Onyx Storm (Wing and Claw Collection) (The Empyrean, 3)

I dont want to give anything away. I dont write reviews to rehash what I read. I skip reviews that give too much synopsis or delves into book report style. Just going to gloss over. These books get a wide expanse of reviews. Great to terribad. Like it or dont, writers have a magical ability to weave worlds and create people like they are real. I'm thankful for writers, and if a story can make me feel something, can make me imagine something, then I am forever grateful. I am a fan of this series, and a book or story doesnt have to be perfect for me to enjoy it. No, this is not perfect, but I love hanging out in this world. If I' feeling it, then I read the book, if it isnt working for me, then I give myself permission to stop and turn to something else. I frankly found these books entertaining, and I look forward to the next installment. I think book 3 story line has gelled a lot, with much of that having to do with main characters having gone through some stuff. Some new names left it hard for me to keep track of, but not off putting. Some characters I would like to have seen more of, again not off putting. I definitely got the feels in this one, and I definitely wont say from what. But I will say I was blowing my nose as I read in bed. Not a devastating thing, just a bittersweet thing. Lots of humor, lots of WTF, and plenty of new areas explored. Of course, lots of low level (to me) spice. I like the diversity of characters. I love the dragons. I really got a greater understanding of degree of bond. It isnt that it was explicitly explained, I think something just clicked further. I like when I need to take a breather when I finish a book. That is when I have to read something entirely different, and with this one it is like that. Leaves me with feels and thoughts, and I dont want to jump into anything of same genre right away.

I would give this book ♾️⭐️ Onyx Storm, the third book in Rebecca Yarros’ The Empyrean series, is hands down not just the best book of the series—it’s the best book I’ve ever read. Yarros delivers everything we could have hoped for and more, with unparalleled character development, heart-stopping twists, and a world that grows richer with every page. Violet absolutely owns this book. My favorite FMC of all time has officially been crowned, and there is no competition. She was everything—unexpected, brilliant, and unstoppable. Watching her rise to every challenge and truly step into her own was awe-inspiring. Violet is that FMC, and I’ll defend her with every fiber of my being. She’s clever, strong, and endlessly complex—an inspiration from start to finish. And then there’s Xaden. Where do I even begin? No other fictional man will ever come close. He somehow managed to get even better in this book. Every time he opened his mouth, I folded. His devotion to Violet, his grit, his vulnerability—it’s all too much, in the best way. Violet and Xaden together? Perfection. They’re the standard, and no fictional couple will ever compare. It’s them or nothing. The plot was pure brilliance. It perfectly balances answering lingering questions from the previous books while introducing so many new mysteries that my head is still spinning. The banter? Immaculate. The twists? Devastating and perfect. The character development? A hundred out of ten. We got so much more of the OG friendships, heartwarming moments, and laugh-out-loud exchanges, even as the stakes skyrocketed. And the quest to uncover Andarna’s origins? Easily one of the most engaging and fun storylines yet. The world-building is, simply put, masterful. Exploring more of the isles and their unique cultures added so much depth to this already expansive world. The lore was positively delicious, and I devoured every bit of it. The shifting group dynamics, the tension between characters, and the constant sense of impending danger made this book impossible to put down. Now, let’s talk about that ending. Utterly criminal. It was devastating, brilliant, and downright outrageous all at once. I have so many questions, and the thought of waiting for answers feels unbearable. How am I supposed to function after this book? I’m absolutely undone. Obsessed doesn’t even begin to cover it—I’m ruined in the best way possible. Onyx Storm is not just a book; it’s an experience. Rebecca Yarros has delivered a masterpiece that surpasses all expectations. It’s thrilling, emotional, and utterly unforgettable. If you thought Fourth Wing and Iron Flame was good, wait until you read this. Violet and Xaden’s story continues to be one of the best I’ve ever read, and I’m so ready to see where this journey takes us next. Book four cannot come soon enough.

Onyx Storm delivers exactly what fans expect from the series—high stakes, intense emotions, and plenty of action. It’s fast-paced and gripping, with moments that are genuinely hard to put down once things get going. The character dynamics continue to be a strong point, especially in the way relationships are tested and developed under pressure. There’s a good balance of emotional depth and tension, even if things occasionally feel a bit overstuffed or hectic. At times, the story can feel overwhelming with how much is happening, and not every plot thread lands perfectly. Still, the overall experience is engaging and entertaining. It’s a strong continuation that keeps the momentum of the series going.

I never leave a review for books because each of us have different taste ... but this is one of the best book series I read after the bear and the nightingale in 2019 ... I read a lot and this book is so well written... keeps you on your toe... and you don't want to let it go... I cannot wait for the rest... Will be waiting impatiently!!!!!

What a ride Onyx Storm took me in! This book was captivating from start to finish. It was such a big book, but I felt everything was important, well developed and very informative. I was instantly hooked from the first chapter and I don't feel there was any dull moment. This third book in The Empyrean Series is wihout a doubt my new favorite! As I expected, Onyx Storm was action packed and full of political aspects and revelations that had my jaw dropping multiple times through my read. It was also brimming with romance and spice, but also friendship and loyalty. Regardless of these beautiful lighter moments, there was also sadness, anguish, heartbreak, betrayal, scheming and casualties. Violet rose as a powerful and brave heroine. The way she tried to leanr and control her power more was spellbinding. She was devoted to a cause bigger than herself, but also so ardent for Xaden and her unshakable love for him. And that man... wow! I already loved him, but he outmatched himself. He was the perfect partner and his one liners full of passion, possessiveness, humor and love had me swooning. His circumstance wasn't easy, but he still fought for his cause. I was fascinated by the whole cast! Seriously, the squad and the way they work together and support each other was incredible. They're truly the meaning of found family. How can I wrapup this review without mentionning Tairn and Andarna. Once again, these two were the perfect companions to Violet. Their irresistible personalities had me enthralled. Tairn with his ever present grumpiness and Andarna with her candor and sweetness. The perfect dragon duo! I tried to savor this book by reading a little slower, but I utlimately finished it quite fast for a book this long. And now, I'm dying for the next book that will release in forever, lol!

Well, guys, here I am—after a week of thinking, processing, and unraveling theories with my bookish friends, I’m finally ready to give my two cents. And I’ll start by saying I AM OBSESSED. This series has become my whole personality, and I’m not even mad about it. I’ll keep the first part spoiler-free and announce when the spoilers begin. First Impressions (No Spoilers!) First and foremost, this book was absolutely worth the wait. I had a lot of resentment toward the rushed release of Iron Flame—I get that Fourth Wing was a massive hit, but six months was nowhere near enough time to craft a solid sequel, and it showed. It felt rushed, overloaded with info dumps, and lacking the magic of FW. But with Onyx Storm, Rebecca brought us back to the action-packed, deadly, and adventurous storytelling we fell in love with, and I couldn’t be happier. The plot flows quickly, with something happening on every page. I loved how all the small clues felt like they were leading to something bigger, making the final reveals even more satisfying. One of the strongest aspects of the book is that while Violet and Xaden are obviously the heart of the story, we also have an incredible cast of supporting characters who add so much depth, even when they’re not frequently on the page. Shoutout to Aaric, Ridoc, Imogen, and Garrik! Also, can we stop labeling this series as ‘dragon smut’? First of all, people calling FW "smut" clearly haven’t read actual smut. Secondly, the sex scenes are minimal, far apart, and not even that wild. Everything Rebecca writes has a purpose—even the steamy moments contribute to character development. This series is about friendship, loyalty, adventure, grief, and jaw-dropping plot twists—so let’s not reduce it to something it’s not. Spoilers Ahead – Read at Your Own Risk! - - - - ✅ Violet and Xaden’s Relationship: After the toxicity and frustration of Iron Flame, I feel like we finally got what we needed—communication and trust. Their devotion to each other was beautiful to watch, and jealous Xaden? A dream. Obviously, we figured out pretty quickly that Halden wasn’t a real threat (he turned out to be a whiny, entitled brat), but when he was first introduced? I kicked and screamed at how adorably possessive Xaden was. 💡 Violet’s Second Signet: I’m holding off judgment on this one. Right now, my friends and I have cooler theories than what we actually got (dreamwalking? Meh.). But I trust Rebecca to make it work. So far, it feels more like nightmare-walking than dreamwalking, so let’s see how it evolves. 🚨 That character (whose name I can’t even remember) manifesting shadows?! WTF. I cannot handle the idea of Xaden losing his shadows or, worse, turning fully dark. I still believe Violet is the key to his redemption or evolution. However, I’ve noticed that as the book progresses, Xaden’s love/jealousy starts shifting toward full-blown obsession. This could mean: He’s desperately holding onto his humanity through Violet OR He’s slipping into something much darker 😬 But what I loved was that unlike in Iron Flame, Violet never loses faith in him. She stands by him, no matter what. 🔥Tairn remains the best character in the entire series. If he weren’t a dragon, he’d be the hottest male character—don’t even fight me on this. I adore how protective he is of Violet, and in Onyx Storm, we also see his softer side with Andarna. He’s the ultimate girl dad, and I love him even more for it. 💛Andarna’s journey felt incredibly real. She’s a typical teenager, and when she left, I felt the loss just as much as Violet did. I completely understood her need to find her kind, but in the end, she had already chosen her family—Tairn, Violet, and their values. The way she always wanted to be like Tairn? Too sweet for words. 💙Aaric = underrated fave. After Ridoc, he’s my favorite supporting character. He’s marginal yet central to the story, and I loved his signet (which I figured out way before Violet did, btw). The way he’s the complete opposite of his brother? Perfection. I really hope we see more of him in the next book. 😭 Now, my beloved Ridoc… I AM SCARED. Rebecca has confirmed that a beloved character will die, and I have a sinking feeling it might be him. Could he be the "brother" Xaden refers to at the end? (He says new brother, so maybe not Bodhi or Garrik, since he already considered them brothers.) Are we being set up for heartbreak? I FEEL LIKE WE ARE. Mentions: 📖 I NEED an Imogen & Garrik love story ASAP. 💔 Quinn’s death DESTROYED me. I was sobbing while driving home, listening to that chapter. Unsafe and unhinged behavior. 🔥 Xaden’s chapter was everything. 💍 Violet waking up with a rock on her finger and no memory?? IMOGEN, EXPLAIN YOURSELF. 💜 Sawyer deserves more screen time. Final Rating: ⭐ 5/5 Stars It was amazing. The best of the series so far. Rebecca, you have my heart (and my sanity in shambles).

This book builds on the rich world established in the previous instalments with even deeper lore, high-stakes action and complex character arcs. The pacing stays strong throughout — mixing battle sequences, political intrigue and personal development in ways that keep you turning the pages. The characters feel more layered here, and their relationships and choices have real emotional weight. The magic and world mechanics continue to impress, with fresh twists that expand the universe without losing sight of what made the series compelling from the start. If you love immersive fantasy worlds with a blend of action, strategy and evolving mythology, this is a satisfying addition to the series. A few plot threads are dense (so it helps to be familiar with the earlier books), but overall it delivers on adventure and depth.