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A review by sophiexxjones
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The first two-thirds of this book drag, filled with the weak world building and repetitive romantic dialogue characteristic of this series. The pacing at the end makes it clear this book should have been 400 pages at most.
Just as the plot would pick up, romantic elements and dialogue are thrown in. Extremely frustratingly, it feels this is only done for the sake of hitting “spice” quotas, not to progress the romance in any meaningful, new way.
At this point in the series, every YA fantasy cliche has been included. Again, as a reader, it feels like tropes are being included just for the sake of Booktok popularity, and probably, lack of imagination.
The writing is painful to read at many points throughout. Honestly, what is captivating about sentences like “I fucking liquefy.”? Personally, this style of narration doesn’t suit such an attempt at a dense fantasy series and works against the author at times.
Finally, a personal gripe with this series — the change in perspective feels lazy and ruins the tension of the conclusion of each book.
Just as the plot would pick up, romantic elements and dialogue are thrown in. Extremely frustratingly, it feels this is only done for the sake of hitting “spice” quotas, not to progress the romance in any meaningful, new way.
At this point in the series, every YA fantasy cliche has been included. Again, as a reader, it feels like tropes are being included just for the sake of Booktok popularity, and probably, lack of imagination.
The writing is painful to read at many points throughout. Honestly, what is captivating about sentences like “I fucking liquefy.”? Personally, this style of narration doesn’t suit such an attempt at a dense fantasy series and works against the author at times.
Finally, a personal gripe with this series — the change in perspective feels lazy and ruins the tension of the conclusion of each book.