Fans of fantasy literature turned out en masse as Waterstones and other bookstores kicked off the midnight release of "Onyx Storm," the latest from best-selling author Rebecca Yarros. This eagerly awaited novel marks the third entry in Yarros' acclaimed Empyrean series, rife with dragons, magic, conflict, and romance. The book's publisher, Little, Brown, announced that "Onyx Storm" has become the biggest pre-ordered title for the company since the release of the Harry Potter play script in 2016.
In a thrilling show of support, nearly 60 branches of Waterstones organized special events either by opening their doors at midnight or early on Tuesday. The chain anticipates that "Onyx Storm" will overshadow the first day sales of its predecessor, which was already a massive success. Special openings also took place worldwide, including locations in the US and Australia. In the US, dedicated fans eagerly awaited a 3am online release of a special edition from Target, although many expressed frustration on social media due to website issues that hampered their access.
Rebekah West, editorial director of Little, Brown's Piaktus imprint, stated to the Telegraph, "This level of fan devotion hasn't been seen since the days of Harry Potter." In a heartfelt Instagram message to her readers, Yarros declared, "It's in your hands now... Enjoy the ride!" Fans eagerly responded, with one expressing excitement over diving into chapter one and another humorously contemplating calling off work for uninterrupted reading time.
Rebecca Yarros has solidified her status as a major figure in the burgeoning "romantasy" genre, having personally crafted her protagonist, Violet Sorrengail, to reflect her own experience with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The anticipation surrounding "Onyx Storm" has propelled its predecessor volumes, "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame," to the top two spots on the New York Times fiction bestseller list. Currently, both books rank in the top five of the Sunday Times paperback fiction chart in the UK.
"Fourth Wing" introduced readers to Violet, a 20-year-old thrust into the demanding world of elite dragon riders. Like her creator, Violet struggles with a genetic condition, relying on intellect and inner strength to navigate her challenging environment. Her character's journey intertwines with that of Xaden Riorson, another candidate from a rival lineage. The new installment, "Onyx Storm," promises intense action, with Violet realizing that "the battle has truly begun."
