Fans are rushing for a long awaited ‘romance’ sequel

Fans have been lining up for Onyx Storm, the long-awaited new book by best-selling American fantasy author Rebecca Yarros, in one of the year’s release events.

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

Its publisher Little, Brown said it would be the company’s biggest pre-ordered title since it published the Harry Potter script in 2016.

Stores around the world held special events – either open late Monday or early Tuesday – and British chain Waterstones said the book was likely to “completely eclipse our first day sales” of the previous installment.

Almost 60 branches of Waterstones had special openings for the release.

In the US, some eager readers waited until complained on social media that the store’s website could not cope with the demand.

Rebekah West, Editor-in-Chief of The Little, Brown’s Piaktus imprint, told the Telegraph: “This level of fan devotion hasn’t been seen since the days of Harry Potter.”

Fan Mollie Short was at a book release party at Waterstones in Trafalgar Square, London.

“We were given goodie bags and there were people dressed as characters and then there was a quiz that everyone played,” said Ms Short, a 23-year-old nail technician from Essex.

“The night went by pretty quickly and then we all lined up ready for the midnight release. It was nice to be in a room surrounded by people who actually understand what I’m talking about.”

She added: “What I like about the books is that it’s an escape. It’s about magical powers, fantasy, not your everyday kind of stuff, and she just writes really well for young readers.

“I’m really excited to read this book. I really don’t know what’s going to happen because she left the last book on a cliffhanger.”

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

One reader replied: “About chapter one and dying already”, another wrote: “Thank you for sharing this incredible world with us!!!” and another asked: “Is it bad that I’m very close to canceling work to read?”

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

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

They are also currently both in the top five of the Sunday Times paperback fiction list in the UK and were the two most read books of the past year around the world among users of Goodreads.

Fourth Wing introduced the heroine Violet Sorrengail, a 20-year-old woman who is forced into brutal training to become an elite dragon rider.

Like the author, Violet has a genetic condition that means the character sprains joints and breaks bones easily – so she must use her wits and inner strength to help her survive.

She is also entwined in a relationship with a fellow candidate named Xaden Riorson, who comes from a rival family.

Iron Flame was then set during Violet’s second year at the Basgiath War College, while in Onyx Storm, according to the publisher, she “knows there is no more time for lessons” because “the battle has truly begun”.