I am so relieved that I had some problems with Onyx Storm, I was so happy to see that Rebecca Yarros was able to give audiences some of the moments we were hoping for. Not only did I get the sweet interactions between Violet and Xaden I needed after Iron Flame, but I got to see the evolution of several other characters in this installment of The Empyrean Series.
While I understand that this series is predominantly Violet's story and that her actions and love for Xaden are the series' driving factors, Yarros does both a great job at making you care for the side characters in her story but also does little with them. The first two books only gave the other characters small moments, so I was happy to see that Onyx Storm fixed Fourth Wings' problems in regard to this. I was especially happy to see that Onyx Storm did this for my favorite side character Ridoc, expanding his role in the series.
I'm Relieved Onyx Storm Didn't Relegate Ridoc To Comic Relief Like The Past 2 Books
Ridoc's Capabilities Were Limited In Fourth Wing And Iron Flame
I am very relieved that Onyx Storm chose to explore more of Ridoc's character over simply keeping him as the comic relief of the book, something the previous installments of The Empyrean Series did. Ridoc was not a big player in Fourth Wing, with most of his scenes consisting of him making jokes or snide remarks, which lightened the tension at times. He did get a few deeper moments, such as when he defended Violet during the Gauntlet practice scene, but he was largely just the comic relief, offset by Sawyer who acted as his straight man.
Ridoc was introduced in Chapter 4 of Fourth Wing.
Ridoc's role in Iron Flame expanded somewhat, as he was the one to tell Violet about the First Six's journals and saved the group from Baide's fire before the Battle of Basgiath, showcasing his capabilities. However, he was still mostly there for comic purposes. Though certain details led to many a theory surrounding Ridoc, he largely slipped back into his limited characterization by Iron Flame's second half, leaving me to wonder when we would get more of him as we did with Sawyer and Rhiannon. Fortunately, Onyx Storm did set a spotlight on him, revealing some surprising traits.
Onyx Storm Finally Gave Ridoc The Story & Depth His Character Deserves
Ridoc Showed Surprising Dedication And Logic
Ridoc is given the story and depth he deserves in Onyx Storm, highlighting more of what made him so compelling and revealing some unexpected details. Onyx Storm began diverging from his previous appearances right from the beginning, as he insisted he go with Violet to find Andarna's kind. Like Violet, I thought he was mostly joking until the scene before Violet's second meeting with the Senarium where he reveals that he had been reading Jesinia's research to prepare alongside honing his signet, showing The Iron Squad and us that he is more than a joker.
Onyx Storm's Most Compelling Arc Proves This 1 Character Needs More Page Time In The Next Book
Onyx Storm’s most compelling character arc is brief, and it reveals who needs to get more page time when the next Empyrean Series book arrives.
Ridoc's loyalty had been shown before, but here it was on full display, highlighting the love he has for his friends. That love continues to shine throughout the book, especially after he learns that Xaden has turned venin. Ridoc's insistence on telling the rest of The Iron Squad and Jesinia shows his loyalty alongside his sensibility, as his observations on The Marked Ones' loyalty to Xaden over Violet were completely true. Onyx Storm not only expanded Ridoc's arc, but also really highlights how to do a comic relief character's progression, which is something I have noticed other series struggle with.
Ridoc's Arc In The Empyrean Series Shows How To Properly Handle A Comic Relief Character
Comic Relief Characters Can And Should Do More Than Crack Jokes
Ridoc's arc in The Empyrean Series books demonstrates just what a comic relief character is capable of and can do for the overall emotional storyline. One big thing I have noticed about comic relief characters outside of Onyx Storm is their limited functionality. Often, the comic relief of a group is simply there to crack jokes and, sometimes, become a damsel in distress as their joking or slacking off comes back to bite them, forcing the group to rescue them. As a result, many comic relief characters can come across as unnecessary outside a few key moments.
Their humor is meant to remind other characters that there is hope, which Ridoc does while also understanding the severity of the situation.
Ridoc does not fall into that trap, as he shows that he can defend himself and that there is more to him than his humor. Ridoc's unwavering loyalty and ability to stand up for others made him my favorite, but what cemented it is that he is the emotional core of the group, which is what a comic relief character should be. Their humor is meant to remind other characters that there is hope, which Ridoc does while also understanding the severity of the situation. I hope Ridoc's Onyx Storm arc continues, even as there becomes less to laugh over.
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Publisher
- Entangled: Red Tower Books
- Franchise
- The Empyrean Series
- ISBN#
- 1649374186
- Author(s)
- Rebecca Yarros
- Publication Date
- 2025/01/01
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
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