They are looking for the ‘romance’ sequel that fans have been waiting for

Fans have lined up to pick up Onyx Storm, the new book from bestselling fantasy author Rebecca Yarros, at one of the year’s publishing events.

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

His publisher Little, Brown said it would be the company’s biggest pre-order title since releasing the Harry Potter play script in 2016.

Almost 60 branches of Waterstones held special events – opening either midnight on Monday or early on Tuesday – and the chain said the book was “completely beating our first day sales” from the previous half.

Stores also held special openings around the world, including in the US and Australia.

In the US, some eager readers waited until 3 a.m. for an exclusive special edition Target release online, but many who stayed put complained on social media that the store’s website couldn’t keep up with the demand.

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

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

One reader replied: “On the first chapter and already dying”, another wrote: “Thank you for sharing this incredible world with us!!!” and another asked, “Is it bad that I’m so close to quitting my reading job?”

American writer Yarros is one of the biggest names on the rise of the “romance” genre.

Leading up to 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.

Both are still in the top five of the UK’s Sunday Times paperback fiction list, and were the two most read books worldwide in the last year. Among Goodreads users.

The Fourth Wing introduced the heroine Violet Sorrengail, a 20-year-old woman who is involved in brutal training to become an elite dragon pilot.

Like the author, Violet has a genetic condition that means the character dislocates her joints and breaks bones easily; so he must use his wits and inner strength to survive.

She is also related to a fellow candidate named Xaden Riorson, who comes from a rival family.

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