The third novel in the Empyrean series, Onyx Storm takes Violet out of her comfort zone and into foreign lands.

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Here’s my perspective on this novel—it was a decent read, though I found some aspects less engaging than I had hoped. While I appreciate it might be an unpopular opinion, I struggled with the pacing, as it felt like not much happened until the ending.

Dragging

First, I want to share how much I loved Fourth Wing, but unfortunately, Iron Flame didn’t quite meet my expectations. I initially rated it a three out of five, but upon further reflection, I would consider giving it a two. Onyx Storm came across as slightly better, but it still had its flaws.

One of my main concerns with Iron Flame was the character dynamics between Violet and Xaden. Their constant bickering felt a bit excessive, and their relationship seemed to shift toward a toxic co-dependent dynamic. This was disappointing, especially since Xaden had previously been a strong source of support for Violet in Fourth Wing.

On a positive note, I admire Yarros for recognizing reader feedback and making an effort to address the issues raised. However, I still found myself a bit disengaged while reading.

The storyline often felt slow, with characters returning to classes while downplaying the imminent threat from the venin. The war briefing scenes came across as heavy-handed info dumps, and I think they would have been more impactful if set against the backdrop of a battle rather than dealing with classroom dynamics.

The pacing of this book was noticeably different from the fast tempo of the first two novels. While Iron Flame maintained some speed, this installment felt more like a series of drawn-out scenes. I wished for more impactful moments to occur throughout the story. The most captivating parts of the novel were when Violet was exploring the outer islands and when they confronted the venin, especially Theophanie. I found her character intriguing, particularly her silver hair, which added a layer of mystery. Exploring different lands and gods was a highlight, but those moments seemed brief before we returned to the more mundane war briefing scenes.

Final Thoughts

I would describe Onyx Storm as offering somewhat empty calories. It left me feeling a bit unfulfilled and was less memorable than I had hoped. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the next book develops, with the hope of a more engaging storyline and character dynamics.