Ridoc’s character has always been a fan-favorite in Rebecca Yarros’Empyrean Series, but in my opinion, her latest release,Onyx Storm, really secured him the position. It’s clear Yarros always has the most fun when writing Ridoc’s lines, and more often than not she uses his character as comedic relief throughout her plot-heavy novels. And whileOnyx Storm’s narrativemakes sure to show readers the more serious and sensitive side of Ridoc’s character, there are plenty of great comedic one-liners that totally encompass his personality.
Ridoc plays a more prominent role throughoutOnyx Storm, and as he joins Violet on the “quest squad” mission, readers get to see more of his character than we have in previousEmpyrean Seriesnovels. Yarros makes sure to take advantage of this—using his character as not only an outlet for comedic relief, but to break up the narrative’s information dumps and long stretches between high-stakes action scenes or major revelations. And while there are probably hundreds of quotes that made me laugh throughout the book,this list includes those that are unanimously considered to be the best Ridoc one-liners.
12“Shh, it’s more fun when she blows shit up.”
Chapter Six
In the early novel, several riders at Basgiath are struggling to accept the many changes throughout Navarre—including the addition of fliers and their gryphons to the war college. The animosity between the two groups eventually escalates, and when Dain and Aura are about to battle unfairly, Violet steps up to fight in Dain’s place. Because she notices Aura plans to fight Dain with her flames, Violet decides to do the same, allowing herself to channel her lightning signet.
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It’s during this moment that Rhiannon hesitantly warns Violet about going too far—likely because she still doesn’t have full control over her lightning abilities. However, Ridoc quickly quiets her, stating “it’s more fun when she blows shit up.” Ridoc’s comment practically spoke my own thoughts into existence, as I too would have liked to see Violet terrorize Aura and the others. And while his comment is funny,there’s an undertone of his trust in Violet’s abilities and skills as a leader.
11“I’ll trust you if you stop keeping secrets!”…“It’s my secretive nature that attracted you, and why can’t you just stay out of harm’s way for five f**king minutes?”
Chapter Thirteen
One of the best scenes throughout the entire novel is Ridoc calling out Violet on her and Xaden’s relationship dynamic. Not only is it absolutely hilarious to know just how perceptive Violet’s friends are in regard to her relationship, but Ridoc’s quote also acts as a nod from Yarros. It’s clear Yarros was aware Violet and Xaden’s continued miscommunication throughoutIron Flamewasn’t well-received by readers and decided to use Ridoc’s sarcastic nature to acknowledge it.
However,it’s Ridoc’s delivery that really gives the quote its comedic appeal. And if it had come from Rhiannon or Sawyer, it would likely have taken on a more serious tone. But Ridoc knows how to get a point across, whilst being lighthearted, which makes his character all the more endearing.
10"I’m either completely in love with your boyfriend, or utterly terrified of him.”
Chapter Fifteen
ThroughoutOnyx Storm, Xaden is brought in to teach at Basgiath and train the cadets to fight using their signets. During his first signet training course, he invites several cadets up to the mat to fight against him. Because Xaden is so powerful, he barely has to lift a finger—and his display of power is seen as both unnerving and impressive.
Ridoc’s comments perfectly capture everyone’s thoughts from the audience—claiming he’s either completely in love with Xaden, due to his impressive display, or utterly terrified by the power he can wield. Once again, Ridoc’s voice acts as a bridge between the reader’s thoughts and those ofFourth Wing’s characters. And while he’s often used for comedic relief, as he is in the scene,his dialogue helps to make him all the more relatable.
9“Oh gods, just stop flirting and f**k already.”
Chapter Seventeen
Ridoc is one of the few characters who always says what’s on their minds—and this instance is no different. During this scene, Garrick and Imogen are exchanging some flirtatious banter, and while everyone else simply keeps their comments to themselves, Ridoc voices an opinion long held by readers of the series. Imogen and Garrick have been tiptoeing around their attraction to one another since the beginning ofFourth Wing, and Ridoc’s comment also serves to foreshadow their growing relationship.
“I said that out loud, didn’t I?” he asks me in a hushed whisper.
—Onyx Storm, Chapter Seventeen
However, after Ridoc blurts out his statement, he too is shocked to find he said it out loud—which indicates there is a well of unseen comedic content that must live inside his head. This moment also kicks off a funny plotline forRidoc throughoutOnyx Storm, in which he attempts to keep his “inside thoughts” inside for much of the book.
8“I kept my inside thoughts inside.”
Chapter Twenty
After another tense scene between Xaden and Halden,Violet’s ex-boyfriend revealed inOnyx Storm, she congratulates Ridoc on his ability to abstain from adding any snide remarks, to which Ridoc answers that he kept his “inside thoughts inside.” While this moment quickly moves onto the next scene, it’s a hilarious callback to his previous social blunder and has quickly become a favoriteOnyx Stormquote among fans.Yarros is able to add so much character to Ridoc through these small one-liners, and they paint such a vivid picture of Ridoc’s carefree personality and charming character.
7“I”—punch—“hate”—punch—“sewing!”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
In an “almost” heartbreaking moment fromOnyx Storm, Ridoc is charged by a cook who attempts to stab him in the abdomen. From Violet’s perspective, it definitely appears that Ridoc has been stabbed, but it turns out the knife only harmed Ridoc’s precious flight jacket.This kicks off a hilarious scene that helps to break the tension. And surprisingly, Ridoc is not upset about having been attacked, but instead takes personal offense that the cook ruined his only flight jacket.
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He later goes on to state that while he has four uniforms, he has only one flight jacket, which he will now have to sew up to repair—a task Ridoc apparently has a passionate hatred for. This moment could have played out in a million different ways, but I love that Yarros decided to add this extra tidbit to Ridoc’s personality. And knowing Ridoc is a character who is not easily provoked,it was amusing to learn that the prospect of sewing is what can snap his calm demeanor.
Ridoc’s earlier naming of the “quest squad” sticks throughoutOnyx Storm, and after a traumatic experience on the isle of Hedotis—in which Garrick almost dies from eating a poisoned chocolate cake, and Ridoc’s flight jacket is ruined by a measly kitchen knife—Ridoc tells Violet he wants a squad patch for their troubles. Typically, patches are given out to riders when they’ve won squad battles or other achievements, but Ridoc’s request comes simply from the ability to survive their unconventional quest and all the trials that have come with it.
In a short amount of time, the squad has endured more than a few roadblocks in their search for the irid dragons,Andarna’s seventh dragon den—including Halden’s capture in Deverelli, Unnbriel’s brutal challenge, and now Hedotis' attempt at murder. Ridoc perfectly knows how to break the tension of a situation, and while I’m positive he’s serious about receiving a quest squad patch,his comment helps to sever the seriousness of the moment and add a bit of levity.
5“Damn, this breed apologizes"…“Maybe we should’ve held out.”
Chapter Forty-One
While the others scout the area, Violet and Ridoc remain behind on an unnamed isle after leaving Zehyllna—where the two will later be confronted by the irid dragons. They begin to speak with Andarna and allow Violet and Ridoc to listen to their conversation. However, after insulting Andarna’s connection with Violet, they apologize.
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Ridoc finds this to be incredible given the Empyrean dragons are not accustomed to apologies, and states in a joking manner that maybe they should have held out—referring to the fact that they could have bonded with more empathetic dragons than their own. This is, of course, all in jest, buthis comment does act as an indicator to readers of how very different the irid dragons arein comparison to the others.
4“Nope. You and I are not back to dick jokes yet. Not that we were ever there.”
Chapter Forty-Three
After a tense discussion in which Ridoc and Violet discuss Xaden becoming venin, the two emerge to find Xaden waiting for them. Ridoc then begins to address the lightning strike Violet unleashed in the heat of their discussion—and, after awkwardly trying to explain the strike had nothing to do with them being intimate, Xaden makes a joke stating he knows nothing happened because it wasn’t big enough.
“Oh, and just so we’re clear, that strike up there wasn’t”—he gestures between us—“you know. Us.” He flinches. “I mean, it was us because I pissed her off, but it wasn’t us…us, if you know what I’m saying”.
“Well aware,” Xaden replies. “First because I trust Violet, and second”—he glances at Ridoc in a dismissive once-over—“it wasn’t a big enough strike.”
The dialogue in this scene shows how Ridoc considers making a joke back, but ultimately decides he’s too upset to engage in making dick jokes. However, while Ridoc’s demeanor during this scene is relatively serious, his quippy one-liners still find a way to slip through. Knowing they are just an innate part of who he is,his response to Xaden is made even more funny by his attempts to remain humorless.
3"Holy shit. Is that noble? Is that twisted? I can’t decide"…“I’ve never been happier to be single. You two have some serious issues.”
In a continuation of the above discussion, Xaden admits that he’s been training Violet on how to kill him should it come to that. And in response, Ridoc calls out just how unconventionalViolet and Xaden’s relationship inOnyx Stormreally is—stating that Xaden’s selfless behavior when it comes to Violet’s safety is both noble and twisted. It’s clear that Ridoc is just incapable of being boring, and even in the most serious of moments, I find his character to be absolutely hilarious. His comments after hearing the drama Violet has been dealing with are incredibly relatable—andhis honesty in expressing his gratitude for being single is equally comical.
