Rebecca Yarros’Onyx Stormleft readers with yet another massive cliffhanger. The book not only revealed that Violet and Xaden are now married, but it also left readers guessing as to whoXaden’s new venin brothercould be. At the end of the novel, Xaden finds that someone he knows very well has turned venin, although during his POV chapter, he does not disclose who this character could be. This had theories swirling almost immediately after the thirdEmpyrean Seriesnovel hit shelves, and there are quite a few characters who have become prime suspects among fans.
One of the more popular theories suggestsBodhi to be Xaden’s new venin brother, as many believe Violet was given control of Tyrrendor because Bodhi was no longer capable of filling the position. However, I believe it’s a possible misdirection by Yarros, as she understood readers would come to this conclusion. Instead, I believe Xaden truly understood that Bodhi never wanted to rule and left Tyrrendor to Violet to spare him. With all this in mind, there’s really only one otherFourth Wingcharacterwho is likely to be Xaden’s venin brother — and I strongly believe it will be Garrick.
5Garrick’s Character Plays A Larger Role In Onyx Storm
Yarros Builds A Stronger Connection Between Him & Readers In Book Three
Garrick has not held a major role in previousEmpyrean Seriesnovels, andit isn’t untilOnyx Stormthat Yarros begins to dive deeper into his character and his relationship with Xaden. While Garrick has always been present throughout the narrative, Yarros had not previously revealed much about his character or personality. And it isn’t until we start to see him in dialogue with others that this changes inOnyx Storm. Obviously, there’s a huge cast of characters for Yarros to juggle, but the decision to spotlight Garrick throughout is no coincidence.
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.
Whoever turns venin at the end ofOnyx Stormwill need to be a character that readers have a strong connection to for the later reveal to hold any emotional weight. While it would be tragic to see any character succumb to this fate, the impact would be greater if it is one readers feel they know well. It’s clear Yarros wishes for readers to feel a similar devastation to Xaden by this character’s choice to become venin—andGarrick’s already near-death experience in Hedotis might have foreshadowed the death of his soul as a venin.
4He Has Known Of Xaden Turning Venin Since The Beginning
Xaden Says His New “Brother” Has Seen Him Struggle For Five Months
Aside from Violet, there are only a handful of characters who have known of Xaden turning venin throughout the entire novel: Garrick, Bodhi, and Imogen. Other characters become aware of him turning later in the narrative, like Brennan and Ridoc. Butonly two characters could fulfill the parameters Xaden sets when detailing his new venin “brother"in chapter sixty-five ofOnyx Storm. Xaden even states that this male character has watched him stumble over the last five months — meaning that Garrick, who has known of Xaden turning venin since the beginning, is a likely candidate.
“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 ever would have expected to turn, and yet here we are.”
—Onyx Storm, Chapter Sixty-Five
Not only is Garrick made aware of Xaden’s affliction from the start, but he’s the one character, aside from Violet, who has watched him struggle up close throughoutOnyx Storm’s entirety. One of the first times Xaden loses control in the early novel is when he and Garrick are stationed at the border and counter a venin attack in Fervan — meaning thatGarrick was there and saw Xaden struggle and fail to control the desire to channel with his own eyes. While Bodhi is made aware of Xaden’s progress and failures, he doesn’t truly witness his suffering like Garrick does.
3Garrick Is Nearing Burnout In Imogen’s POV Chapter
He Can’t Distance Wield Any Longer
Toward the end of Imogen’s POV chapter, Garrick arrives just as Quinn has died in Imogen’s arms. While she refuses to leave Quinn’s body, Garrick carries them both and uses his distance-wielding signet to “walk” them out of the crumbling building and into the safety of another in Draithus. However,it’s clear at this moment that Garrick is struggling—and Imogen notes that he is visibly worn out. After he deposits Imogen safely with the others, he explains that he can no longer “walk” and hints that he is nearing burnout.
Knowing he’s nearing the end of his signet abilities, there’s very little he can do—unless he decides to reach for power from the earth.
Burnout is explained throughout theEmpyrean Seriesas a rider reaching the last of their power, and it can lead to death if pushed too far. This seems to be the state Garrick is nearing at theend ofOnyx Storm, as he states that “even if [he] made it to Aretia, [he’d] never be strong enough to get back.“Garrick is desperate to find a way to help before his exit in Imogen’s POV chapter, and knowing he’s nearing the end of his signet abilities, there’s very little he can do—unless he decides to reach for power from the earth.
2Rebecca Yarros Hinted Xaden’s New Brother Is Someone Who Feels They Haven’t Been Given Enough
This Parallels Garrick’s Final Portrayal In Onyx Storm
Rebecca Yarros has been careful to avoid any spoilers or reveal too much regarding Xaden’s new venin brother after the release ofOnyx Storm. However, in a conversation with theFantasy Fangirls Podcastduring the last stop of theOnyx Stormtour,Yarros provides a few clues about the unnamed character that readers should pay attention to at the end of the novel. It’s at this point that Yarros states that readers should look closely at who’s missing towards the end, but also to “someone who feels like whatever they have been given is not enough”.
“It’s still not enough.” Garrick’s head hangs as he stands. “I can’t…” He sighs and strides through the door.
Onyx Storm, Chapter Sixty-Three
While this comment is rather vague, it actually lines up perfectly with one of the last lines Garrick utters inOnyx Storm. The last time readers see Garrick is in Imogen’s POV chapter, and during a conversation in which he reveals he’s nearing burnout, he states, “it’s still not enough”. Garrick, at this point, seems to be speaking to himself, introspectively observing his depleting power and realizing he doesn’t have enough left to give to fight— clearly wishing he was given more.Yarros' comments have me convinced this is the moment Garrick considers channeling from the earthto acquire more power.
1He’s Known To Be Missing At The End Of Onyx Storm
Aside From Xaden, Garrick Is The Only Confirmed Missing Character
Onyx Storm’s final chaptersleft readers with several burning questions, especially after Brennan confirms several characters are deemed to be missing. However, Yarros doesn’t take the time to reveal who these characters are in the final chapter, andit isn’t until Imogen asks about Garrick that we learn of his absence. By the novel’s end, Xaden and Garrick are the only two characters who are confirmed to be missing—and I don’t believe that is a coincidence.
Theophanie warns Violet in the early novel that if she were to become Berwyn’s initiate, she would “be chained to him, powerless to resist his orders.”
Considering both Violet and Xaden were just married, and Imogen was clearly in attendance, her concern over Garrick’s whereabouts is rather odd. If he had simply been helping to fulfill the last of Xaden’s plans, surely Imogen would be in the know. However, it seems Yarros is hinting that neither she nor Violet have seen Garrick since the battle’s aftermath and truly do not know what happened to him. Garrick’s proven absence at the end ofOnyx Stormis a strong indicator that he is Xaden’s new venin brother — and is likely with Berwyn, his venin sage.
