Fans rush for hotly anticipated ‘romantasy’ sequel

Fans represented Onyx Storm, the much-anticipated new book by US fantasy author Rebecca Yarros, in one of the best publications of the year.

Onyx Storm is the third book in Yarros’ Empyrean series, set in a world of dragons, magic, war and romance.

Its publisher, Little, Brown said it would be the company’s biggest commissioned title since it released the Harry Potter franchise in 2016.

Shops around the world held special events – possibly opening late on Monday or early on Tuesday – and UK chain Waterstones said the book could “hinder our first day sales” in the previous quarter.

Around 60 Waterstones branches had special offers for the release.

In the US, some readers eagerly waited until 3 a.m. for a special online release from Target – but many stayed behind. he complained on social media that the store’s website could not handle the demand.

Rebekah West, executive director of Little, Brown’s Piaktus imprint, he told the Telegraph: “This level of fan devotion has not been seen since the days of Harry Potter.”

In a message to fans on Instagram, Yarros wrote: “1. It’s in your hands now. 2. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing experience with me. 3. Enjoy the ride.”

One reader replied: “For the first chapter I’m already dying”, another wrote: “Thank you for sharing this wonderful world with us!!!” and someone asked: “Is it bad that I almost quit my job to read?”

Yarros is one of the biggest names in the “romantasy” genre.

In anticipation of the release of Onyx Storm, the first two Empyrean novels, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, returned to the top two spots on the New York Times fiction list.

They are now both in the UK’s top five Sunday Times books, and were last year’s two most read books worldwide. among Goodreads users.

The Fourth Wing introduces the heroine Violet Sorrengail, a 20-year-old woman who is brutally trained to become a dragon rider.

As a writer, Violet has a genetic predisposition that means that the person removes bones and breaks bones easily – so she must use her wits and inner strength to survive.

She is also dating another friend named Xaden Riorson, who comes from a competitive family.

Iron Flame is set in Violet’s second year at Basgiath War College, in Onyx Storm, according to the publisher, “knows there is no more time to study” because “the war has truly begun”.