NEW YORK — As Alyssa Math gears up for a significant life event, nothing seemed more appropriate than securing front-row seats to see Rebecca Yarros, the author of “Onyx Storm,” at The Town Hall in Manhattan. This event marks a dual celebration for Math, who is preparing for her wedding next weekend, labeling the occasion as her bachelorette party. Math, an accountant from near Annapolis, Maryland, has been captivated by Yarros’ literature, even driving two hours to Reston, Virginia, to attend a previous event last year.
“It’s a massive cult following,” Math expressed, sporting a white veil inspired by one of Yarros’ characters. “The drama in her stories really keeps you on the edge of your seat.” On that Friday evening, The Town Hall buzzed with an electric atmosphere, as around 1,500 attendees clapped, laughed, and cheered exclamations like “Yes, Queen!” Yarros has gained immense popularity in the realm of romantasy, a genre blending romance and fantasy, particularly through her “Empyrean” series.
“Onyx Storm” is the eagerly anticipated third part of a planned five that follows the relationship between characters Violet and Xaden. This installment comes after the success of “Iron Flame,” which sold over a million copies in 2023. In its debut week, “Onyx Storm” swiftly rose to the top of the Amazon bestseller lists and reportedly sold over 300,000 copies through Barnes & Noble alone, as stated by a representative from the bookstore chain.
During an engaging 75-minute interview led by Olympic gymnast and devoted fan Laurie Hernandez, Yarros shared thoughts on her creative process, confirming that she has envisioned the series’ conclusion. She spoke affectionately about her husband and lightheartedly remarked about her profession, humorously noting that it allows her to have “imaginary friends” without being labeled as insane.
Yarros expressed her relief upon completing “Onyx Storm,” admitting that she had to block out the noise of her popularity to focus on writing. “As much as I love you guys, I kind of pretend you don’t exist,” she revealed. “I sort of ignore you, but I love you at the same time.”
While “Onyx Storm” may not reach the unprecedented levels of fanfare like the final Harry Potter book, which sold over 8 million copies within a day of its release, the excitement surrounding the book echoes similar sentiments of passion and enthusiasm. The release was celebrated with midnight book parties across the country, where fans donned costumes. Some readers at The Town Hall had finished the 526-page novel within hours of acquisition, while others expressed a desire to savor the experience.
“This is a book I personally want to take my time with,” said Scarlett Fuentes, who attended the event with her friend, Zy Bao-angan, both clad in black leather. “I want to savor this moment,” Bao-angan added. Interest in Yarros’ novels extends beyond organized marketing efforts, similar to how the Harry Potter series generated its own fandom culture. Yarros, alongside fellow romantasy author Sarah J. Maas, has garnered significant attention from young readers on BookTok—a TikTok community that has become a leading force in book sales. Fans on social media are actively posting their emotional reactions to “Onyx Storm,” showcasing a range of feelings from tears to exclamations of disbelief.
On Friday night, audience members engaged with Hernandez as if discussing mutual friends, asking humorous questions about the characters. If Violet and Xaden were to visit a bar, what would their drink choices be? Violet would opt for a lavender lemon drop, while Xaden would keep it simple with a beer. They even touched on musical preferences, identifying Xaden with heavy metal and noting that Violet was harder to categorize.
When asked about the most crucial lessons learned from her writing journey, Yarros reminded fans that her identity extends beyond being a writer or public figure. “I can talk about plotting, but the most important thing I’ve learned is that real life unfolds in my home, around my kitchen, in my living room chairs, and when I’m with my kids and my husband,” she explained. “Real life is not what happens on the internet.”
Wrapping up her time, she enthusiastically addressed the crowd, saying, “I love you guys, but peace out.”
