Amazon's Second Best-Selling Book of 2024 Was a Preorder That Just Came Out This Week

2024 saw many fantastic books hit the shelves, but one title 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.

Even if you're unfamiliar with the Empyrean series, you've likely heard of its predecessor, Fourth Wing. This series owes much of its success to BookTok, the bookish corner of TikTok where viral sensations are born. Remember Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us? Its BookTok fame propelled it to the top of bestseller lists in 2022 and even landed it a movie adaptation.

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 TikTok undeniably fueled the series' viral success, the books themselves were primed for popularity. Having read both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, I can attest to their addictive quality. They blend familiar elements from beloved series like Harry Potter (in its magical world-building), Twilight (in its romantic core), and Inheritance Cycle (with its dragon presence), creating a unique yet comfortably familiar reading experience.

Another key factor in the series' success is its explicit depiction of the protagonist's romantic encounters. What begins as a standard young adult novel quickly transitions into a steamy romance, maintaining this intensity throughout. It's an epic fantasy romance with dragons and romance—a winning combination for many readers.

Onyx Storm secured the number two spot on Amazon's 2024 bestseller list. The top spot went to 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:

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