Fourth Wing: That Secret bonus chapter and a HUGE Imogen Twist!
Fourth Wing's Hidden Twist: Imogen's Secret Weapon
Get ready, Fourth Wing fans! Rebecca Yarros's new bonus chapter (Xaden's POV in the latest paperback) drops a bombshell that will totally change how you see the story. It suggests some seriously dark stuff brewing in the next book, Onyx Storm. The reveal changes several perspectives that exist for Imogen. Xaden’s chapter reveals details about that secret rebellion.
This chapter, cleverly written to create an enormous reveal about a key character who’s abilities had otherwise gone completely unused for many chapters prior – which involved a mission in Montserrat. Violet's POV misses this entirely; Xaden however totally reveals Imogen used her mind-erasing signet to complete it, demonstrating Imogen's previously hidden capabilities, and hinting at greater intrigue that would totally change how those previous storylines actually unfolded. This also demonstrates another clever plot device, showcasing just how significant Imogen would ultimately become!
Imogen's Secret Signet: A Tool Used (Much) Earlier
Imogen? She's mysterious as it is! Yarros created her to use that awesome signet, cleverly adding to Imogen’s narrative by utilizing that powerful ability that affects people and memory – creating a possible explanation behind the hidden elements never noticed previously in those initial reading passages, that initial ambiguity leading to a much more impactful moment and far better-planned character development throughout Fourth Wing!
This bonus chapter marks the first official confirmation that Imogen used her signet, wiping a healer's (and probably her team's) memories in Montserrat to smuggle alloy to gryphon fliers. This clever addition adds much-needed layers for this significant character.
A Pattern of Deception? Imogen's Hidden Manipulation
This Montserrat reveal sparked crazy theories. One suggests Imogen used her signet all along. The sparring match (Chapter 5) hints that her moves are impossibly fast and might be totally explained using her ability to temporarily affect people around her and their memory – something Violet noticed too; and both Dain and Professor Emetterio call her out for it.
That calls Violet’s POV into question throughout Fourth Wing and Iron Flame; This becomes crucial for emphasizing Imogen’s capability that affects Violet– affecting Violet’s search for the truth, this demonstrates another clever use of the previously established and otherwise underwhelming plot elements; making Imogen's already very suspicious and unexpected abilities into an entire tool for creating mysteries and those crucial unresolved questions that audiences had long held and not yet known why it wasn't discussed; leaving huge room for improvement in future publications in this growing series.
The Imogen-Violet Rift: A Growing Friendship? Or a Deep Betrayal?
That Montserrat mission might totally be why Imogen is acting weirdly. If these theories are true– and that's a very real possibility – Imogen could be working against Violet, maybe creating tension (and even possibly becoming the main villain for Onyx Storm). The fact that Dain previously misused his signet makes it extremely heartbreaking for Violet– trust betrayed, her friend secretly using her power to manipulate those around her. It's seriously going to damage their already tricky friendship –if it could be defined as even a real friendship, as demonstrated earlier.
Conclusion: Imogen’s Actions – And The Importance Of That Signet
This hidden chapter hints at that unexpected betrayal within this very closely-knit group of friends – a plot device made more significant due to the use of that secret power never discussed openly prior – yet extremely effective for this character; demonstrating how Imogen’s capabilities remain critical; and those changes affecting various perspectives show that previously held opinions and existing viewpoints could be completely revised in new iterations in this series, allowing for various narrative strategies.
Those events hinted towards a wider storyline and plot points with greater impact, which creates huge possibilities for Onyx Storm! The impact and those kinds of impliCations raised creates more intense storytelling, raising the already high stakes in a very effective and memorable manner.
