Title: Onyx Storm
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Genre: Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
Year of Publication: 2025
Date of Publication: January 21, 2025
Pages: 544
ISBN-10: 1649374186
ISBN-13: 978-1649374189
Summary of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Onyx Storm is the third installment in Rebecca Yarros’s The Empyrean series. The book continues the story that first began in Fourth Wing and picks up from the Wyvern attack that took place at the end of Iron Flame. General Lilith Sorrengail is dead and Basgiath War College still stands.
Violet is on two main missions. First she is trying to find a cure for the wyverns in hopes of saving someone she cares about. She is also seeking to find more of her second dragon’s (Andarna) kind. Andarna is an Irid dragon and Violet hopes that by finding Andarna’s kind, they would also gain knowledge on how humans were able to defeat Wyverns in the past.
We learn a little bit more about Violet’s parents, especially her dad, Asher Sorrengail, and books he authored including Unnbriel: The Isle of Dunne.
The world in Onyx Storm also expands even beyond that shown in Iron Flame, and we learn about new places like Unnbriel, the sacred island once devoted to the goddess Dunne and now connected to venin origins; Zehyllna, one of the ancient Isle Kingdoms; and The Arctile Wastes. All of these new locations really expands the series’ mythology and hint at long-lost knowledge that could shift the balance of power in the war against the venin.
Meanwhile, Violet begins experiencing strange dreams about a powerful and manipulative Sage, later revealed to be the venin Berwyn. This pushes Violet to uncover her second signet. In addition, a silver-haired maven venin named Theophanie starts tracking Violet.
Characters
- Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson: Both Violet and Xaden return in this book.
- Theophanie: A silver-haired Venin (Maven), who used to be a devout priestess of the goddess of Dunne on the island of Unnbriel. She has many abilities, including storm-wielding, gravity manipulation, and distance-wielding. We learn that her storm-wielding ability even surpasses General Lilith Sorrengail’s capabilities as she is able to conjure tornadoes.
Other characters in the book include Brennan and Mira Sorrengail (Violet’s siblings), Tairn (Violet’s dragon), Sgaeyl (Xaden’s dragon), Andarna, (Violet’s second bonded dragon), Bodhi Durran (Xaden’s cousin), Garrick Tavis (Xaden’s best friend), Dain Aetos (Violet’s childhood best friend), Halden Tauri (Crown Prince of Navarre and Violet’s ex), Cam (Prince Camlaen Aaric Tauri), and Rhiannon Matthias, Imogen, Ridoc and Sawyer, who are fellow riders and trusted allies.
Key Themes of Onyx Storm
The book really focuses on the lengths to which individuals will go to protect what they hold dear. It highlights the burdens of leadership and the ethical dilemmas that accompany authority. It also reminds us of the importance of alliances and friendships, and the strength found in unity.
Writing Style
Similar to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, the writing in Onyx Storm is also fast-paced. The book is told mostly from Violet’s perspective until the end. There is a lot of really good banter between the characters that makes for very enjoyable dialogue. The battle scenes? Absolutely fantastic! You almost feel as though you are watching a film rather than reading a book.
With that said, there are a few portions that could have been edited out, some scenes felt forced or over-emphasized (especially in the romance department), and some that stretched believability. Overall you still get a book filled with a lot of heart-pounding adventure and action.
Favorite Quotes
- “The most useless word in the language of aristocracy has always been and will forever be love. Marriage is a necessary evil to secure the line, nothing more. Save love for your children.”— Fen Riorson, former Duke of Aretia and leader of the Tyrrish Rebellion
- “Sometimes diplomacy is best served at swordpoint.”— Journal of Captain Lilith Sorrengail
- “Everyone assumes she’ll wind up with you, but it’s my last name she ends up wearing on her flight jacket in formation.”— Xaden Riorson
- “I’m afraid our daughter has atrocious taste in men.”— Asher Sorrengail
Impact of Onyx Storm
Like all the other books in The Empyrean series, Onyx Storm was also highly anticipated. The book is a must read for those who love dragons, romance, and high-stakes fantasy. The series is expected to be a five book series, so two more to go. Now we wait to see if Xaden goes full Anakin Skywalker on us!
