2024 saw many fantastic books hit the shelves, but one unexpected title dominated Amazon's best-seller list: Onyx Storm, the latest installment in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series, which launched this week.
If the Empyrean series sounds unfamiliar, you've likely heard of Fourth Wing, its predecessor. The series' phenomenal success is largely attributed to its viral ascent on BookTok, mirroring the trajectory of other romance novels like Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, a 2022 bestseller that later became a film.
Why the Empyrean Series' Popularity?
Now Available### Onyx Storm (Standard Edition)
9Hardcover and Kindle versions available at a discount.$29.99 save 30%$20.98 at Amazon$29.99 save 50%$14.99 at Amazon KindleWhile BookTok undeniably played a significant role, the series' inherent appeal is equally crucial. Having read both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, I can attest to their captivating nature. The books blend familiar elements—the magical world reminiscent of Harry Potter, the romance echoing Twilight, and the dragon lore reminiscent of Inheritance Cycle—creating a unique and compelling reading experience.
Another contributing factor to the series' popularity is the explicit depiction of the protagonist's sexual encounters. What begins as a typical young adult novel quickly transitions into a steamy narrative, maintaining its intensity throughout. Essentially, it's an epic fantasy romance featuring dragons and explicit sexual content—a winning combination for many readers.
AnswerSee ResultsOther Amazon Best-Selling Books of 2024
Onyx Storm secured the second spot on Amazon's 2024 best-seller list. The top-selling novel was Kristin Hannah's The Women, released in February 2024, which also topped The New York Times bestseller list. Below is a list of the top ten books on Amazon's 2024 list:
- The Women - Kristin Hannah
- Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros
- Atomic Habits - James Clear
- Hillbilly Elegy - J.D. Vance
- The Housemaid - Freida McFadden
- Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story - Jeffrey Mason
- Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story - Jeffrey Mason
- The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt
- It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover
- Good Energy - Casey Means M.D.
