Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

Here is a summary with spoilers for Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

BRENNAN

Brennan Sorrengail enters Threshing years before Violet and Mira. Before he goes into the valley, he spends time with his father, who gives him advice and tells him that any dragon choosing him should be considered a gift. His father also gives him a small bead that Brennan has worn for most of his life. Brennan also mentions that he should write everything down that he has learned so it will be easier for Mira to pass when she gets there. Inside the valley, Brennan climbs into a tree to get a better view of the dragons. An orange Daggertail named Marbh finds him and challenges him. Brennan is trying to remain hidden and wants a predictable dragon, like his mother. Brennan is told by the dragon that if he wants Marbh, he has to prove himself by mounting him without touching the ground. Brennan remembers his dad’s words, a dragon is a gift, and he decides maybe an unpredictable dragon is what he needs. Brennan jumps from the tree onto Marbh's snout and manages to climb into the dragon's back while Marbh flies and performs a series of difficult maneuvers. Once Brennan successfully takes his place, Marbh tells him that there is no longer an “I,” but an “us.”

MIRA

Three years later, Mira Sorrengail enters the valley. Thanks to Brennan’s notes, she knows to expect a voice in her head if she is chosen. She has a specific dragon in mind and searches for the green Clubtail Teine. While moving through the forest, Mira's thoughts focus on her position within the Sorrengail family and her relationship with Brennan, her mom, and Violet. Teine eventually finds her and deliberately tests her. He knocks down a large tree and then cuts into Mira's thigh with a talon, causing significant pain and blood loss. He then digs right into Mira’s insecurities and says that if Violet is her dads, and Brennan is her moms, who does she belong to? Mira responds with, I am my own person. Mira refuses to panic or give up. Teine recognizes her ability to withstand the test and chooses her as his first rider ever. Mira mounts him and survives his flight to the field despite her injury. When she gets back to the field, she looks to her mom to see if she can see any sort of acceptance. Teine says her mother’s opinion no longer matters.

XADEN

Xaden's Threshing takes place when the marked children of the rebellion first enter the Riders Quadrant. Xaden is responsible for helping keep the group alive, and tells all the other marked children that they are all expected to bond with a dragon; that they need to be the best of the best. He goes into the valley with Garrick and the other marked cadets knowing that their enemies may try to kill them. Xaden and Garrick encounter Prince Alic Tauri Baran and two other cadets, Eian and Lorne. Alic has been bullying Garrick and taunts Xaden about the rebellion, his father, and the lands and titles taken from the Riorson family (all of which Alic’s family owns). The confrontation becomes violent, and Xaden kills Alic while Garrick kills the other two attackers. Sgaeyl, a powerful blue Daggertail, has been watching the entire confrontation. All cadets have been told to stay away from her. But when Xaden says they need to move the bodies so they don’t get caught for what they did, Sgaeyl  burns the bodies and weapons so there is no evidence of the killings. She then enters Xaden's mind and sees his memories, his anger, and his desire to destroy the people responsible for the rebellion's aftermath. Xaden wants to make sure Sgaeyl knows what she is getting into if they bond. So Sgaeyl asks Xaden “what will you do with the power that is given to you?”. He responds that he will burn the place down. She chooses him and forms their bond. The other marked cadets also begin finding dragons, establishing that the rebellion children are not going to be eliminated during Threshing as their enemies had hoped.

DAIN

Dain Aetos enters Threshing under pressure from his father, Colonel Aetos, who expects him to follow the rules and bond with a suitable dragon. His father is also concerned about the continued survival of the rebellion children and tells Dain to watch for any violations of the Codex that could be used against them. Dain also mentions that his mother has not been writing to him in over a year, and also mentions constantly being worried about Violet. During the trial, Dain helps another cadet who is in danger rather than simply concentrating on his own bond. He encounters Cath, a red Swordtail, who questions Dain's loyalty to the Codex and forces him to decide whether he will follow his father's expectations or act according to his own judgment. Dain ultimately chooses Cath and bonds with him. His Threshing shows the first indications that his obedience to rules is not as absolute as his reputation suggests.

GARRICK

Garrick's story continues after his encounter with Xaden. He has been hearing a voice calling to him through the forest and eventually follows it. He encounters Chradh, a brown Scorpiontail, who has specifically chosen Garrick because of qualities he recognizes in him, including his willingness to sacrifice himself for others. Garrick climbs onto Chradh and successfully completes the bond. His Threshing confirms that the marked children are surviving and bonding with dragons despite the danger surrounding them. Masen, another marked cadet traveling with Garrick, also bonds with a dragon. By the end of the marked children's Threshing, all ten of the first group have survived and bonded.

BODHI

Bodhi Durran enters the valley a year behind his cousin Xaden and feels pressure to prove himself rather than simply being known as Xaden's cousin. Xaden tries to guide him toward a particular dragon, explaining that some dragons are specifically interested in the marked children because of the larger rebellion against Navarre. Bodhi initially follows Xaden's guidance but then hears another dragon and makes a reckless decision to pursue it. He approaches a blue Clubtail, which reacts violently and breathes fire at him. Cuir, the green Swordtail that actually chose Bodhi, intervenes and catches him before he falls. Cuir explains that he chose Bodhi because Bodhi wants power for the purpose of ending harm rather than simply gaining victory. Bodhi accepts the bond and realizes that he does not need to become another Xaden in order to have value as a rider.

IMOGEN

Imogen Cardulo enters Threshing carrying anger toward Navarre and resentment over the treatment of the marked children. Garrick finds her during the trial, and their existing attraction is apparent, but Imogen is still angry that he has not spoken to her since he left years ago. She pushes him away and focuses on finding her dragon. She is eventually chosen by Glane, an orange Daggertail who has previously been bonded to someone in Imogen's family. Glane begins channeling power into Imogen before she has even properly mounted, causing intense physical pain. Imogen uses the grounding techniques she learned from her family to control the surge. When Glane tests her by attacking her friend Quinn, Imogen protects Quinn rather than abandoning her. She then mounts Glane and accepts the bond, committing herself to fighting the people responsible for the rebellion and the persecution of the marked children.

RHIANNON

Rhiannon Matthias enters the valley determined to prove herself and become a squad leader. She knows she has to stop approaching Threshing with the same mindset she has used during training and instead trust her own instincts. She encounters Visia, a cadet who has been badly injured by an orange dragon, and Rhiannon stops to help her rather than leaving her behind. A green Daggertail named Feirge then approaches Rhiannon. Feirge recognizes Rhiannon's courage and the fact that she protected another cadet even though doing so could have cost her the bond she was seeking. Rhiannon accepts Feirge, and the dragon's first flight is deliberately difficult and disorienting. Rhiannon survives the flight and arrives at the field already focused on what she wants next: becoming a leader.

SAWYER

Sawyer Henrick enters Threshing for a second time after failing to bond the previous year. He is with Trina, another repeat cadet, and the two encourage each other before entering the valley. Sawyer is convinced that failing once means there is something wrong with him, but when he encounters his dragon, Sliseag, tells him that the previous year simply did not contain a dragon meant for him. Sawyer and Trina encounter dragons together, but Trina attempts to mount an orange Clubtail named Bregh and falls to her death. Sawyer is devastated and initially struggles to continue. Sliseag forces him to accept that he cannot change what happened to Trina and must decide whether he will allow her death to stop him. Sawyer finally mounts Sliseag and accepts the bond, understanding that he has finally been given the opportunity he had been waiting for, and that he would have waited longer if needed for this moment.

RIDOC

Ridoc Gamlyn enters Threshing extremely nervous but quickly begins looking for a dragon that matches his personality. He initially expects that a more serious, powerful dragon will choose him because someone will need to keep him under control. Instead, he encounters Aotrom, a brown Swordtail who is similarly playful and difficult to take seriously. Aotrom tests Ridoc by making him climb, move quickly, and adapt to unexpected situations. Ridoc eventually realizes that the dragon is essentially as chaotic as he is, and that they could become a fun team. He jumps onto Aotrom and works his way into the saddle, and the two immediately establish a relationship based on their shared sense of humor and willingness to make reckless choices. Ridoc bonds with Aotrom and leaves the valley with the dragon he initially would not have chosen but quickly recognizes as the right match for him.

LIAM

Liam Mairi enters Threshing already thinking about his younger sister Sloane and the letters he has been writing to her since they were separated. He has been unable to see her in years and looks forward to the day she will eventually arrive at Basgiath. Before Liam finds his dragon, Xaden comes to check on him. Liam is carving a wooden dragon, something he does throughout his life, and Xaden tells him that he needs to leave during the Threshing, because Violet has a situation developing around her and “Sgaeyl pet”. Liam is happy for Xaden, even though he doesn’t realize it, Xaden is falling for Violet. Liam's dragon, Deigh, a red Daggertail, eventually approaches. Deigh has a connection to Liam's family and recognizes the role Liam will have to play in the coming conflict. Liam bonds with Deigh and leaves the valley, and says he is beginning the last chapter of his life.

SLOANE

Sloane's Threshing occurs after Liam's death, so she enters the valley carrying grief and anger toward Violet. She believes Violet was responsible for Liam's death and initially has no interest in becoming a rider. Another marked girl explains to Sloane that certain dragons will seek out the marked children, meaning she does not have to force a bond with a dragon that does not want her. She also gives Sloane a small wooden dragon that Liam made. Sloane learns that Violet had protected Liam's letters after returning from the battle because she knew how important they were to him and to Sloane. Sloane still cannot let go of her anger and eventually decides that she would rather die than continue living with Liam gone. During Threshing, she deliberately moves toward an orange dragon's fire. Dain sees what she is doing and tackles her to the ground, breaking the rules of Threshing and interfering directly to keep her alive. Dain then leaves because he knows he has violated the Codex and intends to turn himself in. Sloane finally encounters Thoirt, a red Daggertail connected to Liam's dragon Deigh. Thoirt tells Sloane that she will not force her to wield power until she is ready and that, despite being the last surviving member of her immediate family, Sloane will never be alone again. Sloane accepts the bond.

AARIC

The final story follows Aaric Graycastle, who enters Basgiath under a false identity because he is secretly a prince and does not want his position to determine how he is treated. His family has already suffered the loss of Prince Alic, and Aaric enters Threshing with his own reasons. He searches for the dragon he believes is meant for him while refusing to rely on his family's status. He eventually encounters Molvic, a blue Clubtail. Molvic has a history with Aaric's bloodline and tells him that he was drawn to another member of the family before and was disappointed by what he found. Aaric makes it clear that he does not intend to become like his father or his brother and that he is willing to use his position and power against his own family if necessary. Molvic accepts him, and Aaric becomes his rider. Aaric’s last thoughts are about how he is prepared to take his family down.