This was my most anticipated read for 2025 and now that I have finished it I feel so hollow. We don’t have an anticipated release date for the next book yet but I have a feeling we will be waiting longer than a year to receive it. I am for sure in the middle of a book hangover after finishing this and have no clue what to do with my life right now.
I am so happy that I got to read this with my Fiance! We went to the midnight release party together and even finished the book within minutes of one another. This gave me the best reading experience to date as I had someone to bounce ideas and thoughts off of as I went.
I only finished this book two days ago as of the time I am writing this post and I am still unsure of all my thoughts and feelings. I personally haven’t gone and read anyone else’s reviews or theories yet so I can write this review with my true thoughts and feelings. But another reason for that is because I am not ready to completely theorize the rest of the series yet… I want to sit with this book for sometime before I jump into the unknown.
Related Articles
This Blog Post WILL have SPOILERS So please only continue reading if you have finished Onyx Storm!
- Related Articles
- Synopsis
- Vibes Rating
- Dynamic Rating
- Review
- My Thoughts and Theories
- Questions I Have
- Favorite Quotes
- Conclusion
About The Book
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Publisher: Red Tower
Published Date: January 21st, 2025
Page Count: 544 Pages
Main Genre: Romantasy
GoodReads Rating: 4.50
Format: E-Book
Synopsis
After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming…and not everyone can survive its wrath.
Synopsis from GoodReads
Vibes Rating
Dynamic Rating
Review
This is a quite lengthy Review as I have so many thoughts. I have even more thoughts than what I have put down here but I can’t have you reading a novel… Message me via my DM’s in insta if you would like to chat about this book in more detail!
First things first… The only thing I think I got right in my theories is Dream Walking being a second signet. I was leaning more toward it being part of the mating bond though so I can’t say I get full points for this.
After Iron Flame I really leaned in hard into everyone’s theories for the books and while that was fun I feel like it gave me expectations for the book that didn’t really help my reading experience. A lot of the theories I was enjoying were pretty unhinged and wouldn’t have really been a possibility but I could really see where people were coming from in their thought processes. I just want to go into the rest of the series ready for whatever ride Rebecca puts us on.
This book picked up right where we left off from the last book with the prologue which I really appreciated. I had a lot of questions from the last scene of Iron Flame so getting Violets POV was a great way to start! However, we then jumped two weeks ahead and I quickly got lost in the politics of the world and all the names that got thrown at us. It was hard to keep up with the first 80 pages or so but as the story progressed the more things started to make sense. I just have to remind myself that we can’t always know everything as it is happening, somethings just need to be revealed at a more important time for the plot to pan out.
I was so ready for a Jealous Xaden so when Halden showed up in the book I got so excited as this is something I expected to happen after the Kings Library Scene in Iron Flame. However, Halden was kind of a bitch… He now replaces Dain in my mind at the bottom of the dating food chain. I am afraid that he will come back in the next book and fuck some more things up but this is the reality we live in.
“Let’s get three things straight, Your Highness. First, I have remarkable hearing thanks to the shadows at your very feet. Second, I don’t control Violet. Never have. Never will. But third, and most importantly—” He lowers his voice. “She really, honestly hasn’t thought about you. At least not since the second she set eyes on me.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
Speaking of Dain, I think I am starting to really like his character again, if he comes back and double crosses us again it will have to be because of his crumbling, practically non existent, relationship with his father. But he has come such a long way that I just don’t see that happening anymore. I do see his father trying to bribe him or force him to turn against Aretia but I think he will stay true to his knew home and found family.
Also Dain was just kind of stumbling upon all the second signets in that last battle… So I guess he does have some ammo against them.. Ugh I am not sure.. I guess we will see.
“How much are we trusting Aetos these days?” Bodhi says as he runs towards us. “Not Enough for what he just saw,” Xaden Answers.
Pg 681 Kindle Version Chapter 59
Xaden kept telling Violet throughout all the books so far that she will be the death of him and honestly I am not here for it… I am sure that this is eluding to how the books may end and if they don’t come out of this all happy and healthy I think my heart will be completely destroyed. I understand why he believes she is the only one who could take him down so I do think it was smart of him to train her how to find his true shadow but the thought of this ending makes me sick!
“There is no cure for me.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “That’s why you have to become better than me. There’s only you.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
Violet and Xaden’s relationship finally felt like it was in a strong pace despite the circumstances. They both seemed to have decent communication with one another and truly relied on one another’s honesty. However, Xaden did have his shields up a ton in this book so we didn’t get as much access to their bond as I would have liked. Them not being able to communicate down their bond line through most of the book felt so strange but also felt like a typical relationship for once haha.
I have been expecting us to see Violet and Xaden Married by the end of this series but I was not expecting it to happen in this book and plus we didn’t even get to see it happen! When he called her his consort to meet King Courtlyn I called it, I knew in this moment that my initial thoughts were correct. I am just so sad that we didn’t get any information about their wedding other than the ring on her finger and Xaden’s very short note. Best and worst cliff hanger ever!
“And consort?” I whisper. “We aren’t married.” He fucking smirks. “I’ve noticed. But ‘girlfriend’ is missing that permanent tone.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
Ridoc really stole the show this book. He has always been a really funny character but even he himself said that they think his sense of humor lessons his support of the squad. He really proved himself as a squad mate this book which made me really worried he was going to die… Him getting “stabbed” in the kitchen really threw me for a loop.. I was like “Oh god, here it is. This is how he dies..” Just for him to be fine! His one liners really solidified his spot as my favorite squad member. So Rebecca you better keep this man breathing! He has had a few too many close calls for my liking already!
Also, getting to see him interact with his dragon Aotrom more was such a great addition. Him and Aotrom are two peas in a pod and they truly do seem to have an interesting relationship. Ridoc putting Itching powder in between his scales is brutal! I think most other dragons would have been fed up with that behavior so I think they bonded really well!
“It really pisses me off when you guys act like my sense of humor somehow lessens my ability to show up for our squad.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
Lets chat about our beloved Dragons Next.
Sgaeyl was rightfully upset through this whole book but honestly I wanted more of her comments. We only got a few direct thoughts of hers where the rest was just info relayed to us from Xaden or Tairn. I would really like to know more of her direct thoughts as I am sure they were hard to hear and would have pulled at my heart. I really loved when Sgaeyl was the one who picked up Violet in the last battle as it showed the trust Sgaeyl has in her, actions speak louder than words.
Tairn was grumpy as usual but I felt like we really got to see him in “dad” mode this book. All his comments to Andarna especially, really cracked me up. You could really see his love and care for the adolescent even under all that tough exterior. His relationship with Violet is still one of trust and pure admiration when she pushes herself to grow. Tairn has already delt with quite a few hardships in his life so to see him standing as Violets rock when Andarna cut off their bond was admirable but also heart breaking.
“Pick your tail up off the ground right now. Where do you think we are? The Vale?”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
Andarna, oh my sweet yet sassy girl. My heart broke when her kind wouldn’t let her come back with them but it broke even harder when she did leave and break their bond… I am happy for her as I do think she should have the chance to get to know her family. I also think the things she will learn from her kind will be very important in the upcoming books so this was all needed for the plot. However, I was not prepared! I read the chapter where she leaves and immediately put the book down for the night, just needing some time to sit with this choice and shed a few tears. Also, the bond breaking and her not being able to tell Tairn or Sgaeyl goodbye was probably what hurt the most.
“I’ve been thinking about it all night. Magic feels different when I change color. Maybe my use of power in that moment altered the venin, weakened her enough to blister.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
Getting to travel to all the different Isles in this book was really cool! It was so interesting to see all the different people and their customs. These lands are unhinged though. The tests they were put through kept me on my literal toes. Xaden being mistaken as Dain… Xaden’s mom…. Violet’s Hair… Trager dying… Drake has a cat now?
Aaric being the one who got to go with Quest Squad over Halden was perfect. I could not take Halden being in the whole book, I would have gone crazy! Aaric is a badass too.. He has unlimited knowledge of the languages which makes sense as he probably had an amazing school curriculum growing up. His signet being precognition makes a lot of sense as well because in all honesty he will probably be the next king and will need this power to turn the tides of war, I am foreshadowing Halden getting himself killed to leave the power to Aaric.
Fucking Pancheck…. Xaden’s POV broke me completely. Finding out Pancheck was endangering all of these people lives put me into a rage! From what I could gather it sounds like someone else turned at the end of the battle as well so I am terrified to learn who that was. Xaden does not need anymore “Brothers”. Sgaeyl was practically begging him not to save her by taking more power but I don’t think I could see it going any other way so that was so hard to read. Theophanie basically told us that Xaden can’t feel any emotions but I think he is holding onto Violet as hard as he can just so he can keep a tiny shred of humanity, but we are truly in our full on Xaden Villain Era and I don’t think I am ready for it…
Andarna showing back up at the end leaves me so unsettled…
Violet asking Immogen to erase her memories of the wedding is probably exactly what I would do… But to make that decision would be a tough one…. Still sobbing about this ending!
I needed more Swayer and Jesinia… What we got was not enough!
Quinn’s death at the end was so sad! Especially seeing it through Immogens eyes… Ugh how dare you Rebecca! But… SO thankful it wasn’t someone from our core four…
Alright, I am going to end my review here for now. Like I said I have a ton of other thoughts but these are the main points I would like to get across. Let me know how you are feeling after reading this book!
My Thoughts and Theories
Violet kept describing the color of the lands as a muted color which makes me think these Isles are where the Venin were 600 years ago when they originally took the magic and now the magic is slowly starting to return and bring back some color to the lands. Especially seeing how the Irids seem to be living in this region somewhere, they probably have a hatching ground which makes the magic even stronger!
Andarna showing back up at the end of the book makes me feel like she severed the mating bond between Tairn and Sgaeyl. This is the only thing that can make sense if Xaden is off doing who knows what as a Venin and asked her not to come find him. their dragons can’t be apart with their mating bond so that had to be severed to move forward. I think this is why her Dream Walking signet is going to be so powerful. It will keep Xaden and Violet connected so they can stay in communication while they sort these things out. But man I am crying for Tairn and Saegyl.. They deserve better!
If the Mating bond was taken away.. WIll we loose Tairn or Sgaeyl next book? Cause Xaden as Venin can live without Sgaeyl much like Jack lives without Baide and Violet can live because she still has Andarna to fall back on… I don’t want to lose any dragon but it is seeming like a huge possibility. I think we will lose Sgaeyl cause Violet needs Tairn for her Lightning.
The emerald from her wedding ring is the Emerald from the Aretia Dagger. Not a theory because we know it was missing when she saw it placed in the glass box Xaden received from the god of luck. I think this is just a ton of symbolism to their relationship, that Violet truly has the last part of him that’s human.
Mira and Drake so have a thing going on!
Dain and Sloane? Could they be a potential romance?
All this talk about Xaden needing an Heir makes me worried that Violet could be pregnant? God I hope this book doesn’t have an accidental pregnancy trope but who knows anymore…
I think for sure someone else turned Venin and it was either Bodhi or Garrick. Garrick was already close to burn out so my gut says it was him but Bodhi couldn’t use his counter signet against Venin so I am afraid he pulled cause he got in a sticky situation…
We learned 12 eggs were taken so who took them? I am thinking Aaric took the eggs to make deals with the Isles as we knew the Queen at Dunnes temple wanted 6. So I think Aaric took them as he knew he would need them to make deals due to his precognition. Did the queen ask for extras or did he make a second deal with someone else?
Questions I Have
- Violets mom said she will never forgive Asher for taking her to be initiated to Dunne. So why did he make this choice?
- Did Asher really die because of Heart Problems?
- What info does her grandmother have?
- Will Violet fully initiate herself into the Temple of Dunne?
- Why did Drake get a cat from the god of Luck?
- What does her compass do?
- Is there a third Magic? She says she felt like she could pull magic from the sky and create runes… Hmmmmmmm
- What all can the Irids do and why are they so special?
- will Xaden be cured or learn to live a fine line between his two sides?
- Will we hear more about the 12 hours it took for them to get married? I need to know about the wedding!
- Did someone else turn Venin?
- Who took the 12 eggs?
Favorite Quotes
“Violet.” My heart skips into double time. “My loyalty is to Violet first above everything, everyone else,”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“Do. You. Still. Love. Me?” I enunciate every word and lean right into his space just to prove that I’m not intimidated by him. He cups the back of my neck and pulls me within inches of his face—close enough to kiss. “I could reach the rank of Maven, lead armies of dark wielders against everyone we care for, and watch every vein in my body turn red as I channel all the power in the Continent, and I would still love you. What I did doesn’t change that. I’m not sure anything can.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“And he’s not my boyfriend.” Rhi snorts and Ridoc offers me a sarcastic thumbs-up. “Agreed,” Xaden says. “That’s far too casual a term for what we are.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“Tell me something, Violence.” A muscle in his square jaw ticks as he stares down at me, rippling the tawny-brown skin of his stubbled cheek. “Why is it always you?”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“Everyone assumes she’ll wind up with you, but it’s my last name she ends up wearing on her flight jacket in formation.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“help her, my love, I’m afraid our daughter has atrocious taste in men.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“Garrick’s going to blow you off the mat.” “Now that I might enjoy, depending on the method he chooses—” Ridoc winces. “I’m going to stop talking now.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“I have four uniforms, but only one fucking flight jacket, and I”—punch—“hate”—punch—“sewing!”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“I’m either completely in love with your boyfriend or utterly terrified of him,” Ridoc says under his breath.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“And it’s always the same fight.” He lifts his hand to his chest. “I’ll trust you if you stop keeping secrets!” He drops the hand and scowls. “It’s my secretive nature that attracted you, and why can’t you just stay out of harm’s way for five fucking minutes?” Rhi laughs so hard she nearly chokes.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“Yes, love, I’m jealous.” He splays his hand over the small of my back and tugs me toward him. “I’m jealous of the armor that holds you when I can’t, the sheets on your bed that caress your skin every night, and the blades that feel your hands. So, when the prince of our realm walks into my classroom and starts talking to the woman I love with what can only be considered intense familiarity, and then has the audacity to ask her out right in front of me, naturally, I’m going to get jealous.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
“I heard you saying you’d kill my grandson if he took another step toward your beloved, young man. How illogically, toxically romantic of you. Have to admit, that kind of confident violence isn’t what I pictured when Asher talked about you, but the brown hair, those…I guess they’re brown eyes, and how utterly smitten he predicted you two would eventually be for each other? Well, he described you almost perfectly, Dain Aetos.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm
Conclusion
Overall, this book was everything I could have hoped for and more. It left me with more questions than answers, but I have come to expect that of Rebecca at this point. I think this book was my favorite of the three so far but honestly I don’t know if I can handle all that she is throwing at us. I am in love with this series, the characters and world are all so immersive so I know this series will live on with me forever.
QOTD: Who’s POV would you like to see Next? We have seen Immogen, Rhi, Violet and Xaden so far.
AOTD: I would love to hear from Brennan. He has a story that we have barely scratched the surface of.
Thanks for taking the time to read this! Happy Reading!
World of Bai 