Fourth Wing Officially Confirms A Major Brennan Theory & Sets Up A Book 4 Venin Twist

Published Oct 15, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023. 

After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production. 

At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic. 

Beloved for its fantastical world-building as much as its sweeping romance, Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing book series has been shocking readers with its twists and turns since 2023. While the relationship between Violet, the protagonist, and Xaden takes center stage throughout the novels, the release of Threshing Day provides fans with new details that change the story. With 13 new perspectives chronicling the events of the titular Threshing Day, the book is a great addition to the mainline series.

As one of the best dragon fantasy book series, the Fourth Wing novels have a fantastic ensemble of characters who flesh out the texture of the story. One of these characters is Brennan Sorrengail, Violet's older brother, a looming figure whose memory stays with Violet throughout Fourth Wing. However, when it's revealed that he's still alive, Violet and the readers have a lot of questions about his backstory, including his relationship with Naolin, another rider who might have meant more to Brennan than the books have yet stated.

Threshing Day Reveals Brennan's Relationship With Another Man

Custom Image by Hannah Diffey

Brennan's chapter in Threshing Day confirms a theory that readers have been wondering about for a long time; Brennan is LGBTQ+ and has had a relationship with another man. This queer representation is not only a great new addition to the Fourth Wing universe on its own, but it expands Brennan's characterization. While Brennan's importance to the plot has always been obvious, digging into his past, particularly the emotional side, is going to be a game changer for the upcoming addition to The Empyrean series.

Each of Threshing Day's narrators gets their chance to shine, making it a vital companion to the central series. It had long been hinted at and shrouded in mystery that Brennan had relationships with men, so it was incredibly satisfying when Threshing Day explicitly states that he has. While the reader also gets a chance to witness Brennan's relationship with his dad and see him bond with his dragon, the romance angle is especially intriguing.

It's Now Even More Likely Brennan & Naolin Were Lovers

The first thing that comes to mind after finding out that Brennan had a male lover in Threshing Day is the true nature of his relationship with Naolin before the events of Fourth Wing. Naolin, like Brennan, is a mysterious figure, thought to have died in the process of trying to resurrect Brennan. When Violet questions Brennan about his relationship with Naolin, his evasiveness makes it obvious that there's something more going on there, and now it's even more likely that Brennan and Naolin had a romantic connection.

There are many theories swirling about the truth of Naolin and Brennan's relationship, including the belief that the pair were lovers at Basgiath. The fact that Brennan is alive in the series means that the descriptions of Naolin dying in the process of trying to resurrect Brennan can't be accurate. If Brennan and Naolin had a deeper connection that readers know, and if Naolin became Venin, then it would follow that Brennan has been trying to protect him by hiding their relationship.

What This Could Mean For Fourth Wing's Next Book

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

Ever since it was revealed that Brennan was alive, the deaths of main characters have been thrown into question. If Naolin and Brennan were romantically involved, it would make a lot of sense for Yarros to bring Naolin back, potentially as Venin. The next Fourth Wing book has a lot to grapple with following the events of Onyx Storm, and now that Threshing Day has provided so much new context, Yarros has the opportunity to explore Brennan's role in Naolin's death and possible resurrection even further.

Though the publication date for the next installment of the Fourth Wing universe isn't confirmed, the plots laid by Threshing Day make it clear that Yarros has big plans for the story's future. If Brennan had a hand in Naolin becoming Venin, this could deepen his connection with Violet, as she knows what it's like for a loved one to go through the transformation. Brennan is characterized by his role as a leader and authority in the series, and reuniting him with Naolin, if they had a romantic relationship, would make him even more compelling.

The Empyrean series is available for purchase here.