Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (book review)

Haven't Read the First Two Books in the Series? Check Out My Reviews for Them:

Book 1: https://www.haleysbookhaven.com/post/so-i-finally-read-fourth-wing-by-rebecca-yarros-book-review

Book 2: https://www.haleysbookhaven.com/post/iron-flame-by-rebecca-yarros-book-review-jul-14

GENRE: Adult Romantasy

LENGTH: 527 pages

 

PLOT

This is the 3rd book in the Empyrean series following Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. In this installment, Violet and her friends go in search of the seventh species of dragon who may be their only hope to defeating the venin.

 

CHARACTERS

There isn’t a whole lot to say on the characters here. For the most part they’re ones you're already well acquainted with by now given this is the third book in the series. So, I’ll just touch on a few things.

It seems this novel's primary purpose is to establish Violet as a leader. There is A LOT of Violet-Xaden angst in this book, but that’s to be expected with Violet trying to cure Xaden before he goes full venin.

Ridoc was my favorite character in this book. I typically am not a fan of comic relief characters. Where Yarros went right with him, however, is that he can be hysterical but also turn serious when the situation calls for it. I will also always love Violet’s relationships with her dragons – the ever stern but caring Tairn and the sassy teenager Andarna.

This book introduces a new venin antagonist, Theophanie, who is set up as a sort of dark magic version of Violet and her direct nemesis. Theophanie was unsettling at times, but overall, she was more annoying than intimidating as an antagonist. I did like how she gave more of a face to the venin who have always represented this grand threat but have largely not been individualized.

 

WRITING

The novel is told primarily from Violet's perspective. Towards the end, we get several alternate POVs. Every chapter begins with excerpts from in-world texts and correspondences just like in the previous two books.

The pacing of this book was very awkward. It was like reading 400 pages of the characters going on side quests. Then, the last 127 pages were a chaotic race. Before reading the book, I read reviews that said this was a filler book and I am inclined to agree with that sentiment.

The one thing this book really has to offer is its expansion of the world building. For the first time, we get to explore the world outside of the Continent (so, I guess those side quests weren't a total waste). We also learn something new about the venin that makes them even more of a threat.

As always, Yarros has written a masterful cliffhanger. It always leaves me impatiently awaiting the next book’s release.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

This either should have been a novella or the series should have been condensed into 4 books instead of the planned 5. There simply wasn’t enough plot to justify its length. I do adore these characters, though (well for the most part – if you adore Jack Barlowe I would side eye you).

 

 FINAL RATING: 3⭐️