#Rebecca came for xaden and I will not stand for it

[charityreadsabookanddrinkswine]

Just finished iron flame.

[v1olent-l1ttle-th1ng]

Weekly Empyrean/Onyx Storm Theories Week 3: Who turned?

WHO TURNED AT THE END????

Ok so when I read it for the very first time, my initial thought was Garrick. He’s one of the missing riders at the end, which definitely makes it likely. I also think Xaden would have been more upset if it was Bodhi. He seemed fairly chill with the whole thing in my opinion. Especially with the whole ‘you need to be my replacement’ theme throughout the book. Garrick also told Imogen, “I’d better find some fucking way to do something” once he brings her back after Quinn’s death. Getting more power by turning venin is definitely doing something.

The more I re-read, the more Bodhi also fits. I mean he’s ‘overlooked’, ‘next in line’ and told to ‘stay behind.’ In Imogen’s POV, we even see him “on his hands and knees, retching” which I think easily could have been him drawing from the earth instead.

I honestly think this could go either way. Rebecca said on one of her tour stops to “pay attention to who is missing at the end” and to “someone who didn’t feel like they are enough.” To me, Garrick fits the first one more but Bodhi fits the second one.

I’m still leaning SLIGHTLY more towards Garrick. Mainly because Xaden says, “How could he do this? Choose this after watching me stumble and fall over the last five months.” Garrick is really the only person who has been with him for almost the entire time. I mean Bodhi isn’t in quest squad, so there’s no way he’d see ‘Xaden struggle’ as much as Garrick.

Other points that support it being Garrick:

-On Hedotis Mira says, “Garrick has stood by Xaden’s side no matter the cost”. Standing by his side by turning venin so his best friend doesn’t have to go it alone seems likely.

-“I’d better find some fucking way to do something” seems like something someone who ‘didn’t think they were enough’ might say.

BUT if we wanna say it’s Bodhi who turned, he is fairly overlooked throughout the book. Xaden constantly telling him to stay behind and protect the throne. Their conversion in Onyx Storm when Bodhi wants to fight for Aretia with the rest of them, Xaden tells him, “You’re staying with the first years.” Bodhi argues with him and asks, “Because I’m not a weapon like you are?” Which draws on the ‘feeling inadequate’ point and then Xaden plays the whole, “Because you’re first in line” card.

ALSO, jumping back to Iron Flame, let’s take a look at the dreams Violet was having. Up until now, we were assuming it was Violet’s dream, however we now know that she was actually in Xaden’s dream. In the dream, Berwyn tells, who we now know was Xaden, “You’ll turn for love, but he’ll turn for power.” Could the ‘he’ be referencing Bodhi? Especially after Theophanie asked him, “Do you not grow tired of being a less-powerful version of your cousin?”

Other points that support it being Bodhi:

-Bodhi tells Violet “I’d kill to go, but you need to take Garrick with you”. Helping to solidify his feeling lesser than.

-While Bodhi’s demonstrating his running landing Violet thinks, “No one thought of him during Battle Brief yesterday, and he should have been the first name that came to mind.” Soliciting the whole ‘overlooked’ vibe.

-The same conversation when Theophanie asked Bodhi about ‘being a less powerful version of Xaden’, Bodhi finds out his signet can’t counter hers. Cue feeling like not enough. Bodhi says, “My signet is always the balance”, but it’s clearly not in this situation, which could leave him feeling less than.

Anyways, I honestly still don’t know which one of them it was, these are just my reasons for each!

[vampireprose]

May I add a few + actually good booktok books

Fourth wing by Rebecca Yarros (I read wattpad stories that were better written, the main character is whiny and if I have to hear the name Xaden Riorson again I'll literally combast)

Every book by Colleen Hoover (do I have to say something about that?)

Divine Rivals (It had so much potential, but the so labelled enemies (who were actually just rivals) fell for each other after like fifty pages (they even got married in book one, somebody told me!!) and overall the worldbuilding was shit

Caraval (I actually loved the first one but then Tella became the main focus and I just couldn't stand that bitch. Also Legend was a horrible character. I just wanted Scarlett x Julian content but instead I needed to read two books about her annyoing sister)

A little life (This book is way too long in my opinion and the author was just adding fucked up shit into it just to make it overly sad and dramatic. )

The brothers Hawthorne (I liked the original series of the inheritance games, especially the first one but all books that came afterwards are shit. First it's totally unnecessary, second if I have to listen to another "Oh Grayson has it so bad, his brother is always getting everything while he always loses. Poor, poor Grayson" I'll set myself on fire. I was always Team Jameson anyways. The only book I would like to read in that universe would be about Max and Xander (the best Hawthorne brother, argue with the wall!) but apperently the author won't do that. So fuck that!)

This is more German booktok, but Very bad kings (I read the first book, it was okay but not that astounding as everyone says)

I hated enough now it's time for actually good booktok books (in my opinion)

Six of crows (One of the best books ever. Period!)

The cruel prince (I love Jude, I love Cardan and I love their relationship. This is true enemies to lovers!)

Bunny (I love fucked up shit so..)

My year of rest and relaxation (So good and worth all it’s hype!)

The invible life of Addie La Rue (I really really loved it and have to reread it some time. It's such a unique story and I loved Addie's and Luc's relationship so much)

Stalking Jack the Ripper (one of my favourite book series actually. I just love YA historical fiction that's set in the victorian era so this is my book)

The serpent and the wings of night (It's not the best book ever and sometimes I think the vampires are a bit weird, but it's fun and much better than most booktok garbage)

BookTok famous authors/book series I think are shitty:

• magnolia parks (my fanfiction is better written)

• Emily Henry (tries too hard to be funny)

• The Addicted series (too long …)

• Twisted Series and everything from Ana Huang (every book series is the same, bad writing)

• Lauren Asher (the characters have no personality and just want to fuck, no idea why they all have to marry in the prologue)

• SJM (half of ACOTAR is simply copied from another series, Throne of Glass reads like written by someone from middle grade)

• Icebreaker (FMC biggest fear is to get pregnant, spoiler she gets pregnant …)

I am a hater at heart 🖤