Book Info
Title: Onyx Storm
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Romantasy
Published on: January 21, 2025
Publisher: Recorded Books
Source: Audiobook (Audible)
Length: 23H 52M
Series: The Empyrean
Goodreads Synopsis:
After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming…and not everyone can survive its wrath.
My Review
My Rating: 5 Stars
This was my second read-through of this book. I originally read the hardcover version of this in the summer/fall of 2025 and have been listening to the audiobook version of the story this year. Onyx Storm is the third book in The Empyrean series. I am absolutely obsessed with this series, and I am looking forward to the release of the next book, which will hopefully answer the millions of questions we still need answered.
Once again, Rebecca Yarros has written something truly spectacular. The story offers us a glimpse into the wider world the characters live in by visiting and exploring the island nations outside the wards. I have become fully invested in this story and the characters within it. The story is written so well that I can feel their pain, their joy, their desperation.
I cannot wait to see where the story goes in the next book, because even after two read-throughs, I am still in shock at how this book ended. I need to know what happens next. Hopefully, we get some questions this book raised answered. I will be patient, though, because when we get the next one, all this waiting will be worth it, I am sure. In the meantime while I wait I will definitely be looking into other books by this author because I love her writing style and the way she tells a story.
As this read-through was the audiobook version, I’d like to say that once again Rebecca Soler brings the characters to life wonderfully. I noticed some slips in character voicing where the character speaking did not match the voicing previously for that character, but that’s okay. It was rare, so not a big deal. We also get a few chapters with other perspectives in this story, some from Xaden, narrated by Teddy Hamilton, and a chapter each from Rhiannon and Imogen’s perspective, these narrated by Jasmin Walker and Justis Bolding. All three additional narrators do an equally wonderful job bringing their respective characters to life.
I expect we will see more from these characters’ perspectives in the next book, so I look forward to hearing their narrations for that too.
“I love you and I want you to feel complete,” I tell her, and she slowly meets my gaze. “I want you happy and safe and thriving. I want you to live.” My voice breaks. “Even if it’s not with me.” – Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
If you enjoy books about dragons, and their interactions with humans or if you have enjoyed other Romantasy series like ACOTAR then I would recommend reading this series. Even if the Romantasy elements are not your cup of tea, the fantasy story elements are worth it.
Spoilers Ahead
If you haven’t read the first two books in this series please note that below this contains spoilers.
This time we get to see the world beyond the continent, as Violet and a select group of people travel to the islands far beyond the wards in search of allies to fight against the Venin that threaten their homes, as well as the seventh breed of dragons, Irids, Andarna’s kind.
We also see Xaden and Violet’s relationship face some harder challenges. Between Xaden’s struggle with what he has become and the responsibilities each of them gains that pull them away from each other, we can see a distance forming between them. A one-sided distance on Xaden’s part for fear of accidentally harming Violet in a way that cannot be fixed. This book reinforces the notion that no matter what happens to them, they will both still love each other. As reckless as that might be.
It’s clear to me from the way this is written the desperation all of them feel, as one situation after other piles on like the Venin closing in, the Aretian wards failing, Xaden periodically losing control, and the hunt for the other Irid’s to help both Andarna and the wards, and the simultaneous search for allies on the Islands and more questions than actual answers.
I am so mad, though, that Violet and Xaden cannot seem to catch a break. There is always something happening and just when you think things are better, the proverbial rug gets pulled from under them and it’s back to square one and with the way this one ended it begs the question, will they ever get to be together the way they were in the first book again, or at all?’
The quote I put above the spoiler section of this review is from one of my favourite scenes, albeit heartbreaking. Andarna made the choice to sever her bond with Violet and go off with Leothan, one of the Irid dragons they found that would have been a member of her Den had they stayed, to learn the ways of the Irid. The devastation that Violet feels after this bond is gone is equally heartbreaking. The realization of how much you relied on someone without knowing it, until that person is gone, is captured so wonderfully within the story.
Have you read this book? What were your thoughts on it? Leave a comment below and let me know.
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