Spoiler Warning!!
Today, I finished the third book in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm, and I must say, it was an absolute 5-star read! The story captivated me so much that I had a hard time putting it down. For me, that’s the hallmark of a book that deserves a full five stars. I truly love the world and the characters in this series. It had been a year since I read Iron Flame, so it felt great to dive back into the story.
However, even though I rated the book highly, there were some aspects I didn’t particularly enjoy—so beware, if you haven’t read the book yet, you might want to stop reading here!
One thing that struck me was that, at times, it felt like the writing was aimed at a younger audience. The language chosen didn’t resonate with me, and although Violet is a teenager and the narrative is from her perspective, I prefer inner dialogue that doesn’t read as distinctly youthful.
The plot also featured many side characters and deities, making it a bit challenging to keep track of who was who, especially since characters often had their first and last names interchanged. This could have been partly due to my year-long gap since my last read, so I’ll definitely have to do a re-read before diving into the fourth book.
I really enjoyed Ridoc’s presence as a main side character throughout this installment. He showed a serious side that added depth to his character, and his bond with his dragon was a highlight for me. I wished we had seen more of Bodhi, but based on the ending, I’m optimistic that he’ll have more of a role in the next book!
Andarna was another character I loved in this book. I felt so sorry for her when her dragon family rejected her. She desperately wants to help Tairn and Violet, but they think it’s safer for her to stay hidden. I adore her sassy personality, and I was heartbroken when she left to study with her den family. While I was thrilled she returned at the end, the suddenness of her arrival felt a bit rushed. I wished for more interaction between her, Tairn, and Violet to explain her return. Additionally, I was disappointed by Violet’s second signet; it felt underwhelming and less dangerous than I expected. Dream walking didn’t seem like it would offer much beyond communication with Xaden while he’s away.
As for the ending, I was binge-reading the last 80 pages this morning because I couldn’t get enough! So much was happening, and we got various points of view throughout the intense battle. When Xaden mentioned his “new brother,” I found myself wondering if that could be Garrick, Bodhi, or Brennan. My initial thought was, “Is everyone going to turn Venin?” That seems a bit too much, but I’m curious whether any of them took the six eggs in search of a cure. I also have so many questions about Tairn needing rest and why Violet had her memory erased—answers that I’ll have to wait for in the next book!
Despite my critiques, I believe the series could have wrapped up nicely in three books. Iron Flame could have been condensed and merged with significant portions of the third book, culminating in a grand final battle. I’m not entirely sure how the story will continue over two more books—if each installment introduces a new villain, it may become a bit repetitive.
Overall, I truly loved this book! It was fantastic to be back with Tairn, Andarna, Violet, and Xaden. The experience was entertaining and kept me up late reading, which is always a great sign for a book because, as much as I love sleep, I couldn’t put it down!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Onyx Storm or any theories you have for the next book! 🙂