There are books that grab you by the collar and pull you in—books that don’t ask for your attention but demand it. Onyx Storm, the third installment in Rebecca Yarros’ blazing Empyrean series, is one of those books. From the very first page, it whisks you into a world both haunting and beautiful, where dragons speak in snark and battle lines are drawn not just in war, but in the heart.
Let’s be clear: Yarros doesn’t meander. She throws you into the storm and dares you to keep up. And I loved every minute of it.
The emotional landscape of Onyx Storm is just as vast and unforgiving as the physical one Violet and her quest squad journey through. This isn’t just a war college fantasy anymore—this is a high-stakes, high-voltage battle for survival, identity, and love. And Yarros writes it like she means it. You feel it in the marrow of your bones. You taste the ash of betrayal. You ache alongside every character who dares to care in a world that’s built to break them.
Let’s talk Violet.
She’s not the same girl who stumbled into Basgiath in Fourth Wing, wide-eyed and underestimated. No, in Onyx Storm, Violet Sorrengail is a force of nature. She’s heartbreak and intellect wrapped in steel. She’s learned to be both the sword and the strategist, and if there’s one thing that defines her arc in this book, it’s this: relentless hope. Even when the world tells her something is impossible—when the man she loves stands on the precipice of becoming something unrecognizable—she refuses to give in.
That kind of grit? That unwavering determination to carve out a better future in a world built on ruins? That’s heroine material, through and through.
And then there’s Xaden Riorson.
Reader, this man? He’s a wildfire you can’t help but walk into. In Onyx Storm, we see the full scope of his loyalty, his fury, his tenderness. Jealous Xaden? Oh, he had me grinning. Wounded Xaden? My heart cracked. The tug-of-war between his shadowed past and Violet’s bright-burning future is one of the story’s most potent emotional engines. Every scene between them feels like a dance with a blade—tense, passionate, occasionally devastating, but always electric.
Their romance is not a subplot—it is the pulse of the book. It breathes in between battle cries and dragon wings, whispered across stolen glances and brutal choices. They’re the kind of couple that doesn’t just survive together—they burn.
And speaking of fire…
Let’s not forget the dragons. If you thought Tairn and Andarna couldn’t get more iconic, buckle up. Not only are they still delivering sharp commentary and searing loyalty, but Onyx Storm expands their world in ways that feel breathtakingly original. We travel far beyond the familiar walls of Basgiath. We meet new species, new powers, and unearth ancient truths that shift the entire playing field. This is world-building with ambition and heart. You can practically feel the terrain changing beneath your feet.
And it’s not just scenery—Yarros takes us deeper into the history of the Continent, the politics of power, and the whispered legacy of gods. And while yes, the lore at times leans toward the dense, and there were moments I found myself flipping back to the glossary (bless it), the reward is a tapestry of myth and meaning that’s worth the tangle. This is a story that dares to be big—and succeeds.
The supporting cast? A found family worth fighting for.
Bodhi. Mira. Brennan. Jessina. Garrick. The names alone now carry weight because each of them has been given space to matter. Yarros doesn’t forget her side characters—she lets them shine. There’s laughter and loss, banter and bonding. And Violet’s “quest squad”? I’d follow them into any battle. The group dynamic in this book is tighter, funnier, and more resonant than ever. It’s friendship forged in fire, and it makes you care—deeply—about every victory and every blow.
I especially appreciated the quiet brilliance of representation woven into the pages. Whether it’s sign language, chronic illness, grief, or recovery, Yarros handles it all with grace and grit. These are not footnotes—they are lived experiences that shape the characters and the world around them. It’s inclusive fantasy done right.
Now, let’s talk pacing. Onyx Storm has this rhythmic pulse—it knows when to breathe and when to sprint. The journey doesn’t dawdle. We’re given just enough day-to-day to feel the passage of time, and then we’re swept back into action. It’s a smart balance. The story rarely stalls, and when it does slow down, it’s usually to make you feel something. And it always delivers.
Still, I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t mention a few bumps in the storm. There were sections where the influx of new names and places overwhelmed even my note-taking soul. And while multiple POVs can be a treat, one or two dragged just a hair too long. Xaden’s hot-and-cold moments also left me wanting a bit more consistency in the emotional payoff. And where was Tairn during some of those chaotic moments? I swear, sometimes our favorite dragon disappears just when we need him most.
But here’s the thing. When a book leaves you with a hangover this fierce—when you’re still thinking about the quotes, the choices, the heartbreak days after turning the last page—you know it’s something special.
“I live by you.”
“I choose him.”
“Draw up the papers. And her name is Violet Sorrengail. Two Rs.”
If you know, you know.
The Empyrean series has never been about playing it safe. From the beginning, it’s dared to ask hard questions about power, love, sacrifice, and destiny. But Onyx Storm? It’s the book that takes those questions, flings them into the wind, and rides the chaos all the way home.
The ending is a cliffhanger, yes—but it’s also a promise. A challenge. A spark in the dark that says: there is so much more to come. And I, for one, will be first in line to see where the storm takes us next.
Final Thoughts:
Onyx Storm is bold, brilliant, and beautifully written. It’s not just the best of the series so far—it’s a triumph of fantasy storytelling. If you’re not reading The Empyrean yet, you’re missing out on one of the most exhilarating, emotionally rich sagas in the genre.
So grab a cup of tea. Clear your weekend. And don’t just walk—run into the storm.
Because this book? This book soars.
Check out my instagram page to ask yourself did I spot the story clues in Emma’s book review photo? Scroll through the images to see the clues.
Happy Reading,
Love,
Emma
EmmaCohan.com 
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