【 ONYX STORM 】

book #3 in the Empyrean series
See my reviews for book #1 and book #2

Genre: Fantasy
Audience: New Adult
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Published: January 2025
Publisher: Piaktus
Pages: 527 (paperback)

This was so much better than book two – what a relief!

No more ‘filler’ syndrome here, sir! And if you can get past the horrific sex-scene writing, then you’re in for a good time. This was action-packed and full of new things to explore – everything expanded upon the world we’ve come to know and propelled this into the next phase.

My only gripe truly was the sex writing. It’s extremely tedious and repetitive. Everything was taken to extremes and always explicit – there was a complete lack of balance to drum up any genuine romance. If people aren’t combusting on the spot, then it ain’t romance, according to this book.

Thankfully, the sex scenes are also highly skippable. So, problem solved.

If you were like me and were concerned about whether this would be worth it, I can at least reassure you that every other aspect was engaging. There’s a good balance between training/journeying and fighting (unlike the journeying-heavy balance of #2).

And the CLIFFHANGER. Oh, my friends. Please, someone tell me that book 4 is not too far away, because that was one hell of an ending. And to continue this review’s trend of comparing Onyx Storm to Iron Flame: yes, even the cliffhanger in this one far out-stripped the confusing chaos of the previous instalment.

In short? Go get it – go read!

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Title: Onyx Storm
Series: The Empyrean
Author: Rebecca Yarros
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ARE YOU READY TO BRAVE THE DARK?

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.