Eeeeeee! I finished this third book in the Empreyan series by Rebecca Yarros (published by Entangled publishing) just a few hours ago and I'm still processing, but I can tell you I loved it. It had me in a chokehold. Also, this will be a spoiler free review for Onyx Storm, but due to it being later in the series, there may be spoilers for Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. 

Onyx Storm begins immediately after the events of Iron Flame. Violet and the other characters are thrust into war against the venin, on a search to find Andarna's kind, and worried about Xaden's, er, predicament. As a 527 page book, there is a lot that happens.  

Now, I know there are some criticisms out there. A lot of people love to hate popular books. However, some of their criticisms are valid. For example, a lot of people felt there were too many name droppings and too many characters to keep track of. On this, I agree. I don't even know how the author could keep it straight. I don't think this is bad worldbuilding--quite the opposite, she clearly put a lot of work in--but I think the way it's conveyed is dizzying. Just because you created every detail of this world, doesn't mean we need to know all of it as readers. 

 Others crticized the work for being more of a filler book; I think to a point this is true. The last 100-200 pages were action-packed and important but I do think half of it could have been cut out. However, I still had a good time with it, so I will probably ignore that particular criticism. 

Now onto the good stuff.  

While there may have been too many characters, the main ones were still their loveable selves, each with their own distinct personality. Towards the end, we got a few different perspectives that showcased the riders' personal bond with their own unique dragon and I thought that was really cool to see. 

I really do think the worldbuilding is elite; it just needs to be communicated more effectively. But to be able to put together multiple gods and religions, politics, geography, languages, and laws is a feat of itself, and I respect and admire anyone who can. 

The writing has a very distinctive voice, descriptive without verging on purple prose, and capturing each character. There were a few chapters in the middle that were a little cringey but overall it held it's own. (Though, I do wish these characters would stop cussing out world leaders on diplomatic missions. That won't solve anything).  

The plot, again, is amazing, if we're going over the plot of the whole series. There is still so much to entangle that I don't know and I'm on the edge of my seat. I'm going to be chewing on my fingers (not even nails, fingers) waiting for the next book. 

Of course I love Xaden and Violet's relationship. It's everything I want in romance--especially when he trusts her and sends her to the battle lines despite wanting to protect her. BUT even more so, I love how the story shows that a rider's relationship with their dragon beats any romance, and that a love between dragon and rider is unbreakable and heartbreaking all at once.  

I also love the disability representation, not just in Violet, but in Andarna, too. 

Finally, despite the earlier criticisms, this is the most important. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I laughed and cried and felt. And this is why, despite its weaknesses, I'm giving the book five stars. 

All Romantasy readers should read this series! (In my humble opinion)