One award-winning romantasy book is the perfect replacement read for Onyx Storm, especially for those who need more of Violet and Xaden's romance. Onyx Storm's success has made The Empyrean Series even more popular on BookTok, with theories abounding and anticipation climbing for the next part of Violet's action-filled arc. Unfortunately not much is currently known about book 4 of The Empyrean Series, leaving audiences with little other option but to find a replacement to the time between installments of Rebecca Yarros' narrative.

Thankfully, there are several romantasy books to read after Onyx Storm that capture the biggest draws of both the individual novel and the series as a whole. That being said, few of them may include the sweetness of The Empyrean Series' protagonists in this installment, as most are first books or sequels that need to continue to set up that romance aspect of their stories. One particular possibility, however, does not have that issue, making it great for those who want more of these romantic moments from Onyx Storm: Rebecca Ross' Divine Rivals.

Divine Rivals Is Perfect For Fans Who Loved Violet & Xaden's Romantic Onyx Storm Moments

Divine Rivals' Love Story Is Also Set In Wartime

Divine Rivals' protagonists, Iris and Roman, have a similarly romantic dynamic in perilous times to Violet and Xaden, making the duology the perfect Onyx Storm replacement. Divine Rivals was big on BookTok in 2023 much like Fourth Wing was, with both stories surrounding a set of lovers who must navigate an unceasing war with powers beyond their comprehension and their feelings for each other. Both Yarros' and Ross' series won Goodreads Choice Awards in 2023, one of many similarities that makes the duology perfect for Empyrean Series readers, the largest being the details of its love story.

Iris and Roman's romance in Divine Rivals mirrors a lot of details of Violet and Xaden's despite theirs having a rivals-to-lovers angle over an enemies-to-lovers arc. Even so, the story has the two experience the same levels of devotion and yearning as Onyx Storm's main couple. Their exchange of letters, another plot point Violet and Xaden have, showcases similar soft care as their trust builds, culminating in many sweet moments even as the war rages around them. That romantic buildup, though, is not the only thing Divine Rivals has in common with Yarros' ongoing works.

Rebecca Ross's Duology Shares More With The Empyrean Series Than The Romance

Ross' Side Characters And Plot Mirrors Onyx Storm

The worldbuilding and side characters of Ross' duology parallel various aspects of those found in The Empyrean Series, giving audiences even more reasons to pick it up beyond it mirroring Violet and Xaden's story in Onyx Storm. The side characters of Ross's series are richly explored both within their connection to the main characters and as individuals, much like Onyx Storm does for The Iron Squad and The Marked Ones. Attie and her friendship with Iris is a major example of this, her strength and dedication to the truth highlight the duology's message about censorship and the power of journalism.

Though Yarros' conflict has yet to be resolved, both the venin and Dacre's army mirror each other in regards to their threat level.

Not only that, but both supernatural wars have similar setups, even with Divine Rival's World War 2 aesthetic. Each of these wars started due to a long-slain enemy rising again and wreaking havoc, forcing others to take up arms and the heroes into the conflict due to special circumstances. Though Yarros' conflict has yet to be resolved, both the venin and Dacre's army mirror each other in regards to their threat level. This makes Divine Rivals perfect for those who love Onyx Storm and enjoy the fantasy aspect of romantasy just as much as the romantic parts.