An Onyx Storm Review… from bad to obsessed??

Like many other 20-something bookish women, I was anticipating Onyx Storm for nearly a year. I binge-read the first two all within a week and then was patiently (not so patiently) waiting for our next round of dragons, shadow wielders, and Ridoc remarks.

Onyx Storm was not exactly what I was expecting— and it was both more than I could have hoped for but also a bit disappointing in some ways. Did it also leave me with a horrendous book hangover and have me spiraling theories on social media? Yes.

This is my Onyx Storm review and chat… spoilers will be present but only at the very end of the post. So proceed as necessary!

How I prepped for Onyx Storm…

So, in all that anticipation for the release, I figured I should re-read the first two because I really couldn’t remember a lot of the details. I made it through Fourth Wing and really enjoyed it the second time around… but then I remembered my feelings about Iron Flame… and honestly, just didn’t want to go through that again.

In retrospect, I wish I had read the second book in the series because, with this new book release, things felt a little clunky. Who were all these people and places? and what all happened again?

My Spoiler Free Onyx Storm Review (I have a more thorough review below with spoilers if you’re interested in those!)

Having skipped the re-read of Iron Flame really set me up for the confusion in the beginning of Onyx Storm— thankfully, so many others also felt that confusion so I didn’t feel too alone. But really the first 3rd of the book was a bit of a drag for me.

It wasn’t until that 30ish% mark that I felt the plot was starting to come together, I knew who was who (somewhat), and I felt like I wasn’t making myself turn the page. After that point, I enjoyed the pacing, the world-building, and character development. It all felt good….. but not great. Reading the book, I was consistently thinking, this feels like a 3-star kinda read.

Then I made it to the last 25-30% of the book and really started loving it.. and those last 4-5 chapters— i loooved. So did the ending make this book for me? Yes.

Did the ending of this book make me love the whole series even more? Also yes.

Did this ending also make me deep dive into #booktok theories and spiral about waiting for the next book in the series? Again, yes.

And after all that, I can confidently say that I give the book a 4 star review. I can also say I will absolutely be anxiously waiting for the 4th book who knows when!

And now.. Let’s talk about some spoilers…

Seriously. Last warning..

BUT THE ENDING. I think— here, nearly a month out from the release, I am still thinking about how everything transpired. How did their wedding go? Is Xaden going to be working fully with the venin, or will he be infiltrating their side to try and help his wife? What about Violet as the new Duchess— how will she finish schooling at Basgiath while juggling politics and hunting down her hubby (and you know she will be dream walking with Xaddy)?!

Also, let’s mention Aaric being a pre-cog?! I want to go back and re-read Onyx just so that I can see the hints and easter eggs along the way for this one.

Whenever the fourth book comes out, which will probably be pushing 2 years from now, I will definitely be doing a series re-read before hand. I think I was not expecting it to such an in depth plot as it turned out to be— which I actually really enjoy! But I will need to go into it a litle more prepared, and a little less mood reader vibes.

Have you read Onyx Storm? What did you think of the book? I’d love to hear your theories and ideas

Kae