Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Romantasy (Romance, Fantasy)
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Out of 5)

Introduction

Being the third book in the series, this one was highly anticipated for me. I ordered the Kindle version in order to start the second it was released, and naturally, the sprayed edge version in hard copy. Before we dive into this, I’d like to note that there IS a spoiler section at the end of this entry. It will be appropriately marked so you know when to stop reading if you haven’t finished it yet. HEEEEERE we go!

Synopsis

We picked up exactly where we left off in Iron Flame and I must admit, that tickled my brain. This novel was everything I had hoped it would be. Full of conflict, simmering heat between the romantics, tragedy and beautiful, beautiful bliss. I ate up every word! One thing to remember with Rebecca… the devil is in the details. If she mentions something in passing, it’s about to be a major plot point. Everything is important, nothing is fluff, and everyone is in danger.

This book takes place across the Continent and to isles beyond that we haven’t seen yet! The comfort of the familiar quickly becomes fear of the unknown, and we all have to struggle with figuring out which way is north. A lot of folks were complaining that they didn’t know who was who when it started, but I’m here to say that if you were not confused in the slightest… I’m right there with you. We took off running and it was keep up or go back and read Iron Flame again. I had done it recently enough that I did not find myself lost at all.

Review

Writing Style

Rebecca Yarros is the Queen of making meaning out of nothing. What may seem to be a small, insignificant detail is never what it seems. Her descriptors are not heavy, they are not cumbersome, they do their job by painting a picture for you but only just enough to give you that clear image in your head. I have never found her to be over the top with her descriptions, and learned early on that if she mentions it, you should note it for later.

Plot

The pacing of this book was just as quick and dirty as the last two, but with a lot more… lore… packed in. Like I said above, everything is important and nothing is by mistake.

Notably, this book also contained more twists and turns than its predecessors but is not done in a way that makes you feel like too much is happening at once. I mean, it is, but in a way that reflects the realities of life… something always comes up.

Characters

I felt like this book dove into the development of Violet the most, for obvious reasons, but we also learn a lot about the fringe characters if you pay attention to the details. The developments are more subtle than the last two books, but it is my firm belief that it’s more due to lack of introducing new characters at this point in the series instead of lack of wanting to. I felt any more descriptors would have given away too much, as each character has their own tasks to manage. Being left a little in the dark by the side characters made me feel like I WAS Violet.

Themes and Messages

I think the main themes of this book are redemption and hope. Throughout the entire book, we are met with opportunities for characters and situations to gain some redemption, in the reader’s eyes. Things come to light that clarify the “why’s” and “what if’s” that we were left with at the end of Iron Flame. Hope is something that flows throughout the entire book, which I think kept me from going into a massive slumber when I finished it. I think the inkling of hope has kept me amongst the living. For now.

Emotional Impact

As you all know, I don’t tend to do quotes from the books as I feel there is a major risk for spoilers so it should come as no surprise that I will not be including any. I will say, however, that this book shook me to my core. I had it in my hands at 9:00pm PST when it released (kindle version) and I only made it three chapters in before I had to take a break. I think a lot of that was my anxiety of wondering WHAT’S GONNA HAPPEN?! But once I got over my fears of Rebecca and the way her mind works, I couldn’t stop. It took me a week to finish this book because I kept setting it down and letting out an anxious little, “oof.”

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The story picks up where it left off, creating a linear view of the situation.

• Details were important, not overdone and very balanced.

• The story flowed and twisted just the way I like… chaotically. This world is not for the weak of heart.

Cons

• It’s over. No notes, it was perfect as it was. Good job, Rebecca.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, I gave this book 5 stars for being exactly what I hoped for and needed it to be.

SPOILER SECTION - DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED THE BOOK!

I think I needed to say this because TikTok is convinced that the ending of this book is really a “WTF just happened” moment… I’m here to break down the ending and let you decide if I’m off base. Rebecca is always welcome to chime in, but I doubt she’ll ever see my little blog so, we will speculate. SPOILERS INCOMING! Do not read further if you don’t want it spoiled for you.

I was told that “the cliffhanger” at the end of the book was confusing. The following is my argument for why we shouldn’t be confused, and why I believe she left us with FIVE cliffhangers, not one.

1.      Sgaeyl  stayed with Xaden after he channeled, despite being already furious with him for doing it the first time. She wouldn’t do that if he was a lost cause, completely. We saw him open his mind, fully, to her for the first time and she seemed to understand what she saw, although we were not privileged enough to see it, as the reader. Sgaeyl has always been true to her word, and straight up asked him what there was left of him to be loyal to. Whatever she saw…. Is going to be revealed in book 4. I know it, she knows it, Rebecca knows it.

2.      Xaden had enough of his humanity left, the only shred of his soul to survive, and that is the part that loves Violet. He clearly had planned for WHEN this would happen, not if. He had the ring made, he married her and left her in charge of Tyrrendor with a cryptic note and her memory wiped. So cliffhanger #2 is: What did Xaden know? And did he use Aaric to know what he knew?!

3.      The fact that Xaden married Violet AFTER channeling for what we all assumed would be the last time he’d ever be in control. He managed to come back from the edge enough to execute his plans and make sure his home, his people, and his woman were safe. Cliffhanger #3: How did he do it? How did he come back from the edge enough to make sure everything and everyone was taken care of if he’s gone full bad boy?

4.      Imogen wiped Violet’s memory AT HER REQUEST which leads me to two conclusions: 1. Violet has had Imogen do this before, we just didn’t know it, and 2. That Xaden isn’t a lost cause. He 100% would have told Violet where he was going in case she needed to end him for the sake of the Continent and beyond…. So cliffhanger #4: Where is Xaden, and how long has Imogen been wiping memories through this book?

5.      This one is pretty obvious, but I felt it was important enough to be mentioned. Xaden loves Violet to the point where her “I love you” down the bond cracked the surface of his storm. Cliffhanger #5: Will Violet’s love be enough? And can his love for Violet save him if she finds him?

Your Thoughts

Do you agree with me? Anything I’m missing, here? Let me know in the comments!