"On August 1, 2008, I put on my comfiest (and cutest) PJs and dragged my parents to our local Barnes & Noble for the midnight release party for the most-anticipated book of my life. Yes, I’m talking about the fourth and final book in The Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn. Armed with snacks, a copy of Eclipse that I was vigorously rereading, and a hefty amount of pure adrenaline, I lingered near the front of the store the entire night and, at 12:01 am, walked out of the store with my copy.
Before this week, if you told me I’d recreate that experience as a 30-year-old, I would have laughed in your face. These days, by 8:30 p.m., I’m in my pajamas, face washed, and starting my multi-step nighttime routine. But also these days, bookstores can hand out books at 9 p.m. the night before a release, and there was no way I was going to miss a chance to get my hands on the new Fourth Wing book, Onyx Storm, as soon as possible.
From the very first few pages of Fourth Wing, I knew Rebecca Yarros struck gold with The Empyrean Saga. Fourth Wing hit shelves at exactly the right time. TikTok, or more specifically, BookTok, had made everyone (it’s me, hi!) a reader again, and after reading every single Sarah J. Maas book we could get our hands on, we thirsted for more.
Fourth Wing, with its war college setting, sizzling romance, and lovable side characters, blew up overnight, endearing itself to readers (myself included) everywhere. But the tricky thing about instant success is the follow-up. Six months after Fourth Wing, Yarros released Iron Flame, keeping the girlies fed—but not without a cost. While I loved getting to go back to Basgiath so quickly after first meeting it, I can’t deny there were some faults in the story (a four-star read compared to my instant-classic five-star rating of Fourth Wing). But with Onyx Storm, the recently released third book in the series, Yarros proved she’s no one-hit wonder. No, in my opinion, the third installment is the best yet. Here’s my review of Onyx Storm. Warning: Spoilers for Fourth Wing and Iron Flame ahead.
After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty.
Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves―her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
What is Onyx Storm about?
Onyx Storm picks up right where Iron Flame ends, literally. If you don’t have time for a reread, I recommend watching a summary on YouTube, or you may have some questions. I didn’t reread and also didn’t recap, so for the first few chapters, I definitely felt like I was playing catch-up.
Reeling from the battle at Basgiath, Violet dives headfirst into her new mission: finding a cure for Xaden. So far, he’s only wielded from the earth once, but every day, the urge to take more dark power grows, and it’s only a matter of time before he reaches the point of no return.
While the war wages on, Violet races against both the faltering Aretian wards (the only thing standing between the venin and Xaden’s beloved homeland) and Xaden’s dwindling control. Andarna (my favorite character, by the way), might be the key to both of these problems—if only they can find, and secure the help of, the rest of her kind. Violet, along with Xaden, Mira, and the rest of their squad, launch into a search that will take them across the sea and, hopefully, to the answers they desperately seek.
My Review of Onyx Storm
Where Iron Flame started off arguably too slowly, Onyx Storm throws you immediately into the action. At first, I felt super behind. What’s going on? Who is that? Wait, what happened again? It’s probably my own fault, considering I haven’t read either of the first two books since 2023. But I was totally lost. On the one hand, I love a story that throws you right into the action, but I would have liked a little more setup before diving headfirst back into the war.
It only took a few chapters to settle into the story and jog my memory, and once that happened, I was hooked. With very few exceptions, every single page of this story propels it forward. Every facial expression, wayward comment, or background image has the potential to be a clue towards something bigger. I dissected every single word as I read and kept a running list of every theory I had as I tried to solve Violet’s problems alongside her.
True to form, the side characters continued to shine in Onyx Storm. In many books, they fade into the background or serve as one-note plot devices. But just like in the previous two books, every side character is multilayered and crucial to the story. They navigate their own relationships, both with the main characters and amongst each other, face unique moral dilemmas, and are key to the larger story. Aaric, Ridoc, and Cat were particular highlights for me in Onyx Storm, and I can’t wait to see where their stories go.
“I’m a person who values a regular, early bedtime, but I haven’t slept before 1 a.m. a single night this week, instead staying up reading until I physically could not keep my eyes open anymore.”
Truly, the beauty of Onyx Storm is in the expanding world and evolving lore. We explore new cities, meet new people, and learn more about the dragons. I was so engrossed in the mystery and adventure that I found myself unable to stop reading. I’m a person who values a regular, early bedtime, but I haven’t slept before 1 a.m. a single night this week, instead staying up reading until I physically could not keep my eyes open anymore.
While the nonstop action and theories running rampant through my mind kept me glued to the page, I did find myself getting surprisingly frustrated by one crucial aspect of the story: Violet and Xaden’s romance. This was a sticking point for me in Iron Flame, too. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted Violet to find a cure for Xaden as much as she did, and I still want them to have their happily ever after. However, with so many exciting, world-altering things happening beyond their story, I could not care less about their sex life. Yes, we get it, you two can’t keep your hands off each other and he’s the most handsome man on the planet. You’ve got a world to save! A mysterious, powerful dragon species to find! Let’s get this show on the road. A romantasy book rarely leaves me more interested in the plot than the romance, but I actually adore that I feel this way about Onyx Storm. To me, it’s a strong indication that Yarros has created a well-rounded story rather than a lame excuse to get two hot people together with magic in the background.
Despite that sticking point, I truly loved Onyx Storm and wholeheartedly believe it’s the best book in the series yet. Reminiscent of A Court of Mist and Fury or Queen of Shadows in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass series, I think Onyx Storm is a peak moment for The Empyrean Saga and for Rebecca Yarros.
Should you read Onyx Storm?
If you’re here and still not sure whether or not Onyx Storm is worth the read, it’s probably because you loved Fourth Wing but felt Iron Flame left a little—or a lot—to be desired. I’ve definitely quit a series after the first one or two books, deciding the story wasn’t for me. But if you make that choice with Onyx Storm, you will be sorry. This is, without a doubt, the turning point of this series. It’s fast-paced, sizzling with chemistry (and not just between our two main lovers), and frankly, compulsively unputdownable. Onyx Storm is everything you love about Fourth Wing and Iron Flame but with higher stakes, deeper lore, and even more gut-wrenching emotional journeys. So, yes, Onyx Storm is worth the read. By the time you get to the end, you’ll be yearning for the next one. Which is coming when, exactly, Rebecca?
Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor
As Senior Managing Editor of The Everygirl, Garri oversees the pitching, planning, and creation of all content. You might also find her name pop up as a contributor throughout the site, though she mostly works behind the scenes, leading the team in their creative efforts and ensuring they have everything they need to create top-quality content for our audience.