All 13 Character POVs In Threshing Day, Ranked From Worst To Best

Published Oct 16, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT Hannah is a senior writer and self-publisher at ScreenRant. There, she focuses on writing news, features, and list-style articles about all things comics, books, anime, and manga. She works as a freelance writer in the entertainment industry, focusing on video games, anime, and literature. Her published works can be found on Screen Rant, FinanceBuzz, She Reads, and She Writes. Rebecca Yarros’ Threshing Day expands the Empyrean universe by revisiting the dangerous ceremony through the eyes of 13 familiar characters. Rather than retelling Violet Sorrengail’s experience from Fourth Wing, the collection explores the moments when Brennan, Xaden, Liam, Imogen, Sloane, and the other riders formed their life-changing bonds with dragons. Some stories offer entertaining glimpses into their personalities, while others introduce revelations that could reshape how readers interpret the larger series. Ranking these perspectives is difficult because every chapter contributes something different to the characters’ histories. However, the most successful stories go beyond describing a dragon choosing a rider. They reveal surprising details about family relationships, romantic attraction, personal grief, and the politics surrounding Basgiath War College. Brennan Sorrengail’s chapter was very shocking and exciting for its revelations about his sexuality and his father, Asher, while Imogen Cardulo and Sloane Mairi deliver two of the collection’s most deeply emotional experiences. Threshing Day is available to purchase now through this link 13 Mira Sorrengail Mira’s story provides more insight into the pressure of being the middle Sorrengail sibling. Brennan has already established himself as a capable rider, while Violet possesses qualities that set her apart. Mira’s struggle to establish her own identity is understandable, but her internal conflict feels more familiar than the unexpected revelations elsewhere in the collection. Her bond with Teine, a green clubtail, reinforces the importance of discovering her own strengths. Their encounter also shows that a dragon’s selection is not necessarily a comfortable or gentle process. Mira’s story added worthwhile context to her character, although it offered fewer surprises than the chapters ranked higher. 12 Garrick Tavis Garrick’s perspective benefits from his established relationship with Xaden Riorson. His loyalty is unquestionable, and his willingness to put his closest friends first helps explain why Xaden trusts him so completely. His Threshing experience provides additional context for that friendship, even if Garrick’s personal ambitions receive less attention than his dedication to others. His bond with Chradh, a brown scorpiontail, fits his dependable personality. The chapter also adds intriguing details about his personal life and his connection to Imogen Cardulo. However, those revelations sometimes felt like glimpses of a larger story rather than a fully developed arc. Garrick remains likable, but other POVs accomplished more with their limited page counts. 11 Bodhi Durran Bodhi’s biggest challenge is finding his identity outside Xaden’s considerable shadow. As Xaden’s cousin, he shares the family history and political dangers surrounding the rebellion, but he also has to prove himself independently. His chapter explores the difficulty of respecting someone while refusing to become a lesser version of that person. Cuir, a green swordtail, becomes an important part of that journey. Their bond reinforces the idea that Bodhi does not need to duplicate Xaden’s choices to become a formidable rider. Although his perspective strengthens the family dynamics underpinning the Empyrean series, the main conflict lacks the emotional intensity or surprising revelations that distinguish the strongest stories. 10 Ridoc Gamlyn Ridoc’s humor makes him one of the most entertaining characters in the Empyrean books, but Threshing Day shows what happens when his usual jokes cannot completely mask his fear. The ceremony leaves him confronting the possibility of death, giving readers a more vulnerable view of the squadmate who regularly lightens tense situations. His eventual connection with Aotrom, a brown swordtail, provides some welcome levity. Ridoc initially expects a different kind of dragon, but their interaction shows why personality matters when forming a bond. The chapter succeeds as a character piece, although its lighter approach gives it less emotional weight than the entries near the top. 9 Rhiannon Matthias Rhiannon enters Threshing with an enthusiasm that contrasts with the dread surrounding the ceremony. Her chapter highlights her determination to become a rider without allowing ambition to erase her consideration for others. That balance is important because Rhiannon eventually becomes one of Violet’s most dependable allies at Basgiath. Her bond with Feirge, a green daggertail, shows her courage and compassionate instincts. Rather than concentrating exclusively on her own survival, Rhiannon demonstrates concern for another cadet who needs help. The story makes a convincing case for her leadership qualities, although it develops familiar aspects of her character instead of introducing revelations as substantial as those found in Brennan’s or Imogen’s chapters. 8 Dain Aetos Dain’s story offers valuable context for understanding why he initially struggles to question authority. Colonel Aetos has strong expectations for his son, including what he believes Dain should pursue during Threshing. That parental pressure helps explain the rigid relationship with rules that later complicates Dain’s friendship with Violet. His dragon, Cath, is a red swordtail, and their bond forces Dain to confront the difference between following instructions and trusting his own judgment. The decision is particularly significant for someone whose upbringing has taught him to value obedience. Dain remains frustrating at times, but the chapter makes his eventual development more understandable. 7 Sawyer Henrick Sawyer’s perspective gains much of its emotional power from his experience of failure. Returning to Threshing after an unsuccessful attempt at bonding means confronting the possibility that he might never achieve his ambition. His insecurity distinguishes him from riders whose confidence appears almost effortless. Meeting Sliseag, a red swordtail, forces Sawyer to reconsider what he expects from himself and his dragon. Their interaction is not an uncomplicated instant friendship; it develops through frustration, uncertainty, and the possibility of understanding each other. Sawyer’s story ultimately offers a satisfying reminder that one setback does not define a person’s worth, making his experience among the collection’s most relatable. 6 Aaric Graycastle Aaric’s royal background makes his Threshing particularly interesting. Unlike many cadets, he must contend with a family legacy that brings enormous privilege alongside political expectations. His decision to pursue his own future rather than remain safely within the boundaries of royal life gives his story an appealing sense of defiance. Molvic, a blue clubtail, adds another intriguing dimension to Aaric’s experience. Their interaction raises questions about the Graycastle family’s history and the relationship between bloodlines and dragon selection. Aaric’s perspective also strengthens the political conflict surrounding Xaden and the royal family. It is a relatively compact story, but its implications extend beyond the ceremony itself. 5 Liam Mairi Liam’s chapter is especially affecting because readers already know how his story ends in Fourth Wing. Rather than relying on dramatic action, his Threshing experience allows his personality to emerge through quieter moments. His patience, kindness, and consideration for others remind readers why he becomes such an important presence in Violet’s life. His connection with Deigh, a red daggertail, carries additional emotional importance in light of Sloane’s later story. Liam’s reflections and his habit of carving a small wooden figure give the chapter a tenderness that makes his eventual fate even more painful. Although his perspective does not offer as many major revelations as the highest-ranked entries, its emotional resonance is undeniable. 4 Xaden Riorson Xaden’s Threshing unfolds under circumstances far removed from a typical cadet’s experience. As Fen Riorson’s son, he carries the consequences of the Tyrrish Rebellion into an environment where his family name makes him a target. His story also revisits the violence involving Alic Graycastle, providing additional context for the hostility between Xaden and the royal family. His bond with Sgaeyl, a blue daggertail, reveals more about the determination that defines him. Xaden’s instinct to protect the people closest to him emerges well before his relationship with Violet, while his interactions with Garrick illuminate the loyalty underpinning their friendship. The chapter is compelling because it combines personal history with important political context, even if other POVs deliver more unexpected revelations.