The Empyrean Series- Onyx Storm Review
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What is Onyx Storm?
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, is the newest installment of the insanely popular romantasy series, The Empyrean. Though Yarros was already an established author (mostly contemporary romance) The Empyrean was her debut into the romantasy world. As a romance author, Yarros’ work on The Empyrean has focused strongly on the relationship between Violet and Xaden. However, Onyx Storm definitely branched out into world building more than it’s predecessors. While the focus of the story is still the romance, the story itself has definitely evolved into more.
The Emyprean is a planned five book series. The first three books (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm) are currently available, with no release information for book four. (Rebecca Yarros, herself has said in interviews that she will begin writing book 4 after this summer). There is no confusing reading order for this series- read them in publication order!
Be sure to subscribe to Yarros’ newsletter to receive THREE Fourth Wing bonus chapters from Xaden’s point of view. If you loved the series you definitely don’t want to miss them.
*** It is important to remember that this is an adult book with graphic content that may not be suitable for everyone.
Onyx Storm Official Blurb
“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.”
What did I like/not like about the book?
While discussing Iron Flame I made it clear that the writing style for this series is not my favorite. (This is really the only reason I can’t give any of these books 5 stars). However, the more I read, the less the writing bothers me. These books are so incredibly addicting. And the more I read them, the more I realize that the first two books were better than I originally thought. After reading Onyx Storm, it’s very clear that the author has had these books planned out from the beginning. She has a very clear path of where these books are meant to go. There are so many Easter Eggs sprawled throughout the first three books that I can almost guarantee rereading them will feel like a completely different experience.
Onyx Storm was an emotional roller coaster. It devastated, confused, and enraged me in the best of ways. It left me needing answers and wishing for more to read. It answered so many questions, without answering anything at all. It had the most wonderful interactions between characters that felt so natural and allowed us to become better acquainted with side characters. I loved getting to know Ridoc, Garrick, Dain, and Bodhi better. Yes, Dain has redeemed himself in my eyes! Plus, it very clearly set up romances between beloved side characters as well.
We get to see so much more of the actual world in this book- travelling from island to island in search of answers. I loved going new places and seeing how different cultures reacted to our dragon riders. It was nice to get away from Basgiath (where I don’t really like being anymore), even if it wasn’t simply to go back to Aretia (where I wish we could have stayed).
The dragons are still my favorite characters in the story. Tairn specifically is my favorite character of all. I love that he is a grumpy old man dragon. Tarin having to deal with a teenaged Andarna is something you should experience. I’m very excited to learn more about the dragons. After all, the series is named after them and we’ve hardly learned about them at all!
However, my favorite thing about this series in general is it’s message about knowledge and history. I love that it focusses on how easily history can be rewritten.
In the end, Onyx Storm left me in the worst book hangover I have suffered in a while and I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
