Onyx Storm, the next installment in Rebecca Yarros’Empyreanseries is already highly anticipated, and recurring complaint about the previous story will actually make it even better. The first book in the series,Fourth Wing, lays the groundwork for all the events later to come including love stories, betrayals, and devastating deaths.Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson’s love storyis a huge draw because the lore and world-building are intertwined with their growing relationship, with both characters becoming intriguing protagonists. From the start, this series was never lacking in the romantic tension department, as this storyline was front and center.
TheEmpyreanseriestook an unexpected direction inIron Flamecompared to its predecessor,Fourth Wing. The notable shift between the first and second books is simple:the first book is centered around a love story and the second isn’t. Even while training at Basgiath War College, the romance between Violet and Xaden is the most interesting part of the book. However,Iron Flameleaned more toward fantasy than romance, focusing on world-building and developing new plotlines instead of prioritizingViolet and Xaden’s story. While this difference has been criticized, it sets the stage for an epic third book.
The Empyrean Series Needed Iron Flame’s Fantasy Focus After Fourth Wing
Romance Plots Are Great But They Can’t Sustain A Series Alone
Fourth Wingwas such a beloved fantasy book upon release because it was a great entry-point to the series; it was engaging and really emphasized the main romance. WhileFourth Wingis exciting because it dives right into Violet’s life in Navarre,it doesn’t do nearly enough world-building to sustain a multi-book series. In order to elongate the longevity ofthe wholeEmpyreanseries, Yarros needed to delve into additional subplots to increase their prominence in the wider plot.
Building out the lore of a fantasy series like this one ensures that possibilities for future subplots are evergreen and storylines won’t be unnecessarily drawn out.
Even though it’s still possible that Amazon’sFourth WingTV show won’t capture everything from the books, the series itself needed fantasy building. Details including context about the looming Empyrean war and histories of different leaders and factions makeIron Flamea much more rich and layered story. Building out the lore of a fantasy series like this one ensures thatpossibilities for future subplots are evergreen and storylines won’t be unnecessarily drawn out. Fantasy lore even often raises the stakes of romance storylines as it creates looming tension and more contextualized conflict – an exciting prospect ahead ofOnyx Storm.
Iron Flame’s Setup Will Pay Off In Onyx Storm & Future Fourth Wing Sequels
Revealing New Fantasy Lore Raises The Stakes
While critics ofIron Flameclaim there’s not enough overt romance in the book, it’s clear that it positionsOnyx Stormto fully embrace all its potential in the epic fantasy genre.Fourth Wingdoes a sufficient job of basic world-building and provides an overview of the forces at play within the realm.Iron Flamesimply goes more into depth about the settingand establishes more intricate plots, such as Andarna’s true nature. The shift to a denser fantasy plot sets the third book up to embrace new opportunities, combining romance with the excitement of complex plotlines and intense battles.
Rebecca Yarros' next installment ofThe Empyrean Series,Onyx Stormis set to release on June 18, 2025.
If theEmpyreanseriescontinued to rely mainly on the principal romance to carry the plot pastFourth Wing, it’s unlikely there would even be enough plot material to sustain future books. Rebecca Yarros has the unique opportunity to incorporate the best elements of both books intoOnyx Storm.With the romance ofFourth Wingand the intense world-building ofIron Flame,the nextFourth Wingbookwill likelyexceed expectations. It will be easier to connect with characters like Violet, Xade, and especiallyDain Aetos if more is revealedabout their circumstances and world.
Thanks To Its Predecessor, Onyx Storm Will Be The Best Empyrean Book Yet
Onyx Storm Is Set Up To Rise Above Iron Flame Criticism
It’s not going to be difficult forOnyx Stormto exceed some critics' low expectations afterIron Flameproved to be a slower-read than many people liked. The third book is situated perfectly to take off right away, as cliffhangers about Violet’s mother and whether Xaden has become venin were left in the air.Onyx Stormwill be able to explore deeper aspects of both plot pointswhile also being prepped to elaborate on Violet and Xaden’s romance fromFourth Wing.
I Really Hope Onyx Storm Avoids A Ridiculously Predictable Romance Twist
Iron Flame sets the stage for a ridiculously predictable romance twist in Onyx Storm, but I really hope that Rebecca Yarros doesn’t go there.
Thanks to the final chapters ofIron Flame, the Empyrean War is officially started and things are poised to get a lot more interesting as the story continues in the nextFourth Wingbook. Luckily, so many questions were left unanswered by Yarros about the dangers Violet and her allies will face in book three, so we can expect a lot of satisfying reveals in this next installment. Dedicating time to building out the world these characters live in will pay off even though it bores some people, by making the audience care more about the characters' journeys as the rest of the series unfolds.
