We Need To Talk About Onyx Storm - A Balanced Review

Everyone's talking about Onyx Storm, either loving it or hating it to extreme levels. So here's a balanced review! Looking at all the strengths and all the weaknesses in a calm, considered manner. Enjoy this unscripted chat about this bestselling phenomenon.

The first half of the video is Non-Spoiler for all three books thus far. The second half of the video includes full spoilers. And there's plenty of warning in the middle!

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00:00 Intro
02:36 Non-Spoiler
14:36 SPOILERS!!!
27:31 Outro

[gman]

My biggest issue with Onyx Storm was that the author leaned into the obsession dynamic between the main characters. It’s just not a good thing. They basically say screw everyone and everything else and that they only care about each other for the most part. They don’t feel like characters with goals and direction. They just want to be together and that’s it

[timburbagereads]

The idea of having world building where it is against the law for 3 or more children of rebels to meet, AND THEN PUTTING THEM ALL IN THE SAME PLACE was the last straw for me

[MadaraUchiha]

I don't usually comment on videos, but I felt your video deserved one. Thank you so much for this! I'm a big fan of The Empyrean series, and usually enjoy listening to reviews once I finish the books, but it has been a struggle looking for any decent ones, yours was so refreshing, honestly explaining your opinions with facts instead of just saying 'It's bad!' The way you explain is more neutral and you back up your words so nicely, so thank you for this! ^^ Keep up the good work! I'll keep listening to future videos!

[noahtnm]

Happy to see a sensible review of these books. I've read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame—were they amazing? No, definitely not. But they were entertaining to read, and they understand their fanbase very well, which I find respectable.

And that’s not even mentioning the pipeline this genre is creating toward the wider fantasy genre.

[vn]

The video's introduction felt like a very warm hug. Instant subscribe.

[Beech]

Ultimately I bounced off of this series, but I really appreciate that you give it a fair shake. Taking art/entertainment seriously enough to criticize it is a compliment to the work, and worth paying.

[alexandraprytkova]

Exactly! I have a very stressful job, issues with my health and my son's health. I read to unwind, not to get even more stressed. And this is a great series for that. Is it overly intellectual? No, but it's just fun. Also, it's a nice mix of YA books like Hunger Games and just good old fantasy like Dragon Lance. It has a bit of both. With some smut thrown in.

[AlinaDampt]

Your thoughts on the end of this video about being able to read a story through someone else’s was so cool to listen. Since me and my husband’s book was launched a couple months ago and we’ve started getting reviews it is crazy the gap between people who love the format and hate the format. You can’t please everyone’s expectations and wishes going into a book, and I think if readers could respond to a book in the way you described it would help to reach that more balanced view! Great thoughts!

[chrishsunny]

I adore your reviews. They are so honest and do not seem led by anyone else’s opinion. It is so refreshing. Please don’t stop!

[hrishikeshedke]

love your book summaries, got me into ton of new series, gonna read realm of the elderings soon

[Alkemisti]

'We love our dragons blowing shit up.' ❤

[reyniki]

Reviewers like you give me hope that the book I wrote would find an audience. I love how even though you highlight things you don't like with "not for me" instead of stuff like "This is the dumbest thing ever." I know people who bond over hating a thing unabashedly but to an aspiring author, it can bum one out and scare people like "I don't want to write a book that's fun to hate." Of course, one cannot avoid the people who hate for fun on the internet, but it's refreshing to know balanced reviewers exist in the midst of that too. Great video! You earned a sub :D

[Chouninatte]

I'm not interested in reading the series but completely agree with your thoughts in general! Thanks for making a video like this, I want people to read MORE, not feel shamed into reading less or having to hide their interests. :)

[aregeesque]

dude i enjoyed your review of this series. very balanced and fair, thanks. and I found myself agreeing with many points.

[patriciaa.]

Perfectly balanced video ! People should all learn from you and your open mind.

[JoelFeila]

nice to see a review that is not just "this is terrible" Also I would recommend you give steel crow saga by Paul Krueger when you can.

[xintrosi]

Another Ryan George fan? Wow wow wow wow wow. Wow.

I really appreciate your even handedness in your reviews. I also think that if there are brand new readers here I would also suggest watching the videos Book Guy put out about why people aren't reading as much as they might want to and "Can Books Save the world?"

There are books out there for you to enjoy! I hope you find them!

[GnomeMoreGoodbyes]

Love love love a welcoming fantasy fan and a balanced book review! ✨

[larareadingwild]

When you said balanced review, you were serious! Much respect.

[erikliterature]

I thought Fourth Wing was okay. It was an easy read, like eating candy. The plot was very straight and nothing much really happens. I found the characters to be okay and the 'relationship' okay. I thought the last scenes in the book were less than well written. I'm therefore not interested in reading more of the series.