🌩️ Book Review: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
An electrifying third installment that deepens the lore, tests loyalties, and unleashes Violet Sorrengail’s fiercest evolution yet.
Rebecca Yarros’s Onyx Storm, the third book in the wildly popular Empyrean series, picks up the pieces left shattered by Iron Flame and propels readers into a high-stakes, emotionally charged adventure. With Violet facing new enemies, unraveling ancient truths, and fighting for the people she loves, this romantasy delivers on action, heartache, and dragon-fueled drama.
🐉 Plot Overview
After nearly two years at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail is no longer the fragile girl who crossed the parapet—she’s a battle-hardened strategist with dragons at her side and rebellion in her blood. With the Aretian wards failing and enemies closing in, Violet must journey beyond Navarre to seek allies, uncover the truth about her past, and—most urgently—save Xaden Riorson, whose venin powers threaten to consume him.
The story expands the world significantly, introducing new lands, ancient dragon lore, and political intrigue. Violet’s mission is clear: find the irids, rally an army, and stop the storm that’s coming. But not everyone will survive its wrath.
⚔️ Why It Resonates
- Violet’s Growth: She’s more confident, resilient, and emotionally complex than ever. Her kindness remains intact, but her strategic mind takes center stage.
- Xaden’s Arc: The morally gray love interest is pushed to his limits, and his relationship with Violet becomes even more layered—equal parts devotion and danger.
- Dragons Front and Center: Fan favorites Andarna and Tairn shine, with more snark, wisdom, and magical revelations.
- Adventure & Travel: The plot reads like an epic quest, with Violet and her squad venturing into unknown territories, facing constant threats, and uncovering long-buried secrets.
💬 Reader Reactions
- “A joy to read—well-written, fast-paced, and fluid.”
- “Finally, the worldbuilding pays off. Less info-dumping, more action.”
- “The cringe dialogue lingers, but the emotional payoff is worth it.”
- “Violet and Xaden’s dynamic is intense, but sometimes borders on melodrama”.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped or interchangeable.
- Dialogue occasionally veers into awkward territory.
- Comparisons to other fantasy series (like Vampire Academy or Harry Potter) are hard to ignore due to familiar tropes.
🏁 Final Verdict
Onyx Storm is a thrilling continuation that rewards longtime fans with deeper lore, emotional stakes, and a heroine who refuses to break. If you’ve followed Violet’s journey from Fourth Wing to Iron Flame, this installment will leave you breathless—and bracing for what’s next.
