WELL. AFTER TWO DAYS OF GATHERING MY THOUGHTS, I’M HERE.

5. FREAKING. STARS. OR 6. OR 7. 

Oh, OH. WE’RE SO BACK. Iron Flame was not exactly what I had hoped for but this one??? ONYX STORM DELIVERED, ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS. 

I’m still reeling from that ending and I had to take a walk because what the actual hell. I’m empty inside. I was so confused and shocked. This book answered so many questions but opened a whole new box full of them too, and I love Rebecca’s mind for it! The complexities and intricate details of the political and magical system, the mysteries revealed that were jaw dropping and the action that never got dull, made me feel in awe of this author’s work. She really is THAT fantasy queen!!!

The story was fast-paced and got me hooked at all times. I had that constant hype full of excitement, nerves and joy that I felt in Fourth Wing, and that made me so happy. I just couldn’t put it down!!! It was an emotional rollercoaster of course, because this series wouldn’t be the same without us readers losing our freaking minds over the plot and the characters, feeling all kinds of sadness, rage, disbelief, love, laughter and wonder, but WOW. Just wow. 

Now onto the most important part: the characters. 

Xaden was TOP TIER in this third book. Every time he opened his mouth, a tear ran down my leg. He was such a loverboy in every sense of the word, making up for the whole miscommunication issue they had in Iron Flame. We were fed here, and I’m even more in love with this man now that I ever thought possible. He was the best version of himself in this book (in terms of romance) and also the worst (if you know what I mean😮‍💨), and the fact that he called Violet  “love” every two seconds had me SCREAMING CRYING AND THROWING UP. Their growth was something truly remarkable and special to witness, and I’m so proud of how far they have become in their relationship, but also as individuals.

He was so sure of his love for Violet, so damn verbal about it, UGH (I highlighted every quote to feel something when I miss them and I could do nothing but SIGH). His tender gestures, his excruciating attentiveness to every thought/move Violet had, his endless hotness, his sarcastic and witty remarks that got me grinning like a fool… I COULD GO ON AND ON UNTIL I PERISHED BECAUSE THAT’S HOW MUCH INSANELY AND MADLY IN LOVE I AM WITH THIS PERFECT MAN. 

And Violet my girl, I love her SO BIG. I’m incredibly proud of her development in this book. She had always been a fierce, smart, caring, loyal and strong willed warrior, but in this book she really learns what she’s capable of and shows how confident she is in her own abilities. Her power truly has no end, and I’m so happy to see how she knows that and how she fully embraced it. She’s one of my faves forever and ever and I’d follow her to the ends of the Earth!!!!

The side characters also SLAYED. Aaric??? I’m obsessed and super intrigued by him. He was such a nice surprise to the plot and I’m really invested in his story. Tairn (my overprotective dad I love him so much it’s insane), Andarna (my heart hurts so bad but she’s everything), Rhiannon, Imogen, Bodhi, Garrick, Cat, Sloane, Quinn, Sawyer, Jesinia… I have nothing but love for these people. I love every single one of them. Dain even got his redemption ARC and I loved to see it! This man got from annoying the shit out of me in the first book to slowly making my insides shake. Maybe Rebecca wanted to write an enemies to lovers between him and me because this development felt exactly like that! He’s a “talk you through it” kind of man and I’m already trembling in my boots to see how his power will unravel and how his story with Sloane will develop🙂‍↕️.

And last but not least, I have to give a special shoutout to one of them in particular because I’m irrevocably in love with Ridoc and his hilarious, sexy, and witty mind. He brought so much life and joy into this book, to me and to the rest of the squad. I was cracking up at every interaction he was in. I will not tolerate any slander towards him and I surely won’t stand it if he dies, so I won’t even entertain that thought. He’s perfect to me and honestly, at this point I’m just waiting to marry him. 

And now, after this long ass review (because I can’t seem to shut up about my favorite books and the characters that I love so much), I’m gonna try and recover from that ending because I’m still UNWELL. I was literally torn apart and now I’m obsessively watching and reading every possible theory to fill the void this book has left me and that only book 4 will be able to fix (or break even more considering the situation). But anyway, chef’s kiss!!! Every single thing!!! It was magnificent!!! Mind blowing!!! Perfect in every way!!! Will never recover!!!!😭🐉⚡️🖤