{"id":84420,"date":"2025-01-29T11:56:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T17:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=84420"},"modified":"2025-01-29T11:56:02","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T17:56:02","slug":"hays-public-library-hosts-release-party-for-newest-empyrean-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=84420","title":{"rendered":"Hays Public Library hosts release party for newest &#8220;Empyrean&#8221; book"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By RORY MOORE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hays Public Library hosted a release party on Tuesday for \u201cOnyx Storm,\u201d the third book in the \u201cEmpyrean\u201d fantasy romance series written by Rebecca Yarros. Themed food and drinks were served to fans of the series who also participated in pressing T-shirts with \u201cEmpyrean\u201d graphics and trivia to win a free copy of the new book.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"469\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-84431\" data-id=\"84431\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_0517.jpg?resize=790%2C469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_0517.jpg?resize=1024%2C608&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_0517.jpg?resize=370%2C220&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_0517.jpg?resize=150%2C89&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_0517.jpg?resize=768%2C456&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_0517.jpg?resize=1536%2C912&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_0517.jpg?w=1606&amp;ssl=1 1606w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Empyrean-themed food was served at the party. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"537\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-84432\" data-id=\"84432\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8533.jpg?resize=790%2C537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8533.jpg?resize=1024%2C696&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8533.jpg?resize=370%2C251&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8533.jpg?resize=150%2C102&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8533.jpg?resize=768%2C522&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8533.jpg?w=1388&amp;ssl=1 1388w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Styrofoam eggs were covered with metal pins for fans to take home as part of the dragon theme in the books.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"523\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-84430\" data-id=\"84430\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8480.jpg?resize=790%2C523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8480.jpg?resize=1024%2C678&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8480.jpg?resize=370%2C245&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8480.jpg?resize=150%2C99&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8480.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8480.jpg?w=1431&amp;ssl=1 1431w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Fans of the series placed graphics of the Basgiath War College in the story on T-shirts.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"878\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-84429\" data-id=\"84429\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8474.jpg?resize=790%2C878\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8474-scaled.jpg?resize=921%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 921w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8474-scaled.jpg?resize=234%2C260&amp;ssl=1 234w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8474-scaled.jpg?resize=135%2C150&amp;ssl=1 135w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8474-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C854&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8474-scaled.jpg?resize=1382%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1382w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8474-scaled.jpg?resize=1842%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1842w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8474-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">HPL Catalog Coordinator Sara Doyle shows Takira Blick how to press a T-shirt with the &#8220;Empyrean&#8221; logo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"303\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-84425\" data-id=\"84425\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8559.jpg?resize=790%2C303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8559-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C393&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8559-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C142&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8559-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C58&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8559-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C294&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8559-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C589&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8559-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C785&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8559-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Samantha Gill, Adult Services Manager, leads a &#8220;Empyrean&#8221; trivia.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"484\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-84424\" data-id=\"84424\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8566.jpg?resize=790%2C484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8566-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C627&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8566-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C227&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8566-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C92&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8566-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C471&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8566-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C941&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8566-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1255&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8566-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Attendees were given study guides to prepare for the trivia related tot eh franchise. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"384\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-84423\" data-id=\"84423\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569.jpg?resize=790%2C384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C498&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C180&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C73&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C374&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C747&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C996&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Fans write their answers on paper for a free copy of &#8220;Onyx Storm.&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>HPL Adult Services Manager and fan of the books Samantha Gill organized the event to bring readers together for the latest story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe series is about Violet Sorenngail, who enters the Basgiath War College, where people become dragon-riders,\u201d she said. \u201cSorenngail bonds with not just one but two dragons and becomes one of the most sought-after riders in her generation, and a lot of things happen. They\u2019re fighting enemies, and romance happens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gill appreciates the uniqueness of the series, which includes \u201cFourth Wing\u201d and \u201cIron Flame,\u201d with \u201cFourth Wing\u201d being her favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen it came out, it was like no other fantasy I\u2019d read,\u201d she said. \u201cIt has a strong female lead, which is important. It\u2019s unique in itself in that the dragons are the best characters. They have personalities, bond with their riders, communicate telepathically with them, and their lives are intertwined. If a dragon dies, the rider dies. If a rider dies, the dragon doesn\u2019t die, but it gravely devastates them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The party was attended by people within and outside of the \u201cEmpyrean\u201d fandom, including some who have not read the series but plan to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s one of my most anticipated reads of the year,\u201d Biology Major Jadynn Doyle said. \u201cI\u2019m an avid romantic reader, so I\u2019m super excited to read the books and experience this world. I have yet to read one with dragons, and I think it\u2019ll be a nice new book avenue to read about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her expectations of the series have built up her excitement to read the books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI expect a lot of hardship [in the story],\u201d Doyle said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard that Yarros does her books in a way where one ends on a high and the next book ends on a low. I\u2019m excited to experience that and the emotions that come with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through leading activities at the party, Gill wanted to connect people through their shared enjoyment of reading and love of the books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI like when people have an opportunity to come together and talk about books that have inspired them or ignited their passion for reading,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard people say that the series reignited their love of fantasy. So, I think it\u2019s fun when people get together and talk about books they love, no matter what it is. Whether it\u2019s fantasy, romance, thrillers, or nonfiction, they get to bond and have some meaningful conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By RORY MOORE Tiger Media Network The Hays Public Library hosted a release party on Tuesday for \u201cOnyx Storm,\u201d the third book in the \u201cEmpyrean\u201d&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":84423,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":false,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3397,3398,11],"tags":[16132,16131,3126,16133,15700],"class_list":["post-84420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-area-news","category-campus-news","category-news","tag-empyrean","tag-fantasy-novels","tag-hays-public-library","tag-onyx-storm","tag-rory-moore"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_8569-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1245&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=84420"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84435,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84420\/revisions\/84435"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/84423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=84420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=84420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=84420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}