Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.Onyx Storm's ending reveals that Xaden has a "new brother," though it doesn't directly tell readers who Berwyn's new initiate is. Xaden's POV chapter offers a couple of clues, and there are hints throughout the third Empyrean Series book that may point to which character has turned.
The most common theories about Xaden's new brother in Onyx Storm suggest Garrick or Bodhi, and the latter is a particularly compelling option. Bodhi doesn't get a ton of page time throughout Onyx Storm, but he's not thrilled with his circumstances in this installment — and he makes that known to Xaden. Bodhi's frustrations may lead him to choose a sinister path in the Fourth Wing sequel, and his doing so would explain a number of developments from the book's last few chapters.
5 Bodhi Is One Of The Few People Who Learned Xaden Was Venin At The Beginning
Xaden Notes That His Sibling Has Watched His Transformation
While Xaden's POV chapter doesn't offer a ton of information about his "new sibling," it does make it clear that Xaden has a pre-existing relationship with this character. He seems genuinely gutted that this person is following in his footsteps, and he makes sure to avoid killing them when he draws from the ground and unleashes his shadows. Xaden also notes that this character is someone who has witnessed his own transformation and struggle, and that's the biggest clue Onyx Storm offers about the new initiate's identity:
"How could he do this? Choose this after watching me stumble and fall over the last five months? How could he willingly walk the path I've fought like hell to leave? He's the last person I would have expected to turn, and yet here we are."
Only a handful of characters learn the truth about Xaden prior to Onyx Storm's ending. Bodhi, Garrick, and Imogen find out almost immediately after the events of Iron Flame's ending, and Ridoc realizes the truth during their journey to the Isle Kingdoms. Brennan also reveals that he knows, but it's unclear when Xaden tells Violet's brother. Regardless, Bodhi, Garrick, and Brennan are the only characters who fit Xaden's description of watching him struggle "over the last five months." And as Xaden spends most of his time with Garrick and Bodhi, it's most likely one of them.
4 Imogen Sees Bodhi In Bad Shape During Onyx Storm's Final Battle
Bodhi Might Have Drawn From The Ground Out Of Desperation
While Xaden's POV chapter gives the most information about his "sibling" in venin form, Imogen's may also contain a clue about Bodhi turning venin. Imogen's POV chapter opens with her and Glane in the midst of the chaos unfolding at Draithus, and she notes almost immediately that "Bodhi is in trouble" while fighting a wyvern. She and Glane step in to help, but Bodhi's clearly in bad shape during Onyx Storm's final battle. Imogen even worries about losing him. And when she sees him again later, she notes, "Bodhi is on his hands and knees across the town square, retching."
While there are undoubtedly characters who turn venin because they want to, it seems that drawing from the ground is something that also happens frequently out of desperation.
While there are undoubtedly characters who turn venin because they want to, it seems that drawing from the ground is something that happens frequently out of desperation. Bodhi's state of affairs in Imogen's chapter might explain why he turns venin at the end of Onyx Storm, as he might have done so to save his life or the life of his dragon. It seems odd for Yarros to drop this update on Bodhi's condition with no follow-up, but it's possible it's a clue about what comes next.
3 Theophanie's Storm Calms Down After Imogen's POV Chapter
The Reason For This May Not Be What Violet Thinks
If we believe that Bodhi channels from the ground at some point during Imogen's POV chapter, then this might explain a Theophanie development in the chapter that follows. When Violet and Tairn are fighting the silver-haired venin, they both note that her tornado slows down. In fact, eventually, Theophanie's storm pauses altogether, with the sun coming out instead:
"I jerk my head to the left. The tornado has stalled midway toward the city, and the sky above us is clear all the way to the east."
Violet angrily laments that the venin is making it more difficult for her to use her lightning signet, but as Violet and Tairn are already struggling against her, there's little reason for Theophanie to do this. TikTok @emmahalbrook offers an alternate explanation for the storm stopping, positing that Bodhi may have actually countered Theophanie's tornado before it could reach the city. Bodhi's signet is one of Fourth Wing's most powerful, as he can counter other signets, but Violet notes that it won't work against the silver-haired venin when they first confront her.
Everything Onyx Storm Reveals About The Venin
Rebecca Yarros put a lot of detail into Onyx Storm, further exploring the nature of the venin and their unique traits, powers, and abilities.
Bodhi turning venin may strengthen his ability, allowing him to properly counter Theophanie's attack and save people — even if it comes at the cost of his soul. This would be a clever way of hinting at Bodhi's transformation without revealing it, but we'll have to wait for the next Empyrean Series book to find out.
2 Rebecca Yarros Views Bodhi As Xaden's "Shadow"
He Even Says He Wants To Stay Xaden's Right-hand Man
In addition to the many in-book hints that Bodhi is Xaden's new brother at the end of Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros' take on the character also spells bad news for him. During an interview with the Fantasy Fangirls (via YouTube), the author was asked why Bodhi's song is "I Look in People's Windows" by Taylor Swift. She responded, "I think he's always on the outside. He's always just Xaden's shadow." And although Bodhi doesn't seem thrilled to take on this role, it does make it more likely that he'll follow in Xaden's footsteps, even when it comes to becoming venin.
"Xaden's Shadow": A Harsh Reality About One Onyx Storm Character Makes Me Hope He's Not Xaden's New Brother
Onyx Storm sets one character up to be Xaden’s new brother more than anyone else, but this harsh truth from Rebecca Yarros makes it too tragic.
He also vows to be Xaden's right-hand man when he rejects the assumption that he'll lead Aretia and Tyrrendor in Xaden's absence. While this initially seems like Bodhi struggling to cope with the responsibility, it could just as easily indicate that he intends to remain Xaden's , even if it means following him to unthinkable places. And Onyx Storm's ending does suggest that Bodhi evades his future as the next Duke of Tyrrendor.
1 Bodhi Turning Would Explain Violet & Xaden's Marriage At The End Of Onyx Storm
Xaden Needs Someone To Protect Aretia & Tyrrendor In Their Absence
Worried about fully turning venin, Xaden prepares Bodhi to take his place as the heir to Aretia and Duke of Tyrrendor throughout Onyx Storm, and this outcome is something Bodhi pushes back against. Bodhi makes it clear that he doesn't want to sit on the sidelines or assume those leadership roles, and this could be his motivation for ing the venin. It would be an extreme response to unwanted responsibility, but it would explain why Violet and Xaden get married at the end of Onyx Storm.
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.
Xaden needs to ensure that his home and province don't fall into the wrong hands, and he's counting on Bodhi to protect both. However, if he realizes that Bodhi is also one of Berwyn's initiates during his POV chapter, it makes complete sense that he'd want to marry Violet before leaving Aretia. This decision strategically ensures that she's the one calling the shots in his absence, and Xaden knows she'll put his home and people first — unlike anyone Navarre would replace him with. Therefore, the most shocking part of Onyx Storm's ending also points to Bodhi being venin.
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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