With special midnight openings and global events, fans eagerly awaited the release of 'Onyx Storm,' as publisher Little, Brown reported the highest pre-orders since a Harry Potter release, marking a significant moment in contemporary literature.
Fans Flock to Midnight Releases for Yarros's New 'Romantasy' Novel
Fans Flock to Midnight Releases for Yarros's New 'Romantasy' Novel
The release of Rebecca Yarros's 'Onyx Storm,' the third book in her Empyrean series, features unprecedented fan enthusiasm, highlighting a cultural phenomenon in the 'romantasy' genre.
Fans have enthusiastically gathered for the midnight release of "Onyx Storm," the latest installment in Rebecca Yarros's best-selling Empyrean series, marking it as a notable event in the literary calendar. The third novel in this richly crafted world, filled with dragons and romance, was anticipated to break sales records, with Little, Brown announcing it's their largest pre-ordered title since the 2016 release of the Harry Potter play script.
To celebrate the event, nearly 60 Waterstones branches in the UK organized special midnight openings, while other stores worldwide—including in the U.S. and Australia—held similar events. In the U.S., dedicated readers began waiting as early as 3 a.m. for an exclusive special edition from Target, but several expressed frustration online when the retailer's website struggled to accommodate the high demand.
Rebekah West, the editorial director at Little, Brown's Piaktus imprint, remarked on this exceptional trend, claiming, "This level of fan devotion hasn't been seen since the days of Harry Potter." In addition to this, Yarros took to Instagram to connect with her fans, urging them to enjoy the narrative after revealing the book was now in their hands.
Set in a harsh but magical world, Yarros's writings often intertwine personal challenges with fantasy elements. The protagonist, Violet Sorrengail, mirrors Yarros herself, as she lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, enabling readers to connect on multiple levels. As the series progresses, Violet's journey takes a determined turn; in "Onyx Storm," she faces not just lessons but real battles.
In anticipation of the event, the two previous novels—"Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame"—have resurfaced on bestseller lists, showcasing the gripping interest in this "romantasy" genre. This series has firmly established Yarros as a prominent figure within this literary segment, garnering significant attention and admiration from fans around the globe.
