Still Recovering from Onyx Storm… So I Went Down a Rebecca Yarros Rabbit Hol

Is anyone else still emotionally recovering from Onyx Storm?

Because I know I am.

Like so many readers, I’ve found myself completely hung up on that ending. Waiting for the next Empyrean book feels impossible, so I did what any reasonable reader would do—I picked up more Rebecca Yarros.

Only this time, I went backward.

Instead of dragons and magic, I dove into her contemporary novels, and honestly? I wasn’t prepared for how much I would love them.

Over the last couple of months, I’ve worked my way through The Last Letter, the entire Flight & Glory series, and then the Renegades series. Every single time I thought I had found my favorite, the next book somehow raised the bar.

Flight & Glory gave me unforgettable characters like Josh Walker and Jackson Montgomery. Those books made me laugh, cry, and occasionally question why I continue to let Rebecca Yarros emotionally destroy me. The series wrapped up in a way that gave every character the closure they deserved, and it quickly became one of my favorite contemporary romance series.

Then came The Renegades.

I expected another great series.

I didn’t expect Cruz Delgado.

Somehow, Cruz managed to knock Josh Walker out of the top spot on my contemporary book boyfriend list—a position Josh had held for quite a while. Cruz isn’t perfect, and that’s exactly why he works so well. He feels authentic. He’s flawed, loyal, frustrating at times, and incredibly real. By the time I finished Rebel, there wasn’t even a debate. Cruz had earned the number one spot.

Now I’m left with an impossible question:

Which series is actually better?

Flight & Glory gave me some of my favorite characters of the year and delivered one of the most satisfying series endings I’ve read in a long time.

The Renegades introduced me to Cruz Delgado and reminded me that Rebecca Yarros has an incredible talent for creating characters that stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.

The truth is… I still can’t decide.

Maybe I don’t have to.

Maybe the best part about Rebecca Yarros as an author is that she can write breathtaking fantasy with dragons, emotionally devastating military romance, and adrenaline-filled sports romance—and somehow make me fall completely into every world she creates.

Now, while I continue waiting (impatiently) for the next Empyrean book, I’ve found myself returning to another world I love: Solaria. I’m finally reading the Darkmore Penitentiary series, which means I’m back with the magic, chaos, and heartbreak that Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti seem to deliver so effortlessly.

So while the wait for Onyx Storm’s sequel continues, at least my TBR isn’t getting any smaller.

Now I have to ask…

If you’ve read Rebecca Yarros’ contemporary books, which series wins for you: Flight & Glory or The Renegades?