The 2024 Amazon Bestsellers List: A Surprising Top Performer
2024 saw a wealth of fantastic books, but the year's biggest surprise bestseller wasn't released until this week: Onyx Storm, the latest installment in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series.
If you're unfamiliar with the Empyrean series, you've likely heard of its predecessor, Fourth Wing. The series's explosive popularity largely stems from its viral success on BookTok, a trend mirroring other romance novels' journeys to fame. Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, for example, similarly skyrocketed to the top of bestseller lists in 2022, eventually adapted into a film.
Why the Empyrean Series' Triumph?
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 undoubtedly played a significant role, the series' inherent appeal also contributed to its success. Fourth Wing and Iron Flame offer a compelling blend of familiar and fresh elements: Harry Potter-esque themes, Twilight-style romance, and Inheritance Cycle-inspired dragons. The books feel both nostalgic and innovative.
Another factor driving the series' popularity is the explicit depiction of the protagonist's sexual encounters. What initially appears as a typical young adult novel quickly transitions into a steamy romance, maintaining its intensity throughout. Essentially, it's an epic fantasy romance with dragons and explicit sex—a winning combination for many readers.
AnswerSee ResultsOther 2024 Amazon Bestsellers
Onyx Storm secured the second spot on the 2024 Amazon bestseller list. The top-selling novel was Kristin Hannah's The Women, released in February 2024, which also topped The New York Times bestseller list. Here's a glimpse at the top ten:
- 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.
