What they said

Some industry observers argue these numbers reflect Sanderson's unique fanbase more than a broader trend. His Kickstarter-built direct-sales machine and passionate community may not be replicable. Other fantasy authors releasing similar-length works haven't seen comparable audio adoption, suggesting this is a Sanderson phenomenon rather than a genre shift.

What happened

Wind and Truth, the fifth and final book of the first arc of the Stormlight Archive, sold over 2 million copies across all formats in its first four weeks. The 460,000-word epic topped the New York Times bestseller list for three consecutive weeks. The audiobook narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading broke Audible's first-day listen record for fiction, surpassing the previous holder. Pre-orders alone accounted for roughly 800,000 units.

What they said

Literary critics have been less enthusiastic. Common criticisms include derivative worldbuilding and pacing issues in Iron Flame. Some readers in the traditional epic fantasy community view romantasy's dominance as crowding out more complex works. There's a real tension between commercial success and the kind of storytelling that wins Hugo Awards.

What happened

Fourth Wing has now sold over 5 million copies worldwide across all formats since its May 2023 release. The sequel Iron Flame added another 3 million, making the Empyrean series the fastest-growing fantasy franchise in a decade. Amazon MGM Studios confirmed the TV adaptation will begin filming in New Zealand later this year, with a reported budget of $15 million per episode.

What they said

Some Grishaverse fans have been disappointed that The Familiar isn't connected to Bardugo's existing universe. The novel's slower, more literary pacing has divided her fanbase, with some readers expecting the propulsive plotting of Six of Crows. Others argue the historical setting, while meticulously researched, flattens the magical elements into something too subtle for genre readers who want more spectacle.

What happened

Leigh Bardugo's The Familiar has climbed to #1 on Amazon's Kindle bestseller list, eight months after its hardcover release. The paperback edition, combined with a wave of BookTok attention, drove the resurgence. Set during the Spanish Golden Age, the novel follows a servant girl who discovers she has magical abilities in a world where the Inquisition hunts people like her. First-week paperback sales exceeded the hardcover launch by 40%.

What they said

Iron Flame received more mixed reviews than its predecessor. Critics pointed to a significantly longer page count without proportional plot advancement, an expanded cast that diluted the central romance, and a controversial revelation about the magic system that divided fans. Goodreads ratings for Iron Flame average 3.9 stars compared to Fourth Wing's 4.3 — a notable drop. Some readers argue the sequel suffered from the impossible expectations the first book created.

What happened

Rebecca Yarros' Iron Flame set a new pre-order record for fantasy sequels when it launched in November 2023, moving 750,000 units before release day. The Empyrean series sequel has now sold over 3 million copies total across all formats. Bookstores across the country reported lines around the block for midnight releases — a phenomenon not seen in fantasy publishing since the final Harry Potter books. Barnes & Noble reported it as their biggest fantasy launch in a decade.

What they said

ACOTAR adaptation anxiety is real among fans. The books contain explicit romantic content that many readers consider essential to the story, but television standards — even on streaming platforms — may require significant toning down. There's also the fundamental challenge of depicting the fae: every reader has a specific mental image of Rhysand and Feyre, and no casting choice will satisfy everyone. The adaptation has been in development since 2021, and the long timeline has worried fans about creative vision changes.

What happened

Hulu has officially ordered a full series based on Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses. Ronald D. Moore, creator of the Outlander adaptation, is attached to develop and showrun. Casting announcements are expected this spring, with production slated to begin in late 2026. The ACOTAR series has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and is consistently cited as the most-requested fantasy adaptation on social media, with fan-casting discussions generating millions of engagements.