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Onyx Storm

Onyx Storm is a 2025 fantasy novel by Rebecca Yarros and the third book in The Empyrean series.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Onyx Storm is a 2025 fantasy novel by Rebecca Yarros and the third book in The Empyrean series. It continues the story of Violet Sorrengail in a dragon-rider world and follows the aftermath of the earlier novels Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. The novel sold more than 2.7 million copies in its debut week in the United States, according to The New York Times.

Background

Onyx Storm is the third installment in The Empyrean series, following Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. It expands the series’ military-fantasy and dragon-rider premise within the world of Navarre.

Plot

The novel continues Violet Sorrengail’s story as she seeks allies and confronts threats beyond the wards of Aretia. The plot centers on war, survival, loyalty, and the challenges facing the riders and their allies.

Publication and reception

Rebecca Yarros’s official page identifies the book as part of the Empyrean series and describes its content and genre. The New York Times reported that it sold over 2.7 million copies in its debut week, making it an exceptional commercial success.

Series context

The Empyrean series is planned as a five-book sequence. Onyx Storm advances the central relationships and conflicts established in the first two books and leaves the broader arc of the series ongoing.

Key facts

  • It is the third novel in Rebecca Yarros’s planned five-book Empyrean series.
  • The book follows Violet Sorrengail and continues the dragon-rider setting introduced in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.
  • The novel is set in the fictional world of Basgiath War College and Navarre.
  • Rebecca Yarros describes it as a fantasy romance with intense violence, war, and sexual content.
  • The book became a major commercial success, with more than 2.7 million copies sold in its debut week in the United States.
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Canadian context

The novel is relevant to Canadian readers as part of a globally successful English-language fantasy series that has been widely read in Canada and other Commonwealth markets.

Frequently asked questions

What is Onyx Storm?
Onyx Storm is a fantasy romance novel by Rebecca Yarros and the third book in The Empyrean series.
Who is the main character?
The central protagonist is Violet Sorrengail, who has been the lead character throughout the series.
What series is it part of?
It is part of The Empyrean, a planned five-book series.
What genre is it?
It is marketed as fantasy romance, with military-fantasy and adult-content elements.
Was it commercially successful?
Yes. The New York Times reported that it sold more than 2.7 million copies in its debut week in the United States.

References

  1. Rebecca Yarros — https://rebeccayarros.com/onyxstorm
    Supports: Official series position, genre, content advisory, and description as Book 3 in The Empyrean series.
  2. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/books/rebecca-yarros-onyx-storm.html
    Supports: Debut-week sales figures and commercial performance context.
  3. Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209439446-onyx-storm
    Supports: Book title, series identification, and plot description.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onyx_Storm
    Supports: Series context and main-character information used for basic cross-checking.