The latest novel by Sarah J. Maas, "House of Flame and Shadow," has captivated UK book buyers and quickly rose to the top of the bestseller chart. This achievement marks a significant success for the celebrated author and adds another triumph to her literary journey.

The novel, the third chapter in the Crescent City series, presents readers with the captivating figure of half-human, half-fairy heroine Bryce Quinlan. The book soared to the top of the rankings owing to Maas' writing skill and the hybrid protagonist's compelling qualities.

Romantasy Genre Surges in Popularity

The book's success fits into a broader trend in the romantasy genre that combines fantasy and romance. This rise in popularity is being driven by authors like Maas and Rebecca Yarros, who draw readers on social media - especially TikTok. According to Bloomsbury, Maas' publisher, videos on TikTok related to Maas' novels have had over 14 billion views.

TikTok's book community, BookTok, has been the major driver of romantasy's rise. The BookTok hashtag has appeared in over 215 billion TikTok videos, primarily attracting young women aged 16 to 25. Research from The Publishers' Association reveals that three out of five individuals in this age group credit their love for reading to BookTok.

The quick triumph of "House of Flame and Shadow" showed that Maas does not only have dedicated fans but also a wider group of readers. Her captivating stories and exciting romances have made her hugely popular in the literary world, and this latest book solidifies her as one of the most cherished authors in fiction today.

READ ALSO: How 'Romantasy' Dominates the World of Literature

Philip Stone from Nielsen BookData notes that while Maas has always had a loyal fanbase, TikTok has played a significant role in making romantasy the hottest trend in the book industry. The online hype translates into real-life events, with large crowds gathering at bookshops during the publication night for "House of Flame and Shadow." 

Maas' Record-Breaking Sales

Maas' novel achieved the third fastest-selling status in the science fiction and fantasy category since records began, selling 44,761 copies in its launch week. The book places her behind Terry Pratchett's "Snuff" and Yarros' "Iron Flame" in terms of launch week sales.

For three consecutive weeks, romantasy titles have claimed the overall bestseller spot, marking a significant milestone since records began in 1998. Georgia Summers' "The City of Stardust" and Saara El-Arifi's "Facebound" preceded Maas' success.

Maas' eight novels were in the top 250 bestseller chart last week, contributing to her total worldwide sales surpassing 40 million copies across 38 languages. Bloomsbury's managing director Kathleen Farrar expresses delight at the overwhelming response, emphasizing Maas' status as one of the most popular authors today.

The success of "House of Flame and Shadow" reinforces Maas' position as a beloved author known for immersive storytelling and captivating romances. The first-week sales for her latest novel are described as "incredible" and demonstrate the enduring appeal of Maas' work.

"House of Flame and Shadow" also debuted at number one on the US Apple Books and Southern California bestseller list.

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