| Author Name | Rebecca Yarros |
| Published Date | 21 January 2025 |
| Genre | Romantasy |
| Amazon | Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros |
| Goodreads | Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros |
| Format | Kindle/Audiobook/Hardcover/Paperback |
| Pages | 544 |
| Language | English |
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros is a stormy, heart-stopping addition to the Empyrean series.
This sequel delivers the high-stakes fantasy drama fans have been desperately waiting for since Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. It’s a perfect continuation for readers who crave brutal twists, deeper world-building, and raw emotional intensity. With dragons, betrayal, ancient secrets, and the ever-burning tension between Violet and Xaden, Onyx Storm catapults us right back into Basgiath War College, and doesn’t let go for a second.
The story picks up in the aftermath of a devastating loss. Violet Sorrengail, still reeling from the trauma and betrayals, is forced to navigate a world where trust is fragile, the truth is weaponized, and war is no longer looming, it’s here. Her powers continue to evolve, but so do her enemies. As the mysteries surrounding the rebellion and her brother’s secrets unravel, Violet finds herself at the epicenter of something much larger than she imagined. And then there’s Xaden Riorson. As complicated as ever. Their relationship is tested by new layers of tension, truth, and loyalty, and readers should prepare for emotional wreckage and romantic turbulence. Yarros doesn’t shy away from shattering expectations; she builds slow-burning tension only to drop revelations that alter everything we thought we knew. The magic system gets deeper, the dragons more unpredictable, and the politics more dangerous than ever. Each chapter brims with intensity, and the emotional weight never lets up.
About the Author
Rebecca Yarros is a critically acclaimed and bestselling American author known for blending emotionally gripping storytelling with deeply personal themes. With over twenty novels to her name, she has gained a reputation for writing books that break your heart and put it back together again.
A military wife and mother of six, Yarros draws inspiration from her personal life, often incorporating themes of resilience, trauma, loyalty, and healing into her stories. She first gained a devoted readership through her contemporary romances like The Last Letter, Great and Precious Things, and Full Measures, which explore love in the shadow of loss and hardship.
However, it was her foray into the romantasy genre with Fourth Wing that catapulted her into global literary stardom. The Empyrean series, with its explosive blend of dragons, romance, rebellion, and intricate character arcs, has captivated millions of readers worldwide. Yarros’s work is known for its cinematic pacing, strong female protagonists, morally complex love interests, and the seamless fusion of fantasy with emotional realism.
In interviews, Yarros has spoken candidly about how writing became a form of catharsis for her, especially while navigating the challenges of being a military spouse. She is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and literacy, and her books often reflect her dedication to representing trauma, neurodiversity, and healing with empathy and depth.
When she’s not writing, Yarros can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee, reading epic fantasy novels, or cheering on her family at hockey games. She lives in Colorado with her husband and children, and credits her family as the backbone of her creative energy.
What Readers Are Saying
Reading Onyx Storm was an emotionally intense and unforgettable experience. Rebecca Yarros has crafted a narrative that is both devastating and brilliant, pushing Violet to her emotional limits in ways that felt painfully real and deeply affecting. Every relationship in the book, romantic, platonic, even adversarial, carries an extraordinary weight, making each interaction feel high-stakes and charged with meaning. I found myself genuinely heartbroken at times, yet incredibly moved. Violet, in particular, is a character I felt fiercely protective of. Her strength lies not in invincibility but in her ability to keep going despite everything that tries to break her. She’s raw, brave, and heartbreakingly human.
In my opinion, Onyx Storm surpasses Iron Flame in nearly every aspect. The pacing is tighter, the emotional arcs are more layered, and the world-building is even more immersive. I was especially captivated by the new dragons introduced and the deeper insight into the rebellion’s origins. These elements added so much richness to the narrative, and the final cliffhanger left a lasting impact, it was physically painful, and yet, I already find myself counting the days until Book Four. What I appreciated most was how Yarros portrays grief and healing as coexisting forces. Her characters aren’t just surviving, they’re stumbling, grieving, growing, and becoming. It’s messy, honest, and incredibly powerful.
While the first few chapters felt slower in comparison, the emotional payoff in the latter half was immense. The moral ambiguity Yarros explores, where no decision feels entirely right, adds complexity that elevates the entire story. It’s one of those books that lingers in your mind long after the final page. More than once, I found myself asking, “What is Rebecca Yarros doing to us?” But truly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Final Thoughts
Onyx Storm isn’t just another fantasy sequel, it’s a literary reckoning. Rebecca Yarros doesn’t just escalate the stakes; she explodes them. With its electric blend of emotionally rich storytelling, high-octane action, slow-burning romance, and characters that break and rebuild themselves on every page, this third installment cements The Empyrean series as a new gold standard in romantasy.
What sets Onyx Storm apart is its refusal to play it safe. Yarros pulls readers deeper into the war-torn world of Basgiath, strips away comfort zones, and reveals a haunting truth: survival costs more than courage, it demands sacrifice. And Violet Sorrengail, with her fierce heart, fragile body, and unrelenting will, is the perfect storm to carry this story forward.
Whether you’re here for the dragons, the morally gray rebels, the gut-wrenching romance, or the nuanced political allegiances, Onyx Storm delivers, and then some. It leaves you breathless, emotionally unraveled, and yet somehow more in love with this world than ever before. If you’re not already bracing for Book Four, you will be by the final page.
Rebecca Yarros has done it again. And if the storm has passed for now, rest assured, there’s lightning on the horizon.
