Warning! Spoilers for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros are below!Onyx Storm thankfully avoids repeating the least popular storyline within Iron Flame, a trend that the next book must continue in order to progress the narrative. Onyx Storm was able to simultaneously answer several of the audience’s questions from the first two books and provide new ones, resulting in plenty of new theories and an increased desire to know when book 4 of The Empyrean Series will be released. That being said, the core of the story, which is Violet and Xaden’s relationship, was able to not only remain strong but improve as the characters grew individually and together.
Violet and Xaden’s relationship in The Empyrean Series books has been a tumultuous one, both due to outside forces trying to keep them apart due to their combined power and their own internal struggles. Despite the fact that there are still two books left in the series, Onyx Storm left the two protagonists in their shakiest position yet with few options for both sides. Even so, the book also disproved a major concern from audiences regarding these two after Iron Flame: that Xaden would attempt to pull away due to his newfound status as a venin.
Xaden Didn’t Distance Himself From Violet In Onyx Storm, And That’s A Good Thing
An Early Chapter Disproves This Popular Assumption
Xaden and Violet refused to distance themselves from each other and instead faced the many challenges of Onyx Storm together, allowing their relationship to progress rather than regress. As mentioned, many audiences, after the ending of Iron Flame, theorized that Xaden may try to pull away from Violet both emotionally or even physically due to his status as a venin, resetting their arcs. Fortunately, an early chapter of Onyx Storm stated clearly that this would not be the case, with the two instead holding onto each other more than ever as they attempt to gather allies and knowledge.
Violet and Xaden discuss their relationship in Chapter 4 of Onyx Storm.
After Xaden accidentally channels in Violet’s room, Violet mentions that Xaden better not attempt to pull away from her because it would not work. Xaden confirms that he will not, as he is “too selfish” to give her up despite it likely being safer and that he knows she would resist, with the conversation ending there. This quick moment is able to set the status quo of their relationship in this book early and allows Onyx Storm to not repeat Iron Flame‘s mistakes, which created what various audiences consider to be the book’s least popular storyline.
It’s A Huge Relief That Onyx Storm Doesn’t Repeat Iron Flame’s Least Popular Story
Violet & Xaden Became Each Other’s Support Systems Instead
Iron Flame’s weakest story arc saw Violet and Xaden at odds for too long, so it is a relief that Onyx Storm instead lets them support each other when no one else will. Violet and Xaden’s Iron Flame story sets the two of them against each other after Xaden’s plethora of secrets are revealed, calling into question aspects of their relationship. While in some cases the conflict between them was understandable and the result allowed them to become a stronger couple, this storyline pushed their discord beyond what was needed, robbing the book of other possible storylines.
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Onyx Storm Repeats A Frustrating Iron Flame Story That Violet Failed To Learn From
Onyx Storm repeats a frustrating Violet story from Iron Flame, and she needs to show that she’s learned from it in the next Empyrean book.
Onyx Storm fixes this by having the two stay together, barring a few cases when the plot physically separates them, and trust each other implicitly, as both Violet and Xaden withhold some information from the other for the sake of security. The two also become the other’s biggest support system, especially Violet for Xaden as her presence is able to keep him from becoming emotionally numb several times throughout the book. That support needs to continue to let their relationship truly blossom, even though Onyx Storm‘s ending makes that a much more difficult task.
Violet & Xaden’s Book 4 Storyline Should Continue This Trend Despite Onyx Storm’s Ending
Violet & Xaden Can Stay Emotionally Connected Despite The Physical Distance
The book 4 storyline surrounding Violet & Xaden needs to continue the progress Onyx Storm made for their relationship even with the book’s bleak ending. Onyx Storm‘s ending left the two in a terrible spot, as Violet and Xaden are married but Xaden is now with the venin, with Violet having no memory beyond the final battle due to Imogen. However, regardless of the physical distance and Xaden’s seeming betrayal, book 4 needs to and can still keep the two going strong as Violet races to find a cure and clear Xaden’s name.
Through this, Violet and Xaden can keep their strengthening emotional connection that was showcased in Onyx Storm, highlighting how their love and faith in each other will remain no matter what.
Even with Xaden gone, Violet can showcase their progress by continuing to advocate for him and have faith in their plan despite no longer remembering what it was. Conversely, Xaden can honor his promise by holding onto Violet’s love and memory, keeping him from completely turning while also giving her information if she uses her dream walking signet to talk with him. Through this, Violet and Xaden can keep their strengthening emotional connection that was showcased in Onyx Storm, highlighting how their love and faith in each other will remain no matter what.
Onyx Storm
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
- Genre
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Fantasy
- Publisher
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Entangled: Red Tower Books
- ISBN#
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1649374186
- Author(s)
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Rebecca Yarros
