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Read this review of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, the third book in The Empyrean series, and find out if this dragon-filled romantasy sequel is worth reading or listening to.
Book Review
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros is one of the most anticipated romantasy books in recent years.
After the massive popularity of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, expectations for the third book in The Empyrean series were extremely high. Fans wanted more dragons, more romance, more danger, more secrets, and more emotional chaos.
And Onyx Storm delivers exactly that.
This is a bigger, darker, and more intense sequel. The world feels wider, the stakes feel higher, and Violet Sorrengail is no longer just trying to survive school. She is now caught in a war where trust is dangerous, enemies are everywhere, and every choice could cost someone she loves.
If Fourth Wing was about survival and Iron Flame was about rebellion, Onyx Storm feels like the point where the story fully steps into war.
What Is Onyx Storm About?
Onyx Storm continues Violet Sorrengail’s journey after the events of Iron Flame. By this point, Violet has already been through betrayal, loss, battle, and revelations that changed everything she thought she knew.
Now, she has to go beyond the familiar walls of Basgiath and face a much larger conflict. The danger is no longer limited to training, tests, or personal rivalries. The future of Navarre, her dragons, her friends, and the people she loves is at stake.
The story follows Violet as she searches for allies, faces new threats, and tries to survive in a world where the truth is becoming harder to ignore.
At the heart of the book is the same emotional conflict that made the series so addictive: Violet wants to protect everyone she loves, but the more powerful she becomes, the more dangerous her choices get.
What Works Well
The biggest strength of Onyx Storm is the scale.
This book feels larger than the first two. The world expands, the politics become more serious, and the conflict feels more urgent. Instead of staying mostly inside the war college setting, the story opens up and gives readers a better look at what is happening beyond the familiar locations.
The dragons are also still one of the best parts of the series. Their personalities, bonds, and role in the world continue to make the story feel exciting. For many readers, the dragon-rider element is what makes The Empyrean stand out from other romantasy books.
Violet also remains a compelling main character. She is strong, but not invincible. She makes mistakes, struggles with trust, and carries the pressure of knowing that her decisions can affect many people. That vulnerability makes her more interesting than a perfect fantasy heroine.
The romance is another major part of the book’s appeal. Violet and Xaden’s relationship continues to be intense, emotional, and complicated. Their bond is full of passion, but also tension, secrets, and difficult choices.
What Might Not Work for Everyone
Onyx Storm is not a light or simple read.
Because it is the third book in the series, it depends heavily on what happened in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. If you have not read the first two books, this is definitely not the place to start.
The book is also packed with a lot of plot, worldbuilding, emotional drama, and relationship tension. Some readers may love that intensity, while others may feel that the story is crowded.
Another thing to know is that the pacing can feel uneven at times. There are moments full of action and tension, but also sections where the story slows down to focus on politics, strategy, and emotional conflict.
For readers who mainly want nonstop dragon battles, some parts may feel slower. But for readers who enjoy character drama and long-term series development, those moments help build the larger story.
Who Should Read Onyx Storm?
You may enjoy Onyx Storm if you like:
Romantasy books
Dragon-rider fantasy
High-stakes romance
War college settings
Emotional fantasy drama
Strong but vulnerable heroines
Series with big twists and cliffhangers
Books like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame
This book is especially for readers who are already invested in Violet, Xaden, Tairn, Andarna, and the larger world of The Empyrean.
Is Onyx Storm Worth Reading?
Yes, especially if you are already a fan of the series.
Onyx Storm is not a casual standalone fantasy novel. It is a continuation of a very dramatic, emotional, and twist-heavy series. If you liked the first two books, this one gives you more of what made them popular: romance, danger, dragons, secrets, and huge emotional stakes.
It also feels like an important bridge in the series. The world is getting bigger, the war is becoming more serious, and the characters are being pushed into harder decisions.
If you are new to the series, start with Fourth Wing. But if you are already caught up, Onyx Storm is definitely worth reading.
The Audiobook Experience
Onyx Storm also works well as an audiobook because the story is emotional, dramatic, and full of tension.
Romantasy often works especially well in audio format because the narration can make the romance, action, and emotional scenes feel more immersive. Since this book is long and intense, listening to it can also make the experience easier to fit into your day.
You can listen while walking, commuting, cleaning, or relaxing, and the story has enough tension to keep you coming back for more.
For Audible listeners, this is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy romance with high stakes and dramatic character moments.
Final Verdict
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros is a bigger, darker, and more emotional continuation of The Empyrean series.
It expands the world, raises the stakes, deepens the romance, and pushes Violet into more dangerous territory. It may feel intense and crowded for some readers, but for fans of the series, that emotional chaos is part of the appeal.
If you love dragons, romance, fantasy politics, and dramatic cliffhanger energy, Onyx Storm is absolutely worth adding to your reading list.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Best for: romantasy fans, dragon fantasy readers, audiobook listeners, and anyone already hooked on The Empyrean series.