If you ask Wikipedia to describe what Onyx Storm is about you’ll find:
Violet, Xaden, several allies, and their dragons and gryphons explore isles to the south of their continent, hoping to find more irids (dragons of Andarna’s kind), gather information that could cure Xaden’s transformation into a venin, and establish alliances to help Navarre and Poromiel in the war.
This is the first clue as to why I think some people have struggled. The story dives straight back in, no reminders or recap. It was created for those of us who like to reread in preparation for the upcoming release. It makes finding those potential easter eggs a little easier and sometimes will clarify somethings you didnt understand with the first read through.
I honestly think those who didnt do a reread, or hadnt recently read the series would have struggled.
Personally. I loved it. I carried my hardback around like it was a precious dragon egg (and it wasnt even a special version!) I took every moment I could to read it, and also made myself stop to digest the story – something I dont do with general fiction books.
Theres alot of you out there that havent finished, or started it yet and I really dont want to spoil it for you. I will say I read the book in fear after hearing Yarros at an event say someone you love will die. It was unclear at the time whether it was for this book or the next as it was out of context however it made me examine everyones agenda to try and work it out.
Did it make me emotional? Yes but not like that scene in Fourth Wing that we all still hate.
Did it answer some of my questions? Yes but in doing so created a lot more. Theres so many online theories and it makes me wonder if as an author there will be a potential influence as people feel really strongly about things.
Will I reread before the next book? Yes. Its at least two years away apparently so that will be a must.
Sometimes interest in a series can taper off, if an author is under pressure to deliver, or just tried to be relevant / current. Honestly of the three books so far they rank in the order they were released but thats nothing against OS – its a mid series book so will always have a lot happening and more that you need to remember.
Theres a few thoughts I had as I went through below. If you havent read it please consider whether you want to continue!
- Can we really trust Brennan? Theres something that just doesnt feel right
- Is the arguement between Sygael and Tairn because Naolin became Venin and Tairn made the choice that Sygael wont with Xaden?
- Violets signet must be power, but she manifests as lightning. We now know her second but are they connected?
- Theres something we’re missing about daddy Sorrengail. What is his history, ancestry and what dont we know that will break this case wide open?
- Do the marked ones have two signets? Or is it because some of them had dragons intentionally bond the familial line? If they have two due to their signet maybe Xaden has three?
- What are the chances that the bond means Violet and Xaden can share power?
One More Chapter 