As the clock struck midnight, fans of best-selling author Rebecca Yarros eagerly gathered outside Waterstones stores to get their hands on "Onyx Storm," the much-awaited third book in her Empyrean series. Known for combining dragons, magic, and steamy romance, the novel has already set records as Little, Brown's most pre-ordered title since the Harry Potter play script in 2016.
Various bookstores across the globe hosted special release events, with Waterstones reporting that this new title might even surpass its first-day sales for the series' previous book. Around 60 of its branches opened late on Monday or early on Tuesday for eager readers. In the US, fans stayed up until 3 AM for an exclusive edition from Target, although many faced website crashes amid the demand.
Mollie Short, a 23-year-old fan who attended the launch party in Trafalgar Square, London, described the event as thrilling, complete with goody bags, costume characters, and quizzes. She expressed her excitement to delve into the new book, especially after the cliffhanger ending of the previous installment.
Yarros has garnered attention for her relatable character Violet, who shares the author’s condition, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, allowing readers to connect deeply with the story. The first two books, "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame," have already topped bestseller lists and remain the most-read books on Goodreads over the past year. As anticipation builds, readers can’t wait to join Violet in her magical and brutal world where the ultimate battle has finally begun.
