Rebecca Yarros's latest novel, Onyx Storm, released on January 21, 2025, has taken the literary world by storm, achieving remarkable sales and garnering enthusiastic fans eager for the next installment of her 'Empyrean' series.
The book, which sees protagonist Violet Sorrengail continue her adventures as she trains to become one of the elite dragon riders, hit the shelves with such fervor it reportedly caused Target’s website and app to crash on release day. The outages began at 2:45 AM and spiked shortly after, stirring excitement among readers. Comments from fans flooded social media, with one noting, "Lol,, everyone jumping to grab Onyx Storm and we broke Target’s servers??" Another chimed, "Just trying to get this damn book for my wife so I can go back to sleep."
The demand for Onyx Storm has been immense—publisher Little, Brown noted it was their biggest pre-ordered title since the release of the Harry Potter play script back in 2016. Yarros's fans fully embraced release events, queuing outside bookstores until midnight to secure hard copies, leading to more than 2.7 million copies sold within the first week of release. This impressive statistic makes it the fastest-selling adult fiction title of the past 20 years, according to Circana BookScan.
Previously published books, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, created the building blocks for Onyx Storm, each ending on gripping cliffhangers, with book two particularly leaving readers hyped for more. An unexpected twist provided some satisfying closure, but also set the stage for even more questions about Violet’s future.
Readers were captivated by the dynamic between Violet and her love interest, Xaden Riorson, who hails from rival families within the dragon riding universe. Their relationship embodies classic enemies-to-lovers tropes, enhanced by steamy romance and jet-fueled action. 'Onyx Storm' is praised for not only progressing plotlines but for deepening friendships among characters, shifting some emphasis away from romance, and delivering increased dragon battles and tension.
Despite the whirlwind surrounding the release, Yarros has decided to step back from the relentless pace of writing she once kept. Speaking at an engagement shortly after the launch, Yarros stated, "I promised my children I would spend the summer with them," indicating she will take the time to be with family before returning to write the next book. She also articulated the importance of balance, emphasizing, "I’ve been really clear about taking rest now." This is particularly significant for Yarros, who battles chronic illnesses such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS, conditions which have made writing challenging.
The cliffhanger at the end of Onyx Storm has already left fans clamoring for the next installment. Violet’s unexpected marriage to Xaden, the mystery of missing dragon eggs and riders, and the cliffhanger concerning Xaden’s potential fate are central to the speculation surrounding the fourth book. "Someone you love won't make it in book four," Yarros hinted during an event, leaving fans to theorize and anticipate what could come next.
Yarros's impact is undeniable—her unique blend of fantasy, romance, and gripping narratives has enchanted readers, leading to years of dedication to her craft paying off spectacularly. The level of fan devotion parallels the fandoms surrounding series like Harry Potter, something Little, Brown's editorial director Rebekah West pointed out, stating, "This level of fan devotion hasn’t been seen since the days of Harry Potter."
On the horizon, Yarros has hinted at her next projects, including possibly returning to writing contemporaries, as she has previously created successful stories outside the fantasy genre. With Onyx Storm under her belt and demanding readers at the ready, the future looks bright for Yarros—both for her career and within the ever-growing universe of dragon riders. The balance she seeks between family time and creative output promises intriguing developments, both for her and her characters.