About the Book
Onyx Storm is the third book in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean fantasy series, following Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. Set at Basgiath War College, the story continues with Violet Sorrengail navigating the escalating war between dragon riders and a threat that the War College's leadership has been unwilling to face directly. At this point in the series, the stakes are higher, the world has expanded significantly, and the cast of characters is large enough that familiarity with the first two books is essentially required.
This is not a standalone entry point. Readers, or listeners, who haven't been through Fourth Wing and Iron Flame will be lost quickly. The series has a devoted following built largely through social media, and Onyx Storm arrived as one of the most anticipated fantasy releases of 2025, debuting at number one on the New York Times bestseller list.
The book sits squarely in the romantic fantasy genre: dragons, war magic, a central romance, and a plot that moves fast. If you've made it through the first two installments and are invested in the characters, this continues exactly in that vein.
Narration & Audio Performance
Jasmin Walker has narrated the full Empyrean series, which is the most practical argument for continuing with the audiobook format here. Listeners who have followed the series in audio will already be calibrated to her voice and character differentiation, switching formats mid-series is a genuine friction point for most people.
Walker's approach to the series has generally been well-received by fans of romantic fantasy. Her pacing suits the genre: she handles the romantic tension without overdoing it, and the action sequences stay clear and readable at normal speed. Character voices are distinct enough to follow without always relying on dialogue tags, which matters when a cast is this large.
That said, listeners coming to the audiobook without prior familiarity with Walker's narration style should use the Audible sample before committing. The performance style is calibrated for fans of the genre rather than general fantasy listeners, and that's a real distinction.
The Audible Verdict
If you've listened to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame in audio with Jasmin Walker, continuing here is a straightforward choice, the narration is consistent and format continuity matters in a long series. But if you're not already in the series, this isn't the place to start, and the audio investment only makes sense after confirming the narration style works for you. Use the Audible sample to check Walker's delivery before spending a credit.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
Romantic fantasy generally works well in audio. The genre leans on momentum, dialogue, and emotional beats, all of which translate cleanly to a listening format. Onyx Storm has a fast-moving plot and strong character focus, both of which hold up without visual aids or structural complexity that would be lost in audio.
The one complication is series length and cast size. By book three, there are many named characters, factions, and proper nouns that readers in print can flip back to reference. Audio listeners have to hold that context in memory. This is manageable if you've been following along, but can be disorienting if there's been a significant gap since listening to Iron Flame.
Overall, the format fits the material. This is the kind of series that built much of its audience through audio, and that audience will be comfortable here.
Popular Listener Questions
Do I need to read the previous books before listening to Onyx Storm?
Yes. Onyx Storm is the third book in the Empyrean series and picks up directly from Iron Flame. The plot, character relationships, and world-building all assume you've been through the first two installments.
Is Jasmin Walker the same narrator as the previous books in the series?
Yes. Jasmin Walker has narrated the Empyrean series from the beginning, including Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.
What genre is Onyx Storm?
It's romantic fantasy, a fantasy setting with war, dragons, and magic as the backdrop, with a significant romance thread running through the plot. If you liked the tone of the first two books, the third follows the same approach.
Is this part of a series, and where does it fall?
Onyx Storm is the third book in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. The series began with Fourth Wing in 2023, followed by Iron Flame in 2023, and Onyx Storm in 2025.
Similar Audiobooks
The first book in the Empyrean series, the necessary starting point before Onyx Storm, and narrated by the same Jasmin Walker.
The second book in the series and the direct predecessor to Onyx Storm. Required listening before starting this one.
Sarah J. Maas's romantic fantasy series draws a heavily overlapping readership and has a similar blend of romance, magic systems, and high-stakes conflict.
Jennifer L. Armentrout's series shares the romantic fantasy tone and fast-paced plot structure that defines the Empyrean series.
The Bridge Kingdom series
Danielle L. Jensen's series sits in the same romantic fantasy space with political intrigue and romance, and works well in audio format.
Audiobook Details
| Title | Onyx Storm |
|---|---|
| Author | Rebecca Yarros |
| Narrator | Jasmin Walker |
| Genre | Romantic Fantasy |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Entangled: Red Tower Books |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
Onyx Storm is available on Audible, if you're already following the series in audio, this is a reasonable use of a credit. New listeners should start with the Audible sample for Fourth Wing first.
Open on Audible