Yes, Onyx Storm has spicy scenes. This guide to Onyx Storm spicy chapters lists each one by number, labeled as kissing, steamy build-up, or explicit on-page content. It has a no-spoiler list first, a spoiler section later, and plain notes for readers who want to skip or skim. Spoiler sections are clearly marked, so you can stop wherever you like.
Onyx Storm is Rebecca Yarros’s third Empyrean novel, after Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. It was published in January 2025, and the author has said the series will run five books.
How we label scenes
- Kissing-only: a kiss or make-out moment with no sexual activity.
- Steamy build-up: heavy kissing, touching or sexual talk that stops before sex.
- Explicit on-page scene: sexual activity shown on the page rather than skipped past.
- Spicy chapter: any chapter containing one of the above.
Onyx Storm Spicy Chapters: Quick Answer
Across the guides we compared, the spicy content falls in Chapters 3, 11–12, 18, 24–25 and 48–49. Only Chapters 25 and 49 contain explicit on-page sex scenes. The book has 66 numbered chapters, so explicit content takes up a small share of the story.
| Chapter | Type of content | Intensity | Spoiler level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Steamy sexual contact; stops short of sex per two sources | Moderate | Low |
| 11 (end) into 12 | Cliffhanger kiss, then a short conversation | Kissing-only | Low |
| 18 | Kissing, jealousy, dirty talk | Steamy build-up | Low |
| 24 (end) into 25 | Kiss at the end of 24, then an explicit scene | Explicit | Medium |
| 48 | Kissing, undressing, touching, dirty talk | Steamy build-up (heavy) | Medium |
| 49 | Continues from 48 into an explicit scene | Explicit | Medium |
About Chapter 10. Some lists mention Chapter 10 as a romantic moment. The three guides we could compare place the kiss at the end of Chapter 11 and into Chapter 12 instead, and none lists Chapter 10. We have left it out of the confirmed list. If you own a different edition and see a romantic beat in Chapter 10, it is worth noting your edition’s chapter breaks.
Onyx Storm Spicy Chapters Without Spoilers
This list gives chapter numbers and intensity only. It reveals no plot developments.
- Chapter 3: Steamy
- Chapter 11 (end) and Chapter 12: Kissing
- Chapter 18: Steamy build-up
- Chapter 24 (end) and Chapter 25: Kissing, then an explicit on-page scene in 25
- Chapter 48: Steamy build-up
- Chapter 49: Explicit on-page scene
A scene can run across a chapter break, which is why 11–12, 24–25 and 48–49 are paired. If you want to avoid explicit content, Chapters 25 and 49 are the two to plan around. All of the spicy chapters in the guides we compared center on Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson.
Complete Onyx Storm Spicy Chapter List With Spoilers
Spoiler warning: this section describes what happens in each romantic scene and touches lightly on surrounding story details. It does not reproduce the book’s text.
Chapter 3: steamy, short of sex
One of the earliest romantic moments in the book. Violet and Xaden make out and the heat builds, but Xaden pulls back before it goes further, according to The Mary Sue and The Literary Lifestyle. Swooon describes the same scene as “a bit graphic but brief,” so this is the one chapter where sources disagree on how hot it runs.
Skipping effect: low. Swooon says Xaden hints at more later that night, but nothing else depends on the scene.
Chapters 11 and 12: one kiss across a chapter break
Chapter 11 ends on a kiss and Chapter 12 picks up mid-kiss. Afterward, Violet and Xaden talk about how far they can go. The kiss is kissing-only, and the conversation is the more important part because it sets up the sexual frustration that recurs through much of the book.
Skipping effect: you would lose character dialogue, not heat. There is no reason to skip these.
Chapter 18: jealousy and dirty talk
Xaden admits he is jealous of anything that gets to touch Violet, tied to his worry about losing control. They kiss and trade heated talk. The Mary Sue and The Literary Lifestyle both stop there, and Swooon says the scene leaves a good deal to the imagination.
Skipping effect: low to moderate, because the emotional point of the scene is Xaden’s restraint.
Chapters 24 and 25: kiss, then an explicit scene
Chapter 24 ends with a sudden kiss. Chapter 25 picks up straight away and becomes an explicit on-page sex scene, set on an island where magic does not work. The Mary Sue calls it a pretty explicit, open-door scene.
Skipping effect: moderate. The chapter also moves the story along on the island, so skimming beats skipping outright. Read and get complete guide on Onyx Storm Characters, Dragons & Signets.
Chapter 48: heavy build-up
A kiss turns into undressing, touching and dirty talk that carries to the end of the chapter, according to The Literary Lifestyle. The Mary Sue notes the scene “leads to” what the pair want but does not call Chapter 48 itself explicit.
Skipping effect: moderate, because the chapter flows straight into Chapter 49.
Chapter 49: explicit scene
Chapter 49 continues where 48 stops and is an explicit on-page scene. The Mary Sue frames it as a last intimate moment before the situation turns dangerous.
Skipping effect: moderate. Read the first and last lines of the chapter so you do not miss the story turn that follows.
Onyx Storm Chapter 25 Explained
Spoiler warning: this section describes a scene’s general nature.
Chapter 25 is the chapter most readers search for, because it is the first chapter on the sources’ lists that is explicit on the page (Chapter 3 stops short, according to two of them). It continues directly from the kiss at the end of Chapter 24 and is set on an island where magic does not function. Violet and Xaden have wanted each other for much of the book and have been held back, so the chapter reads as a release of that tension. The scene runs for several pages in the Kindle edition, per The Literary Lifestyle. We are not describing it further. Get complete Guide and overview of Onyx Storm Ending with explanation.
Onyx Storm Chapter 48 Explained
Spoiler warning: this section describes a scene’s general nature.
Chapter 48 is a build-up chapter. A kiss escalates into undressing, touching and dirty talk that continues to the end of the chapter, per The Literary Lifestyle. The Mary Sue calls this one of a few cliffhanger kisses in the book and says the scene leads to what the characters want. Both sources point to Chapter 49 as the payoff. Editorial note: the two chapters read as one continuous scene, so if you plan to skip, treat 48 and 49 as a unit.
Onyx Storm Chapter 49 Explained
Spoiler warning: this section describes a scene’s general nature.
Chapter 49 is an explicit on-page scene that picks up exactly where Chapter 48 ended. For Violet and Xaden, it is a moment of closeness after a long stretch of tension and obstacles. The Mary Sue frames it as a last intimate moment before things become more dangerous, so the plot moves quickly afterward. We are not reproducing dialogue or giving a detailed description.
What Is the Spice Level of Onyx Storm?
RavensDiary rating: 3/5. This is our editorial judgment on a five-point scale, not an official or industry classification.
- 1/5: Little to no sexual content.
- 2/5: Mild romantic or suggestive content.
- 3/5: Moderate sexual content, including some explicit scenes.
- 4/5: Frequent or more intense explicit scenes.
- 5/5: Very frequent and highly explicit sexual content.
Why 3/5. The guides we compared point to two explicit chapters (25 and 49) out of 66, plus a handful of kissing and build-up chapters. That is frequent enough to be a real part of the book, but it is a small share of a story that is mostly about war, a mission and political tension. The Literary Lifestyle also rates it 3/5. The Mary Sue reads it as relatively mild compared with Iron Flame, a view we treat as one reviewer’s opinion rather than a consensus. The author’s own front-matter warning lists sexual activities shown on the page, so no reader should expect a closed-door book.
Is Onyx Storm Spicier Than Fourth Wing or Iron Flame?
Based on the guides we compared, probably not, though the books are close and heat is subjective.
| Book | Spicy chapters listed by sources | General intensity | Brief comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Wing | 22, 30, 32 (We Got This Covered) | The Mary Sue rates it about 3/5 | Fewer chapters flagged; see our [Fourth Wing spicy chapters guide] |
| Iron Flame | 12, 20, 27, 37, 48, 60 (The Literary Lifestyle) | Described by The Mary Sue as hotter than Onyx Storm | More spice-flagged chapters than Onyx Storm |
| Onyx Storm | 3, 11–12, 18, 24–25, 48–49 | RavensDiary: 3/5 | Two explicit chapters; The Mary Sue calls it comparatively mild |
Chapter lists vary by source, so use the dedicated guide for each book. An Iron Flame guide from RavensDiary is planned and will be linked here once it is live. Get complete Guide and overview of Onyx Storm Ending with explanation.
Onyx Storm Audiobook and GraphicAudio
Standard audiobook. Recorded Books published an unabridged edition of about 24 hours. Library catalog records list Rebecca Soler as the lead narrator, with Teddy Hamilton, Justis Bolding and Jasmin Walker.
GraphicAudio. GraphicAudio’s full-cast dramatized adaptation comes in two parts. Part 1 was released May 7, 2025 and Part 2 on July 2, 2025, each running roughly 10 hours and rated 18+ on the publisher’s site. GraphicAudio describes these as adapted from the novel.
What we cannot confirm. We did not find a source that confirms whether either audio edition changes or cuts scenes, how tracks map to chapter numbers, or which GraphicAudio part contains which chapters. Do not assume the print chapter numbers match track numbers. In a standard audiobook, check the chapter list in your app. For GraphicAudio, the safest approach is to watch for the surrounding story cues described above, for instance the kiss that ends Chapter 24 leading into Chapter 25. We have not published timestamps because we have none that are verified.
Onyx Storm Spicy Chapters to Skip or Skim
There is no right threshold here. Some readers skip every kiss, some only the explicit scenes. The table below separates the two.
| Verified chapter | Content type | Suggested action | Context note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Steamy contact, stops short | Skim if sensitive; skip the scene if not | Little plot depends on it |
| 11 into 12 | Kissing-only | Read | The conversation after the kiss is character-driven |
| 18 | Steamy build-up | Skim the dirty-talk exchange | Xaden’s restraint is the point |
| 24 into 25 | Kiss, then explicit | Skim the scene itself | The island setting also advances the story |
| 48 | Steamy build-up | Skim | Flows directly into 49 |
| 49 | Explicit | Skim the scene itself | The next chapter picks up a faster plot, so don’t skip it |
Skipping a chapter vs. skimming a passage. Skipping an entire spicy chapter can mean missing dialogue and story beats around the scene, so skimming the intimate passage usually costs less. Page ranges differ by edition (The Literary Lifestyle’s Kindle numbers do not match Swooon’s), so we do not publish page numbers.
Onyx Storm Content Warnings
The book opens with an author’s note warning of the following. Check it against your own copy before relying on this list.
- War and hand-to-hand combat
- Blood, intense violence, brutal injuries and gore
- Murder, death and animal death
- Injury rehabilitation, grief and perilous situations
- Poisoning and burning
- Graphic language
- Sexual activities shown on the page
We have not added warnings beyond what the author lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the spicy chapters in Onyx Storm?
Chapters 3, 11–12, 18, 24–25 and 48–49 contain kissing, steamy build-up or explicit content. Only Chapters 25 and 49 are explicit on-page scenes.
Which Onyx Storm chapters are spicy without spoilers?
See the spoiler-free list above: Chapter 3 is steamy, Chapters 11–12 are kissing-only, 18 and 48 are steamy build-up, and 25 and 49 are explicit.
Is Onyx Storm very spicy?
Not compared with the heaviest romance novels. We rate it 3/5, with two explicit chapters among 66.
What happens in Chapters 25, 48 and 49?
Chapter 25 is an explicit scene that continues from a kiss at the end of Chapter 24. Chapter 48 is a heavy build-up that flows straight into Chapter 49, an explicit scene. Details are in the marked spoiler sections.
Where are the explicit chapters in Onyx Storm?
Chapters 25 and 49.
Can you skip the spicy chapters in Onyx Storm?
Yes. The scenes are largely self-contained, but skimming works better than skipping whole chapters because the surrounding chapters carry dialogue and story beats.
How many chapters are in Onyx Storm?
There are 66 numbered chapters according to The Literary Lifestyle. One summary site lists 68 sections, so the count may depend on edition and how extra pages are counted.
Does the Onyx Storm audiobook include the same scenes? Does GraphicAudio use the same chapter numbering?
We could not verify either. The Recorded Books version is unabridged, but GraphicAudio is an adaptation, and we found no track-to-chapter mapping for either.
Is Onyx Storm spicier than Fourth Wing or Iron Flame?
Based on the sources we compared, it is comparable to Fourth Wing and milder than Iron Flame by The Mary Sue’s account. Heat tolerance varies.
How We Checked
We cross-compared chapter lists from The Mary Sue, The Literary Lifestyle and Swooon (the latter via search excerpts), and noted where they disagree. [EDITOR: add your own edition check here only if it actually happened.] We did not check any audio edition directly. Rebecca Yarros’s author note was used for the content warnings. Spice ratings are editorial opinion. Research was compiled October 29, 2026.
Hi, I’m Nisbah – a blogger with over 2 years of experience creating content and a fantasy enthusiast who loves exploring magical worlds, fantasy books, captivating stories, and unforgettable characters. I share book recommendations, reviews, fantasy insights, and story discussions and creating guides to help readers discover their next great adventure.
