and she is only 23 but still..."
No honey it's so much fucking more then that.
I would love to see your reaction when you find out that your whole life, everything you believed in, was a lie. Then on top of that, you didn't even have time to process the whole thing properly.
After the revelation, Violet went straight into battle, in which she almost died! Then she finds out that her brother is still alive and then overall her being involved in the whole revolution. Violet didn't even got a break to process the whole thing properly and on top on that, in the first half of the time she didn't even have anyone to turn to. Her two dragons betrayed her and so did the man she loved and who wants to discuss relationship problem with a brother who played dead for 6 years? Plus she couldn't really talk to her friends either because then she would be forced to explain the context to them so they could develop an understanding, which obviously wasn't possible.
I completly agree that all this running in circles between the two of them was annoying as hell and you really only saw improvements almost at the end but Xaden is sooo much more to blame for the two of them not making progress than Violet.
Moreover it doesn't hinder the plot at all. We are shown their problems at the beginning and when she is with Xaden. I know shocking that we have come across problems that a couple is having when that said couple comes into the picture. She didn't cry about her problems to anyone accessible. Whenever we learned about her relationship problems it was in her inner monologue. It is completly normal, it is realistic, for someone in Violet's situation to thing about her whole relationship. If she wouldn't think about her issues with Xaden then it would means she wouldn't care.
You know you see this mindset in many areas of life where you think you would act better than the person in question, but how can I believe them when so many people can't put themselves in Violet's position? I admire Violet for being able to keep up with Xaden's bullshit for so long. I don't think I could.
The bullshit I will adress now
Like Ufff Xaden I love you but do better.
Let's start with empty promisses:
“You are going to tell me everything once I can properly shield, right?” It’s all I can do not to grab onto him and start shaking. Hard. “That’s what you promised in your bedroom.” He is not doing this to me. “‘Anything you want to know and everything you don’t.’ Those were your words.”
I so seriously wish he had never said that he would give her complete disclosure then at least I and Violet in this matter, would not have right to be mad about it that he wouldn't keep It
And another promise or rather let's say he didn't live up to his words
“I’ll earn your trust as soon as you realize you don’t need full disclosure. You only have to have the guts to start asking the questions you actually want answers to."
This statement annoys me on so many levels. First of all, let me quote Violet for some variety: "Trust is earned, and he isn’t even trying." He is indeed not trying or better tried not enough throughout the book. He didn't prove to Violet that she doesn't need full disclosure. We are here in chapter 3, unfortunately looks like this was forshadowing. Now to the second part of the Statement. *Talking a deep breath* Exuse me the audacity??? When you have the guts??? He did not just put the responsibilty on Violet here. Sirrrr you are the one who fucked up.
Which brings us to the next point (Hard work and this stupid 'Ask me a question'-game)
"I’m not afraid of hard work, especially not when I know just how sweet the rewards are."
Hmmm sureeee. You whole behaivor in IF says otherwise aka the whole question game .
Xaden is the one who broke Violet trust but for him waiting for a question from Violet basically means he expects from Violet to make the first step when he actually should do it! He broke her trust not the other way around. He makes it so easy for himself when he himself said he don't mind hard work to get what he wants. Yes, then act like that.
Also let's add another one:
“Both ways, but you’re shutting me out while I’m trying my damnedest to open up to you.”Says the man who’s never so much as told me he loves me. If he does. Gods, I’m so sick of having to make the first move when it comes to this man.
This! This! This! Yeah Violet I was also sick of it while reading the book.
today isn’t the day to open myself up to that rejection, too.“Sure, as long as you can keep your secrets. Has it ever occurred to you that this”—I gesture between us—“is all because you don’t trust me?” I take a step backward. “You expect complete, blind faith without giving it. It. Goes. Both. Ways.”
First of all This! This! This! and Yeah Xaden where is your hard work?
Also sorry but no this boy had the nerve to look disappointed when Violet didn't ask her question. Honey you could have simply start the conversation!
Like even Garrik is calling him out "Just doing my part to help your communication skills thrive in a stable relationship."
Now ladies and Gentleman let's jump to the prime of I want to struggle Xaden - Chapter 55
*Talking a deeep breath*
"You let me stew in it for months?"
"You didn't ask me!" He pushes off the wall but stops himself from taking more than a step. "I've been begging you for months to ask me what you want to know, to break down that last insurmountable wall you're keeping between us, but you didn't. Why?"
He has the nerve to put this on me?
Yeah seriously the audacity. He has the nerve to put it on her???
"You're the one who said you'd never be entirely truthful with me. How am I supposed to know what you will and will not answer? How am I supposed to know what there is to ask?"
Yes exactly
"I'm not mad about the deal." How does he not understand? "I'm pissed that you kept it from me, that you insist on making me ask for things you should openly share
And this is a principle Xaden and the hater don’t understand.
Because you were too pissed about my refusal to answer the superficial questions about the revolution to ask the real ones about us.
Let's talk about this quote in detail because it shows the two main issues I have with people calling Violet stupid and whiny for wanting full disclosure (or let's say two and half reasons because Xaden literally promised her that!)
First it's not (only) about the revolution it's about the simple fact that Xaden, subconsciously, shows Violet that he doesn't trust her when he doesn't speak up on his own about things that should be mentioned regarding their relationship; them and on top makes her work for it with expecting her to ask the right question.
He can tell me or he can choose not to, but I’m done having to guess which questions to ask.
This speaks for itself
Second, now let's look at Information about the actual revolution because Violet is not as stupid as the hater makes her out to be because let me quote this again "You are going to tell me everything once I can properly shield, right?"
Violet is not just like that standing here demanding crucial information that could put everyone in danger if it becomes public. She explicitly said once she can shield. Again Violet is not stupid. Moreover once she can shield it's her fucking right to know. Violet is such an important part of the revolution starting with her signet being such a powerful weapon. But wait there's more. She got important information about the Venin and worked out the plan on how to get information to restore the wards and also actively translate that information. She has a right to know what is going on.
Another point is how he handled Cat, or rather how he did NOOTT handle her.
Excuse me it was his ex who was vindictive and hateful to Violet for literally existing and he did nothing. Why did we get 'I will throw you off a cliff myself' from Dain and not Xaden? What annoys me even more and also confuses me is the fact that he even suspected that Cat would cause problems, hence the runes in her dagger like then why not talk to her??? Or the fact that Cat was literally his betrothed.
He basically just go with the flow and let Violet Deal with it (Although it has to be mentioned Cat just being a bitch, Xaden can't help it either)
Now after all this bullshit the light at the end of the tunnel - Chapter 58
“We don’t keep secrets. No more ask me. No more tests to see who’s in and who’s out of this relationship. It’s full disclosure between us…” I take a steadying breath and map out the golden flecks in his eyes just in case it’s the last time. “Or it’s nothing.”
“Done.”
OMG it was that easy?
"I understand that there will be times you can’t tell me everything—that’s the nature of what we do as riders—but I need you to stop setting me up for failure by insisting I figure out what there is to ask."
"Done."
Omg it was that easyyy??
Okay In the end, their whole problem was reflected on again by Violet and yes Violet even blamed herself partially, she was scared to ask because she feared the truth, but considering what the question was about (talking about the scars on his back) who can blame her? Xaden should have been much more accommodating all the way there. Violet's world was turned upside down, not his. Xaden shouldn't have waited for Violet to ask a question, but simply should have started the conversation.
Also I know it wouldn't have been actually that easy considering their circumstances. They're leading a freaking revolution and at the beginning of the book they were geographically separated so realistically there wasn't that much time to simply talk but the point still stands when you really want to be annoyed with someone because of these constant, repetitive and therefore annoying problems that the two of them had in their communication then please look at Xaden first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now some words to their relationship overall.
They fucking love each other.
They are unhinged for each other. They would die for each other.
It's the fact how happy Violet was that Xaden wrote her a letter. It's the fact how obssesed Xaden is with Violet's hair. It's the fact how both crush for the other. How both long for the other.
“You’re my gravity. Nothing in my world works without you.”
“Gravity,” he whispers, a slow, beautiful smile curving his mouth.
I wish everyone who says Violet doesn't deserve Xaden (and vice versa) wet socks for the rest of their lives 😛
If you have read this far, take some cookies 🍪🍪🍪
Iron Flame Spoilers//
-
-
Xaden’s love confession has me weak, this man.
“I’m sorry if you expected me to do the noble thing. I warned you. I’m not sweet or soft or kind, and you fell anyway. This is what you get, Violet - me. The good, the bad, the unforgivable. All of it - I am yours. You want to know something true? Something real? I love you. I’m in love with you. I have been since the night the snow fell in your hair and you kissed me for the first time. I’m grateful my life is tied to yours because it means I won’t have to face a day without you in it. My heart beats as long as yours does, and when you die, I’ll meet Malek at your side. It’s a damned good thing that you love me, too, because you’re stuck with me in this life and every other that could possibly follow”
SPOILERS FOR IRON FLAME
I’m sat trying to read a different book, but the only think I can think about is that Violets nightmares that she was having weren’t hers …. They were Xadens . And maybe that’s her 2nd signet ??
Maybe she can see the future with her dreams, or she can see other peoples dreams ? Idk it’s something to think about, and the nightmares live in my head RENT FREE
And I’m trying to figure out what Violets 2nd signet could be. Like it had to be powerful right ..? Since Andarna is a 7th type of dragon, and I FIRMLY believe this 7th type will be directly connected to the gods in some way I just don’t know how ..
It’s all confusing and my brain is mush