Onyx Storm

In the war-torn world of dragon riders and ancient magic, Violet Sorrengail faces an impossible choice between duty and love as venin forces threaten to consume everything she holds dear. Two weeks after the devastating battle for Basgiath War College, she discovers that her beloved Xaden is slowly succumbing to the venin curse—a corruption that transforms wielders into the very enemies they fight against. As peace negotiations crumble and dark wielders infiltrate their stronghold, Violet must navigate treacherous political waters while protecting Xaden's deadly secret, knowing that discovery would mean his execution.

Driven by cryptic instructions left by her late father, Violet embarks on a perilous diplomatic mission across distant isles, seeking ancient alliances and forbidden knowledge that might save both Xaden and their crumbling world. Accompanied by a fractured squad of riders, she encounters hostile kingdoms, deadly trials, and the shocking revelation that her rare second dragon, Andarna, belongs to a legendary breed thought extinct for centuries. Each isle presents new challenges—from poison-wielding nobles to combat trials that test not just her strength but her moral convictions. Meanwhile, the venin corruption spreads across the continent like a plague, devouring entire cities and forcing desperate refugees to flee toward uncertain sanctuary.

As Violet's powers evolve beyond lightning wielding to include the unprecedented ability to walk through dreams, she uncovers disturbing connections between her family's past and the current crisis. The discovery that she and Xaden share nightmares reveals the true scope of the enemy's reach, while her bond with Andarna faces its ultimate test when the young dragon must choose between her human family and her own kind. Political tensions escalate when Xaden defies the Senarium by opening his duchy's borders to refugees, risking civil war even as external enemies close in from all sides.

The climactic convergence of personal and political catastrophes forces Violet into an impossible position where every choice demands devastating sacrifice. Ancient enemies reveal themselves as former allies, trusted institutions crumble under the weight of corruption, and the very bonds between dragons and riders face unprecedented challenges. When Theophanie, a storm-wielding sage of terrifying power, demands Violet's surrender in exchange for her sister's life, the young rider must confront not only external enemies but the growing darkness within the man she loves. The revelation that Xaden has fully embraced his venin nature to save his dragon creates a schism that threatens everything they've fought to protect.

Yarros crafts a devastating meditation on the price of power and the weight of impossible choices, exploring how love can both save and destroy in equal measure. Through Violet's journey from reluctant war college student to battle-hardened leader, the novel examines themes of sacrifice, identity, and the moral complexities of survival in a world where traditional notions of good and evil blur beyond recognition. The book's unflinching portrayal of war's psychological toll, combined with its intricate magic system and political intrigue, creates a narrative that challenges readers to question the true cost of victory when winning might mean losing everything that made the fight worthwhile.