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adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🤩 Overall: Ok I mostly loved this! There were a few times where things weren't quite logical/consistent, or where Violet doesn't think as cleverly as her character should. But overall it was fun and action-y and loving and spicy and funny, like, what more could you want! Oh and I had heard it ends on a cliffhanger, which it does in a way, but it wasn't as immediate-peril-literal-cliff-hanging as I was led to believe. Like, I can survive the two years or whatever until the next book comes out.
🎧 Narration: Mostly single POV (FMC) aside from a few POV jumps in the book's final battle. Each POV has a different actor narrating. One thing I did have a problem with, after having listened to the enhanced audio versions of books 1 and 2, is that it was hard to tell when Xaden and Violet were talking through the bond versus when they were talking aloud. The VA didn't really do anything different with her voice to make the distinction between the two different methods of communication, so at times I couldn't tell what people were overhearing or not.
🌶️ Spice: 3.5/5 There were a few explicit scenes, and they're well written and passionate and even a teeny tiny bit kinky (restraints), but they make up a pretty small percentage of the text overall.
🏳️🌈✊ Diversity: Nothing new if you've read the other books in the series. The majority of characters seem to be POC. This world doesn't seem to have the weird notions of whiteness that we have IRL, and yeah, most people are Black or Brown or something other than pale/pink colored. They don't seem to have the same ideas of straightness either, since being queer is normalized too.
🎧 Narration: Mostly single POV (FMC) aside from a few POV jumps in the book's final battle. Each POV has a different actor narrating. One thing I did have a problem with, after having listened to the enhanced audio versions of books 1 and 2, is that it was hard to tell when Xaden and Violet were talking through the bond versus when they were talking aloud. The VA didn't really do anything different with her voice to make the distinction between the two different methods of communication, so at times I couldn't tell what people were overhearing or not.
🌶️ Spice: 3.5/5 There were a few explicit scenes, and they're well written and passionate and even a teeny tiny bit kinky (restraints), but they make up a pretty small percentage of the text overall.
🏳️🌈✊ Diversity: Nothing new if you've read the other books in the series. The majority of characters seem to be POC. This world doesn't seem to have the weird notions of whiteness that we have IRL, and yeah, most people are Black or Brown or something other than pale/pink colored. They don't seem to have the same ideas of straightness either, since being queer is normalized too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Chronic illness, Medical content
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, Classism
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This review is for those who have completely read through Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.
The dedication at the beginning of this book made me feel completely scene as someone who never fit in but has basically climbed what feels like a mountain in life.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I totally would. I feel like most, if not all, of the questions that were in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame were answered. While Iron Flame is Xaden’s love letter to Violet, Onyx Storm is VIolet’s love letter to Xaden.
The world building in this book was exceptional. I loved being able to travel from one place to another and was excited for what each one had to offer.
The character development kept me reading and wanting more. You really get to see what a bad ass Violet is and see the potential she has at becoming a leader despite how much she doesn’t want it.
The love between Xaden and Violet honestly was beautiful yet feral for how much they love each other. The fact that they put each other first is a testament of what a healthy relationship is even though Xaden at times was a bit jealous, but let’s blame the venin in him for that . I believe that they are mates like their dragons but it hasn’t been revealed yet.
If you like a good spicy scene, this book WILL NOT disappoint and Rebecca Yarros definitely checked a couple of those boxes.
I have to say this but Broccoli totally stole the show. We need more of him in the rest of the series.
This will sound controversial to those who read the book in its entirety…but I loved the ending. Yes, there are some questions but I was honestly hoping for a good cliffhanger like this one.
The dedication at the beginning of this book made me feel completely scene as someone who never fit in but has basically climbed what feels like a mountain in life.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I totally would. I feel like most, if not all, of the questions that were in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame were answered. While Iron Flame is Xaden’s love letter to Violet, Onyx Storm is VIolet’s love letter to Xaden.
The world building in this book was exceptional. I loved being able to travel from one place to another and was excited for what each one had to offer.
The character development kept me reading and wanting more. You really get to see what a bad ass Violet is and see the potential she has at becoming a leader despite how much she doesn’t want it.
The love between Xaden and Violet honestly was beautiful yet feral for how much they love each other. The fact that they put each other first is a testament of what a healthy relationship is even though Xaden at times was a bit jealous
If you like a good spicy scene, this book WILL NOT disappoint and Rebecca Yarros definitely checked a couple of those boxes.
I have to say this but Broccoli totally stole the show. We need more of him in the rest of the series.
This will sound controversial to those who read the book in its entirety…but I loved the ending. Yes, there are some questions but I was honestly hoping for a good cliffhanger like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Vomit, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a SPOILER-FREE review.
I have to say, I was intimidated to read this at first. I genuinely didn't know where this was going to go, but now that I've finished I already need more. My head is REELING. So many things happened that I honestly feel like I'm going to have to reread this again soon just to make sure I read everything correctly (I'm a fast reader who can't help it). I'm so happy we see more of the side characters and get to know more about some old and newer side characters. There was mostly things I weren't expecting, though I did predict a thing or two, which is more than I thought I would. Overall I genuinely did enjoy this book. It had me laughing, crying, and screaming the whole way through.
I have to say, I was intimidated to read this at first. I genuinely didn't know where this was going to go, but now that I've finished I already need more. My head is REELING. So many things happened that I honestly feel like I'm going to have to reread this again soon just to make sure I read everything correctly (I'm a fast reader who can't help it). I'm so happy we see more of the side characters and get to know more about some old and newer side characters. There was mostly things I weren't expecting, though I did predict a thing or two, which is more than I thought I would. Overall I genuinely did enjoy this book. It had me laughing, crying, and screaming the whole way through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Death, Medical content, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a huge fan of the Empyrean series so far, this book exceeded all my expectations. The adventurous appeal to the story was packed with so many classic fantasy elements but done in a fresh way: assembling a team, going on a mission, exploring new cultures, lands, and languages, a reluctant leader, and battling the elements to name a few.
Despite extremely high stakes, the amount of humor, silliness, and snark had me cackling, and in moments that broke the many adrenaline spikes from cliffhangers and action sequences.
And the character development... *chef's kiss* I loved discovering new layers to the core characters as well as a number who had been more on the periphery in books 1 and 2.
Important note: a lot of people dismiss these books as "dragon smut" or erotic literature for women. First off - way to yuck someone else's yum? And second - just because a books has sex on the page doesn't mean that it's the book's defining characteristic. This book in particular felt far more about romantic love, and any spice is there for a reason. Onyx Storm has adventure, politics, uncharted lands, religious conflicts, magical creatures and powers, humor, deep friendships, familial drama, betrayals, and enchanting settings that range from snowy mountain ranges to tropical beaches. The handful of spicy scenes in Onyx Storm only help advance the plot, expand the breadth of emotions experienced by the key characters, and develop such a complex fantasy story. Plus, with the story existing in a war-torn world, without an element of romance and how it impacts Violet and Xaden, the stakes of the war would fall flat.
I listened to the audiobook predominantly narrated by Rebecca Soler and highly recommend it. She does an exquisite job switching between characters, energizing action scenes, and building on each personality with her distinct style. Having the physical book on hand is helpful too, for referencing the map and names, and for referring back to the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter (as always, each one ties into the stage of the story being covered, so it's nice to be able to flip back and remind yourself mid-chapter). The physical book is also beautiful.
Can't wait for book 4! But til then, this one might be my favorite so far?!
Despite extremely high stakes, the amount of humor, silliness, and snark had me cackling, and in moments that broke the many adrenaline spikes from cliffhangers and action sequences.
And the character development... *chef's kiss* I loved discovering new layers to the core characters as well as a number who had been more on the periphery in books 1 and 2.
Important note: a lot of people dismiss these books as "dragon smut" or erotic literature for women. First off - way to yuck someone else's yum? And second - just because a books has sex on the page doesn't mean that it's the book's defining characteristic. This book in particular felt far more about romantic love, and any spice is there for a reason. Onyx Storm has adventure, politics, uncharted lands, religious conflicts, magical creatures and powers, humor, deep friendships, familial drama, betrayals, and enchanting settings that range from snowy mountain ranges to tropical beaches. The handful of spicy scenes in Onyx Storm only help advance the plot, expand the breadth of emotions experienced by the key characters, and develop such a complex fantasy story. Plus, with the story existing in a war-torn world, without an element of romance and how it impacts Violet and Xaden, the stakes of the war would fall flat.
I listened to the audiobook predominantly narrated by Rebecca Soler and highly recommend it. She does an exquisite job switching between characters, energizing action scenes, and building on each personality with her distinct style. Having the physical book on hand is helpful too, for referencing the map and names, and for referring back to the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter (as always, each one ties into the stage of the story being covered, so it's nice to be able to flip back and remind yourself mid-chapter). The physical book is also beautiful.
Can't wait for book 4! But til then, this one might be my favorite so far?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Gore, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Blood, Vomit, Colonisation
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall: 5.00⭐️
Romance: 4.75🩷
Characters: 5.00👤
Plot: 4.75💥
World: 4.75🌎
Spice: 2.75🌶️
IM ALIVE!!! BUT SO UNWELL!!! HOLY FUCKING SHIT FUCK ME WHAT THE FUCK FOR FUCKS SAKE FUCKING FUCK THE FUCK FUCKING FUCK IT THE FUCK UP
I didn’t just finish the book, the book finished me. I have so many thoughts. So many questions. I need to reread it immediately. I don’t think I’ll be able to move on for quite some time. I don’t think I want to.
I lived. I laughed. I loved. I cried. I died. I survived.
This book may just become my fave in the series so far and that’s saying something because I LOVE Fourth Wing.
I just need to lay down. 😵💫
Romance: 4.75🩷
Characters: 5.00👤
Plot: 4.75💥
World: 4.75🌎
Spice: 2.75🌶️
IM ALIVE!!! BUT SO UNWELL!!! HOLY FUCKING SHIT FUCK ME WHAT THE FUCK FOR FUCKS SAKE FUCKING FUCK THE FUCK FUCKING FUCK IT THE FUCK UP
I didn’t just finish the book, the book finished me. I have so many thoughts. So many questions. I need to reread it immediately. I don’t think I’ll be able to move on for quite some time. I don’t think I want to.
I lived. I laughed. I loved. I cried. I died. I survived.
This book may just become my fave in the series so far and that’s saying something because I LOVE Fourth Wing.
I just need to lay down. 😵💫
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism
Minor: Ableism, Infidelity, Vomit, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Iron Flame has been redeemed!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Death of parent
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
unfortunately disappointing.
This book still does not measure up to the first one. The plot seriously drags on and it’s all over the place. The ending saved it, but still left me unsatisfied. I don’t know what else to say except for that I am disappointed. Even the spice was off and way too frequent in the beginning. I was hoping for so much more, especially since Yarros spent significantly more time on this book compared to the second. Very anticlimactic and left right where we started. I could reread the first book multiple times and the second book a few times, but I think I’ll skip this book in any rereads in the future.
2 🌶️
* please disregard grammatical errors due to voice texting. Thanks.
This book still does not measure up to the first one. The plot seriously drags on and it’s all over the place. The ending saved it, but still left me unsatisfied. I don’t know what else to say except for that I am disappointed. Even the spice was off and way too frequent in the beginning. I was hoping for so much more, especially since Yarros spent significantly more time on this book compared to the second. Very anticlimactic and left right where we started. I could reread the first book multiple times and the second book a few times, but I think I’ll skip this book in any rereads in the future.
2 🌶️
* please disregard grammatical errors due to voice texting. Thanks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, War
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Ableism