WhileOnyx Stormwas received with high praise and hundreds of five - lead reviews upon release , there were sealed readers who felt aspects of the narrative were lacking — specifically having to do with Violet and Xaden ’s ongoing romance . Their human relationship electric discharge has been tight - paced since the verybeginning of theEmpyrean Series , and the two characters formulate a warm , almost obsessive connection early on in the tale . As it turn out , this may be the source of several readers ' charge in Yarros ' late novel , as many felt Violet and Xaden ’s relationship was either lackluster or had become borderline unhealthy .

Because the two characters get together so early on into the five - book romantasy series ' run , Yarros had to create new avenue of conflict between the two persona to of course build up their Romance language arc from book to account book . However , many of the barrier introduced throughoutOnyx Storm ’s narrativedon’t really hold much weighting — like Xaden becoming a prof , which efficaciously " terminate " their relationship for just a few chapter . Their obsessive romance can finger a piece repetitive after three books , but it seems fromOnyx Storm ’s game plait ending , that Yarros is planning to stir things up in thenextEmpyrean Seriesnovel .

Onyx Storm’s Violet & Xaden Complaints Were Inevitable With Their Romance Starting So Quickly

The “Enemies” Part Of Their Enemies-To-Lovers Romance Is Short-Lived

While some may differ with the ailment aboutViolet and Xaden ’s kinship inOnyx Storm , they were practically inevitable with how the first novel set up the tempo of their Romance language . InFourth Wing , Violet and Xaden begin with a Greco-Roman foe - to - lovers dynamic , although it does n’t stay that way for long . Their initial animosity towards one another , due to their sept story and prejudices , quickly develop into tactile sensation of desirefrom both parties . However , this is , in orotund part , affected by their dragons being mated — leading the two characters to develop nearer in their common motivation for endurance .

enemy to lovers is one of the most popular tropes in fantasy novels , and these are the best books with lovers who initially dislike each other .

Because of this , Violet and Xaden become buff far preferably than the popularize enemy - to - devotee image should typically progress . Their romance inFourth Wingis phenomenal , but because they get together so early on into the series , Yarros has to get creative in building conflict between the two characters in subsequentEmpyrean Seriesnovels — which does n’t always land with readers . Now three Christian Bible into the series , their love for one another has already been experienced and described in explicit detail — so there was littleOnyx Stormcould do to tote up more depth to their already - established human relationship .

Book-Cover-imagery-of-Pride-and-Prejudice-and-Zombies,-A-Court-of-Mist-and-Fury-and-These-Violent-Delights

Fourth Wing Should Have Dragged Out Its Enemies-To-Lovers Story For Much Longer

This May Have Helped The Slower Pacing Of Their Relationship In Onyx Storm

Readers have become habitual to the enemies - to - lovers trope within the romantasy book space , butmore often than not , generator do n’t drag on out the " enemies " part of their dynamic for long enough . Progressing the " enemies " dynamic too quickly oftentimes end the room access on possible storylines that could have further originate the character ' connection — and pace at a slower charge per unit typically allow for some much - needed yearning or pining to take place instead . kick in the complaints aboutOnyx Storm ’s romanticistic tempo , it could have benefited from dragging out Violet and Xaden ’s enemies - to - buff plot a bit longer .

give the complaints aboutOnyx Storm ’s romantic pacing , it could have gain from embroil out Violet and Xaden ’s enemies - to - lovers plot a act longer .

Had the two remained enemies , or even reluctant allies , for a longer period of time , the quiet in their relationship dynamics may have been avoided . Not everyone disliked Violet and Xaden ’s Latinian language in the latestEmpyreannovel , but it ’s clear why some would feel their narrative to be a morsel insistent . Yarros has already distinguish how obsessed the two are with each other , and many of the " obstacles " introduce inOnyx Stormdidn’t offer enough to grow their kinship . However , Onyx Storm ’s endingcertainly sets the two characters up for a brand - new dynamic in future subsequence .

Fourth Wing and Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros book covers

The Next Empyrean Series Book Will Make Violet & Xaden Interesting Again

Onyx Storm’s Sequel Will Introduce An All-New Relationship Dynamic

Rebecca Yarros ' ending ofOnyx Stormwas jaw - dropping , and Violet and Xaden ’s secret man and wife tally a whole fresh layer to their kinship in futureEmpyreannovels . Now that Xaden has turned asim , the next footmark inFourth Wing ’s venin ranking , the two are potential to be separated for the majority , if not all the next book . This will tot a novel moral force to their relationship and bring back some of their former tensions and hungriness to the narration — and could even potentially re-introduce their enemy - to - lovers dynamic if Xaden ca n’t recall his previous feelings for Violet .

As explained by the Irids , continuing to channel can destroy a someone ’s soul , eventually direct them to become the evil and soulless venin that Yarros has introduced all throughout the serial . It ’s potential this will be the next roadblock in their Romance language arc , as Xaden and Violet could find themselves fighting on opposite side of a state of war . But , asViolet ’s 2d - signetallows her the ability to dreamwalk , it ’s potential she could visit and speak with Xaden in this commonwealth instead . Either agency , their relationship dynamic are bound to get even more interesting inOnyx tempest ’s sequel .

Violet Sorrengail confront novel political intrigue and battles old opposition while unveil the secrets of her 2d signet . As she strain to save Xaden from venin corruption , her relationships with ally and Dragon are tested , lead to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of flying dragon and magic​.

Captain Archer and T’Pol firing a phase pistol in Star Trek: Enterprise

Onyx Storm book cover, pink hearts background

Custom image by Yailin Chacon

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros book cover

Custom image by Yailin Chacon

Fan art of Violet and Xaden training in Fourth Wing

Art by @Rosiethorns88

Onyx Storm Book Cover

Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic​.

Onyx Storm