Rebecca Yarros’ latest novel, Onyx Storm, has made waves in the world of adult fiction, achieving remarkable sales figures and refreshing interest among fans of the romantasy genre. This book is the third installment in The Empyrean Series, following the success of Fourth Wing and its sequel, Iron Flame. It appears readers are eager to immerse themselves once more in the thrilling world where dragon riders navigate love and danger.
When Onyx Storm was released, it skyrocketed to success, selling over 2.7 million copies just within its first week, making it the fastest-selling adult novel since sales tracking began nearly two decades ago. The staggering numbers put Yarros comfortably at the forefront of contemporary adult fiction, with her series boasting over 12 million copies sold across the three novellas, as confirmed by her publisher, Entangled.
Yarros shared her astonishment at the massive sales during a live appearance, telling approximately 1,700 fans at the event, "It doesn’t feel real — none of it does." This overwhelming response to Onyx Storm highlights the growing popularity of the romantasy genre, which tantalizingly balances romantic elements with fantasy themes, capturing the imagination of readers all around.
Five years ago, Yarros faced serious health challenges due to chronic illness, moments when she even contemplated giving up on writing altogether. Yet, her resolve strengthened as she conceived the concept for Fourth Wing, where adventure and romance beautifully intertwine at a military academy for dragon riders. The ensuing popularity of her books was unexpected but evidently welcomed, propelling her to success amid the literary scene.
Interestingly, Onyx Storm accomplished sales eclipsing Colleen Hoover’s previous record for adult fiction; Hoover's It Starts With Us managed to sell 810,000 copies during its opening week. Even when compared to high-profile children’s literature, Yarros’ achievement stands tall—though the final release of Harry Potter did reach 8.3 million copies sold within its first 24 hours, Yarros’s sales have reshaped perceptions about women writers claiming their places atop bestseller charts.
Yarros is now focused on bringing her beloved characters to life on the screen, as news about the adaptation of Fourth Wing has captured the attention of both fans and prospective viewers. Amazon Studios, alongside Michael B. Jordan, is leading the charge to bring the series to television. While no official casting announcements have been made yet, Yarros has expressed her desire for the role of the protagonist, Xaden Riorson, to be portrayed by someone who embodies the diversity and marginalization she holds dear.
Yarros elaborated on her vision and collaborative efforts with series showrunner Moira Walley-Beckett, known for her work on acclaimed shows like Breaking Bad. "We are not at the casting point yet," Yarros stated, “Moira and I’ve had really great conversations about casting, and she knows how important it is to me not to remove marginalized people from the cast." There’s much anticipation surrounding the direction of this project, especially as readers hope for their favorite characters to be represented faithfully.
Readers familiar with the series will know Onyx Storm's plot intricacies create plenty of fuel for speculation concerning its future installments. The book ends with exciting cliffhangers, most prominently centered around the destinies of main characters Xaden and Violet. Fans are pondering the fate of their favorite characters and foreseeing major developments yet to come, including potential deaths and power shifts, leading to diverse theories about who might ascend to royalty by the series' conclusion.
The buzz around the upcoming adaptations has sparked widespread conversations among fans of the books and the genre alike. With speculation increasing about the potential casting choices for main roles, one can't help wonder about the cultural impact the show may have.
The market for romantasy has boomed recently, evidenced by Sales data stating the genre saw 30 million print sales last year—a 50% increase from the prior year. Readers are lining up for novels with dynamic characters, steamy romance, and gripping adventures, signifying growth for authors like Yarros who adeptly blend narratives of love with elements of thrill and fantasy. The buzz generated by Onyx Storm solidifies Yarros' status as both author and brand, leaving fans eager for more content to come.
With the ever-looming presence of adaptations, future books from The Empyrean Series, and the continued evolution of the romantasy genre, Rebecca Yarros has undeniably cemented her place as one of the foremost authors capturing the hearts and minds of contemporary fantasy readers today.