*Spoiler Alert*

How much are you willing to sacrifice for love? It depends on the situation, right?

Xaden showed his true character in a single act; a single act that was full of sacrifice and love. I was worried that Violet was going to turn her back on Xaden, since she did once before, when he withheld information from her to protect her, but she did not. That proved to me just how much she loves him. 

Despite many sources telling Violet that there is no cure for him, she still tries everything in her power to find one. I thought that the ending of “Iron Flame” was going to mean that Xaden was going to be a full-on bad guy in “Onyx Storm,” but there’s a time frame that it takes for a human to fully turn into Venin. Now, I think from the ending of “Onyx Storm” we can expect a full blown evil Xaden, I’m not prepared for. 

I want to see more of Prince Halden. Upon his arrival, I think I’m supposed to hate him yet I do not entirely. Prince Halden is the ex-boyfriend of Violet; Xaden sees him as a low-key threat. I was not exactly threatened by him. Violet’s love for Xaden is unwavering. I wanted more scenes with Halden’s character because it sparked drama that I enjoyed. At the same time, I think too much attention on him would have readers begin shipping him in with Violet, which I believe is not what Rebecca Yarros wants.

Andarna, who was once Violet’s baby golden dragon, is no longer baby sized. We learn that she is an Irid, which is the seventh dragon breed out there. Similar to the secret society no one knows about, and Violet organizes a search party to track down Andarna’s family. They believe that the Irids know a cure for Venin and more about their wards. Unfortunately, they do not know a cure.

The entire time reading this, I was trying to figure out what “Onyx Storm” meant. I knew it had to be something regarding Xaden because Yarros consistently describes his eyes as onyx colored and even his onyx shadows. The final scene we get with Xaden, he loses the control that he tried so hard to have the entire book. He saves Violet again, his own dragon, Sgaeyl, and others. This scene was heartbreaking because we have never seen him be this powerful. Before you knew what was happening, he was channeling from the earth and losing himself.

Violet wakes up from the battle with memory gaps. She is legally married to Xaden – there’s a ring on her finger and he’s also missing. Xaden leaves her a note that just says, “It’s yours now,” meaning Tyrrendor. He no longer trusts himself enough to be in charge, and their marriage makes her the Duchess of Tyrrendor. Now she must learn to navigate as a full-blown leader. 

I remember closing that book with my jaw dropped. I am scared to see my favorite character become evil in the fourth book. A part of me also wishes I didn’t start this series until all five books were released, because now I must wait who knows how long for the fourth one. Until then, I will be stalking Yarros’ Instagram page for the announcement.

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