Amazon's Surprise 2024 Bestseller: A Preorder Hit

2024 saw many fantastic books, but one unexpectedly soared to the top of Amazon's best-seller list: Onyx Storm, the latest installment in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series, released just this week.

Unfamiliar with the series? You might know its predecessor, Fourth Wing. Rebecca Yarros's novels owe much of their success to BookTok, the bookish corner of TikTok that launched other romance novels into the stratosphere. Remember Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us? Its viral BookTok fame propelled it to the top of best-seller lists in 2022 and even landed a movie adaptation.

Why the Empyrean Series's 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 TikTok undoubtedly played a huge role, the series's plot and genre were primed for success. Having read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, I can attest to their addictive quality. They blend familiar elements—the magical world reminiscent of Harry Potter, the romance echoing Twilight, and the dragons reminiscent of the Inheritance Cycle—creating a unique and captivating reading experience.

Another key factor? The series's explicit depiction of the protagonist's sexual encounters. What begins as a typical young adult novel quickly becomes intensely steamy, maintaining that heat throughout. It's epic fantasy romance with dragons and explicit sex—a potent combination for many readers.

Onyx Storm secured the number two spot on Amazon's 2024 best-seller list. Taking the top prize was Kristin Hannah's The Women, released in February 2024, which also reigned supreme on the New York Times best-seller list. Here's a look at the top ten:

1. The Women - Kristin Hannah
2. Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros
3. Atomic Habits - James Clear
4. Hillbilly Elegy - J.D. Vance
5. The Housemaid - Freida McFadden
6. Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story - Jeffrey Mason
7. Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story - Jeffrey Mason
8. The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt
9. It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover
10. Good Energy - Casey Means M.D.