A possible twist hiding in plain sight...
THEORY: To turn venin is to dedicate yourself to Malek.
In Onyx Storm, we learn that Violet's father had her (partially) dedicated to Dunne, goddess of war. From the information gleaned, we can infer three things about dedication to a god:
- It involves a change in physical appearance. This explains Violet's half-silver hair.
- It grants you power. This was inferred in Onyx Storm, but still kept vague (we are likely to find out what manner of power Violet receives from Dunne in future books).
- You feel an uncontrollable "pull" and "longing." When speaking to Violet about her partial dedication to Dunne, the High Priestess said this: "But do you not yearn for the temple? Usually the touch creates such longing that you can't help but return."
We can apply these same three things to the venin.
- Turning venin involves a change in physical appearance. Red eyes, inked veins, etc.
- Turning venin grants you power.
- As a venin, you feel an uncontrollable "pull" and "longing" in this case, to repeatedly channel from the source.
Although the exact specifics about dedicating yourself to a god still remain vague, there is an undeniable parallel here. And as such, what if turning venin is part of a dedication to a god?
More specifically: What if... turning venin is how one dedicates themself to Malek?
The importance of souls.
The key evidence for this theory is in the language around souls.
Within the series, turning venin is equated to losing one's soul. This is repeated throughout all three books. To exemplify this, these quotes are all in reference to venin individuals:
"His soul is no longer his own."
"Soulless venin."
"Maybe you see it as a loss of our soul."
However, one of the irid dragons later clarifies that to turn venin, is the DEATH of one's soul. This is the exact quote:
Who is the god of DEATH? Malek.
What does Malek collect? Souls.
As such: dedicating yourself to Malek is to offer up your soul to him -- for your soul to die -- in exchange for power. This is the true nature of veninism.
[Side note: I recently posted a theory that the Empyrean dragons are channelling from the wrong source -- the ground -- when they should be channelling from the sky instead. "Empyrean" means heaven. I believe there is symbolism here; the power from below ground is equated to hell, and power from the sky is equated to heaven. Malek, as a god of death, would naturally be associated with the power from below ground (and hell) -- as all gods of death in mythology typically are. As such, it would make sense that those who dedicate themselves to Malek (venin) wish to channel such power, and fell a "pull" and "longing" towards it].
Further proof: the other god who "curries Violet's favour."
Towards the end of Onyx Storm, we learn why exactly Violet's dedication to Dunne was halted. Mira explains that the priestesses only accept children "whose futures are certain," and that Violet still had paths to choose from.
The priestess started the process, then told Mom and Dad that they only accepted children whose futures are certain, and Violet still had paths to choose from—”
One of those paths, involved veninism.
“The priestess spoke all cryptically but basically said if Violet chose her future poorly, she could still earn their mentorship, but she’d turn—”
“She said the heart that beat for you—or within you—would do the wrong thing for the right reason, reach for unspeakable power, and turn dark.”
Violet and her siblings assume this is in reference to Xaden... but we don't actually know for sure. This isn't the first time that Violet has been foreshadowed to turn venin, and Theophanie was hell-bent on that happening in Onyx Storm, too. We also know that Rebecca Yarros originally planned for Violet to turn venin at the end of Iron Flame; suffice to say, it could still be on the cards.
What makes me even more sure of this is the warning from the High Priestess of Dunne's temple: that Violet's path still isn't set (and again, we know that one of these paths could be turning venin), and that this is somehow associated with another god who still curries her favour.
Putting this in the context of this theory, it makes perfect sense: Malek is the god who "curries her favour." If Violet pursues a path that follows him -- by dedicating herself to him -- this would mean Violet turns venin as well. This is why the priestess was worried, and it's exactly as Mira already stated. It all aligns.
Another point: the Barrens.
Again in Onyx Storm, we learn that certain areas of land are associated with the gods. Many of the isles are tied to certain gods (e.g. Unnbriel = Dunne, Hedotis = Hedeon, etc), and the Continent is said to be tied to Amari.
Notably, Malek's domain wasn't mentioned. But, what if it's the Barrens? This would again tie Malek to the venin, as the Barrens have historically been where all venin once originated from.
As further proof of this, the updated map in Onyx Storm added the Bay of Malek; the water that separates the Barrens from the rest of the Continent...
[Side note: does all of this suggest that Malek is not a benevolent god after all?]
A final link to death: an additional (crack?) theory...
A popular and long-standing theory in this fandom is that one can also turn venin after death (a sort of resurrection), and that Basgiath is a "venin factory." That's why the parapet task is so deadly; those who fall and die are then "made" into venin, and add to the total numbers in the venin army.
Remember, Xaden's dad accused King Tauri and Navarre of a "conspiracy so vast, so unspeakable." I think this goes beyond omitting information about the venin, but is about something much more sinister that we are yet to discover...
I also wonder if this will tie into a twist about Basgiath burning the belongings of the dead. Perhaps the fact that Violet didn't burn all of Liam's personal items could explain why he appeared in Iron Flame; that his soul hasn't yet been commended to Malek (which, as per this theory, would be a good thing!).
More pertinently, if Basgiath is indeed offering their deceased cadets to be dedicated to Malek -- to turn venin after their death -- consider this infamous quote in a new light:
"We commend their souls to Malek."
ETA: Thank you so much for the kind comments, the awards and discussion going on thus far, I so appreciate it. My day has been made! As a further note, I added this theory to Instagram with pictures, if you're more of a visual person! I post regular book theories on that platform. :)))