Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (2025)

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (2025)

The third installment in the Fourth Wing series. **Potential light spoilers for the first two books.

Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars

Plot: A battle has begun for Navarre, but it’s hard for Violet to know who to trust. She’s keeping secrets of her own, but must uncover the truth in order to succeed against her enemies. (Not my favorite plot summary but it’s the best I can do without spoilers). 

Opinion: I do think it’d be better to read the book rather than listen in order to better concentrate and keep track of characters. However, I got the audiobook loan on Libby first so gotta do what you gotta do, right? 

The pacing of this book is much better than Iron Flame, with action happening right out the gate. I appreciated this more than the super slow burn of the previous book. I have mixed feelings about the story, because some of it dragged on a bit or made me mad, but other parts were interesting and engaging.

I can enjoy the romantasy (romance and high fantasy) genre to an extent, but I tend to hit a wall at some point and then I’m just over it. This book is so dramatic and it’s way too long in my opinion. It is a solid middle book in a planned series of five, but it’s definitely a middle book. If you have to keep introducing characters, then maybe the story has run its course. I can barely keep track of how we get into each battle scene and suddenly there’s mortal danger afoot.

Another issue I have is that Violet is supposed to be this super smart badass dragon rider, but she is still being controlled by the men in her life. Xaden is possessive and territorial and I don’t think it’s hot. God forbid Violet had a life before knowing him. At one point Violet says, “Is it toxic? Maybe. Is it us? Definitely.” Gag.

Onyx Storm is decent and entertaining, I’m just reaching my limit with this storyline. I get why fans of the series enjoyed it, so if you’re still invested, you’ll probably like it.