The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros isn’t just a story—it’s a mirror, a companion, and at times, a challenge to my own understanding of resilience and love. From the first page, I was pulled into a world of danger, beauty, and heartbreak, but what hit me most was how much I saw myself reflected in Violet.
Violet’s struggle with EDS (Or what I perceived to be EDS at any rate) —her chronic pain, her limitations, her determination to keep going despite a body that sometimes feels like it’s betraying her—resonated so deeply with me. Living with fibromyalgia, I know that daily battle: the ache, the exhaustion, the frustration of wanting to do more than your body allows. Violet’s courage, her refusal to let her condition define her, and the way she keeps moving forward even when it hurts—it gave me hope. It reminded me that I am not less because of pain, that my worth is not dictated by what my body can or can’t do, and that persistence itself is a kind of victory. And yes, it also triggered that wonderful ADHD brain of mine and now I want to train until I can ride a dragon. It is Violets resilience though, she does beat the odds at every turn, but it's not a 'sunshine and sparkles' victory. She has to work hard to overcome everything that comes her way. She has to think outside of the box to make things work for her, be that at school or when dealing with her dragons and that shadow daddy that we have all fallen head over heels for. I know you are all as guilty as me when it comes for craving the dark and dangerous man with a tortured soul... we can fix him, can't we?
That brings me ontoXaden. Where Violet’s struggle is mostly physical, Xaden’s complexity is emotional and moral, and it left me in awe. He’s not perfect, he’s not simple, and he’s not always easy to understand—in fact he's often an overbearing ass.....but that’s what makes him so real. The layers of his personality, the way he carries his past, his fears, and his love, all while being a pillar for Violet—it reminded me that strength isn’t one-dimensional. True strength often comes paired with vulnerability, compassion, and a willingness to fight for the people you care about, even when it terrifies you. Watching him and Violet navigate their worlds together, while both carrying so much, reminded me that connection, love, and support are worth every risk, every misstep, and every struggle. It left me so attached that at the end of book three, I was left gasping like a fish out of water. It is a good job I was sat alone because I think I would have been admitted to somewhere with nice soft walls if anyone had witnessed what I became at the end of that book!
This series hit me in a way few books have. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me pause and think about my own life and challenges in ways I hadn’t expected. It made me fall in love, ripped my heart out, stuck it back together and then ripped it out all over again. The Empyrean isn’t just fantasy—it’s a story about perseverance, about learning to live fully in spite of pain, about the messy, beautiful, and complicated nature of love. About how loss is always there, we never know what's coming and to appreciate every single moment. It reminded me that even on days when my body feels like it’s failing me, I am still capable of growth, still capable of joy, still capable of fighting and loving fiercely. On days when my mind is trying to quit on me, I can dig deep to find the strength to keep going.
For me, this series has been more than entertainment—it’s been a lesson, a reflection, and a source of comfort. It has reminded me that my struggles do not define me, but they do shape the resilience, empathy, and courage I carry into the world. And it has reminded me that love, in all its forms, is worth embracing, even when it’s scary, messy, or complicated. The wait for book four is going to be utter hell, and I want to read more of Rebecca's work... although I have to admit I am scared too. I know the emotional damage is going to be high.... but then the stories are just impossible to put down. So I will put my brave pants on and delve into the last letter soon.... but as far as this series goes, I shall wait ever impatient for the fourth book. I shall try not to chanell from the earth to speed things along. And in the words of the greatest friend and shadow that we all found in these books. "It has been my honor".
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