Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Spoilers Ahead

An Unpopular Opinion: Onyx Storm Fell Flat for Me

Look, I know I’m probably in the minority here, but “Onyx Storm” just didn’t resonate with me the way the previous “Empyrean” series books did. I’m a dedicated fan, and I’ll absolutely continue with the series, but this installment felt like a significant dip in quality.

My main issue? It felt like a rehash of “Iron Flame,” lacking the forward momentum I craved. It felt like a filler book, stretching out existing plot points without significantly advancing the overarching narrative. I couldn’t shake the feeling that “Iron Flame” and “Onyx Storm” could have been condensed into a tighter, more impactful single volume.

Perhaps diving in without a fresh reread of the first two books contributed to my disconnect, but it shouldn’t have been necessary. The pacing felt off, and the plot felt meandering. Many readers have expressed similar sentiments, noting a lack of substantial plot progression. The book felt too long for what the story was, with too many side plots that didn’t contribute to the main story.

I appreciate the continued world-building and the expansion of the “Empyrean” universe, but I was left wanting more regarding significant reveals and character development. The introduction of various side character deaths that I struggled to recall highlighted a potential character depth and engagement issue. Some of the new points of view felt underdeveloped and difficult to connect with, further contributing to the feeling of a scattered narrative.

While the ending certainly left us with a cliffhanger, it lacked the same level of excitement and anticipation I experienced with previous books. It felt more like a forced pause than a genuine cliffhanger that left me desperately needing the next installment. In some ways it really didn’t feel earned to me.

“Onyx Storm” felt, dare I say, a bit lazy compared to the previous books. It lacked the spark and urgency that made “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame” so compelling. I sincerely hope the next installment recaptures the magic and delivers the impactful storytelling I’ve come to expect from this series. While I remain a fan, this book was a definite disappointment.



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