Tag Archives: Rebecca Yarros

Onyx Storm Releasing Jan 21- Empyrean Series Review

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The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros is gaining a new addition on January 21, 2025: Onyx Storm. The book series has been extremely popular with only two editions so far: Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.

In a quick summary, the novel follows Violet Sorrengail joining the Riders Quadrant and her entire life changes. She begins to discover herself through physical and mental challenges, while gaining new friends, finding romance, challenging family dynamics, and battling larger political issues. The last book, Iron Flame, ended on a heart wrenching cliffhanger concerning the two main characters.

My thoughts:

The series has been an absolutely beautiful enemies to lovers with amazing world building. I often am a bit opinionated when it comes to some popular BookTok recommendations as the books serve as easy to read introductions to new readers and sometimes can be lackluster, boring, and/or repetitive. Sometimes this is manifested through its reliance on a certain trope to carry the story along. Although, I think is series has gotten traction for it just being a wonderful book. I enjoy the sociopolitical aspects of the books and it really brings out a popular dystopian political dynamic that I have seen showcased in book series like Divergent and The Hunger Games. I also feel the relationships between characters are realistic , even to some readers dismay.

Anyways, look out for Onyx Storm and I hope everybody who decides to read it enjoys it as much as I did.

The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

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**this review contains spoilers**

I was building up my anticipation for weeks on end after finishing Fourth Wing, for it’s sequel Iron Flame to release. Still following Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson as well as other students in attendance at Basgiath War College. This book was actually longer than the first book with a whopping 600+ pages, but I was accomplished to finish it as quickly as I could to avoid spoilers.

Here, it picks up from a MASSIVE cliffhanger being that Violet’s brother, Brennan is in fact alive. The book picks up the storyline from when it ended and doesn’t skip over time but lets the readers return back to this fantasy world. Violet and Xaden are continually maintaining their relationship with ups and downs throughout the book. Especially with Xaden graduating from Basgiath, he is sent to a war post and isn’t in close proximity to Violet as they were in the first book.

More problems arise with more people knowing about the Venin and Wyvern which causes a panic amongst all students in attendance not only those in the Riders Quadrant. Officials, captains, generals, constantly argue with one another about what plan is truly beneficial for Navarre and to keep it brief, there’s a lot of stubbornness from both ends. Half of Basgiath leaves to go to Xaden’s home where they will continue their leanings; due to the Venin likely to attack Navarre. Here, Gryphon fliers join them which causes conflicts between Riders and Fliers but in the end they are able to put their differences aside.

Throughout Iron Flame, there is also the introduction of a lot of new characters which just adds to the depth of the storyline. Seeing snarky teenage Andarna is always a treat and can we talk about her being the SEVENTH type of dragon…..jaw dropping.

There are so many theories that have formulated because of Iron Flame, and I’m here for it. Does Xaden have any more secrets? How will he stop being a Venin? Does Violet have a second signet because of Andarna because a special dragon? To add on, would her second signet be something related to the dead? Especially with that moment between her and Liam while she was essentially getting tortured. Who knows, besides Rebecca Yarros! Those that have read this review probably will continue to read the 5-book series, and I’m excited to share this journey with my fellow readers.

-Madison C.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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**this review may contain spoilers**

I have recently gotten back into reading after being on a month long reading slump with no desire to read, I decided that it was time for a genre switch. Fourth Wing is a romantic-fantasy novel that follows Violet and her journey entering Basgiath War College.

Typically 20 year olds are the main occupants of Basgiath whether they choose to be a Healer, Scribe, Infantry, or Rider. Violent Sorrengail has always had expectations among her being the youngest of her family with her two older siblings, Mira and Brennan being excelled riders as well as her mother running Basgiath War College. Violet seemingly passes through the entry to the Riders Quadrant, a lean bridge that can lead to a 200 foot drop if slipped upon.

Violet, along with her fellow cadets have to overcome challenges in order to survive it til graduating. Three more years of survival. The most important part for Riders is bonding with a dragon in order to gain a signet (a shared connection between a rider and a dragon). However, matching with a dragon isn’t as easy as it may be said and involves respect as well as strength.

The book consists of Violet’s first year at Basgiath War College under the Rider’s Quadrant and the different friendships, enemies, lovers, she faces. The riders are split amongst four wings with 3 sections within each wing and 3 squads within each section. A relationship begins to form between first-year Violet and Fourth Wing leader, Xaden Riorson. However, these two have clashed without even knowing with each other, their parents have gone through rivalries of their own.

Fourth Wing encompasses components a fantasy novel should include but also touches on romantic aspects frequently which is exhilarating for a romance reader! I think venturing out to romantic fantasy actually is what I needed because I was obsessed after reading and even decided to re-read Fourth Wing. Those trying to get involved within fantasy, I would check out Fourth Wing because even though the writing isn’t complex, it allows new fantasy readers to grasp the storyline easily.

The book happens to end a pretty big cliffhanger that made me questioning myself for days but luckily this book is a part of a five book series that is slowly but gradually releasing. Yarros’ next book, Iron Flame releases on November 7th, 2023 so if you don’t like cliffhangers just start reading near then!

-Madison C.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.