Spoiler Review: Onyx Storm had me Screaming. Is this the Romantasy Sequel You’ve Been Waiting for? Romance, Dragons, and Epic Battles Await.
You know a book is a certified banger when you sell 2.7 million hardbacks in one week. One week. Onyx Storm is the fastest selling adult novel in any category in 20 years, according to The New York Times. It immediately shot to the top of the NYT bestseller list, along with books one and two, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, respectively. And there’s a reason. It’s a good time. Now is it going to be everyone’s dragon book of choice? Of course not. And that’s ok. If there’s anything I’ve learned in business over the past 20 years, it’s that anything hitting it this big is going to have some haters. It comes with the territory. But I’m here to say this Romantasy series is fun, and I don’t try and make it be anything it isn’t. It’s an enemies to lovers story set in a fantasy world that reads like a bingeable TV series. Onyx Storm might just be my favorite installment yet. If you’re a hopeless romantic that also loves snarky dragons, you’ll probably love it too. Plus, we got way more worldbuilding in this book, and I’m loving all the little details.
Without spoilers (find those below), Violet’s growth in this book from Iron Flame is impeccable, and there are some amazing standout characters that I absolutely fell in love with. Plus, a redemption or two in there? Now I’m going to say something that might ruffle some book pages, but some of y’all have never read a Greek epic like The Odyssey and it shows. I’ve seen a few TikToks saying this is a ‘filler book’ and while there are some valid criticisms, I felt this book was anything but. This book wasn’t about non-stop action, it was a meandering quest, and a love story that’s seemingly impossible to break, but fracturing at the same time. And yeah, those last five chapters would make a Sanderlanche proud. This book felt more like Frodo and Sam heading to Mordor, and sometimes their stops along the way can feel a bit rambling or pointless, but I promise there’s a purpose. Three books in, I know Rebecca doesn’t put any detail or island stop in by accident. But if you’re not a fan of this story structure type, you’re not going to be a fan of this book. And that’s ok.
Side note, did I get up at the crack of dawn to run down to the San Francisco Target to try and get the Target special edition on release day? Yes. No regrets. Shout out to the Australian girl visiting SF who was headed to Tahoe and made her friend stop at Target on the way. I’m glad we were successful in our quests for a copy, and I hope you loved it!
Oh, and before we get into the full spoiler review below, I need to get something off my chest. This book series is not “smut” or “fairy corn”, and Rebecca is not the “Queen of Dragon Smut”. I find it incredibly demeaning and offensive and I swear people and news outlets (The New Yorker and Vulture, I’m looking at you) use this on purpose for rage bait. Having a few pages of spice between two consenting and committed characters in a 600+ page novel does not make it “smut.” It completely discounts every other aspect of the plot, character development, worldbuilding, and writing. Are they calling any fantasy books by men that have romance in them “smut’? No. They’re reserving that for popular books written by women, of course. Just because something is written for the female gaze, does not make it p*rn or smut. I’m sick of women’s work being reduced to this, and it’s just factually incorrect. Do better.
Things to Know:
Book three in The Empyrean series
Adult Romantasy with spice
TW: death on page, gore
Found family
Amazing banter
Disability rep, amputee rep, deaf rep
Quests and Battles
MORE Dragons!
Gryphons
Cliffhanger ending
***FULL SERIES SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT—YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!***
Y’all know how annoyed I was with Violet in Iron Flame. However, gone was the whiny, insecure brat, and we finally got to a confident, badass Violet, who knew exactly how far she could push the boundaries. I loved her so much more in this book. She really came in to her own, especially after the trauma of losing her mom in the last book, being tortured by Varrish, and dealing with Cat (let’s be honest, she’d drive anyone insane). And speaking of growth, her and Xaden’s relationship! I loved it so much in this book. It truly was Xaden’s love letter to Violet. Of course there was a convenient wrench thrown in when he became Professor Riorson, but they honestly had a pretty healthy relationship in this book. Some people won’t like that, but I loved it. It was a nice change from what we usually see in Romantasy with enemies constantly fighting or constant miscommunication. They truly love each other and know they’re racing against the clock, so they’re making every second of their time together count.
We also got to see some moments of a softer side of Xaden, and I was obsessed. This man. THIS MAN. What do you mean “Girlfriend isn’t permanent enough”?! He was possessive, but not in an “I want to control you” way, but in a “I live and breathe for you” way. My heart absolutely broke for him, when he realized his mom abandoned him, and had a whole other family. It was heartbreaking. I know he’s going to be full Anakin Skywalker in the next book, but I’m just hoping he won’t be irredeemable.
We can’t talk about this book without bringing up the standout side character, who basically carried the entire book on his back (I’m not mad about this). My boy: Ridoc. The comic relief, the sass, the ride or die for his best friend, Violet?! It was so good. He had me cackling multiple times. One of my favorite things was finding out he and his dragon, Aotrom, play pranks on each other. Very on brand.
Something that perhaps wasn’t as strong in this novel, were the obstacles. Some of them felt very convenient (like the Professorship I mentioned above), or General Aetos. Don’t get me wrong, I loathed him, but he ultimately was all bark, no bite. A lot of their “risky” decisions ultimately didn’t have consequences, so it didn’t feel as high stakes as it could have. And Theophanie didn’t quite have the bite or believability that she was really that big of a threat. Maybe because we still have the big bad Sage lurking in the background.
I personally really enjoyed all the different islands. Like I mentioned above, it absolutely felt like The Odyssey or Jason and the Argonauts searching for the golden fleece…any inspiration here, Rebecca?! Halden in a basket had me howling, and I was so happy when Aaric basically sent his sniveling, cheating butt home. Broccoli was, of course, a major high point as a cat lover. But how could she simultaneously melt and break my heart in the same moment. Trager? Really, Rebecca?! Cat was finally moving beyond Xaden (her remarks earlier in the book gave me the ick. Girl, stop!).
On a silly note, I have been cackling at the people online trying to figure out the logistics of the two spicy scenes. It’s hysterical (NSFW).
I may retract my previous prediction that they're all going to die by the end. I’m really hoping it’s not the case. And someone made the argument that now that Violet’s lost her memories, the “recovered correspondence” we’ve been seeing in the Epigraphs could be because of an investigation on where Xaden is now. I’m liking this theory.
I can’t end this review without talking about the last five chapters of this book. I was screaming “Wait?!!” every five seconds, gasping in shock, cackling, and crying. Quinn absolutely hit so hard and I was not expecting it to. That scene was so well done. I also loved that we got the different POVs at the end, and knowing all of the dragons are just as snarky as Tairn made me so happy. The different POVs complemented the frenetic feeling of the battle, and again, felt very much like reading a scene from a TV show or movie. And what do you mean they’re MARRIED and her memories have been erased?! Honestly, that made me so happy (the marriage part). Get ready for some dream sequences in the next book.
Overall, I had an absolutely fabulous time laughing and crying while reading this book. I’m glad I took my time with it and didn’t binge it. There are so many little details Rebecca drops for us and I didn’t want to miss them! Speaking of, y’all…I try to listen and not judge, but what do you mean you didn’t know Jesinia was deaf?! And don’t say because you thought the Scribes gave a vow of silence, when every other Scribe Violet interacts with speaks in the book. I get it. We all miss things from time to time, but this feels like a big one.
I know we’re going to be waiting a long time for the next one, which, candidly, I’m freaking out about, but I know when it arrives the story will just get better and better. Congratulations Rebecca on writing a series that’s making people fall in love with reading again. Below are some rapid fire thoughts and theories…I’m still not completely satisfied with this review, so I’ll be adding more thoughts as they come to me. I’m still processing!
Things I loved:
Broccoli. We ride at dawn for Broccoli!!! And don’t worry, I’m working on Broccoli designs to submit for my officially licensed collection at Valor & Lore
Sloane and Dain?! Make it happen Rebecca. “Eyes here.” “Don’t I know it.” Are you kidding me?! And just like that, a fandom forgives.
All of the dragons being just as snarky and grumpy as Tairn and Andarna
The action and fight sequences were again, amazing!
Jesinia and Sawyer are so happening.
Aura getting what she deserved.
Aaric “You didn’t ask”
Ridoc’s golden retriever energy.
The Quest Squad
Halden in a basket. I couldn’t stop laughing.
All of the humor. This book was so funny, even with all the tragedy and horrific things happening.
Epigraphs. Literally they are a goldmine of foreshadowing.
Drake and Mira’s banter…I mean…make this happen.
Things I didn’t love:
Rhi was barely in this book, which was a little weird. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the moments we got, and I’m sure she’ll play a bigger role in the next book, but she really fell into the background in this one.
So the whole point of this quest was to find the Irids, and not only did you not find their island, they found you, and you pissed them off? I didn’t feel the pay off for this yet. Assuming it will come into play in the next book.
Cat losing Trager right after she moved on from Xaden. Why did you do her dirty like that?!
As a horse rider since I was two, you don’t just “fall off a horse”, that’s not a common occurrence.
Where was Broccoli?! We get introduced to a kitten I’m obsessed with and then never mention it again.
Final Thoughts and Theories:
It’s Bodhi. I don’t see how it can be any other “brother”, other than Garrick, but in the Fantasy Fangirls’ interview with Rebecca on the final Onyx Storm Tour stop in Colorado, Rebecca said pay attention to who wasn’t there at the end. Bodhi’s missing. Garrick is missing. Brennan is there, so y’all need to stop with that theory.
Speaking of Brennan. Naolin is definitely alive and venin. I believe he absolutely turned venin in order to save Brennan, whom he loved, so I don’t know if we can completely trust Brennan, but I don’t think he’s venin…yet.
The broken compass Violet received is going to have a Pirates of the Caribbean moment.
Violet isn’t just a Dream Walker, she’s a Mind Walker, and I’m convinced she’s going to be able to control people’s actions in the future.
We’re definitely going to get a Peeta Melark “Real or not real” moment with Xaden and Violet, and I cannot wait!!!
Dain might be able to recover Violet’s memories with his abilities.
Dain and Sloane better end up together. And Sawyer and Jesinia. And Drake and Mira.
Rhi is not going to make it to the end of this series, and Brennan probably won’t either.
If anything happens to Ridoc or Broccoli, I will riot.
Fave Quotes:
“I am not deceased.” “Do not dehydrate on my account. It takes more than weather to fell me. Wish I could say the same for you.”
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“Why is it always you?”
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“I resent the implication that I am given to melodramatics.”
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“I’m afraid our daughter has atrocious taste in men.”
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“Why don’t you scurry into your little basket.”
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“I am yours and you are mine, and there’s no law or rule in this world or the next that will change that.”
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“Everyone assumes she’ll wind up with you, but it’s my last name she ends up wearing on her flight jacket in formation.”
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“My loyalty is to Violet first above everything, everyone else. Then Tyrrendor. Then Navarre in the moments it’s worthy—usually when Violet is in residence.”
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“For both war and love change souls irrevocably.”
Xaden Riorson forever!!! Drop a comment and let me know what you loved or loathed in this latest installment! And here’s some fun extras if you’ve read this far down: Listen to an Onyx Storm playlist and shop the best officially licensed Fourth Wing merch collection at Valor & Lore.
If you love Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm be sure to check out the officially licensed collection of literary luxuries from Valor & Lore!
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