Onyx Storm’s Hilarious Take on Romance Miscommunication Will Leave Readers Cheering!

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Rebecca Yarros often employs humor in her Empyrean series, notably through the character of Ridoc, the beloved joker and member of Quest Squad. However, in Onyx Storm, there’s a noticeable change in the use of humor that seems to be a playful jab at the author’s own self-awareness and the central romance’s potential problems. This isn’t an unprecedented move in the romantasy genre, but it’s particularly effective in Onyx Storm.

In the words of Ridoc, one memorable line from Onyx Storm, highlights a common romantic struggle between characters Xaden and Violet in Fourth Wing that mirrors a recurring self-reflective style within Onyx Storm, as indicated by Violet’s own comments about her issues with Xaden. Essentially, their disagreements often arise due to misunderstandings, a theme that has been prevalent since Fourth Wing.

Onyx Storm Hilariously Poked Fun At Violet & Xaden’s Miscommunication Problems

This Quote From Ridoc Felt Like One Of A Few Winks From Yarros

Rebecca Yarros demonstrates a knack for self-deprecation in her novel, “Onyx Storm.” On page 111, Ridoc comments on the recurring pattern of Violet and Xaden’s disagreements within their intense romance, highlighting their frequent arguments.

And it’s always the same struggle, he gestures to his heart. “I’ll trust you if you stop hiding things!” He withdraws his hand, frowning. “It’s my mysterious side that drew you in, and why can’t you avoid danger for just a few minutes?

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but admire Ridoc’s spot-on portrayal of Violet and Xaden in “Onyx Storm.” It’s evident that Ridoc is at his finest here, but what truly stands out is Yarros’ ability to capture the sometimes grating nature of these characters for the readers. The witty humor Yarros employs throughout this narrative not only showcases their friendship but also underscores Yarros’ fondness for Ridoc as a character.

Interestingly, in “Onyx Storm,” Yarros takes Ridoc beyond his usual comic relief role. Yet, even with this new depth, Ridoc’s sharp wit continues to serve as a direct rebuttal to Violet – a point that becomes clearer as the novel unfolds. It’s apparent that Yarros isn’t afraid to push boundaries, even when it comes to critiquing Violet, which adds an intriguing layer to their dynamic.

The Miscommunication Trope Is One That Plagues The First Two Empyrean Series Books

Violet And Xaden’s Relationship Faces A Key Obstacle

In the Empyrean series, Onyx Storm isn’t a new take on the miscommunication trope – this pattern has been present throughout Violet and Xaden’s relationship, causing tension in the first two books. Although it’s important for their characters to learn how to communicate effectively amidst life-or-death situations and leadership responsibilities, the repeated discussions can feel tedious at times. This is particularly evident in Violet’s lingering resentment in Iron Flame, as they keep having the same argument about trust and confidentiality.

Violet’s insistence on knowing all the facts in a situation demonstrates her desire for control. This trait significantly impacts her relationship with Xaden and her love for books. In stressful situations, she recites Navarran history as a coping mechanism, but it’s revealed that this knowledge is often distorted information. Consequently, Violet struggles when faced with the need to challenge the truth of her surroundings.

By Onyx Storm’s account, they appear to be advancing and even finding humor in situations. In instances throughout the book, Violet teases Xaden by calling him a brooder, and sends thoughts like “this dispute isn’t resolved” down their bond. Although they need to work on resolving their communication problems, they are generally more in sync, despite Xaden struggling with his venin transformation.

Ridoc’s Criticism Is Indicative Of A Larger Romantasy Problem

Miscommunication Is A Delicate Trope In Romantasy

In terms of the “Empyrean” series, one issue arises because Violet and Xaden became a couple quite early on, specifically in “Fourth Wing”. Consequently, tension needed to be re-established, which was done through recurring misunderstandings. The impact of Xaden’s declaration of love, that even left Dain impressed, could be seen as justifiable, and Xaden’s hopeful line resonated strongly with me, but it doesn’t make the repeated frustration any less when reading it. This issue is not exclusive to “Empyrean”; it’s a prevalent trope in the ‘romantasy’ genre and challenging to execute effectively.

To an extent, this device can add authenticity to relationships by reflecting everyone’s communication struggles. Yet, when it takes center stage as the main source of conflict, it can become monotonous. This is often due to lack of, rather than miscommunication. It’s unfortunate because misinterpretations and misconceptions have played crucial roles in some timeless romances, such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Fortunately, Yarros introduces humor in Onyx Storm as a subtle tribute and acknowledgment to her readers.

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2025-04-19 13:40