#onyxstorm

This book? A wild ride. The apprehension left from the end of Iron Flame carried on into Onyx Storm.

Still following Violet Sorrengail as she navigates the continent in search of a cure for Xaden. Plenty of action, HEAPS of emotional damage. There were some heartbreaking moments in here. AND THE ENDING. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. The literal words that came out of my mouth were "what the actual f**k Rebecca?"

I like that we had some more building of character relationships, more tension, betrayals and "I probably shouldn't trust you, but here we are" energy was all there. Chemistry and tension built between Violet and Xaden in this one. For me, the use of the shadows in some of the 🌶️ scenes... I liked that.

I LOVED how unhinged Xaden was for majority of this book. So many times both he and Ridoc made me laugh, I couldn't stop giggling. Also, the Dain redemption arc... wasn't expecting to like him.

I'm gonna nitpick. I felt like there was a lot of fluff in there. Now I know Rebecca was stressed and rushed to get this out within the timeline. I still liked the book. I just felt confused for some of it. There were times when I had to go back and re-read certain paragraphs to try and follow it along a little better.

I wasn't a massive fan of the different POV's at the end of the book, but I know there's probably a purpose for that. I get attached to certain character's POV's in a book, and when a new one is introduced I struggle. But there was for sure some key information in those chapters. I know there was also key info from shit that happened on the islands, but that felt dragged out too. A lot of world-building happening for the third book in a series, but that's just my opinion. In saying that though, if I had the next book to immediately move onto, I would probably feel differently about it.

NOW onto some of the conspiracy theories.

NO, I genuinely do not think Violet is pregnant. I don't think she is the type of character who would bring a baby into the world when there is a literal unending war going on at the moment. Babies is the last thing on her mind. Let's strike that one out, straight away 🙅🏽‍♀️🤰🏽

The brother? Xaden's new brother. I was confused about this, I had to go back and re-read his chapter a few times. I was told it was Panchek, but the description and discussion in the chapter didn't support that, just that he was a traitor. I've seen theories that Brennan is the new brother. I didn't even think that for a second. I mean, technically yes because of course, now Violet and Xaden are married. BUT, he's not the venin brother. Rebecca has confirmed that the new brother is one of the missing riders. Therefore, I believe it is either Bodhi or Garrick. I lean more towards Garrick. But here is my supporting evidence.

Bodhi first:

we know he's fed up of Xaden putting him on the sidelines just because he's the only other heir to the throne of Tyrrendor.

Rebecca says that we should look at characters who feel like everything they give just isn't enough. Bodhi as far as we know, only has one signet which is counteracting other people's signets. Maybe he felt useless in this fight against the venin, because his signet wasn't working on theirs.

Bodhi knew Xaden was venin. In Xaden's POV chapter at the end of the book, he says "How could he do this? Choose this after watching me stumble and fall over the last five months. How could he willingly walk the path I've fought like hell to leave? He's the last person I ever would have expected to turn, and yet, here we are." Another reason why I don't think it's Brennan, cause from my understanding he was one of the last to find out about it, he didn't know for 5 months.

Right, now Garrick.

Point 3 of Bodhi's also applies to Garrick.

If we go to Imogen's POV chapter towards the end, we know Garrick is burnt out. He's been using his second signet, distance-walking pretty much the duration of the battle. When he brings Quinn and Imogen out of the tower and distance-walks them to wherever Professor Trissa is, he talks to Trissa about the venin. Trissa states she's weaving, but Garrick says "It's still not enough.' Garrick's head hangs as he stands. 'I can't...' He sighs and walks through the door... 'I can't walk again. Even if I made it to Aretia, I'd never be strong enough to get back...So I'd better find some fucking way to do something." If Garrick was feeling defeated because despite everything he and everyone around him was doing, it just wasn't going to be enough, adding on that he's nearing burn out, maybe he was desperate enough in a moment of need to channel from the earth.

A few other conspiracy theories;

Bodhi will be able to remove the memory loss of Violet by counteracting Imogen's signet of memory wiping. I don't know if he'll be able to do this, only because I'm not sure he can counteract signets that have already taken affect.

Berwyn (the venin sage of Xaden's) is actually Naolin. This I believe. I think he turned venin when trying to mend Brennan, and he didn't die, he disappeared, and broke the bond with Tairn, and maybe that's why Tairn doesn't want to talk about him at all? Also apparently Naolin's last name was Berwyn, so that can't just be a coincidence.

There's a theory that Brennan turned venin when HE was trying to mend Mira, becuase there wasn't a siphoning mark on either Dain nor Brennan from Sloane. I don't know about this, I know people have always felt a bit off about Brennan, but apparently siphoning doesn't leave a mark?

Dunne Priestesses set Xaden on a soul-finding journey before they dedicate him to cure him. I like the theory that dedication will cure the venin. Theophanie says to Violet in one of her chapters toward the end "do you know the pain of never being allowed to return, of knowing that it would sever the very thing that's kept me untouchable all these years?" This leads me to believe that if Theophanie were to re-dedicate herself, it would cure of her of being venin, removing all the power it gave her. So I do like this theory.

Sloane and Dain and Mira and Drake. I don't know what's going on between Sloane and Dain, but I feel like theres something there. and there's definitely tension between Mira and Drake. I feel like there's a little bit of hate s*x going on behind the scenes.