Onyx Storm
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Onyx Storm 〰️
I loved this book. But even though I enjoyed it, it had some issues to go with the good.
Rants and raves ahead.
The first half of the book felt like filler. It was interesting enough for me to be engaged, but I wouldn’t call it groundbreaking literature or anything. I didn’t really care for the whole “quest squad” portion of the book. Well, again, enjoyed it enough to keep reading, but it could definitely have been condensed or something. The only cool thing to happen during the whole “island hopping” portion was Andarna finding her family. (Well, and Xaden’s mom suddenly appears. That was interesting as well). At least with the island hopping, we learned more about the world and how other cultures live. I thought it was interesting that there was no magic outside the Continent. I just assumed magic was everywhere in this world, but I was wrong. Plus, Violent didn’t have to info dump all the new world-building facts we learned in this book, so that’s a plus.
But honestly? I wanted more Xaden turning venin plot, which I found surprisingly lacking. Sure, we have Violent and gang looking for a cure (and so far finding none). But, and this is compared to the previous books, Xaden was barely in this book (in my opinion). We barely even have him and Violent talking down the bond since he blocks her out most of the time. The dynamic between them was lacking. Which, speaking of, when they were together, all they wanted to do was bone. (Which fair, but there is a war going on, guys). It’s been a while since I read Iron Flame, but I distinctly remember Violet having a love/hate relationship with Xaden throughout the entire book because she couldn’t trust him fully, and thus she was barely able to tell him she loved him. Now suddenly he becomes venin and she won’t shut up about how much she loves him and he’s her everything and she’d basically say screw the world if it meant saving Xaden. Did I forget something from Iron Flame? How did she shift her feelings so harshly? I’m sure I’m forgetting something that happened near the end, so I guess this is on me, but I’m not re-reading a 500-page book to jog my memory (as much as I enjoyed said book my first read).
Now let’s talk characters. Loads of major characters from the previous books (like Sloan) basically disappear for most of the book. And we get some new (at least I don’t recall them in the last one) characters that I don’t care about. And when they died, I was like, oh, I’m supposed to be sad? There was a guy who got shot with an arrow during the island-hopping bit, and he died, and I honestly had no idea who this character was. Was he even in the previous book? Yarros made it sound like he was a bigger player than normal just because he was on this quest squad mission, but I really don’t recall him, and if his first appearance was actually only in this book? Yikes. I think his death was supposed to be impactful, but I didn’t feel anything. He contributed nothing to the story. And Sloan? Yarros made a huge deal about Sloan in Iron Flame,e but she’s almost nonexistent in Onyx Storm. She was only there for her signet in both books. (Which is a super lame signet to have if you ask me. Helpful, but only during certain occasions. 90% of the time, her signet is useless if you ask me. Well, I suppose she could drain someone of power not on the battlefield, which is great, but she’s not being used to do that in this series, and thus she’s only around when the plot needs her). Even Rhiannon is barely around, and she’s Violet's best friend!
Which, speaking of Rhi, she gets her own POV chapter near the end of the book that contributed nothing to the story. It was a POV of stuff that already happened to Violet, but seen from Rhi’s POV. Yarros could have utilized our time with Rhiannon a lot better. At least with Imogen’s random POV chapter, we get new information (and a death I actually cared about). While the random one-off chapter POVs not from Violet's perspective were mostly interesting, it did throw me off. I mean, we spent like 96.7% (not an accurate number) inside Violet's mind, and randomly near the end, we have three non-Violet chapters? Weird stylistic choice, but okay.
Now I know I just ranted, but I gotta admit, I loved the hell out of this story. Though admittedly, the first half of the book was a little show (again, island hopping), but once it picked up, it picked up HARD. It was actually going to be a four-star read, but the latter half of the book, and especially the ending (omg that ending!!) made this a solid five. I knew Yarros was going to end this on a cliffhanger; she’s done so in the previous two books, but hot damn! Book four can’t come fast enough.
I loved how Andarna broke the bond (and later returns, but we don’t know much about that part yet), how we get more backstory regarding Asher Sorrengail, and the introduction (and end lol) of Violet's nemesis. I can’t recall how to spell or say her name, but it was something like Theopanie (stupid name for such a cool, badass character, but I digress). Plus, we learn that Violet may not be who we thought she was because her parents did something with the goddess Dunne. I’m interested in learning more about that. Who knew there was a backstory behind her hair? I mean, of course, Violet has to be “special”. But honestly, if the MCs of our books weren’t, there probably wouldn’t be a story, so I’m not mad that “she’s not like other girls/riders”.
Also, that cover?? The whole Empyrean series has amazing covers, honestly. Each one is soooo gorgeous. And my copy of Onyx Storm has beautiful sprayed edges with dragons on it. And the formatting and that map? Erg. So good. Even if you hate this series, you gotta admit, the covers are fantastic. (But I love this series, so I proudly display them on my bookshelves.)
All in all, I think this is a solid addition to the series. It’s a five-star read, but because of the slower start, I don’t think it’s as good as the first two, but I still had a blast reading it. There were even audible gasps! (When Riddoc got stabbed) and some actual laugh-out-loud moments (nothing major, but some lines made me chuckle), so I call this a win. I’ll for sure be continuing this series, and I can’t wait for the next book to arrive.
