Emily May’s review of Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) > Likes and Comments
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I gave up after iron flame 🥴
Sarah wrote: "I gave up after iron flame 🥴"
It was the right decision.
I thought I was missing out on this series but now I’m not so sure 🧐
This confirms my decision to stop after the train wreck that was Iron Flame, thank you for this review!
Oh noooo I've just started reading this and was so hoping she'd learnt her lesson from Iron Flame
I'm at 90% of the audio atm and have been feeling these exact feelings throughout the whole book. For the first probably 60% literally nothing of importance plot-wise happens, just a bunch of repetitive filler action that didn't feel new or even entertaining anymore and left me bored af. Then we FINALLY start to get somewhere with the plot and some unanswered questions. And I honestly feel you on the Xaden dialogue! I now cringe every time he talks, and gag every time he says "mine."
This book (and the first two tbh) easily could have been at least 200 pages shorter and I'd most likely be enjoying it way more. I have no idea how she's going to continue to drag this story out for 2 more way too long books.
I’m only 10% in and am already annoyed. I honestly don’t know if I’ll finish it. I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way because I swear the whole world is in an uproar at the way they have hordes these books. Ha
Trying to decide if I need to come to this decision on my own or just trust you…probably just trust you🥴
Yes, thank you! Great review as always Emily.
Can we part ways with the series though? I hate unfinished stories, I expect in 2 years I will be back for the next 500+ pages.
Also - why did they print the paperback version bigger than the first two instalments? Looks ridiculous on the bookshelf.
I was afraid of that. I loved the first, hated the second. I got the audio from my library on release day, but I’m going to pass. Thanks for your review. You saved me a lot of reading time.
Kelsey wrote: "I'm at 90% of the audio atm and have been feeling these exact feelings throughout the whole book. For the first probably 60% literally nothing of importance plot-wise happens, just a bunch of repet..."
I read that it was initially supposed to be a trilogy but got stretched to five books? I actually think three would have been more than enough to tell the story here.
Lucka wrote: "Yes, thank you! Great review as always Emily.
Can we part ways with the series though? I hate unfinished stories, I expect in 2 years I will be back for the next 500+ pages.
Also - why did they p..."
Thank you! I know what you mean. I am terrible for saying this and then time passes, the next book comes out and I'm like "can it really be that bad?" but from the Maas experience, it always was 😂
Your review nails it describing the meaningless romantic angst 🙄 and thin plot, a WTF ending. I was already getting the ick in Iron Flame. It’s months wait at the library which seems about right, in no rush to read this.
I haven’t read yet, but this was a well written review. Of course I’m still gonna read to find out for myself but very well written review my friend!
These quotes are ridiculous (like the name Xaden, btw). Judging by the synopsis, this series does not sound very appealing to me anyway, but now I know I am definitely not going to read it!
Oh dear.. I enjoyed Fourth Wing, but Iron Flame was a lot less fun to read. Now I read your review and I'm like.. still going on with the romantic story of will they, won't they.. Is she still unable to trust Xaden in this book?
That was a big let down for me in Iron Flame, because there was not much reason for her not to trust him. Shame that the series didn't pick up at book 3. Will probably read it though. Hate unfinished stories, but I'm not going to read it very soon I guess. ;)
Thanks for the great review!
Briana wrote: "I haven’t read yet, but this was a well written review. Of course I’m still gonna read to find out for myself but very well written review my friend!"
Thank you! Hopefully you enjoy it more :)
Wesley wrote: "Oh dear.. I enjoyed Fourth Wing, but Iron Flame was a lot less fun to read. Now I read your review and I'm like.. still going on with the romantic story of will they, won't they.. Is she still unab..."
It's less her not trusting him this time and more that he doesn't know if he can trust himself 🙄 I'm so over their nonsense.
I'm so glad I didn't even bother with this series. That's the actual worst when the series stops being fun after the first great book.
Thanks for a great review. I think I will pass on this one too. I had not liked the second one all that much either.
So glad I don’t have to wonder if I’m missing out I’ve only read the first book
Thank you for this review! I quit the series after Iron Flame and feel even more confident in my decision now.
Slavina wrote: "I thought I was missing out on this series but now I’m not so sure 🧐"
It really was a waste of time. Hours of reading I'll never get back
I'm still shocked that the book has a 4.56 rating, but everyone who has read it, mark it one or two stars.
I definitely won't bother reading it soon or buying. No rush at all. Thanks.
I literally gave up after iron flames. So boring. Helpful review though
Honestly, I gave up on this series after reading the first book. I picked it up thinking I was going to get a action-packed story with epic battles. The beginning was good but by the second half of the book it shifted to a romance story with somethings happening with dragons in the background.
See THIS was my fear. I enjoyed the first two so very much on my first read, but after re-reading fourth wing and getting to iron flame I started to worry…like oh no I don’t think a third book is going to go well for this series. Onyx flame is sitting on my shelf and I have yet to even touch a page. I’d rather read a bunch of spoilers than devote myself to the full thing right now.
Try Fireborne, a very cool YA dragon fantasy with interesting and complex characters and politics. Give the first book a little grace, it looks generic at first, but it gets better after the 100 page mark.
>I’m trying to hold on to the non-romantic aspects of the story, which I so enjoyed in the first book. The school and its challenges, the rivalries and villains, the dragons and the politics of the world.
thanks for figuring out what my problem is. the first book was fairly evenly balanced between politics and petty school drama and forbidden romance. the next ones ... aren't? they're pure romance novels with just enough filler to pretend that they aren't, and that means they don't really have a focus at all.
I wrote in my Iron Flame review that I won't continue, but seeing all the hype I was tempted - not anymore. Thanks!
@Mel -- a lot of the top 5 star reviews seem to be bots. and that makes more sense than 3500 people reading a nearly seven-hundred page book in a single day, having an orgasmic reaction on GR, and using very similar verbage to describe it.
depressing.
You should try The Sword of Kaigen or Blood Over Bright Haven for the things you're looking for. If you want something epic, slow and melancholic then Robin Hobb. Authors who write for the story and not algorithms.
Xaden's dialogue was giving me the ick too!!! It was so intense and heavy yuck.
Dang. I also was worried about this…I hate when books drag on and on. Also when series get popular they seem to get longer and longer….why!?
let's all say it together now: just because its popular romantasy, doesn't necessarily mean that it's good
my biggest gripe with this series and romantasy in general is the amount of praise some of these books get and its the most mid, poorly edited writing and development that reads like a self-published erotica book
(not saying all self published is bad but some of the things i see on tiktok.............................................)
Robin wrote: "You should try The Sword of Kaigen or Blood Over Bright Haven for the things you're looking for. If you want something epic, slow and melancholic then Robin Hobb. Authors who write for the story an..."
I read and really enjoyed Blood Over Bright Haven and I'm reading The Sword of Kaigen now. I agree-- love the focus on politics/magic and not romance.
Just for your information, from the very beginning this series is romantasy. I would suggest you check it before you begin reading. Just because its famous it does not necessary means you will love it. Some of us are head into romantasy so we really really love it, but i would request you to create boundaries(as to where you are comfortable reading) so that you don't end up feeling bad or uncomfortable about a book
totally agree, i just read 530 pages without getting any new information or answers to my questions from book two, instead i got a new cliffhanger and a lot of more questions
I'm not much into Romantasy or Romance in general, but I wanted to try reading Fantasy. Is it worth reading the first part- Fourth Wing?
Shivani wrote: "Just for your information, from the very beginning this series is romantasy. I would suggest you check it before you begin reading. Just because its famous it does not necessary means you will love..."
I don't think that's a totally fair comment, Shivani, because whatever label you place on it, I really enjoyed the first book. It starts off the series with all these cool physical challenges, the politics and the dragons... yes, there's romance but that's just one part of the book. It's only in the subsequent books that we've seen less and less of the other stuff and more repetitive romantic angst.
Bhawna wrote: "I'm not much into Romantasy or Romance in general, but I wanted to try reading Fantasy. Is it worth reading the first part- Fourth Wing?"
I don't think so. Fourth Wing was good but definitely feels unfinished. I don't think it would work as a standalone.
I'm half way through Iron Flame and I just. . . Can't? Like I thought it was aomething wrong with me cause I enjoyed Fourth Wing. But to hear the same issues now in Onyx Flame I'm very, very, unsure if I should still get this [try to get through Iron Flame] or just wait for Onyx Storm to go on sale. It definitely should have been a trilogy (even after I finished Fourth Wing). Maybe Yarros will talk to her agents and make it 4 books just to end this (probably not but let's hope there aren't more books or spin-offs; I'm more sure they'll probably make her do spin offs—something like Midnight Sun but Fourth Wing but in Xadens POV
Totally agree, this book felt like anime filler episodes lmao
Emily your reviews always perfectly encapsulate my feelings when I don’t know how to put them into words.
Agreed - biggest miss for me was the intense reduction of Xaden and Violets relationship to angst and sex. I don’t think this is a romantasy series anymore but she’s forcing it to be because that’s how it’s being sold. The sex scenes felt random and forced, and X and V literally had zero emotional intimacy or growth as a couple besides YoUr So HoT. It was just so poorly done!!
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Sarah
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Jan 23, 2025 04:12AM
I gave up after iron flame 🥴
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Sarah wrote: "I gave up after iron flame 🥴"It was the right decision.
I thought I was missing out on this series but now I’m not so sure 🧐
This confirms my decision to stop after the train wreck that was Iron Flame, thank you for this review!
Oh noooo I've just started reading this and was so hoping she'd learnt her lesson from Iron Flame
I'm at 90% of the audio atm and have been feeling these exact feelings throughout the whole book. For the first probably 60% literally nothing of importance plot-wise happens, just a bunch of repetitive filler action that didn't feel new or even entertaining anymore and left me bored af. Then we FINALLY start to get somewhere with the plot and some unanswered questions. And I honestly feel you on the Xaden dialogue! I now cringe every time he talks, and gag every time he says "mine."This book (and the first two tbh) easily could have been at least 200 pages shorter and I'd most likely be enjoying it way more. I have no idea how she's going to continue to drag this story out for 2 more way too long books.
I’m only 10% in and am already annoyed. I honestly don’t know if I’ll finish it. I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way because I swear the whole world is in an uproar at the way they have hordes these books. Ha
Trying to decide if I need to come to this decision on my own or just trust you…probably just trust you🥴
Yes, thank you! Great review as always Emily. Can we part ways with the series though? I hate unfinished stories, I expect in 2 years I will be back for the next 500+ pages.
Also - why did they print the paperback version bigger than the first two instalments? Looks ridiculous on the bookshelf.
I was afraid of that. I loved the first, hated the second. I got the audio from my library on release day, but I’m going to pass. Thanks for your review. You saved me a lot of reading time.
Kelsey wrote: "I'm at 90% of the audio atm and have been feeling these exact feelings throughout the whole book. For the first probably 60% literally nothing of importance plot-wise happens, just a bunch of repet..."I read that it was initially supposed to be a trilogy but got stretched to five books? I actually think three would have been more than enough to tell the story here.
Lucka wrote: "Yes, thank you! Great review as always Emily. Can we part ways with the series though? I hate unfinished stories, I expect in 2 years I will be back for the next 500+ pages.
Also - why did they p..."
Thank you! I know what you mean. I am terrible for saying this and then time passes, the next book comes out and I'm like "can it really be that bad?" but from the Maas experience, it always was 😂
Your review nails it describing the meaningless romantic angst 🙄 and thin plot, a WTF ending. I was already getting the ick in Iron Flame. It’s months wait at the library which seems about right, in no rush to read this.
I haven’t read yet, but this was a well written review. Of course I’m still gonna read to find out for myself but very well written review my friend!
These quotes are ridiculous (like the name Xaden, btw). Judging by the synopsis, this series does not sound very appealing to me anyway, but now I know I am definitely not going to read it!
Oh dear.. I enjoyed Fourth Wing, but Iron Flame was a lot less fun to read. Now I read your review and I'm like.. still going on with the romantic story of will they, won't they.. Is she still unable to trust Xaden in this book?That was a big let down for me in Iron Flame, because there was not much reason for her not to trust him. Shame that the series didn't pick up at book 3. Will probably read it though. Hate unfinished stories, but I'm not going to read it very soon I guess. ;)
Thanks for the great review!
Briana wrote: "I haven’t read yet, but this was a well written review. Of course I’m still gonna read to find out for myself but very well written review my friend!"Thank you! Hopefully you enjoy it more :)
Wesley wrote: "Oh dear.. I enjoyed Fourth Wing, but Iron Flame was a lot less fun to read. Now I read your review and I'm like.. still going on with the romantic story of will they, won't they.. Is she still unab..."It's less her not trusting him this time and more that he doesn't know if he can trust himself 🙄 I'm so over their nonsense.
I'm so glad I didn't even bother with this series. That's the actual worst when the series stops being fun after the first great book.
Thanks for a great review. I think I will pass on this one too. I had not liked the second one all that much either.
So glad I don’t have to wonder if I’m missing out I’ve only read the first book
Thank you for this review! I quit the series after Iron Flame and feel even more confident in my decision now.
Slavina wrote: "I thought I was missing out on this series but now I’m not so sure 🧐"It really was a waste of time. Hours of reading I'll never get back
I'm still shocked that the book has a 4.56 rating, but everyone who has read it, mark it one or two stars.I definitely won't bother reading it soon or buying. No rush at all. Thanks.
I literally gave up after iron flames. So boring. Helpful review though
Honestly, I gave up on this series after reading the first book. I picked it up thinking I was going to get a action-packed story with epic battles. The beginning was good but by the second half of the book it shifted to a romance story with somethings happening with dragons in the background.
See THIS was my fear. I enjoyed the first two so very much on my first read, but after re-reading fourth wing and getting to iron flame I started to worry…like oh no I don’t think a third book is going to go well for this series. Onyx flame is sitting on my shelf and I have yet to even touch a page. I’d rather read a bunch of spoilers than devote myself to the full thing right now.
Try Fireborne, a very cool YA dragon fantasy with interesting and complex characters and politics. Give the first book a little grace, it looks generic at first, but it gets better after the 100 page mark.
>I’m trying to hold on to the non-romantic aspects of the story, which I so enjoyed in the first book. The school and its challenges, the rivalries and villains, the dragons and the politics of the world.thanks for figuring out what my problem is. the first book was fairly evenly balanced between politics and petty school drama and forbidden romance. the next ones ... aren't? they're pure romance novels with just enough filler to pretend that they aren't, and that means they don't really have a focus at all.
I wrote in my Iron Flame review that I won't continue, but seeing all the hype I was tempted - not anymore. Thanks!
@Mel -- a lot of the top 5 star reviews seem to be bots. and that makes more sense than 3500 people reading a nearly seven-hundred page book in a single day, having an orgasmic reaction on GR, and using very similar verbage to describe it.depressing.
You should try The Sword of Kaigen or Blood Over Bright Haven for the things you're looking for. If you want something epic, slow and melancholic then Robin Hobb. Authors who write for the story and not algorithms.
Xaden's dialogue was giving me the ick too!!! It was so intense and heavy yuck.
Dang. I also was worried about this…I hate when books drag on and on. Also when series get popular they seem to get longer and longer….why!?
let's all say it together now: just because its popular romantasy, doesn't necessarily mean that it's goodmy biggest gripe with this series and romantasy in general is the amount of praise some of these books get and its the most mid, poorly edited writing and development that reads like a self-published erotica book
(not saying all self published is bad but some of the things i see on tiktok.............................................)
Robin wrote: "You should try The Sword of Kaigen or Blood Over Bright Haven for the things you're looking for. If you want something epic, slow and melancholic then Robin Hobb. Authors who write for the story an..."I read and really enjoyed Blood Over Bright Haven and I'm reading The Sword of Kaigen now. I agree-- love the focus on politics/magic and not romance.
Just for your information, from the very beginning this series is romantasy. I would suggest you check it before you begin reading. Just because its famous it does not necessary means you will love it. Some of us are head into romantasy so we really really love it, but i would request you to create boundaries(as to where you are comfortable reading) so that you don't end up feeling bad or uncomfortable about a book
totally agree, i just read 530 pages without getting any new information or answers to my questions from book two, instead i got a new cliffhanger and a lot of more questions
I'm not much into Romantasy or Romance in general, but I wanted to try reading Fantasy. Is it worth reading the first part- Fourth Wing?
Shivani wrote: "Just for your information, from the very beginning this series is romantasy. I would suggest you check it before you begin reading. Just because its famous it does not necessary means you will love..."I don't think that's a totally fair comment, Shivani, because whatever label you place on it, I really enjoyed the first book. It starts off the series with all these cool physical challenges, the politics and the dragons... yes, there's romance but that's just one part of the book. It's only in the subsequent books that we've seen less and less of the other stuff and more repetitive romantic angst.
Bhawna wrote: "I'm not much into Romantasy or Romance in general, but I wanted to try reading Fantasy. Is it worth reading the first part- Fourth Wing?"I don't think so. Fourth Wing was good but definitely feels unfinished. I don't think it would work as a standalone.
I'm half way through Iron Flame and I just. . . Can't? Like I thought it was aomething wrong with me cause I enjoyed Fourth Wing. But to hear the same issues now in Onyx Flame I'm very, very, unsure if I should still get this [try to get through Iron Flame] or just wait for Onyx Storm to go on sale. It definitely should have been a trilogy (even after I finished Fourth Wing). Maybe Yarros will talk to her agents and make it 4 books just to end this (probably not but let's hope there aren't more books or spin-offs; I'm more sure they'll probably make her do spin offs—something like Midnight Sun but Fourth Wing but in Xadens POV
Totally agree, this book felt like anime filler episodes lmao
Emily your reviews always perfectly encapsulate my feelings when I don’t know how to put them into words. Agreed - biggest miss for me was the intense reduction of Xaden and Violets relationship to angst and sex. I don’t think this is a romantasy series anymore but she’s forcing it to be because that’s how it’s being sold. The sex scenes felt random and forced, and X and V literally had zero emotional intimacy or growth as a couple besides YoUr So HoT. It was just so poorly done!!
