[Quick disclaimer: I listened to the books as audiobooks, so forgive any misspelled character names. Audiobooks were chef’s kiss for this series.]
Where Fourth Wing introduced us to Violet tiptoeing through a deathtrap academy, and Iron Flame cranked the stakes with a narrative gearshift I didn’t see coming, Onyx Storm finds Violet slowly planting her boots and embracing life as a full-on warrior.
Let’s talk about it: Onyx Storm is a solid installment, but it veers a little smutty, and I say that as someone who appreciates a well-earned spicy scene. In writing school, I was taught sex scenes should be in character and serve the plot. Here? Some of them felt more… extracurricular. I enjoyed the relationship, particularly between the dragons and their riders, more than the steamier interludes. The dragons? Full of power, and personality. The pacing, however, left me spinning. And the ones showing up in the third act felt a bit like, “Surprise! We’ve been here the whole time!” Deus ex dragona?
The core message was a little fuzzy, something about connection, perhaps, and how sex isn’t the end-all, be-all. It’s definitely about bonds, some forged, some fraying. I’d be cautious recommending this to anyone not already dragon-obsessed like me. And honestly, even romance-lovers might find the smut sparse for their taste. It’s not quite a spicy feast, more a sexy snack.
The title? Nailed it. Onyx Storm feels both elegant and dangerous. The cover art is also gorgeous and consistent with Fourth Wing and Iron Flame: major shelf appeal. But I did feel like the narrative was stretched a bit thin in places; side quests to distant Isles, and the irid dragons disappearing and reappearing felt like plot duct tape.
Also, let’s address the War College: the blurb promised Basgiath. But in Onyx Storm, Basgiath is barely a backdrop. It’s like Hogwarts being a base camp, mentioned and visited only occasionally, an inconvenience.
Now: Violet. Compelling? Yes. Relatable? Ehh… not really. She’s got white-gold hair and that very polished “made for the white gaze” energy. As someone who treasures black girl magic, I often felt like an observer rather than a participant in her journey. That said: Rhiannon. Can we talk about her? I absolutely fell in love. The diversity in these books is real and welcome, even if it took a minute to spot it.
Violet’s development is steady, but she doesn’t quite transform. She’s got big Dragon Rider energy and, honestly, a bit of entitlement. The beginning gave off “privileged kids fighting over who suffers more” vibes, but to the author’s credit, the depth surprised me. There’s more than meets the eye.
Character arcs were mostly satisfying, except Xaden Riorson. His heel-turn into Dark Side territory was Anakin Skywalker but faster. I blinked, and suddenly he was wearing metaphorical black robes and plotting doom. Some of the most intriguing developments came from Imogen, Garrick, Bodie, and Athos, unexpected and refreshing.
Themes of love, loyalty, and the rider-dragon bond were ever-present. I only wish we got more of the history: The Book of Tairn, The Book of Sgaeyl… I would devour those spin-offs. Please, Rebecca. Pretty please.
Let’s talk prose. Yarros’ writing is explosive: visceral, visual, emotional. Some of my favorite moments were unexpected dragon wisdom bombs, delivered like poetic grenades. And that mysterious message at the end? More intrusive than a pregnancy test at a dinner party. At least pregnancy implies participation. That message? The pacing, while generally strong, occasionally rushed through scenes that needed room to breathe. Still, the world was painted in stunning detail. The skies, the Isles, Navarre; it’s all immersive and lush.
As for the genre itself: I don’t consider myself a Romantasy expert (though I stan The Mortal Instruments, The Hunger Games, The Inheritance Cycle, and my own Sacerdos Mysteries), but I found Onyx Storm an inspiring ride. It pushed me to reflect on my own characters and worldbuilding.
Xaden and Violet’s dialogue occasionally felt stilted. Honestly, Xaden sometimes reads like a hot prop for Violet’s passion rather than a fleshed-out character. Still, the world more than compensates: majestic, dangerous, and alive.
Rebecca Yarros’ greatest strength? Worldbuilding, hands down. The arc from Fourth Wing to Onyx Storm has been epic. Violet still has growth ahead, especially when it comes to letting Xaden go; or better yet, choosing to let him go. That would’ve hit harder.
I’d love to give the series a soundtrack (of course I would): Higher than Heaven (Deluxe) by Ellie Goulding. Ethereal with an edge, just like the series.
My Questions for Rebecca Yarros (if she were a genie granting five truths):
- How do you choreograph those aerial fight scenes? They’re breathtaking.
- Could Violet ever get pregnant? Is that a narrative direction you’d explore?
- Who is Xaden based on? Spill.
- Do you think Romantasy is a space for seasoned writers, or should new authors dive in too?
- What’s your advice to writers juggling romance, war, dragons, and world-saving?
Final Thoughts:
Reading Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm has been a joyful, epic experience—made even better by sharing it with friends in our little book club (RIP to our productivity). These books deserve an adaptation, but honestly? I’d love to see it on stage. Imagine dragons on wires. Magic in lighting. Xaden brooding in the shadows. Perfection.
If you love dragons, angst, epic friendships, and just enough spice to keep things steamy (without fogging up your glasses), The Empyrean Series is worth the read. Just… maybe don’t expect to relate to Violet if you’re more into Rhiannon-level magic. And that’s okay. We all need a little storm in our lives sometimes.