A review by kamrynkoble
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I almost feel guilty not liking this more, which is a bizarre feeling to have. Vague spoilers below, you’ve been warned. 

I’m tired. Iron Flame was SO hard for me to get through, and this felt even worse at the beginning. I had no idea who anyone was, where these places were, what was going on, why anyone was doing anything, and why anyone was mad. I swear this series is the ONLY time I haven’t been able to grasp motivation/reaction! Never mind all of the worldbuilding that’s impossible to remember without notes. I shouldn’t have to reread every book in a series when the new one comes out. Ugh. 

I hate how similar this ended up being to Iron Flame. So unsatisfying. The last chapter again, made next to no sense. I’m going “wtf?” in a confused/baffled way instead of a shocked yet satisfied reaction.

Also, I didn’t cry. At least Iron Flame made me cry at the end for all my trouble.

I also feel like we’re turning cheap tricks to keep things interesting. *I want you so badly but I’m afraid I’ll hurt you. Professor/student relationships are forbidden.* I just can’t. 

Writing this review, four stars almost seems generous, which makes me sad. Once I hit 40% and accepted I didn’t know who most of the people were,
I did enjoy reading it. I love the dragons (but was extremely disappointed in…the entire way Andarna was handled at the end).

Do I regret reading it? No. Will I read the next one? Yes. Do I think the cliffhanger will keep me up at night? No.

My book club raved so much and so many of them said this was their favorite book in the series. I’m so disappointed it’s not mine. 😫

Next day update: I’m actually feeling a bit more positive. Xaden worked for me more in this book than either of the other two books. Their relationship was substantially less annoying than Iron Flame. Am I toxic for preferring venin Xaden? Probably. I felt like the first two books were them telling us he’s bad, and now I actually believe them. 

I’m still disappointed with the ending. It felt too similar to Iron Flame’s. Xaden is venin but FOR REAL THIS TIME! The last chapter was super odd to me and I didn’t think it would be the end. It makes me more excited to see what happens in the next book, but both FW and IF had gutwrenching endings that helped with my other complaints, and this one didn’t succeed as much for me. 
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