A review by roxxie
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

5.0

Review of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros



Wow. Just… wow. Onyx Storm, the stunning third volume of The Empyrean series, is another masterpiece by Rebecca Yarros, and I must admit that it has left me speechless. This installment was a masterwork of tension, passion, and narrative from beginning to end. Believe me, if you feel you are ready for this book—you're not.


Onyx Storm ♦ Rebecca Yarros


Opinion

The stakes in this story are nothing short of monumental. The lives of countless humans, dragons, and gryphons hang in the balance as the world teeters on the brink of apocalypse. Every choice, betrayal, and conflict seems like it has the potential to destroy everything. You can feel the weight of the chaos bearing down on you because Yarros immerses you in it so thoroughly. And yet, amidst all this, there are those flashes of sarcastic humor that made me laugh out loud and gave a much-needed relief from the tension. Violet's sharp tongue and quick wit are still entertaining, especially when the odds seem stacked against her.

In relation to Violet, her growth in Onyx Storm is quite remarkable. Over the course of this series, she has developed significantly, and it is evident that she is no longer the impressionable, insecure young woman we first encountered in Fourth Wing . Even when the options seem impossible, her bravery, wit, and unwavering determination are evident in every choice she makes. And Xaden comes next. Let’s talk about him for a moment because, wow, this man has layers. And it's tough to unravel them without getting caught in them, right? My favorite part of the series has always been Violet and Xaden's connection, which is pushed to the absolute limit in Onyx Storm.

But what I admired most was how a new degree of honesty has replaced the drama and naïveté that often tainted their previous relationship. They're not holding back (as much) for once, and it's so encouraging to watch them address their problems directly rather than allowing miscommunications to grow. Their relationship feels incomparably stronger, more mature, and more grounded. Nevertheless, their love is put to the test in unexpected ways, and some of those instances were quite heartbreaking. I might have cried a few tears—or ten.

The plot itself? A tornado—you see what I did here! I was totally captivated by the desperate attempt to heal Venin and the hunt for the seventh dragon species, which had me turning the pages. Intense action and slower, more contemplative scenes are expertly balanced by Yarros, and both are chock-full of surprises and insights that left me speechless. She would toss a curveball that completely upended my conclusions just when I thought I understood where the story was headed. Some secrets were finally revealed (hallelujah!), but of course, there are still plenty of mysteries left to unravel—and some new ones to agonize over.

And then there’s that ending. That cliffhanger. I’m still reeling. Rebecca Yarros has a gift for leaving her readers on the edge of their seats, and Onyx Storm is no exception. The final chapters are equal parts exhilarating and devastating, and now I’m left in limbo, counting down the days until the next book.

Conclusion

To sum it, Onyx Storm is an epic fantasy masterwork. It’s intense, emotional, and utterly addictive, with characters I love more deeply with every book. If you have been following Violet's quest, you are going to experience an incredible journey. And if you haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for? Just prepare yourself—because Yarros doesn’t pull punches.

Five stars aren’t enough for this one. ✨ 


 
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.