Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

I’ll keep this as spoiler-free as possible, but if you haven’t finished the book yet, come back later just to be safe.

I’ve been a fan of this series since book one, but I’ll be honest: I’m starting to feel a bit of series fatigue. The long waits between releases and those brutal cliffhangers are wearing me down. When I picked up Onyx Storm, I struggled to dive in at first.

That said, this ended up being my favorite book in the series so far… but the ending? Easily my least favorite. It felt abrupt and out of place.

The pacing starts off slow, jumping into the chaos of book two as the characters try to rebuild. But as a reader, it feels a little jarring. There are a lot of names thrown around and cryptic hints—like “that thing she’s doing”—that leave you wondering whether you missed something or are waiting for the reveal.

Once the story finds its rhythm, the narrative barrels forward, finally addressing some of the lingering questions that have been building throughout the series.

Violet’s growth is a huge highlight. She’s left behind some of the immaturity that made book two frustrating, which makes her far easier to root for. Unfortunately, some of those annoyances get handed off to other characters, but hey, progress is progress.

This series still knows how to hit you emotionally. Sweet moments, devastating twists, joy, heartbreak—it’s all there, pulling you in every direction. That emotional range is what keeps me hooked, and I’m glad it hasn’t lost that spark.

That said, the mountain of unanswered questions is starting to feel less exciting and more frustrating. While some loose ends were tied up, we face even more questions added to the pile.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—spoiler-free, please. Or, if you want to deep-dive into theories or really get into the weeds, feel free to DM me. Let’s talk because, whew, I have thoughts!
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#fourthwing #ironflame #onyxstorm #rebeccayarros #bookreview #bookrecommendations