Beyond Anthropocentrism: Interspecies Collaboration and Survival in Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Series

Abstract

This paper examines Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series, focusing on the human-dragon bond as a posthumanist response to the consequences of the Anthropocene, symbolised in the text by the venins. Through the lens of ecocriticism and critical posthumanism, the article explores the connection between the protagonist, Violet Sorrengail, and her dragon, Tairn, which challenges traditional anthropocentric hierarchies by emphasising interspecies cooperation. The narrative’s engagement with themes of mutual dependence, agency, and survival reflects on the broader implications of posthumanist alliances to resist ecological degradation. Hence, this paper aims to contribute to discussions on the environmental crisis, highlighting the need for collaborative, multi-species solutions in the face of the Anthropocene’s destructive impact.