Warning: Spoilers forward for the fourth wing, the Iron Flame and the Storm of Onyx by Rebecca Yarros.The Empyrean sequence It's amongst Romantasy's largest provides on the market, and all three present books have their strengths and weaknesses. However total, the story of Rebecca Yarros combines novel, political intrigues and dragons with spectacular impact. No marvel that Fourth wing He grew to become one of many Booktok's hottest books on the 2023 launch. Booktok's sensation produced two sequences: Flame of iron, who hit cabinets about six months later, and Onyx Storm. Onyx Storm It is among the largest fantasy releases of 2025, and its Goodread Rating is a optimistic signal for love.
It's apparent that Yarros's books are resonating with readers and Onyx Storm It's simply the newest instance of this. Nonetheless, some additions to The Empyrean sequence are stronger in sure areas than different. With any sequence, it's inevitable that there are ups and downs. That is true for The Empyrean sequence, additionally, which has not but reached the heights of Fourth wing Once more - even with two main sequences.
3
Onyx Storm (2025)
Common Goodreads Classification: 4.51
Onyx Storm Solutions many questions from the primary two EMPYREAN SERIES Books, and does an honest job to increase the historical past of the Yarros world. From the second Xaden visits Jack Barlowe to Onyx StormThe top of Cliffhanger, there may be all the time one thing fascinating occurring. This corrects a few of the rhythm complaints that readers had about FlameLike this, However that actually doesn't depart the characters or relationships breathe.
This doesn't imply that there are not any passable moments of characters unfold all over the place Onyx Storm. In reality, supportive gamers like Ridoc, Sawyer, Garrick and Bohdi have alternatives to shine. Even Stroll turns into a extra fully completed character on this portion. Sadly, the expansion of help characters makes it a reality lasts extra noticeable: than Violet and Xaden don't evolve a lot in Onyx Storm. Whereas their relationship does higher than in Flame "And so they have nice joint scenes," they don't progress a lot to the tip.
There's a lot launched that, little doubt EMPYREAN SERIES The guide, even when the MacGuffin missions start to look a little bit repetitive typically.
When it comes to constructing the world, Onyx Storm It does an honest job in establishing a higher custom of Venin and bringing new locations. There's a lot launched that, little doubt EMPYREAN SERIES The guide, even when the MacGuffin missions appear a little bit repetitive typically. Onyx StormThe ultimate chapters additionally punch, though it's not as highly effective because the finals of the earlier installments. Xaden Turning completely Venin appears inevitable and doesn't evaluate to the principle deaths of Fourth wing and Flame of iron. In reality, Onyx Storm It actually doesn't maintain the bets of the earlier books; There are few necessary deaths.
With so many shortcomings, Onyx Storm It's most likely the weakest guide in The Empyrean sequence thus far "Even should you nonetheless have a enjoyable experience." Given its 4.51 Goodreads Classification, is clearly resonating with folks. However even the sequence maxims can not compensate for a few of the structural and storytelling issues.
2
Flame of Iron (2023)
Common Goodreads Classification: 4.37
Flame obtained criticism of its launch of 2023, however the Fourth wing The sequence is unfairly a nasty status. Though it's time consuming and filled with communication issues between its essential characters, Flame performs loads - and nonetheless will get concernedRegardless of its greater than 600 pages. The romance does an incredible job to observe Fourth wingFinish, capturing the tensions after Violet's return to Bastiath and his PTSD. He raises bets on each side of the battle, with Navarre by urgent greater than ever to maintain Venin secret and Venin turning into extra aggressive in his ways.
Totally different Onyx Storm, Flame It continues to take house how brutal the world of Yarros is, with issues like Nadine's demise and Violet's torture scene, giving readers an incredible purpose to be on the sting. Whereas the rhythm falters typically, it's for one purpose. The slowest moments assist construct the world of Yarrospresenting readers to Poromiel's characters and politics - a necessity given to all Fourth wingThe dialog about Gryphon's riders. There are additionally nice moments among the many established characters, with Sorrangail conferences and Violet's tensions with their pals growing feelings.
Violet and Xaden might have irritating issues all through this version, however there may be additionally clear progress till the tip of the guide.
Violet and Xaden might have irritating issues all through this version, however there may be additionally clear progress till the tip of the guide. Dain additionally receives a very good second of redemption, displaying that everybody is progressing on this sequence. AND FlameThe ending might be its largest feat, as Basic Sorrengail's demise, the second revelation of Xaden Sinete, and Xaden Turnin Venin are extraordinarily surprising moments. They ready the bottom for Onyx Storm Nicely, and Given all of the small particulars Flame brings inward, it's even higher in a rereading.
1
Fourth Wing (2023)
Common Goodreads Classification: 4.58
The Empyrean sequence A powerful begin begins with Fourth wing, Due to this fact, no marvel the guide of 2023 grew to become a phenomenon. There may be a lot to like Fourth wing, which takes motion and excessive dangers and retains the power on its greater than 500 pages. Violet is an immediately nice character, and the remedy of his incapacity is among the largest strengths of the guide. That is totally different from many different methods, which makes the world of Yarros really feel sensible and straightforward to dive. Relations between characters additionally evolve naturally, facilitating torsion.
The characterization of Violet is at its greatest in Fourth wing, When she actually approaches throughout her first 12 months in Bastgiath.
Violet challenges faces all through their first 12 months in Basgiath, maintain issues persistently fascinating, and he or she proves a real misfortune. Your plot appears rather more separated out of your relationship with Xaden on this version, which works in your favor. Whereas the tensions of enemies to lovers are there and worthy of fainting, Violet shines extra when defending strolling on the beating or providing a boot of Rhiannon earlier than strolling via the parapet. The characterization of Violet is at its greatest in Fourth wing, When she actually approaches throughout her first 12 months in Bastgiath.
There are only a few bullets all over the place Fourth wingthat has the very best rhythm of the present EMPYREAN SERIES books. Strolling via the sight to the debut, there may be by no means a second of boredom within the first 12 months of Violet. AND Fourth wingThe ultimate battle might be probably the most intense, because the characters and readers are completely unprepared. Confirming that Venin and Wyvern are actual is a surprising and acceptable method to enhance bets, and put a number of unprepared cadets in opposition to them is actually manic. Liam's demise additionally stays the saddest The Empyrean sequenceLike this, who has not but led his first guide.