Onyx Storm Could Be 2025's Biggest Release

Here's what fans are expecting

"Romantasy" was the word on everyone in the book world's lips in 2024. This booming new genre that combines high-stakes fantasy with steamy romantic plotlines has one series to thank for its moment in the sun: the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. The first book in the series, Fourth Wing, went viral after its release, selling over 2 million copies in the first six months after it was published in May 2023. Its sequel, Iron Flame, came shortly after in November of the same year, and the series had already attracted enough readers to make it an instant bestseller. Fans have had a longer wait for the third installment in the planned five-book series: Onyx Storm, set for publication on January 21, 2025. What's the series about, and what are fans most excited to see in Onyx Storm? Read on to find out.

What is the Empyrean Series About?

The Empyrean series stars Violet Sorrengail as, at the age of twenty, she enters the brutally competitive Basgiath War College in the kingdom of Navarre. Violet is smaller than her classmates and has chronic health issues (not specifically named, but similar to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which author Rebecca Yarros has been diagnosed with). She always expected to become a scribe, but Violet's mother, the college's steely commanding general Lilith Sorrengail, pushes Violet into the highly competitive and dangerous group of students hoping to become dragon riders. To survive her schooling, Violet must avoid death by dragons, who unleash their fire on weak humans, and the threat of "marked ones," fellow dragon-riding students born to rebels against the Navarre kingdom who seek vengeance against Violet's mother. As Violet begins her training in a grueling, cutthroat environment, she realizes she's stronger and more capable than anyone expected. 

The books' fast-paced action, richly drawn fantastical world, and swoon-worthy romantic plots have drawn in millions of readers. Many of the series' biggest fans are the same people who grew up with bestselling fantasy and dystopian series full of action and romance like Twilight and The Hunger Games, and have found their love of magical books reinvigorated by the world Rebecca Yarros has created. The series is here to stay, with a TV adaptation already in the works at Amazon MGM Studios, led by Michael B. Jordan's production company Outlier Society. Here's a little more about Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.

WARNING: The below summaries include spoilers for the first two books in the Empyrean series.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Violet's world is shaken when her mother, the commanding general of Basgiath War College, forces her to compete to become a dragon rider rather than a scribe like her late father. While both of Violet's older siblings became dragon riders, Violet always believed her disability would make her a poor candidate. As she enters the intense and deadly training program alongside the other cadets, Violet meets Xaden, a third-year wingleader and the son of the rebel who led an uprising against Navarre and killed Violet's brother before being executed by Violet's mother. Despite everything working against them, Xaden helps train and protect Violet, and they develop a surprising connection. 

After fighting her way through trainings and tests, Violet is given the chance to bond with a dragon, and shocks everyone by winning the approval of two dragons: Tairn, a massive black dragon, and Andarna, a scrappy young golden dragon known for being averse to humans. Tairn is a mated pair with Xaden's dragon Sgaeyl, which strengthens the bond between Violet and Xaden. Violet realizes her signet, a special power that comes from bonding with a dragon, is lightning-wielding. She also discovers Andarna's ability to freeze time, a power that must be kept secret to protect it. 

Near the end of her first year, Violet learns that Xaden and his friends have been supplying the gryphon fliers of nearby Poromiel with weapons. Violet's mother, Lilith, has always told her that Poromiel is a violent, bloodthirsty enemy of Navarre, but Xaden reveals that Poromiel has only been attacking Navarre to obtain resources to protect itself from the dark magic venin, beings whose existence Lilith and Navarre leaders deny. Violet sees the venin with her own eyes in a battle alongside Xaden. She's poisoned by venin, and when she awakens, she's being cared for by her older brother Brennan, who she believed to have been killed by Xaden's father, but is, in fact, alive and has joined the rebellion. 

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Violet returns to Basgiath War College for her second year. Xaden, who is now a graduated lieutenant, works on developing weapons to fight venin in an outpost, and as their dragons are mates, Violet and Xaden are granted regular leave to visit each other. Violet dodges assassination attempts as she secretly researches ways to fight off the venin. When she's caught with stolen journals, the truth about the venin is revealed to all of Basgiath, and a large portion of dragon riders leave the school to join the rebellion. 

While preparing to fight the venin and researching how to activate wards to protect Navarre, Violet learns that Xaden has been keeping his second signet, the power to divine other people's intentions, a secret, causing a rift in their relationship. When venin attack Basgiath, the rebels return to protect the school. Violet nearly dies in her efforts to activate wards to protect Navarre, but her mother, Lilith, rushes in to finish the job and dies in the process, giving her life for her daughter. And Xaden, who channels earth magic during the battle, unintentionally turns venin. 

What We Know About Onyx Storm

Onyx Storm, which will be released on January 21, will pick up in the midst of the war following the battle at Basgiath at the end of Iron Flame. Author Rebecca Yarros shared on Instagram, "This is my FAVORITE book of the series and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it!" 

The official publisher description for Onyx Storm gives us a glimpse into what to expect: "After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun; and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust."

Readers will follow Violet's journey beyond the wards, which won't hold forever, to find allies to support Navarre in their fight against the venin. Based on Yarros' comments during author appearances and fan speculation, Onyx Storm will possibly also include:

• An expansion of the world and kingdoms surrounding Navarre
• Violet's second signet power, foreshadowed in Iron Flame
• Xaden's fate and future as a venin, and his connection to his dragon Sgaeyl
• Violet's father's backstory
• Context on dragon familial relationships and how they establish dens

The best way to find out what happens in Onyx Flame is, of course, by preordering your copy today to make sure you're one of the first readers to experience the magic yourself.