Excitement surged as eager Australian readers lined up overnight to grab a copy of Onyx Storm, the third book in Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling Fourth Wing series. Fans across the nation queued outside bookstores, desperate to get their hands on the latest instalment in the high-stakes fantasy series.
A Long-Awaited Release
On January 21, 2025, Yarros’ Onyx Storm hit shelves, marking a major moment for fans who had been anxiously awaiting its release. The novel continues the gripping story of Violet Sorrengail, a young woman caught in a world of dragons, magic, and enemies-turned-lovers.
Book lovers set up camp outside Dymocks in Sydney on Monday night, eager to secure one of the first copies in Australia. The midnight release saw staff clap as doors opened to allow the fans in. The excitement was palpable as readers, many of them sporting Fourth Wing totes, rushed to grab their copies. The Fourth Wing series had already cemented itself as a fan favourite, and Onyx Storm was no exception.
Dymocks shared the moment on social media, thanking those who attended the fun-filled evening. The store’s Instagram post celebrated the enthusiasm of fans who gathered for the release event, complete with dragons, music, and mayhem.
The Fourth Wing Phenomenon
Yarros’ Fourth Wing and its sequel Iron Flame took the literary world by storm. The series quickly climbed bestseller lists and became the go-to read for lovers of romantasy, a genre combining romance and fantasy. Fourth Wing captivated readers with its high-stakes world-building, featuring dragon-riders, political intrigue, and forbidden love.
The first book in the series follows Violet Sorrengail as she embarks on a dangerous journey at Basgiath War College, where students train to ride dragons in preparation for war. Violet, a daughter of a military general, is thrust into this world despite her chronic illness. The twist comes when she unexpectedly bonds with two dragons, discovering lightning-wielding powers.
Fans were drawn to the enemies-to-lovers trope, and Onyx Storm promises to delve deeper into this complex relationship, especially with the cliffhanger ending of Iron Flame. Readers are eager to find out if Xaden, Violet’s love interest, can avoid becoming the very villain they’ve been fighting.
Onyx Storm and the Future of the Series
The release of Onyx Storm is significant not only because it marks the continuation of the Fourth Wing saga but also because it sets the stage for the next phase in Violet’s journey. As the third book in the planned five-part Empyrean series, Onyx Storm holds the promise of resolving major plot points, including the fate of Violet and Xaden.
Yarros teased that Onyx Storm would explore the theme of power and corruption. With Xaden’s sacrifice at the end of Iron Flame, fans are left wondering if he can resist becoming venin, a dark force that has already caused chaos in the world of Fourth Wing. Violet, determined to save him, will venture beyond the kingdom’s borders in search of allies to help her fight the venin.
Controversy Surrounding the Series
Despite its immense popularity, Fourth Wing has faced its fair share of criticism. Some readers argue that the series relies too heavily on familiar tropes and accuse Yarros of borrowing elements from other fantasy works, such as Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass. These criticisms have sparked debates among fans, with some defending Yarros as a talented author who has found success by mixing genres and creating her own unique take on familiar themes.
One particularly controversial topic came after Yarros’ remarks about her books being translated into Hebrew, which led to debates about her stance on the Israeli-Gaza conflict. In addition, there were backlash over her pronunciation of Scottish Gaelic in the series. Despite these controversies, Yarros has continued to enjoy a loyal following, with fans eagerly awaiting what happens next in the series.
Onyx Storm Collector’s Editions
In January 2025, Yarros revealed the Target Collector’s Edition of Onyx Storm, exclusive to the US and featuring a unique cover design. The special edition includes five pieces of artwork and a full-colour map of the fantasy world, immersing readers further into the world of Fourth Wing. The edition also includes a ribbon bookmark, making it a must-have for collectors.
The Target edition won’t be available for preorder, and fans will need to act quickly to secure their copy on release day. Fortunately, those in Australia can still get their hands on the regular edition of Onyx Storm in stores or through Kindle, which offers the book for immediate access.
What’s Next?
While Onyx Storm has captured the attention of readers, the fate of the series remains uncertain. The release of this book has left fans speculating about the fourth instalment. Yarros has yet to confirm when the next book will be out, but fans are hopeful that the wait won’t be long.
For those eager to dive into Onyx Storm, the Kindle version offers a digital alternative for readers to enjoy the book immediately. Whether in print or digital form, this release marks a high point in the Fourth Wing saga, and it seems clear that the demand for the next instalment will continue to grow.
In conclusion, Rebecca Yarros has successfully built a captivating world full of dragons, romance, and political intrigue with Fourth Wing and Onyx Storm. Despite the criticisms, her series continues to capture the imaginations of fans around the globe, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.