Onyx Storm (Deluxe Limited Edition) (The Empyrean, 3)

Let’s be clear: this was a five-star read and I regret nothing. If loving Onyx Storm is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. Rebecca Yarros once again said war, trauma, and dragon drama—and I said yes, thank you, may I have another.The world-building exploded in the best way. We finally got to stretch beyond Basgiath and the scope of the story felt so much bigger and bolder. I could feel the weight of the war, the politics, and the consequences—and it was deliciously stressful. And I know we’re all thinking it, so I’ll say it: Broccoli is the real star of the book. Give him his own POV. I’d die for him. We all would.Now, onto the cast:Garret and Imogen? Swoon. Their dynamic is mature, charged, and so real. I would absolutely read a novella about them having quiet moments in the middle of chaos. They deserve happiness—and snacks. Let them rest.Xaden still has my heart, but… I do feel like his character took a little step back in this one. He was distant, a little too mysterious, and I wanted more of that raw, vulnerable edge we saw in the first book. I still love him, I still believe in him, but let the man feel things again, please.Violet remains the queen of overthinking and dramatic inner monologues. She’s grown a lot, yes, but she also still narrates like she’s auditioning for the main character Olympics. She’s still got her "pick me" tendencies. She’s learning, hurting, leading. Sometimes I want to shake her, but I’d still follow her into battle. With a snack.Now let’s talk Ridoc. My funny little golden retriever king. His humor? Unmatched. His loyalty? Unshakable. His emotional depth? Criminally underrated. I need him in every book, every spin-off, every timeline. If anything happens to him, I’ll riot.Sloane is basically tiny fury wrapped in grief and rage, and I love her for it. She’s messy, she’s angry, and she has every right to be. Can’t wait to watch her become an absolute powerhouse.And finally: DAIN. My sweet, complicated, misunderstood man. Yes, he made mistakes. Yes, he fumbled HARD in Fourth Wing. But the growth?? The quiet redemption arc?? The way he’s trying, really trying, to be better without forcing his way back into Violet’s life? I SEE HIM. I RESPECT HIM. I LOVE HIM. Protect Dain 2025.In conclusion: Onyx Storm gave me dragons, drama, trauma, and feelings I wasn’t expecting to have (looking at you, Dain). A standout in the series and one I’ll be rereading with emotional support snacks. 5/5, no notes.Except: please give Broccoli a crown.

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.