Hugo Publishing definitely likes to shake up the cozy little world of books.
The happy publisher of Colleen Hoover, the novelist who sold the most books in France in 2023, strikes another blow.
Released in bookstores on February 7, “Fourth Wing” by an American author still unknown in France, Rebecca Yarros, is already establishing itself as an event for the winter literary season.
In less than ten days, this story of “romantasy”, a contraction of romance and fantasy, not only sold more than 20,000 copies but it also took the top step of the book sales podium. in France (sources GfK for “Libres Hebdo”).
Soon a series adaptation?
With the extraordinary and amorous adventures of the young Violet Sorrengail, Rebecca Yarros steals the spotlight from Thomas Schlesser, another unknown and phenomenon of this January literary season with "Mona's Eyes" who, too, had created a surprise by number 1 installer in sales.
As for Jean-Christophe Ruffin, his adventure novel, the very gripping “D'or et de jungle”, therefore “only” takes third place.
When Dorothy Aubert, editor at Hugo Publishing, receives in July 2022 the first 100 pages of the novel by Rebecca Yarros, who has already written around twenty romance novels, she does not hesitate for a second.
“It was the first time she had ventured into fantasy and I was immediately drawn to the story of Violet, this young woman who was initially rather fragile and who dreamed of being a scribe and must join the Quadrant of Riders. , which trains the dragon riders, the country's elites.
I was seduced by the maturity of the text and its incredible romantic breath.
» Violet has no choice but to endure trials or die.
Cunning, she will prove to be very courageous and of course fall in love…
The young woman has a nose because the novel was a huge hit in the United States where it remained number 1 on the bestseller list for a long time.
Released in May, the 600-page book still sits in fifth place.
“Fourth Wing”, which is the first volume (of five) in the “Empyrean” saga, has been sold in more than 20 countries.
Amazon has already purchased the audiovisual rights.
Also read: Jean-Christophe Rufin, Michel Bussi, Sophie Divry… Our selection of books of the week
In France, the book was printed in 200,000 copies with a classic edition at 21.50 euros and a hardback collector's version priced at 29.95 euros which had the luxury of also being included in the top 20 of the most big sales of novels.
According to its publisher, volume II, “Iron Flame”, is already breaking pre-order records.