Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.
Rebecca Yarros doesn't reveal who Xaden's "new brother" is in Onyx Storm's ending reveals that another character is now venin, and judging by Xaden's reaction to the news, it's someone who's close to him. Yarros is careful not to mention the person's name during Xaden's POV chapter, but there are a few Fourth Wing characters who could believably be Berwyn's new initiate.
One of the most obvious guesses is Bodhi, Xaden's cousin and the person he wants to succeed him as the duke of Tyrrendor. Bodhi isn't fully on board with this plan, but the fact that Xaden marries Violet — seemingly to ensure someone trustworthy inherits the province — raises questions about whether Bodhi is even able to become duke anymore. He's in bad shape during Onyx Storm's ending battle, which further s the notion that he's Xaden's new venin brother. However, Yarros' comments about his character would make that sad reality even worse.
This Harsh Truth About Bodhi's Character Would Make Him Turning In Onyx Storm Worse
This Outcome Would Continue To Keep Him "In Xaden's Shadow"
Yarros spoke about Bodhi's character during an interview with Fantasy Fangirls (via YouTube), and she highlighted a harsh truth about Xaden's cousin. When asked why Bodhi's song on her Onyx Storm Spotify playlist is "I Look in People's Windows," Yarros itted that it's because he's usually "in Xaden's shadow." Readers get a glimpse of his feelings about this during Onyx Storm, as Bodhi is clearly eager to separate himself from his cousin and prove his worth as an individual. And Yarros' words highlight why he's so frustrated:
"I think he's always on the outside. He's always just Xaden's shadow. So he's always raised to be in Xaden's shadow. He's always raised to be the heir. He's always raised to be the moralistic person who will be there. He's the spare. It's always about Xaden, but he's the spare."
Sadly, Bodhi turning venin at the end of Onyx Storm would simply continue this trend, with his journey mirroring that of his cousin's yet again. The entire reason Bodhi doesn't want to be protected and prepared to take over Tyrrendor is because he wants to be more than Xaden's second in command. While turning venin might be a way to escape that unwanted fate, it would keep him in Xaden's shadow, as he'd be following in his cousin's footsteps — and likely fall lower in the venin hierarchy than Xaden, who turned earlier.
10 Big Problems I Had With Onyx Storm
I was excited for Onyx Storm's release, hoping that it would fix the problems of the first two books. Instead, it made them worse in so many ways.
Bodhi deserves to step out of Xaden's shadow and forge his own path forward in the next Empyrean Series book, and it'll be harder to do that as Berwyn's new initiate. If Yarros reveals he's Xaden's new brother, it's unlikely he'll ever break free from the perception of him as "the spare." It's also unlikely he'll get a happy ending, as it seems impossible that Xaden and the other new initiate will both survive.
Bodhi's Character Arc Seems Destined To End In Tragedy If He's Xaden's New Brother
There's No Way The Empyrean Series Will Give Both A Happy Ending
Bodhi becoming a venin would keep him in Xaden's shadow, but it would also set him up to meet a tragic end in the next two Empyrean books. Even Xaden's future looks bleak on the heels of Onyx Storm, but Violet will probably find a way back to him — and potentially a way to save him. It's hard to see Xaden's arc coming to a devastating close. And if it does, Xaden will likely maintain his humanity to some degree. There's a reason he marries Violet, and he seems intent on bringing down the venin even as he fully becomes one.
While there's hope for Xaden in Onyx Storm's sequel, it's hard to see Yarros giving Xaden and Berwyn's new initiate a happy ending.
While there's The Empyrean Series books so great is the fact that there are realistic stakes. Yarros isn't afraid to kill off characters, and she doesn't hold back when it comes to how brutal her world is. Given how cruel Yarros' world can be — and how impossible finding a cure for the venin is — it seems unlikely that two characters would be able to come back from the transition.
There's Only One Way Bodhi Can Step Out Of Xaden's Shadow By Turning Venin
He'd Have To Be More Evil Than Xaden In Onyx Storm's Sequel
Although becoming venin probably won't end well for Bodhi, there's one way he could step out of Xaden's shadow, even if he's now an initiate. Xaden appears to be holding onto some of his humanity — likely the part that's tied to Violet — which means he'll be holding back to some extent in the next Empyrean book. This leaves an opening for Bodhi to become stronger than him if he fully embraces his venin transformation. Of course, this also means Bodhi will become a villain in the next Fourth Wing sequel.
Onyx Storm's Best Berwyn Theory Sets Up A Wild Confrontation Between Violet & The Venin Sage
Berwyn is bound to be far more important in the next Empyrean Series book, and one Onyx Storm theory lays the groundwork for a wild fight with Violet.
This could be an interesting path for Bodhi's character, as it would draw a clear distinction between him and Xaden. It would also raise the stakes of the war between Navarre and the venin, as Bodhi's signet is one of Fourth Wing's most powerful abilities. If he's still able to cancel out other people's signets as a venin, he'd be nearly unstoppable. It's scary to think about, and it could make him an even greater threat than Xaden. I still don't want Bodhi to go down such a dark path, but it would successfully set him apart.
Who Else Could Be Xaden's New Brother At The End Of Onyx Storm
Garrick Is Another Convincing Option
Given Bodhi's frustrations in Onyx Storm and dire state during its final battle, he's the most likely character to be revealed as Xaden's new brother. However, there are several other characters who could fill this role. Xaden notes that they've watched him struggle as an initiate, a fact that narrows the options significantly. But another convincing theory is that Garrick is Berwyn's new initiate, as Garrick is missing at the end of Onyx Storm, out of power during its final fight, and equally important to Xaden.
The next Empyrean Series book has no release timeline, but Rebecca Yarros confirmed she's taking a break before writing it.
Brennan and Ridoc are less convincing options, but both characters know about Xaden's transformation before it becomes common knowledge. Brennan's return to Aretia at the end of the book makes him being a venin less likely, but it is possible to hide the transformation during the early stages. And the venin might need someone inside Aretia's walls, as Brennan could give them crucial information about the rebels' movements. Ridoc seems the least probable of all the options, but Onyx Storm's sequel could surprise us with his fate. Whoever turns out to be Xaden's brother, though, Bodhi deserves better.
Source: YouTube
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Publisher
- Entangled: Red Tower Books
- Publication Date
- 2025/01/01
- Franchise
- The Empyrean Series
- ISBN#
- 1649374186
- Author(s)
- Rebecca Yarros
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