NEW YORK (AP) Alyssa Math, an accountant from Annapolis, Maryland, celebrated her upcoming wedding with a unique bachelorette party: front-row tickets to an author event featuring Rebecca Yarros, the celebrated writer of the "Onyx Storm." Math, donning a white veil reminiscent of one of Yarros’ characters, expressed her excitement about being part of the event, praising Yarros for her gripping storytelling that has garnered her a massive cult following.
The author’s appearance at The Town Hall in Manhattan drew an enthusiastic crowd of around 1,500 fans, who filled the venue with an atmosphere that resembled a blend of a costume party, rock concert, and family reunion. Yarros has rapidly gained acclaim in the romantasy genre, which merges romance and fantasy. "Onyx Storm" stands as the highly anticipated third installment in a planned five-part series focusing on the central characters, Violet and Xaden, and comes hot on the heels of the success of "Iron Flame," which became a bestseller in 2023.
In its first week alone, "Onyx Storm" has propelled to the top of Amazon's bestseller charts and has sold more than 300,000 copies through Barnes & Noble. During a 75-minute interview led by Laurie Hernandez, an Olympic gymnast and devoted fan, Yarros shared insights into her writing process, revealing that she already knows how the series will conclude. She expressed her gratitude toward fans while humorously noting that she sometimes has to block out her own popularity to focus on her work. "As much as I love you guys, I kind of pretend you don’t exist," she remarked, blending humor with heartfelt appreciation.
While "Onyx Storm" may not reach the monumental sales figures of J.K. Rowling’s final "Harry Potter" book, which sold over 8 million copies within the first 24 hours, it evokes a similar fervor among its readers. Inspired by the book’s release, fans across the nation celebrated with midnight store parties, arriving in costumes that reflect the characters and themes of Yarros' work. Attendees at The Town Hall displayed their dedication, with some finishing the book within hours, while others opted to take a more leisurely approach to savor the experience.
Scarlett Fuentes, another fan adorned in black leather, expressed a desire to relish every moment of reading "Onyx Storm," indicating the deeper emotional connection fans have cultivated with the book. The enthusiasm for Yarros’ literature mirrors that of the "Harry Potter" series, transcending typical marketing efforts. The rise of platforms like BookTok, a thriving community on TikTok, has significantly driven interest and sales for authors like Yarros and her contemporaries, including Sarah J. Maas.
During the event, questions were directed toward Yarros about the characters, revealing playful insights about their hypothetical preferences. For instance, if Violet and Xaden were at a bar, Violet would likely order a lavender lemon drop, while Xaden would prefer a beer. When asked about the life lessons derived from writing, Yarros emphasized the importance of real-life experiences over online interactions, sharing that true life unfolds in her home with her family.
Yarros concluded her session by reaffirming her love for her fans while also expressing a need to disconnect from the digital world. "I love you guys, but peace out," she said, encapsulating the balance she seeks between her public persona and personal life.
