Latest news with #TheEmpyrean
Time Magazine
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2025: Entangled Publishing
In February, the first three slots on The New York Times 's hardcover fiction bestseller list were titles from Rebecca Yarros's dragon-riding romantasy series The Empyrean . This rare feat in the world of adult fiction is the result of a risky but now signature move by Yarros' publisher, Entangled Publishing. Instead of hedging bets across, say, 10 titles, it goes all-in on a smaller number of books with big potential. The idea is to focus on 'just the blockbuster book that we can turn into a franchise,' says Liz Pelletier, co-founder and CEO. That confidence is buoyed by Premeditated Productions, an Entangled offshoot launched last year that gives Amazon MGM Studios a first look at the publisher's intellectual property. In the first seven months of partnership, seven projects went into development—an extraordinary success rate that's due perhaps to Entangled's unique level of creative influence before an author sits down to write. Pelletier's team can pair an author with a TV showrunner in order to develop their book—always published first—for on-screen production. Yarros's success has sent romantasy book sales surging, and with Entangled's creative engine revving, the subgenre's biggest days are likely ahead.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Rebecca Yarros fans work out Fourth Wing character is 'still alive'
The Empyrean series has gripped fans with its complex characters and world-building, and now some have come up with a mind-blowing theory about one supposed 'dead' character Devotees of the Fourth Wing saga may have to hold their horses for the upcoming chapter, as author Rebecca Yarros has confessed she's yet to put pen to paper for the new book. Still, that hasn't deterred fervent fans from brainstorming possible twists and turns in The Empyrean series. One theory focuses on Naolin, Tairn's rider, before our protagonist, Violet. Naolin met his demise ahead of the tale's commencement, valiantly sacrificing himself to resurrect Brennan. But a faction of followers are airing the possibility that Naolin's fate wasn't sealed by this heroic act, proposing instead that he morphed into one of the nefarious, shadow-manipulating venin. A theory debated zealously on Reddit suggests: "We know he died tried to resurrect Brennen (who isn't dead) so he either became venin and then had the power to bring him back to life, or Brennan never died and Naolin still reached for that power and turned." The speculation doesn't end there, as the same fan speculated: "It would make sense for leadership to say that he died rather than turned venin since they are hiding the existence from the citizens. "They claim he 'burned out and died next to that rider' but that rider didn't die, so there's no guarantee he did either. I would think that would be a pretty convenient lie for someone who turned venin." This theory further spirals into the hypothesis that Naolin is not merely a run-of-the-mill venin but the enigmatic venin general spoken of in hushed tones throughout the narrative, reports the Mirror US. Some fans aren't convinced by a popular theory, with one questioning: "I don't think he's the general since the general mentions waiting centuries for someone with Violet's power and Naolin only 'died' a couple of years ago." They do however back another idea, adding: "I do support the theory of him being Venin though. It would definitely explain Tairn's redirection anytime Violet mentions him and how angry he gets when he comes up." This fan has their own interpretation, speculating: "I think Naolin turned and Tairn had to break his bond. I think that makes more sense for Tairn's emotions behind Naolin versus him simply burning out. Because how angry could Tairn really be if Naolin burned out for love?". The debate continues as some suggest Naolin might actually be the venin sage, pointing out that Brennan refers to Naolin saving him at the cost of "everything", not necessarily his life. Meanwhile, there are those who believe the tale is less complex, suggesting that Naolin's death might just be that, without a hidden layer.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Rebecca Yarros fans 'work out' major character twist in Fourth Wing book four
Fans of The Empyrean series have been left with plenty of theories following the ending of Onyx Storm, with some suggesting that a popular character could be a secret villain Devotees of the Fourth Wing saga are on edge for the next chapter of The Empyrean series, but it seems they might be in for a bit of a wait, as author Rebecca Yarros has let slip that she's yet to put pen to paper for the upcoming book. Despite the potential stretch ahead, eager fans have been busy spinning theories about the future twists and turns of the narrative, with whispers that a fan-favourite might just reveal their true colours as a villain. Heads up, there are spoilers ahead for the ending of Onyx Storm! The speculation isn't without merit, especially since Onyx Storm wrapped up with Xaden turning venin and abandoning Violet in Aretia, where she's unexpectedly become the Duchess, despite having no memory of marrying Xaden in the hours following the battle of Draithus. But the plot thickens beyond Xaden becoming fully venin – readers are abuzz with the possibility that his cousin Bodhi and best friend Garrick might have also embraced their darker sides. Yet, some fans reckon another character might have been a secret villain all along. Casting a suspicious eye towards Violet's friend and squad member Ridoc, the Inner Circle podcast duo, Georgie and Adalia, have floated the idea that the series' comic relief character may be masking a sinister truth, reports the Mirror US. In a social media musing, the pair reflected: "Still thinking about what Jack Barlowe said: Ask me when I turned. Ask why only initiates bleed.' "And then it was never followed up on... but when Violet was sure Ridoc was stabbed and jumped to compress the wound, Ridoc didn't bleed and said it was only his jacket. Despite Violet seeing it lodged in his side.. "What if Ridoc is venin and is just high enough rank that Xaden can't detect him??" The fan theory sparked a flurry of responses, with one person pointing out: "I had SO MANY THEORIES about this scene until someone told me to go back and read it. It never stabbed him, it specifically says that it missed him and went into the counter. "Ridoc was giving me suspicious vibes the whole book. I'm convinced something is up with him," another reader insisted. However, not everyone was on board with the speculation, as one commenter argued: "With how mad he was at Violet and Xaden for keeping it secret I don't think this is the case. He was far too bad and if he was higher ranked than Xaden he would have known about Xaden sooner." "Just because the lower ranks can't detect the higher ranks, doesn't mean the higher ranks can't sense the lower. Riddoc would have known and not been surprised/angry about Xaden."
The Independent
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Amazon's book sale includes up to 70% off Sarah J Maas, Sally Rooney and Suzanne Collins titles
With summer holidays booked, sunny city breaks in the calendar and two more bank holidays stretching out before us, a good book is an essential element to switching off and unwinding. Luckily, Amazon has just launched its first-ever dedicated book sale with up to 70 per cent off bestselling authors and TikTok-viral titles. Whether you're eagerly anticipating Richard Osman's latest cosy crime caper (out for release in September, but half price on pre-orders now) or been meaning to dive into Sally Rooney's latest novel, Intermezzo, now's the time to build your library for less. If you're yet to discover Rebecca Yarros's fantasy world of dragons and forbidden romances, the first title in the The Empyrean series, Fourth Wing, is half price. Sarah J Maas's hit romantasy novel, A Court of Thorn and Roses, costs just £4, and it's the ultimate beach read to guzzle up on a sun lounger (I'm speaking from experience). Elsewhere, Robert Harris' discounted papal thriller, Conclave, lifts the curtain on one of the world's most secretive election process. Suzanne Collins' hotly anticipated The Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, is also half price despite only being released last month. With thousands of book deals available, I've rounded up the best titles to buy now, from fantasy favourites to acclaimed literary fiction. But don't hang around, as you've only got until 28 April to shop the Amazon savings. The first installment of The Empyrean series, Fourth Wing follows protagonist Violet, who was supposed to embark on a quiet life as a scribe among books. Instead, her mother (a commander general in the army) has insisted she join the hundreds of candidates striking to become an elite dragon rider. Suffering from a condition that makes her more fragile than other students, she must use her wits to succeed. Fans liken it to Harry Potter, Divergent and The Hunger Games, with slow burn romance, magic and dragons keeping you hooked. Starting as day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, twice as many tributes have been taken from their homes owing to the Quarter Quell commemoration. Haymitch Abernathy from District 12 is torn from his family and the girl he loves and taken to the Capitol with three other tributes. But as the Games officially begin, he soon realizes he's been set up to fail (reminiscent of Katniss Everdeen's story). Naturally, there's already a feature film in the works scheduled for release in November 2026. Let the games begin. One of the buzziest debuts of the year, Nussaibah Younis's Fundamentally has also been shortlisted in the Women's Prize for Fiction. An entertaining novel about a brutal subject, it follows Nadia, a young lecturer whose research into Isis brides leads to her running a deradicalisation program. Newly heartbroken, she is thrown into the chaotic world of international aid. Nadia soon forms a connection with east Londoner Sara, who joined Isis when she was just 15. Exploring faith and friendship, radicalism and racism, and decades of bureaucratic and systemic corruption and hypocrisy, Younis is funny, thoughtful, and sensitive about difficult topics. Sarah Harman's bitingly sharp debut, All The Other Mothers Hate Me, is a hugely enjoyable, addictive ride. It's no surprise that it's already been snapped up by Disney+ for a TV adaptation. Razor-sharp in its dissection of school gates culture (think Motherland in a £38k a term school), it follows single mum Florence, the ex-member of a successful girl band, whose 10-year-old son Dylan is the only thing keeping her afloat. The novel is a crime thriller for those who don't usually like Richard Osman-style crime thrillers. When Dylan's rich classmate goes missing, Florence undertakes her own private investigation to try and clear her son's name after he becomes one of the prime suspects. Funny and full of twists, it's a real page-turner, and earned a spot in the best releases of 2025 so far. Normal People author Sally Rooney has returned with her fourth novel, Intermezzo. Just like her previous novels, the new tome explores messy relationships and the love or loss that can come with them. But this time, they aren't just romantic, with the novel centring on two brothers in Dublin, 22-year-old Ivan and 32-year-old Peter. Ivan is a socially awkward, local chess star, while Peter is an extroverted but cynical lawyer. On paper, the two brothers couldn't be more different, but both are grieving the recent death of their father and struggling to convey their complicated emotions. Joining the ranks of literary characters you won't forget (see Connell and Marianne), Intermezzo is a powerful, quiet and moving story. Earning more than 3.3 million ratings on Goodreads (averaging 4.8 stars), A Court of Thorns and Roses is a phenomenon of the romantasy genre. In the first novel of the six-part series, we meet Feyre, a human huntress who kills a wolf that is not all it appears to be. Feyre is soon taken prisoner in the faerie realm, as revenge for the murder of a fellow faerie. As she discovers more about her captor, the high lord of the spring court Tamlin, Feyre develops feelings for her enemy (in true 'romantasy' style). Meanwhile, a war is brewing, thanks to Amarantha, the evil and vindictive high queen of Prythian. The first book busies itself with world building, with the romance, drama and fantasy elements getting better as the series goes on. Truth told, I thought I'd hate it, but I devoured the whole series in one summer. The movie adaptation of Robert Harris' novel Conclave won best adapted screenplay at this year's Oscars. The papal thriller takes us behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel as 118 cardinals meet in conclave to cast their votes in the world's most secretive election. Over 72 hours, the ambitions, political allegiances and the motives of the men come to light. Thought provoking and twisty, in light of the passing of Pope Francis it's a prescient read. Richard Osman's highly-anticipated new novel, The Impossible Fortune, is half price with pre-orders now (it's out on 25 September). The fifth book in his bestselling Thursday Murder Club series, the new title revisits the fan favourite characters a year later from the events of the previous novel. Joyce is busy with first dances; Elizabeth is grieving; Ron is grappling with family troubles; and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favourite criminal. Then, Elizabeth meets a wedding guest who's in trouble, and the gang are plunged back into action.
The Guardian
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Romantasy, Bridgerton, audio porn apps: it's a great time for horny ladies
When it was released in late January, Onyx Storm – the third book in Rebecca Yarros's The Empyrean series – became the fastest selling adult novel in 20 years. It sold more than 2.7m copies in its first week, according to the New York Times. Across the US, fans lined up in the cold outside of Target stores to nab special edition copies. In the UK, there were midnight-release parties where attendees wore costumes, made friendship bracelets and applied dragon-themed temporary tattoos. The Empyrean series is a prime example of romantasy – a genre that blends high fantasy and romance. It follows the cadet Violet Sorrengail as she trains to be a dragon rider. Fast-paced and detailed, the books boast mythical creatures and magic. There's also a lot of sex. On more than one occasion, sturdy wooden furniture is broken during vigorous bouts of lovemaking. Violet climaxes every time with her generous lover, Xaden. Violet and Xaden's dragons are mates – and they have sex too. Romantasy has exploded in popularity in recent years. It's also lucrative. In May 2024, Bloomsbury publishing announced that it had its highest sales year ever thanks in large part to Sarah J Maas, whose romantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses (known by fans as Acotar), Crescent City and Throne of Glass saw a 161% sales increase in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Fans say it's easy to get hooked. Emily Porter, a photographer based in West Virginia, started reading romantasy in the summer of 2024. She had never been a big romance fan, but loved fantasy stories. 'I was seeing those Acotar books everywhere – in stores and on friends' Instagram stories – so I figured I'd see what all the fuss was about,' she says. Although Porter had been an avid reader as a teenager, after college she didn't read much – maybe 10 books a year. She finished all five books of the Acotar series in less than a week. Then, she began tearing through other romantasy series. In the eight months since she first cracked open Acotar, she says she has read nearly 150 fantasy romance books. 'I went from being embarrassed about not reading books at all to being embarrassed about reading over 20 books a month,' Porter says. Highly sexual fantasy stories are nothing new. But romantasy is part of a recent wave of entertainment that makes sex look not just enjoyable, but fun for women. The genre tends to have strong, opinionated heroines; hot male protagonists who ask about consent; diverse characters; queer storylines; and mutually enjoyable couplings. And for some of its readers, it's improving their real, non-magical sex lives. Vanessa Marin, a sex therapist and host of the podcast Pillow Talks, says she started reading romantasy novels because so many of her clients and followers were talking about them: 'It got to a point where it was a professional obligation.' She's heard from a lot of readers who say their lives and relationships have benefited from romantasy. 'I've had a lot of women tell me: 'Previously, I felt like I had low libido or even no libido, and these books feel like they're bringing me back to life,'' Marin says. Reading about sex causes readers to think about sex more. This in turn causes them to desire it more. 'It's keeping sex top of mind,' she explains. Women have told Marin the books have encouraged them to explore their sexuality in ways they haven't before, whether it's trying out a new position they read about, or centering their own pleasure during sex like many of the genre's protagonists do. Porter says romantasy hasn't changed her sex life, but it's reinforced her confidence in her own long-term relationship. 'The tropes and elements I love the most all remind me of my own relationship with my partner,' she says. Dragons, magicians and fairies abound in romantasy, but the genre's recent explosion has produced more unusual stories. One of Porter's favorite authors, Mallory Dunlin, wrote a book called The Gardener and the Water-horse, which, according to Porter, features 'an immortal being who can shift into a man, and a horse, but really he's a lake – like a body of water – who's also a virgin'. These playful, surreal, magical elements are part of what makes romantasy so appealing, Marin says. 'Most of us tend to take sex very seriously, so to have something that feels fun, playful, lighthearted and whimsical, that's a really great thing for a lot of people.' Romantasy isn't the only kind of horny escapism consumers are flocking to. The first three series of Bridgerton are three of Netflix's 10 most popular shows of all time. Romantic TV leads like Andrew Scott (Fleabag), Katherine Moennig (The L Word) and Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris) voice breathy episodes for the audio erotica app Quinn, which describes itself as 'created by women, for the world'. In Laviscount's episode, the Regent, he voices Peter Kelly, a notorious jewel thief who 'recalls a series of thrilling encounters with fellow thief Katerina Laszlo'. Moennig voices Sam Shaw, a reclusive rockstar 'and you are tasked with ghostwriting her memoir'. Quinn's listeners reportedly tune in for 24m minutes every month. On a Reddit forum dedicated to discussing the app, users say the content helps them explore and reconnect with their sexuality. '[Quinn] literally woke me up,' wrote one user. 'I thought my libido had mostly gone to sleep.' Perhaps unsurprisingly, much of the recent content that shows women enjoying sex is made by women. When sex scenes are 'produced or written by a woman, that's really different than when it's written or produced by a man', says Christina Marshall, a bookstagram expert and self-described 'romantasy fiend'. Erotic content produced by women tends to foreground women's desire and consent, she says. The sex also tends to be safe. Faye Keegan, CEO and co-founder of Dipsea, another audio erotica app ('stories made by women, for women'), says their content shows situations that are sexually, emotionally and physically safe for women. Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion For example, Keegan says, 'If two people are going to hook up, and they're in a semi-public space, let's make sure there's a lock on the door and that you can hear the door close and the lock click.' And if a man and a woman meet and spontaneously decide to hook up, Keegan says Dipsea scripts 'try to give the listener a perspective into the male POV so they can hear his voice, and know he's a cool, good guy. He's not a villain in this story'. Nevertheless, stories that feature sexually aggressive or very persistent male suitors are also popular. For instance, a lot of male romantasy heroes are possessive and hyper-fixated on their partners. When Xander sees Violet talking with her ex-boyfriend in Onyx Storm, for example, he uses his magical shadow powers to slam the ex into a wall. Marshall says these characteristics are green flags in a fantasy book, but red flags in real life. 'I don't actually want some stalker, ultra-possessive person,' she says. She argues that these characteristics are an exaggerated way of showing a man's devotion. 'In a fantasy book, he's going to burn down the whole world and kill all these people for you,' she says. 'In reality, you just want someone who's going to put your best interests first.' Many romantasy fans say the genre doesn't get the respect it deserves. Marshall recalls being at a reading where a man described Acotar as 'fairy smut'. (The protagonists of the series are faeries – hot, immortal magical beings – and there is a lot of sex.) The comment annoyed Marshall. 'What makes you think that this epic fantasy is fairy smut, when you would never call Game of Thrones dragon smut?' she says. To her, it is part of a 'longstanding pattern of dismissing anything women love as frivolous'. The idea that romance books were some sort of low-brow, shameful pastime was never accurate, says Leah Koch, co-owner of the Ripped Bodice, the first romance bookstore to open in the United States. '[Media] was pushing that narrative, but it is not really true.' Still, romance connoisseurs acknowledge that this moment is different. Koch says that in the 10 years she's been running the Ripped Bodice, she's seen readers attitudes shift from 'proud, but insular', to 'yelling from the rooftops, and saying: 'If this is something you have a problem with, you're the weird one.'' Marshall says Instagram and BookTok – TikTok users who post videos about books – have taken romance and romantasy to a new level. BookTok was key to the supersonic success of Maas and Colleen Hoover, the author of It Ends With Us, for example. 'It became a new forum for readers to connect, and amplified a conversation globally that existed already, but was happening in the privacy of our homes.' In addition to this bottom-up pressure, Keegan, of Dipsea, says there have been more women in positions of power bringing these stories to broader audiences. 'Bridgerton is a great example,' she says. 'Shonda Rhimes had the budget and the sway to make that kind of content. These stories aren't new, but being able to bring this big-budget Netflix experience, that's what's new.' Fantasy and period pieces also offer a much needed form of escape at a time when women's health, safety, gender identity, sexuality and reproductive rights are being widely threatened. 'The shittier things get on earth, the more people want to go fly with dragons and divorce themselves from reality,' says Koch. Contemporary romance – where two regular people with charmingly twee jobs meet and fall in love – isn't enough of an escape anymore. 'Sure, he's a cute baker and she owns a flower shop and whatever, but still, you wonder if his mom voted for Trump,' Koch says. The desire for female-centered romantic and erotic content doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Experts predict genre fiction like romantasy will continue to grow in popularity. Netflix recently shared a sneak peek of Bridgerton season 4, and a Fourth Wing TV series in early stages of development. 'The real world is exhausting and stressful,' says Porter. 'I'd rather spend my free time being immersed in fantastical worlds with creative magic systems, adventures, happy endings, and best of all – yearning.'
