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A review by bookish_botanic_baker
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
A Rocky Start, but a Strong Finish (Onyx Storm - The Empyrean #3)
Let me be honest, the first 30% of Onyx Storm nearly made me throw in the towel. I struggled to connect with the pacing, and I was seriously considering a DNF. It felt like a slow trudge after the adrenaline rush of Fourth Wing and iron flame. However, I decided to persevere, and I'm so glad I did.
Slowly but surely, Onyx Storm found its footing. The story began to pick up, and Yarros's writing started to shine through. By the halfway point, I was fully invested. The character development, particularly with Violet, really took off, and the political machinations and world-building started to deepen in fascinating ways.
The last half of this book is where it truly earned its stars. The action sequences were exciting, the stakes were raised, and the emotional beats hit just right. There were some genuinely surprising twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. While some plot points felt predictable at times, the ending left me wanting to dive directly into the next installment.
While the initial slog was a significant hurdle, Onyx Storm ultimately delivers a satisfying and thrilling read. It may not be as flawlessly executed as Fourth Wing, but it expands upon the world and characters in ways that make me excited for the future of the Empyrean series. This book reminded me that sometimes you need to push through the slow parts to get to the gold. I'm definitely not giving up on this series yet, and I'm eager to see where Yarros takes us next. 4 out of 5 stars.
Let me be honest, the first 30% of Onyx Storm nearly made me throw in the towel. I struggled to connect with the pacing, and I was seriously considering a DNF. It felt like a slow trudge after the adrenaline rush of Fourth Wing and iron flame. However, I decided to persevere, and I'm so glad I did.
Slowly but surely, Onyx Storm found its footing. The story began to pick up, and Yarros's writing started to shine through. By the halfway point, I was fully invested. The character development, particularly with Violet, really took off, and the political machinations and world-building started to deepen in fascinating ways.
The last half of this book is where it truly earned its stars. The action sequences were exciting, the stakes were raised, and the emotional beats hit just right. There were some genuinely surprising twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. While some plot points felt predictable at times, the ending left me wanting to dive directly into the next installment.
While the initial slog was a significant hurdle, Onyx Storm ultimately delivers a satisfying and thrilling read. It may not be as flawlessly executed as Fourth Wing, but it expands upon the world and characters in ways that make me excited for the future of the Empyrean series. This book reminded me that sometimes you need to push through the slow parts to get to the gold. I'm definitely not giving up on this series yet, and I'm eager to see where Yarros takes us next. 4 out of 5 stars.