The Book Club: Fast-paced “Onyx Storm” latest in Colorado author Rebecca Yarros’ series

Editor’s note: The opinions of the smart, well-read women in my Denver book club mean a lot, and often determine what the rest of us choose to pile onto our bedside tables. So we asked them, and all Denver Post readers, to share their mini-reviews with you. Have any to offer? Email bellis@denverpost.com.

“Onyx Storm,” by Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower Books, 2025)

If you’re a stranger to fantasy-romance, the first book in Colorado author Rebecca Yarros’ series, “Fourth Wing,” is the perfect novel to get you started on exploring the genre. In this, the third book, Yarros delves back into the world of Basgiath War College. We return to main character Violet Sorrengail as she navigates the dragon rider quadrant and a war. I love how fast-paced and exciting the story is, and how Yarros took the time to explore the world outside of the war college, traveling to different countries to summon aid. And, of course, the romantic plot line continued with so much passionate tension. I’m curious to see where Yarros will take this series (even if we have to wait until 2027 for the fourth book). Until then, I’ll be discussing my many theories with my book-loving friends. — 3 1/2 stars (out of 4); Brooke Eberle, The Denver Post 

“Patriot: A Memoir,” by Alexi Navalny, translated by Arch Tate with Stephen Dalziel (Alfred A. Knopf, 2024)

As the world now knows, Navalny did not survive the Russian prison system. This selfless man literally sacrificed his life to further his idealistic political opposition to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Navalny started this memoir before his last imprisonment, but following his final arrest, his writing took the form of diary entries, smuggled out of prison.  Navalny recounts his childhood and youth in Russia and how his experiences shaped him as a politician. He also describes his life in prison. He is relentlessly upbeat, with only a few scattered, caustic or mocking observations. Truly inspiring. — 4 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver 

“Three Days in June,” by Anne Tyler (Alfred A. Knopf, 2025)

One June day, your ex-husband shows up at your doorstep (with a cat!), uninvited, needing to stay with you for your daughter’s wedding. Awkward. The next day, the wedding happens (or does it?). Then how do you occupy yourself on the third day?

Anne Tyler has long been a favorite of mine for novels about realistic family relationships and her gentle humor. Her characters are slightly quirky people we know because they may well be our neighbors — or us. She hasn’t lost her touch; “Three Days in June” is a pleasure. — 3 1/2 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker

“The Women Behind the Door,” by Roddy Doyle (Viking, 2024)

The author seems to have an obsession with Paula Spencer in several of his Irish novels, but this isn’t a deficiency. Rarely can a male writer capture the soul and feelings so well of a major female character. In this novel, Paula has conquered her addictions as well as anyone with this curse can, and has realized her relationships with her children —  particularly daughter Nicola, whose entire life is disintegrating — are damaged, possibly beyond repair. Doyle sidesteps placing blame, We never get the answer why, but we have to assume that this dysfunctional family has no explanations either. The ins and outs of the women’s feelings, sometimes quite similar, always loaded with explosives, might lead them to pull themselves and one another out of the defective, painful mess. When Paula is the focus, she changes her mind instantaneously, yet she makes total sense anyway, and even convinces the reader of the validity of conflicting statements. Like life, she just gets along. You realize why Doyle has won so many awards, including the valued Booker Prize. — 4 stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, Denver (bonniemccune.com)