I’m not sure how I felt about Onyx Storm. It had a lot of information—but somehow, also a lot of nothing. There were journeys, side quests, and new characters popping up like we were supposed to know them. I get why some readers found this book a bit overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time
After the emotional rollercoaster that was Iron Flame, Rebecca Yarros delivers Onyx Storm, the third installment in the Empyrean series. This book takes us deeper into the world of Navarre, throwing us headfirst into political intrigue, shocking betrayals, and more dragon drama than ever before. However, while it promises high stakes, it also demands a lot from its readers—particularly patience. Does it deliver? Let’s dive in.
Onyx Storm Blurb
DON’T BE THE LAST TO DISCOVER THE SERIES THAT EVERYONE CAN’T STOP TALKING ABOUT:
Get ready for the breathtaking follow-up to global phenomenons Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from the no. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.
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.
Non-Spoiler Review
While Onyx Storm is packed with emotion, depth, and character growth, it suffers from a slower pace and an overwhelming amount of new information. If you love deep worldbuilding and don’t mind a slower burn, you’ll appreciate the layers being added to the story. But if you were hoping for nonstop action and fast resolutions, this installment might feel frustrating.
It was a lot of info-dumping without the info-dumping. We didn’t really need all those pages. There was never a dull moment—something was always happening—but not necessarily something interesting.
I liked that we learned more in this book, and most of the characters now feel fleshed out, but there’s still so much we don’t know. I got tired of reading between the lines, so I just stuck to the story and let it take me on its frustrating journey.
Onyx Storm is a solid continuation of the Empyrean series, but be prepared for a slower journey filled with more questions than answers. Rebecca Yarros picks up right where Iron Flame left off, continuing the chaos.
Iron Flame ended on a cliffhanger with Xaden turning Venin after he channelled magic directly from the source to save Violet during the Battle of Basgiath. The prologue immediately throws us into the aftermath, making it easy for returning readers to catch up.
They need an army, power, magic, and the one thing only Violet can find—the truth.
So, Violet journeys beyond the Aretian wards. The journeys are somewhat interesting and dynamic as she searches for a cure—anything to mend Xaden’s soul or stop his progression into a dark-wielding Venin.
Onyx Storm Spoiler Review
This installment deepens the lore and expands on character arcs, revealing new sides to familiar figures. Garrick’s abilities as a Walker take center stage, while Theophilus—also known as “the Lightning”—adds another layer of intrigue, and contributes to the world-building, showing just how much more there is to uncover in Navarre.
Violet’s Journey and Her Shocking Revelations
Violet continues to be at the center of it all, embarking on a mission to retrieve books hidden by her father. This leads to a tense encounter with Courtlyn in Deverelli and his dangerous tigers, the High Priestess in Umbriel, the gifts in Zihnal, as well as meeting Xaden’s birth mother.
The book also introduces new layers to Xaden’s backstory, particularly his mother, Talia, and the mysterious Isle of Hedon, where she was contracted to give birth to him. This revelation adds depth to Xaden’s character and hints at larger forces at play.
However, one of the more personal and shocking aspects of Violet’s character arc is her gray hair, a physical representation of her unfinished dedication to the temple. This detail sparks curiosity—why was her initiation never completed? And what does that mean for her future? Readers have speculated about this since Iron Flame, and while we get an explanation, it only adds more layers of mystery to her connection to the Venin.
The Irids and Their Secrets
The long-awaited revelation of the Irids finally comes to light. Andarna’s kind is revealed as a breed of peace-loving dragons, and their rejection of her feels like a painful betrayal. Their cryptic message suggests they had hoped humanity had evolved, only to find that little has changed. Their presence adds a new layer to the conflict but raises more questions—especially regarding the Venin and whether a cure exists.
“You were left behind as the criterion. The measurement of their growth, their ability to choose tranquility and harmony with all living things. We’d hoped you would return to tell us the humans had evolved, that they had blossomed under the wardstones and no longer used magic as a weapon, but instead, you have shown us the opposite.”
Also, the Irids claim there’s no cure for the Venin.
“No cure? Her words hit like a physical blow, and my knees threaten to buckle. ‘If they trade their soul, surely they can get it back,’ Andarna retorts. ‘It is not a trade,’ the female lectures. ‘The soul is not kept by the earth as dark wielders steal its magic. The power exchange kills the soul one piece at a time, and death has no cure.’”
Violet is heartbroken and mourns the breaking of the bond for a while. Mira comes to comfort her but is soon captured by Theophaine on her way back.
Is Mira Dead?
No, Mira is not dead. At the beginning of the final battle, Theophanie slits Mira’s throat, and she bleeds out heavily. However, Brendan is able to heal her by using extra power from Dain, which Sloan siphons to him. During this, Sloan comments that Dain shouldn’t have as much power as he does, leading to the discovery that Dain has more power than expected.
Onyx Storm Ending Explained
At the end of Onyx Storm, during the Battle of Draithus, Xaden and Violet split up. The Sage summons Xaden to a canyon outside the city and traps him under a net. Xaden has to make another decision, just like he did at the end of Iron Flame.
He decides to channel from the earth again to save his loved ones, turning him more Venin despite fighting it throughout the book. This gives him the power he needs to send out a massive wave of shadow—devouring the field in the fury of an Onyx Storm—now we know where the book title comes from.
This Onyx Storm kills all the Wyrens, Venin, etc.
Aaric’s Signet
It is revealed in Onyx Storm that Aaric’s Signet is Precognition—a real one—not like Melgren, who can only foresee battles.
Violet figures it out mid-battle when she sees that he’s provided her with the weapon and timing to kill Theophanie.
“He’s a fucking precog.”
After the Battle
The final chapter opens with Andarna vowing to Violet, “I will not let them burn you.” Violet wonders—why would her brother burn her?
Xaden is gone, and Violet is missing 12 hours of memories. In those missing hours, Violet and Xaden were married and blessed by the head priestess of Dunne’s temple. But now, Xaden has disappeared, leaving behind a single note: Don’t look for me. It’s yours now.
Determined to uncover the truth, Violet turns to Imogen, whose signet allows her to erase memories. Imogen’s response is chilling:
“What you asked me to do.”
This suggests that Violet herself requested to have those memories wiped, leaving us all with one burning question: why?
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