That’s so amazing that you got to see her! I personally really enjoyed the book, but certainly had moments of confusion (yes, the schitts creek Lewellen vid is soooo on point - I genuinely was like wait is it a person or a place?!). I will say I had reread the first two and fully engrossed myself in podcast recaps and theories episodes leading up to the release as a way to fully dissociate from the realities of the world rn, so that certainly helped set me up for success. I also think I somewhat adopted a reading strategy (which perhaps is a terrible strategy???) that I just keep reading and assume the pieces will fall into place eventually. I think this started with Crescent City which truly threw me for a loop with the world building initially, but ultimately what was important kept coming back and made more sense. Again, this could absolutely be a reflection of a writing flaw, but I’ve still been able to thoroughly enjoy books despite it. I personally loveddddd violets character development into a more confident leader in this book, was laughing out loud at Ridoc throughout, caught myself smiling or blushing at Xadens one liners (love the quote you included above from him!) and was surprised with so much (the irids, the twist at the end, I ate it all up!)
omg, the lewellen video!!!! at one point on the same page they refer to lewellen the city and lewellen the person! so many times i had to reread a page or two. all that being said, im freaking here for it. i miss violet and xaden and riorson and rhi and andarna etc etc. it did feel slightly like filler, and i couldn’t help thinking about all the little side quests as episodes lol (i work in film and tv). maybe i need to fill the void with ACOTAR (though i have so many good books to read on my shelf, its hard for me to commit to that). already finished TOG. sigh. nothing like romantasy!
I’ve been waiting for your thoughts on this! You nailed it: it feels like a first draft. The world building feels loose at best. GRRM would never. Did you read the New Yorker article about the stolen romantasy plot? It reveals the methods some of these imprints use to churn out books. I couldn’t help but think that something similar happened with Onyx.
Agree could have used a few more edits and took me at least 100 pages to feel like I had a grasp again on the story. But on the other hand, I saw a post that said they were going into onyx storm with “a hope and a prayer and a little bit of memory” which definitely defines me 😆 BUT THE ENDING! So many questions and can’t wait for book #4!
That’s so amazing that you got to see her! I personally really enjoyed the book, but certainly had moments of confusion (yes, the schitts creek Lewellen vid is soooo on point - I genuinely was like wait is it a person or a place?!). I will say I had reread the first two and fully engrossed myself in podcast recaps and theories episodes leading up to the release as a way to fully dissociate from the realities of the world rn, so that certainly helped set me up for success. I also think I somewhat adopted a reading strategy (which perhaps is a terrible strategy???) that I just keep reading and assume the pieces will fall into place eventually. I think this started with Crescent City which truly threw me for a loop with the world building initially, but ultimately what was important kept coming back and made more sense. Again, this could absolutely be a reflection of a writing flaw, but I’ve still been able to thoroughly enjoy books despite it. I personally loveddddd violets character development into a more confident leader in this book, was laughing out loud at Ridoc throughout, caught myself smiling or blushing at Xadens one liners (love the quote you included above from him!) and was surprised with so much (the irids, the twist at the end, I ate it all up!)
Ridoc truly carried this book for me 🤣
Honestly yes! He did!!
Love all of this! And yes Xaden does know how to deliver a one liner (fans self)
I have only ever listened to this series and am SHOOK that the name is spelled Ridoc! 😂
omg, the lewellen video!!!! at one point on the same page they refer to lewellen the city and lewellen the person! so many times i had to reread a page or two. all that being said, im freaking here for it. i miss violet and xaden and riorson and rhi and andarna etc etc. it did feel slightly like filler, and i couldn’t help thinking about all the little side quests as episodes lol (i work in film and tv). maybe i need to fill the void with ACOTAR (though i have so many good books to read on my shelf, its hard for me to commit to that). already finished TOG. sigh. nothing like romantasy!
Yes! Lewellen the city and Lewellen the person had me re-reading those few pages like HUHHHHHHH???!!!!! 😂
Loved the invocation of I Hate It Here 🩷 As us Aussies say, "Fuck oath!" A great issue xx
Always x
Always as in, you know I will always invoke Taylor Swift songs, not always great issues 🤣
I’ve been waiting for your thoughts on this! You nailed it: it feels like a first draft. The world building feels loose at best. GRRM would never. Did you read the New Yorker article about the stolen romantasy plot? It reveals the methods some of these imprints use to churn out books. I couldn’t help but think that something similar happened with Onyx.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/01/13/did-a-best-selling-romantasy-novelist-steal-another-writers-story
Oh I sure did!!
I'm thrilled for you that you got to see Rebecca!
I loved her! Woman of the people!
Agree could have used a few more edits and took me at least 100 pages to feel like I had a grasp again on the story. But on the other hand, I saw a post that said they were going into onyx storm with “a hope and a prayer and a little bit of memory” which definitely defines me 😆 BUT THE ENDING! So many questions and can’t wait for book #4!