Onyx Storm By Rebecca Yarros Book Review
Ever wonder what happens when a beloved fantasy-romance series tries to level up into epic fantasy but kind of… stumbles along the way? That’s exactly the vibe around Rebecca Yarros’s newest book, Onyx Storm, the third installment in her popular “Fourth Wing” series.
So, what’s Onyx Storm about? It’s a fantasy-romance romp packed with dragons, magic, political intrigue, and a complicated, heavily charged relationship between Violet, the main character, and Xaden, who’s struggling with a dark curse that threatens his humanity. The story follows their quest to find ancient dragon breeds, gather allies, and try to cure Xaden’s growing Venin curse, all while navigating dangerous political plots and personal loss. Tonally, it swings between action-packed adventure, emotional drama, and the steamy tension of a romantic relationship that’s front and center, so expect a mix of excitement, heartache, and, yes, a fair bit of intense, sometimes awkward, romantic moments.
What really sets Onyx Storm apart, and also fuels a lot of reader frustration, is Yarros’s writing style. She’s known for sharp, humorous character banter and building heartfelt relationships, especially among side characters like Tairn and Ridoc, who many fans find genuinely enjoyable and humanizing. The world-building expands, taking readers to diverse isles with distinct cultures, which adds some freshness to the fantasy setting. But there’s also a heavy dose of repetitive romantic tension, particularly Violet’s constant obsession with Xaden and their intimate moments, which some readers found overbearing or even cringe-worthy. The pacing gets a bit messy, especially in the first half, there’s a lot of filler and info dumps that make it feel scattered at times, then the action picks up and becomes more compelling in the second half. Plus, the book ends on a massive cliffhanger, which some loved but others found painfully frustrating given the wait for the next installment.
Reader reactions? They’re all over the map. Some fans call Onyx Storm the best in the series so far, praising the emotional depth, character growth, and the exciting dive into magic and lore. They enjoyed the humor, the evolving dynamics between characters, and the high-stakes action in the later sections. But others were disappointed, some saying the story feels rushed and disjointed, with characters acting immature or underdeveloped, and the romance coming off as shallow or excessive. Readers felt the world-building sometimes lacked clarity, the political plots were confusing, and many sections dragged with little plot progression. A common gripe was the fading complexity of characters like Xaden and Violet, who at times fell into repetitive patterns rather than growing in meaningful ways. Still, even the critics admit there were entertaining moments, especially from side characters and certain action scenes.
So, who might love Onyx Storm? If you’re into romantasy, where the romance is as central as the fantasy elements, and you enjoy funny, bantery dialogue mixed with action and emotional drama, this book will probably hit the spot. Fans who’ve followed the series and are emotionally invested in Violet and Xaden’s story will want to stick it out for the cliffhanger and upcoming books. On the flip side, if you lean toward rich, tightly plotted epic fantasy with nuanced world-building and deep character arcs, or you prefer your romance less… intense and repetitive, you might find this book frustrating and hard to get through.
Overall, Onyx Storm feels like a bit of a mixed bag, sometimes a thrilling ride with genuine heart and humor, other times a muddled mess weighed down by filler and over-the-top romance moments. Whether you enjoy it might come down to how much you care about the couple at its center and how patient you are with the pacing.
If you liked the earlier books and want to see where this quirky, passionate world goes next, it’s definitely worth a look. Just be prepared for some awkward romance scenes and an ending that’ll leave you biting your nails until the next one drops. And if you’re new to the series, maybe try Fourth Wing first to see if this style clicks with you.
So, what do you think? Have you read Onyx Storm yet, or are you a fan of the series? I’d love to hear your thoughts.