Review of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Wow. Just… wow. Onyx Storm, the stunning third volume of The Empyrean series, is another masterpiece by Rebecca Yarros, and I must admit that it has left me speechless. This installment was a masterwork of tension, passion, and narrative from beginning to end. Believe me, if you feel you are ready for this book—you’re not.

ARE YOU READY TO BRAVE THE DARK?

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there's no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it's impossible to know who to trust.

Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves - her dragons, her family, her home, and him.

Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.

They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find - the truth.

But a storm is coming... and not everyone can survive its wrath.

Opinion

The stakes in this story are nothing short of monumental. The lives of countless humans, dragons, and gryphons hang in the balance as the world teeters on the brink of apocalypse. Every choice, betrayal, and conflict seems like it has the potential to destroy everything. You can feel the weight of the chaos bearing down on you because Yarros immerses you in it so thoroughly. And yet, amidst all this, there are those flashes of sarcastic humor that made me laugh out loud and gave a much-needed relief from the tension. Violet‘s sharp tongue and quick wit are still entertaining, especially when the odds seem stacked against her.

In relation to Violet, her growth in Onyx Storm is quite remarkable. Over the course of this series, she has developed significantly, and it is evident that she is no longer the impressionable, insecure young woman we first encountered in Fourth Wing. Even when the options seem impossible, her bravery, wit, and unwavering determination are evident in every choice she makes. And Xaden comes next. Let’s talk about him for a moment because, wow, this man has layers. And it’s tough to unravel them without getting caught in them, right? My favorite part of the series has always been Violet and Xaden‘s connection, which is pushed to the absolute limit in Onyx Storm.

But what I admired most was how a new degree of honesty has replaced the drama and naïveté that often tainted their previous relationship. They’re not holding back (as much) for once, and it’s so encouraging to watch them address their problems directly rather than allowing miscommunications to grow. Their relationship feels incomparably stronger, more mature, and more grounded. Nevertheless, their love is put to the test in unexpected ways, and some of those instances were quite heartbreaking. I might have cried a few tears—or ten.

The plot itself? A tornado—you see what I did here! I was totally captivated by the desperate attempt to heal Venin and the hunt for the seventh dragon species, which had me turning the pages. Intense action and slower, more contemplative scenes are expertly balanced by Yarros, and both are chock-full of surprises and insights that left me speechless. She would toss a curveball that completely upended my conclusions just when I thought I understood where the story was headed. Some secrets were finally revealed (hallelujah!), but of course, there are still plenty of mysteries left to unravel—and some new ones to agonize over.

And then there’s that ending. That cliffhanger. I’m still reeling. Rebecca Yarros has a gift for leaving her readers on the edge of their seats, and Onyx Storm is no exception. The final chapters are equal parts exhilarating and devastating, and now I’m left in limbo, counting down the days until the next book.

Conclusion

To sum it, Onyx Storm is an epic fantasy masterwork. It’s intense, emotional, and utterly addictive, with characters I love more deeply with every book. If you have been following Violet‘s quest, you are going to experience an incredible journey. And if you haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for? Just prepare yourself—because Yarros doesn’t pull punches.

Five stars aren’t enough for this one. ✨

About Rebecca Yarros

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and coffee addict. She is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including Fourth Wing, The Last Letter and The Things We Leave Unfinished. She’s also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for Eyes Turned Skyward. Rebecca loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for over twenty years. A mother of six, she is currently surviving the teenage years with all four of her hockey-playing sons.

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Onyx Storm

Wow. Just… wow. Onyx Storm was a masterwork of tension, passion, and narrative from beginning to end. Believe me, if you feel you are ready for this book—you’re not.

– RoXXie

Characters

Atmosphere (Setting)

Writing

Plot

Intrigue

Logic

Enjoyment

Summary

To sum it, Onyx Storm is an epic fantasy masterwork, and it’s intense, emotional, and utterly addictive,

4.9

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