- Threshing Day is a companion collection of 13 stories set in the Empyrean universe by Rebecca Yarros.
- It returns to Basgiath War College and the day dragons choose their riders, not Violet and Xaden's post-Onyx Storm arc.
- Xaden's threshing appears among the stories, revealing a pivotal moment from his past.
- An audiobook edition features a full cast, immersive sound effects, and cinematic music.
- Best for fans of dragon rider fantasy and romantasy who want expanded world lore.
What Is Threshing Day?
Threshing Day is a companion collection by Rebecca Yarros set in the world of the Empyrean series. Instead of continuing the main storyline after Onyx Storm, the collection turns back the clock to the legendary day at Basgiath War College when dragons choose their riders and bonds are forged. Across 13 interconnected stories, readers revisit beloved characters and their dragons at the moment that defines their lives.
At Basgiath, threshing is more than a tradition—it is a dangerous trial and a defining moment. A single bond made that day can shape a dragon rider's entire future.
Video Highlights:
- Returns to the Empyrean world through 13 stories centered on one legendary day
- Includes Xaden's threshing, showing a pivotal part of his history
- Companion collection, not a direct sequel to Onyx Storm
- Audiobook features a dramatized full-cast adaptation with sound effects and music
Because Threshing Day is a companion collection rather than one continuous narrative, you can dip into individual stories between mainline books—or binge all 13 in one sitting. Either approach works.
Threshing Day vs. the Main Empyrean Series
The collection stands apart from the core novels in structure and scope. Here is how it compares:
| Aspect | Threshing Day | Main Empyrean Novels |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 13 interconnected short stories | Continuous novel-length narrative |
| Timeline | Flashback to threshing day | Present-day arc (Fourth Wing onward) |
| Perspective | Multiple characters | Primarily Violet's perspective |
| Focus | How bonds were forged | War, survival, and romance arc |
| Best for | Lore expansion and backstory | Plot progression |
For Lore Hunters
- Backstory reveals for established characters
- Multiple points of view across the universe
- Insight into how dragon-rider bonds form
For New Readers
- A doorway into the Empyrean world
- Interconnected stories over one long novel
- Blends fantasy, romance, and dragons
For Series Veterans
- Xaden's threshing from a new angle
- Revisit Basgiath War College
- Fresh glimpses of familiar dragons
Do not expect Threshing Day to advance Violet and Xaden's post-Onyx Storm storyline. The collection looks backward, illuminating the bonds that shaped the world's most important characters.
Step-by-Step Reading Guide
Follow this reading path to get the most out of the collection:
Finish at Least Fourth Wing
Reading the first Empyrean novel grounds you in Basgiath, the threshing trial, and the stakes of dragon-rider bonds.
Read Iron Flame and Onyx Storm
The deeper you go in the main series, the more each companion story resonates, since characters and dragons are already familiar.
Pick Your Format
Choose between print/ebook and the dramatized audiobook, which uses a full cast, immersive sound effects, and cinematic music.
Read Xaden's Story Early
His threshing story is a highlight—knowing his history reframes his actions across the entire series.
Track the Bonds
As you read each story, note which dragon bonds with which rider. The connections ripple through the main novels.
New to the Empyrean universe? Threshing Day's interconnected short stories are a lighter entry point than a full novel—then jump into Fourth Wing for the main narrative.
Format Comparison: Print vs. Audiobook
| Feature | Print / Ebook | Dramatized Audiobook |
|---|---|---|
| Narration | Your own pacing | Full cast performance |
| Atmosphere | Imagination-driven | Sound effects and cinematic music |
| Best for | Annotation and rereading | Immersive commuting or travel |
| Story access | All 13 stories | All 13 stories |
| Availability | Standard retail | Streaming and free-listening options |
The audiobook is released alongside the print collection. Free listening links are typically shared in official channel descriptions—always verify through legitimate platforms.
Reader Checklist: Getting the Most from Threshing Day
Before and While You Read:
- Read Fourth Wing for essential context on threshing
- Identify Xaden's threshing story among the 13
- Note each character-dragon bond as it forms
- Revisit your favorite main-series scenes with new backstory in mind
- Try the dramatized audiobook for at least one story
Keep a simple two-column list—rider and dragon—as you read. When you reread the main novels, those bonds add extra weight to every scene at Basgiath.
FAQ
Q: Is Threshing Day a sequel to Onyx Storm?
No. Threshing Day is a companion collection of 13 stories that returns to the day of threshing at Basgiath War College. It expands the Empyrean world and illuminates how key bonds formed, rather than continuing Violet and Xaden's story after Onyx Storm.
Q: Whose story appears in Threshing Day?
The collection features 13 stories starring beloved characters and their dragons from across the Empyrean universe, including Xaden's threshing—a pivotal moment in his history shown from a different point in his journey.
Q: Can I read Threshing Day without finishing the Empyrean series?
Yes. The interconnected stories work as a new way into the world for readers drawn to dragon rider fantasy and romantasy. However, long-time fans will catch more meaning in the bonds and character moments.
Q: Is there an audiobook version of Threshing Day?
Yes. The audiobook is released alongside the collection as a dramatized adaptation with a full cast, immersive sound effects, and cinematic music.