Onyx Storm (The Empyrean #3)

Review

Onyx Storm is yet another exhilarating, poignant installment in the Empyrean series. Violet has never been more on a realistic trajectory as she faces losses and new discoveries kept from her, essentially being stunted by the war that happens daily as the series progresses toward battle. Violet's character growth is synced effortlessly with her enemy counterpart, Xaden, similarly growing as he fought against his dark side but attempting to facilitate trust along the way. Fans will continue to love the dragon and rider bond; Tairn, for example, is as sassy as he is ancient with advice for Violet that's beyond his years; Andarna is just a dragon in her youth trying to figure it all out. But that's the thing. As absurd and slightly soap-opera-y as the overzealous storyline—so much happens, so many die with a lot of trauma—some subplots seem like a diversion from the central mission—only the jealous love triangle subplot with Xaden and Violet's first love, in fact, and the central plot is weighed down with overemotional retrospect. It's a toss-up. But the battle at the end, and battle-inducing cliffhanger at the end had me reeling. This second book raises the stakes, expands characters in more ways than expected, yet maintains a low-key through line of suspense for the reader.