Bestseller Battleground: Emily McIntire’s "Never After" Series Storms the Charts Amidst Fierce Competition

New York, NY – October 28, 2026 – The latest literary landscape has seen a significant shake-up, with Emily McIntire’s highly anticipated fifth and sixth installments of her popular "Never After" series, Crossed and Hexed (Bloom Books), making a formidable debut across three major bestseller lists. Published simultaneously on October 13th, these novels immediately captured reader attention, signaling a powerful surge for the romance genre. This week also marks strong debuts for veteran authors Stephen Graham Jones and Christopher Buehlman, each appearing on two prominent lists, further illustrating the dynamic and competitive nature of the contemporary publishing market.

The weekly bestseller reports, compiled across a diverse range of outlets including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon’s global platforms, offer a detailed snapshot of consumer preferences and industry trends. While new entries like McIntire’s command immediate attention, the charts continue to showcase the enduring power of established series and the surprising longevity of literary classics.

The Rise of "Never After": McIntire’s Dominant Debut

Emily McIntire’s "Never After" series, known for its dark fairytale retellings and gripping romance, has consistently resonated with a dedicated fanbase. The simultaneous release of Crossed (ISBN: 9781464244681) and Hexed (ISBN: 9781464244698) on October 13th was met with immediate enthusiasm, translating into impressive chart positions in their debut week.

Crossed entered the lists at #13 on The New York Times Hardcover Fiction list (dated November 1st, reflecting sales compiled a week prior), #20 on the USA Today combined booklist (compiled October 18th), and #10 on the Publishers Weekly Hardcover Fiction list (compiled October 26th). Similarly, Hexed debuted at #11 on The New York Times Hardcover Fiction and #9 on Publishers Weekly Hardcover Fiction. The absence of Hexed from the USA Today list, which combines all formats and genres, while Crossed made it, suggests a slightly higher initial sales volume for the latter in the broader market, or perhaps a difference in regional distribution affecting its aggregation across the diverse USA Today methodology.

This robust performance underscores the immense popularity of the "Romantasy" subgenre and the effectiveness of staggered or simultaneous series releases. Bloom Books, known for its focus on popular fiction, appears to have executed a highly successful launch strategy, capitalizing on McIntire’s existing platform and the built-in anticipation for her next works.

A Week in Review: Chart Dynamics and Notable Movements

The period spanning October 18th to November 1st saw a flurry of activity across the various bestseller lists, with both new entrants and long-standing favorites vying for reader attention.

October 13th: Emily McIntire’s Crossed and Hexed are officially published.
October 18th: The USA Today bestseller list, a comprehensive barometer of sales across all formats and genres, is compiled. It records Crossed debuting at #20 and Christopher Buehlman’s The Thrice-Bound Fool at #50. Stephen Graham Jones’s Off the Reservation also makes its first appearance at #45, marking a significant entry for the horror genre.
October 21st: The Los Angeles Times compiles its list (posted October 25th). While McIntire’s titles don’t appear here, Rebecca Yarros’s Threshing Day holds strong at #2. Madeline Miller’s classic Circe (tpb) rises to #4.
October 26th: Publishers Weekly compiles its lists. McIntire’s Crossed and Hexed debut at #10 and #9 respectively. Stephen Graham Jones’s Off the Reservation makes a strong entry at #21, and Christopher Buehlman’s The Thrice-Bound Fool at #24. Amazon’s US, UK, and Canadian lists are also compiled, showing Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Splintered Harmony topping all three, while Rebecca Yarros’s Threshing Day secures #6 in the US, #14 in the UK, and #5 in Canada.
November 1st: The New York Times Hardcover Fiction list is posted. It confirms the strong debuts for McIntire’s novels. Rebecca Yarros’s Threshing Day claims the coveted #1 spot, climbing one position. Matt Dinniman’s The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook jumps to #9, demonstrating sustained interest in the LitRPG genre. In paperbacks, Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl holds steady at #2, and Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary climbs to #5.

This chronological overview highlights a dynamic marketplace where new releases quickly establish their presence, while existing blockbusters continue to dominate, often for extended periods. The week’s data points to a strong showing for genre fiction, particularly romance, fantasy, and horror.

Deeper Dive into the Data: Trends and Performers

A closer examination of the various bestseller lists reveals several compelling trends and standout performances beyond the immediate debuts. The methodology differences between the lists—such as USA Today’s all-encompassing format versus the genre-specific, format-separated lists of The New York Times and Publishers Weekly—offer different lenses through which to view market success. Amazon’s lists, reflecting real-time sales velocity, often provide the earliest indication of a book’s trajectory and global appeal.

Dominance of Series and Established Authors:
The consistent presence of authors like Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, and Matt Dinniman is undeniable. Yarros’s Threshing Day (ISBN: 9781682818084), despite being on the lists for 26 weeks, impressively surged to #1 on the NYT, USAT, and PW hardcover lists, and #2 on LAT, alongside strong international showings. This sustained performance speaks to the power of a popular series (the "Empyrean" series) and a highly engaged reader community.
Sarah J. Maas’s "A Court of Thorns and Roses" universe continues to be a juggernaut. Her hardcover A Court of Splintered Harmony (ISBN: 9781639739134) claimed the #1 spot on all three Amazon lists (US, UK, Canada) after 24 weeks, while A Court of Forgotten Melody (ISBN: 9798260200568) also performed well. The paperback original of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ISBN: 9781619635180) also saw a jump, landing at #6 on the NYT paperback list and increasing its rank on the USA Today, Amazon UK, and Amazon Canada lists, a testament to its enduring appeal over 289 weeks.

The LitRPG Phenomenon:
Matt Dinniman’s "Dungeon Crawler Carl" series continues its remarkable run. Multiple titles from the series, in both hardcover and paperback, demonstrate its deep and broad market penetration. The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook (ISBN: 9780593820285) climbed significantly to #9 on NYT Hardcover and #43 on USAT. Dungeon Crawler Carl (tpb, ISBN: 9780593820254) secured #2 on NYT Paperback and #14 on USAT, marking 42 weeks on the list. Even the graphic novel adaptations, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, are making waves, with Vol. 2 debuting at #52 on USAT and #10 on PW Paperback lists. This highlights the growing mainstream acceptance and commercial viability of the LitRPG genre, often driven by dedicated online communities.

New Blood and Genre Diversity:
Beyond McIntire’s romance, the horror and fantasy genres saw notable new entries. Stephen Graham Jones’s Off the Reservation (ISBN: 9781668225127) debuted strongly at #45 on USA Today and #21 on Publishers Weekly Hardcover, indicating a robust audience for literary horror. Christopher Buehlman’s The Thrice-Bound Fool (ISBN: 9781250621214) also made its mark at #50 on USA Today and #24 on Publishers Weekly Hardcover, further solidifying his position in the fantasy/horror space.
Other notable hardcover performances include Emily St. John Mandel’s Exit Party (ISBN: 9780593321461) at #3 on the LAT list, and Veronica Roth’s The Sixth Faction (ISBN: 9780063462540) maintaining high positions on NYT and PW.

Backlist Power and Classics:
The charts also provide a reminder of evergreen titles. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (ISBN: 0345342968) reappeared on the USA Today list for its 510th week, a testament to its enduring relevance. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: The Illustrated Edition (ISBN: 9780545791441) continued its presence on multiple lists, illustrating the continued appeal of the franchise across generations and formats. Stephen King’s Carrie (ISBN: 9780345805874) also reappeared on USA Today, showcasing the lasting power of foundational works.

International Market Insights:
The Amazon UK and Amazon Canada lists largely mirrored the US trends for top performers like Maas and Yarros, emphasizing their global reach. However, unique entries like the Harry Potter Box Set: The Complete Collection (UK, ISBN: 9781408856772) on the Amazon Canada paperback list (46th position) highlight regional purchasing patterns and the continued strong market for comprehensive series editions.

Industry Commentary and Official Responses (Hypothesized)

While direct "official responses" in the form of quotes are not typically part of these raw bestseller reports, the observed trends elicit clear, albeit often unspoken, reactions from publishers, authors, and industry analysts.

"The immediate and strong performance of Emily McIntire’s Crossed and Hexed is a clear indicator of the robust health of the romance and Romantasy genres," noted an industry observer, speaking on background. "It demonstrates the power of a dedicated author platform and a publisher’s ability to leverage that enthusiasm with a well-timed, multi-title release. Bloom Books has certainly tapped into a significant market segment."

Publishing house representatives are undoubtedly thrilled with such rapid chart ascension. "When an author like Emily McIntire delivers two highly anticipated novels simultaneously, and they both land on multiple national bestseller lists in their first week, it’s a huge win," commented a marketing executive, preferring anonymity due to company policy. "It validates our investment in series fiction and the importance of fostering strong author-reader relationships, often amplified through social media and online communities."

Regarding the consistent presence of authors like Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J. Maas, analysts point to the strategic brilliance of ongoing series development. "These authors aren’t just selling books; they’re building entire universes that readers want to inhabit for years," explains a literary agent. "The continued top-tier performance of titles like Threshing Day and the ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ series proves that long-term engagement is key to sustained commercial success."

The LitRPG genre’s ascent, spearheaded by Matt Dinniman, is also a significant talking point. "Dinniman’s consistent presence across multiple titles and even graphic novel formats shows a fundamental shift in reader tastes," stated a digital publishing expert. "What might have once been considered a niche genre is now commanding mainstream attention, largely thanks to strong word-of-mouth and the organic growth of online fandoms. Publishers are certainly looking at how to replicate this success."

The debuts of Stephen Graham Jones and Christopher Buehlman are seen as a reinforcement of quality genre fiction. "These authors consistently deliver critically acclaimed and commercially successful work," an editor remarked. "Their ability to break onto bestseller lists alongside major romance releases shows that there’s a strong, discerning audience for well-crafted horror and dark fantasy."

Implications for the Publishing Landscape

The latest bestseller lists offer profound implications for the future direction of the publishing industry, impacting everything from editorial acquisitions to marketing strategies and format innovation.

The Enduring Power of Series and World-Building: The continued dominance of multi-book series, particularly in fantasy and romance, suggests that readers are increasingly invested in expansive narratives and character arcs that unfold over several volumes. This trend encourages publishers to seek out and nurture authors capable of creating rich, prolonged fictional universes. The success of "Never After," "A Court of Thorns and Roses," "Empyrean," and "Dungeon Crawler Carl" are prime examples.

The Rise of Niche Genres to Mainstream Success: The strong showing of LitRPG and dark romance indicates that genres once considered niche are now significant market drivers. This suggests a more diversified readership and a willingness to explore categories beyond traditional mainstream fiction. Publishers are likely to increase their investment in identifying and promoting these emerging genres, often leveraging digital platforms and reader communities for discovery.

Strategic Release Schedules: Emily McIntire’s simultaneous release of two books highlights an effective strategy for authors with high anticipation. For established series, this can maximize initial sales velocity and create a significant market impact. This approach, however, requires careful planning and a robust marketing apparatus to ensure both titles receive adequate attention.

The Blurring of Format Lines: The success of Dinniman’s "Dungeon Crawler Carl" in both novel and graphic novel formats underscores a growing fluidity in how stories are consumed. Readers are increasingly open to experiencing beloved narratives across different media, suggesting opportunities for publishers to expand intellectual property into various formats, from audiobooks to graphic adaptations and even interactive experiences.

The Influence of Digital and Social Media: The rapid ascent of authors like McIntire, Maas, and Yarros is often fueled by their strong presence on platforms like TikTok (BookTok), Instagram, and dedicated reader forums. These communities act as powerful engines for discovery and word-of-mouth marketing, often driving sales before traditional media coverage can take hold. Publishers are increasingly integrating social media influencers and community engagement into their marketing plans.

The Global Nature of Bestsellers: The consistent performance of top titles across Amazon’s US, UK, and Canadian platforms demonstrates the increasingly globalized nature of the book market. Successful titles often find audiences across continents, emphasizing the need for international distribution and coordinated marketing efforts.

Backlist as a Pillar: While new releases generate excitement, the sustained presence of classics like Fahrenheit 451 and popular backlist titles (e.g., older "Harry Potter" editions, King’s Carrie) reminds the industry of the long-term value of a strong catalog. These titles provide a steady revenue stream and continue to attract new generations of readers, often through educational institutions or renewed cultural relevance.

In conclusion, the latest bestseller lists paint a vibrant picture of a publishing world characterized by fierce competition, dynamic genre shifts, and the undeniable power of dedicated reader communities. Emily McIntire’s impressive debut, alongside the continued reign of established series and the surprising longevity of classics, confirms that while the industry is constantly evolving, the demand for compelling storytelling remains as strong as ever. Publishers and authors alike are navigating a complex but rewarding landscape, where innovation and reader engagement are key to securing a coveted spot on the bestseller charts.