In a thrilling release event, fans have gathered at bookstores such as Waterstones to get their hands on "Onyx Storm," the eagerly awaited new novel from best-selling fantasy author Rebecca Yarros. This book marks the third entry in Yarros's acclaimed Empyrean series, renowned for its captivating blend of dragons, magic, and romance. Little, Brown, the book's publisher, has announced it as the largest pre-ordered title since the Harry Potter play script launched in 2016.
To celebrate the occasion, nearly 60 Waterstones branches organized special events, opening at midnight or promptly on Tuesday morning. The retailer predicts that Onyx Storm's sales will "completely eclipse" the first-day figures of the previous installment. Fans' excitement was palpable, with special openings also occurring across the US and Australia. In the US, dedicated readers even remained awake until 3 AM to purchase an exclusive edition from Target, though some faced technical issues with the website under excessive demand.
Rebekah West, editorial director for Little, Brown's Piaktus imprint, remarked to the Telegraph, "Such a level of fan devotion has not been witnessed since the height of the Harry Potter phenomenon." Yarros herself engaged with her audience through Instagram, expressing gratitude and excitement for their support. Readers quickly took to social media, sharing their eagerness, with one stating, "On chapter one and dying already," while others humorously pondered skipping work to read.
Rebecca Yarros is making waves as a prominent figure in the flourishing "romantasy" genre, particularly with her compelling character Violet Sorrengail, who suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, mirroring the author's own experience. The excitement for Onyx Storm has propelled the first two books in the Empyrean series, "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame," back to the top positions on major bestseller lists. The series follows Violet as she navigates the rigorous training to become an elite dragon rider while managing intense relationships and her unique challenges in a fantastical yet brutal world. In this new release, Violet faces the harsh realities of battle, signaling a dramatic turn in her journey.
