Review by jls6283 - Onyx Storm

A review by jls6283
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The world building and expansion was INTENSE. I love how secure we are now in our main romance and we can dive more into the fantasy! Thank goodness their miscommunication era of Iron Flame has ended. 😅 So much happened in this one book! It’s crazy!!! And of course now I have a million new questions! 🤣

I think both

Xadan being named Duke of Tyrrendor and Violet (albeit not at first, but eventually) given command of her Quest Squad

was a little more “plot convenience” than something that actually made sense.

I just don’t understand why King Tauri would give Xadan that much power and influence. 🤔

I definitely don’t hate the ending, but

the secret “off-screen wedding” in romantasy is starting to feel like an overused trope. I LOVE that Imogen used her power and we’re all confused (honestly I thought she was going to do that between books 2 and 3, but I love it even more HERE.) I hope we get more of her POV in the future! I’ll be doing a re-read because I’m confused if Garrick turned or Bodhi. I could see it being Brennan somehow too and now he’s back at Aretia undercover. I assume it’s Bodhi since Xadan felt he had to leave Tyrenndor to someone else, but why then is Garrick also missing at the end? Did he distance wield to Deverelli with dragon eggs to get an Army? Maybe Aric ‘saw’ something…?

I love that Rebecca gave us some insights into other female characters POVs at the end. Putting Quinn’s death in her best friend’s POV was gut-wrenching, but also such a great choice. I also strongly think this has to do with Violet’s second signet and she’s not just a dream walker, but a mind walker and was able to see in her friends minds.

Things I hope to see (or am worried about) in book 4 or 5…

I’m worried for Bodhi. He seemed left out and I think that’s why he (possibly) turned and/or is going to betray them somehow. I WANT DAIN TO KILL DADDY AETOS. If that happens in a future book, it’ll get 5 stars immediately. 😅 I’m scared we still don’t know Daddy Aetos’s signet. I could see either him or Melgren being the “Big Bad” (maybe even Darromore) and hiding in plain sight. Brennan and his rune are still suspicious… I’m worried there may be a pregnancy trope. 😬 We all thought at some point that Violet was half venin. What if they do need a half-venin and it’s her and Xadans kid… I would find that a little disappointing. It would make sense for him to come back if he found out she was pregnant in order to not be like his mother… 🫣 I HOPE that’s not the direction we’re going, but I could see it… I assume the “broken” compass Violet got from Zinnhal will help her find Xadan in book 4. I fear for Riddoc as he’s moved into a protector role. Did Rebecca make us love him even more just to make him the next Liam....?😭

After my second read I have an unhinged theory…

What if Sloan and Dain are the key to curing venin? In fourth wing, Dain says Cath channels more power than most dragons. Cath’s breath smells bad in Iron Flame. Sloan tells Dain he has too much power. WHO IS DAINS MOTHER? Is daddy Aetos venin and has he been for a long time…? Is Dain unknowingly half-venin!? 👀 I’d be here for it. I think it’d be a great twist since we all suspected that Vi could be half-venin earlier in the series.

Take your well-deserved break Rebecca Yarros, and know we are excited for book 4!

Content Warnings

A review by jls6283 Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

A review by jls6283
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros