Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your local indie bookstores and authors! All opinions are my own. 

 

Book: Onyx Storm 

 

Author: Rebecca Yarros 

 

Book Series: The Empyrean Book 3 

 

Rating: 4.5/5 

 

Spice Rating: 3.5/5 

 

Diversity: POTS MC, Deaf character, BIPOC characters, character who uses a prosthetic, queer characters 

 

Recommended For...:  Adult Readers, Fantasy, Romantasy, Dragons, New Adult, Political War 

 

Publication Date: January 21, 2025 

 

Genre: Romantasy 

 

Age Relevance: 18+ (war, gore, violence, death, animal death, grief, language, sexual content, romance) 

 

Explanation of CWs: There are themes and scenes of war and violence throughout the book. There are scenes showing blood gore. There is death and animal death shown. Grief is discussed and shown. There is some cursing. There is sexual content throughout the book, as well as romance. 

 

If This Was a Taylor Swift Song: End Game 

 

Publisher: Red Tower Books 

 

Pages: 527 

 

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. 

 

Review: I really liked this sequel for the most part. This book takes up where the 2nd left off and in this one we explore themes of exploration and forming political relationships. I liked that this one leaned more into the political side of the conflict and that we saw a lot of other civilizations. I have a minor in sociology and I attempted to get one in archaeology (I ran out of time to pursue it fully) so I’ve always been highly intrigued by how people in different cultures live together and how history has shaped different cultures, so this was right up my alley. I also liked how the world building was built upon more and the characters continue to be fully developed. 

 

However, I did have some issues with the book. I felt like there were places where the pacing was off and I wanted more of the island exploration, including more explanations as to why certain islands were the way they were. I also thought some of the battle scenes were a bit weirdly paced. Furthermore, I think the author is facing a difficult inner conversation with herself on who to kill off. We have gotten to a point where there are too many main characters in my opinion and I think we need to start culling the herd so to say. 

 

Verdict: It was good! I can’t wait for the next one.