Warning: Spoilers forward for The Fourth Wing, The Iron Flame, and The Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.The Empyrean sequence is among the many biggest romantasy choices on the market, and all three present books have their strengths and weaknesses. However total, Rebecca Yarros' story combines romance, political intrigue, and dragons to beautiful impact. It's no marvel that Fourth wing grew to become one in all Booktok's hottest books in 2023 launch. The booktok sensation produced two sequels: Flame of iron, which hit cabinets about six months later, and Onyx Storm. Onyx Storm is among the largest fantasy releases of 2025, and its Goodreads rating is a constructive signal for the novel.
It's apparent that Yarros' books are resonating with readers and Onyx Storm is simply the newest instance of this. Nevertheless, some additions to The Empyrean sequence are stronger in sure areas than others. With any sequence, there are inevitable 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 nice sequels.
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Onyx Storm (2025)
Common Goodreads score: 4.51
Onyx Storm solutions many questions from the primary two Empyrean Sequence books, and it does an honest job of increasing the historical past of the Yarros world. From the second Xaden visits Jack Barlowe to Onyx StormThe Cliffhanger ending, there's at all times one thing fascinating occurring. This fixes among the pacing complaints readers had about iron flameLike this, But it surely doesn't actually let the characters or relationships breathe.
That's to not say there aren't satisfying character moments sprinkled all through. Onyx Storm. In actual fact, help gamers like Ridoc, Sawyer, Garrick and Bohdi have alternatives to shine. Even Andarna turns into a extra absolutely realized character on this installment. Sadly, the expansion of the supporting characters makes a harsh reality extra obvious: that Violet and Xaden don't evolve a lot in Onyx Storm. Whereas their relationship fares higher than in iron flame - And so they have nice scenes collectively - they don't progress a lot till the top.
There's a lot launched that, indubitably, Empyrean Sequence The e book, even when the MacGuffin missions begin to really feel a bit repetitive at instances.
By way of world constructing, Onyx Storm It does an honest job of building a bigger Venin lore and bringing in new places. There's a lot launched that, indubitably, Empyrean Sequence The e book, even when the MacGuffin missions really feel a bit repetitive at instances. Onyx StormThe ultimate chapters additionally pack a punch, though it's not as highly effective because the endings of earlier installments. XADEN Absolutely turning Venin appears inevitable and doesn't examine to the primary deaths of Fourth wing and Flame of iron. In fact, Onyx Storm It doesn't actually keep the stakes of the earlier books; There are few necessary deaths.
With so many shortcomings, Onyx Storm might be the weakest e book in The Empyrean sequence till right here - Even when it nonetheless makes for a enjoyable trip. Given your 4.51 Goodreads Score, it's clearly resonating with individuals. However even the sequel's highs can't make up for among the structural and storytelling issues.
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Iron Flame (2023)
Common Goodreads score: 4.37
iron flame acquired criticism for its 2023 launch, however the Fourth wing The sequel will get an unfairly unhealthy rap. Though it's time-consuming and filled with communication issues between its most important characters, iron flame accomplishes rather a lot - and nonetheless manages to become involvedregardless of its greater than 600 pages. The novel does an awesome job of maintaining Fourth wingFinish, capturing the tensions following Violet's return to Basgiath and her PTSD. It raises the stakes on each side of the battle, with Navarre pushing more durable than ever to maintain Venin secret and Venin changing into extra aggressive in its ways.
Completely different Onyx Storm, iron flame It continues to drive residence how brutal Yarros' world is, with issues like Nadine's dying and Violet's torture scene giving readers an awesome purpose to remain on edge. Whereas the pacing falters at instances, it's for a purpose. The slower moments assist construct Yarros' worldintroducing readers to Poromiel's characters and politics - a necessity given to all Fourth wingThe speak about Gryphon pilots. There are additionally some nice moments between the established characters, with the Sorrengails' reunions and Violet's tensions along with her pals heightening the feelings.
Violet and Xaden might have irritating points all through this challenge, however there's additionally clear progress by the top of the e book.
Violet and Xaden might have irritating points all through this challenge, however there's additionally clear progress by the top of the e book. Dain additionally will get a pleasant second of redemption, displaying that everybody is progressing on this sequel. AND iron flameThe ending might be its biggest achievement, because the dying of Basic Sorrengail, the second revelation of Xaden Signet, and Xaden Turnin Venin are all extraordinarily surprising moments. They ready the bottom for Onyx Storm effectively, and Given all of the little particulars iron flame brings it inside, it's even higher on a reread.
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Fourth Wing (2023)
Common Goodreads score: 4.58
The Empyrean sequence will get off to a robust begin with Fourth wing, So it's no marvel the 2023 e book grew to become a phenomenon. There's rather a lot to like Fourth wing, that picks up with motion and excessive stakes and maintains the vitality all through its greater than 500 pages. Violet is an immediately likable character, and the remedy of her incapacity is among the e book's biggest strengths. This proves various in a number of different methods, which makes Yarros' world really feel lifelike and straightforward to dive into. The relationships between the characters additionally evolve naturally, making the twist simpler.
Violet's characterization is at its greatest in Fourth wing, When she actually will get nearer throughout her first yr at Basgiath.
The challenges Violet faces all through her first yr at Basgiath hold issues constantly fascinating, and she or he proves an actual underdog. His storyline feels rather more separate from his relationship with Xaden on this challenge, which works to his benefit.. Whereas the enemies-to-lovers tensions are there and swoon-worthy, Violet shines most when she's defending Andarna on the threshing or providing Rhiannon a boot earlier than strolling throughout the parapet. Violet's characterization is at its greatest in Fourth wing, When she actually will get nearer throughout her first yr at Basgiath.
There are only a few bullets in all places Fourth wingwhich has the very best rhythm of the present Empyrean Sequence books. From strolling alongside the parapet to threshing, there's by no means a uninteresting second in Violet's first yr. AND Fourth wingThe ultimate battle might be probably the most intense, because the characters and readers are fully unprepared. Confirming that Venin and Wyvern are actual is a surprising and acceptable method to elevate the stakes, and pitting a bunch of unprepared cadets towards them is really manic. Liam's dying additionally stays the saddest of all. The Empyrean sequenceLike this, who has but to publish his first e book.