Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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.

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! There. That’s the review. lol. Just kidding.

I reviewed Fourth Wing but not Iron Flame because I’ve been in a review slump for a while, but I’ve made it a goal to share my thoughts on everything I read this year so I’m going to write a little somethin’ somethin’ up for Onyx Storm even though my series review will have a gap… unless I re-read. Which I will do, so stay tuned someday. Anyway, this is essentially a stream of consciousness because these books fry my brain and I have no capacity to think. There will be spoilers for Fourth Wing and Iron Flame in this review, but I promise to not spoil specific and important details of Onyx Storm. However, I don’t know what you consider to be a spoiler so please read with caution if you haven’t yet read Onyx Storm.

Ok, here we go. A lot of this review is very “if you know you know” in an effort to not spoil anything. Here are my unfiltered thoughts.

1. I have a great memory, but I still prepared myself to read this book. I read detailed recaps of the previous two books so I would be READY. Guys, this book made me feel so stupid. So, so stupid. Who even are all these people? What is going on? I had to really stretch my memory, but I made it. I got it!
2. Then I remembered I had a very bad case of the flu (I’ve never been sicker in my life) when I read Iron Flame, so that explains everything.
3. SO EXCITED. I love the series, and the excitement I have felt over this release has been so much fun. I haven’t been so excited for a book release since the Twilight books came out.
4. I needed multiple days to process this book after finishing. I am not ok.
5. There are SO many people in Onyx Storm. There are like a million names that I can’t even begin to know how to accurately pronounce, and there are so many people to keep track of. SO MANY.
6. There are also so many places. I felt like I needed a notebook so I could keep notes on all the people and places I needed to remember.
7. The name “Theophanie” is most likely the stupidest name I’ve ever heard of. I wanted to throw things every time I read that name.
8. Violet keeps being Violet.
9. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and saw so much of myself in Violet and her pain and her symptoms. I’m both inspired to push past my limitations and discouraged that there’s no way I could do the things she forces herself to do.
10. I loved learning more about Violet’s dad.
11. I loved learning more history of this world.
12. AND the world has expanded! We see so many more places in this book.
13. Our Shadow Daddy, Xaden, is even more Xaden in this book. Just when I thought he couldn’t be more Xaden, he became even MORE Xaden. And I love him.
14. Then there’s Dark Xaden, who is terrifying. The push and pull is intense.
15. The “touch her and die” trope is alive and well.
16. Can he please lean in a doorway and talk to me through his eyes and caress me with his shadows?
17. I loved learning about Xaden’s past.
18. Holy steam. The romance is sooooo hot and sexy and also tender and touching. That kind of unconditional love is what dreams are made of.
19. Ridoc is stupendous. I adore him. He must be protected by all means necessary.
20. Aaric. Also the best.
21. The comedic relief these two guys offer is flawless.
22. The Quest Squad has my entire heart.
23. But Mira? She bugged me this time. She’s like a completely different person. There’s overprotective and then there’s being a jerk.
24. I love the brother sister bond between Brennan and Violet.
25. Andarna is the most amazing petulant teenager. You can tell Tairn raised her.
26. I love Andarna’s search for answers about where she came from. We get to know her so much better.
27. Tairn is the grumpy grandpa cat everyone wants. I love him so, so much. He’s so snarky and sarcastic, but also protective and accommodating and sweet and caring and ahhhhhh. His one-liners fuel me.
28. Ok I just love all the dragons.
29. The gryphons and their riders have truly wormed their ways into my heart.
30. Venin boil my blood. I HATE them. And their wyvern.
31. Prepare to read the last 20% in one sitting because you won’t be able to stop. It’s just not possible.
32. The action. There is so, so much action. I was so stressed and worried and riveted and my eyes could not read as fast as my brain wanted me to. It’s all-consuming. The stress and anxiety!!!
33. I kid you not. I was in pain when I finished reading. Like physical pain from being tense for so long. lol. I think I was in a full-body clench for last 4 hours of the book.
34. WHAT!?!?! Worst. Cliffhanger. Ever. I’m not even sure I understand!
35. I am left with more questions than answers.
36. TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
37. And dear Rebecca Yarros, please don’t kill off my favorites in the next book.

TL;DR It’s AMAZING. Read it and the others. Prepare to go bonkers. Rebecca likes to throw her readers off a cliff and laugh at the end of her books. Actually… if you have any willpower, maybe wait until all the books are out. I am not ok!