Onyx Storm

(not provided)

One improbable thing that happens to someone and makes them special makes for an interesting fiction protag. Six? Seven? That is too many. This book took a hard turn towards the Mary Sue and I am so, so tired.

The latest instalment of the Empyrean was a bit of a letdown, I found it less fun than its predecessors. It's shorter than Iron Flame, but so much has been crammed in it feels longer and slower, and drags on at times. Whole chapters could have been skipped without it affecting the rest of the plot much.

The main relationship's on-again-off-again aspect feels ever more contrived, and it's tiresome. The gallery of characters expands once again, but they are less well-drawn than before. I still enjoy the use of modern speech patterns, but the writing itself feels less fresh. I'd like a few new phrases, and I'd love to see fewer jaws tick.

The final chapters and the overuse of dragon ex machinas seriously curbed my urge to read more. I'll probably read the sequel, but I doubt it will be on publication day.