* April 13, 1981
A 21st-century American author who leverages modern methods to build her popularity; her community is highly active on social media, where fan-created artwork is widely shared among fans. In the world of viral phenomena, the right media presence and a strong community are a significant step toward success. Her readers have repeatedly confirmed their support for their favorite author in the Goodreads Choice Awards (wins in 2023 and 2025).
A native of Washington, D.C., who studied European history, and whose husband served in the military? An interesting background for creating fantasy stories. Rebecca Yarros has undoubtedly made the most of her opportunities. In her fantasy novels, she weaves together love, war, and the worlds her readers imagine as they drift off to sleep. A combination of action, battles, and dramatic twists, along with a distinct romantic storyline, all adorn the works of an author whose writing ranks among the leading works in the new adult literature category.
Another distinctive feature is the series format; perhaps thanks to this format, combined with an engaging plot, cliffhangers, and well-developed characters, the series has managed to attract a young audience, who in turn promote the author on TikTok and other platforms. The third book in the series, Onyx Storm, sold more than 2.7 million copies in its first week, which is an extraordinary success in the fantasy romance genre. Amazon has also taken notice of the series’ popularity among young audiences and is currently developing a TV adaptation of the Empyrean series, with Yarros given the opportunity to be involved in the production as an executive producer.
“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.”