Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the most pre-ordered book in the US since The Deathly Hallows

It is already expected to be the biggest selling book of 2016

Poppy Miller and Jamie Parker as Ginny and Harry Potter (Manuel Harlan)

Finally, the critics have had their say on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, singing its praises, including a five-star review from this very publication (written by yours truly).

Before the positive reviews were even given, however, the script - which is being sold in book form - has been breaking records.

Retail booksellers Barnes & Noble told Reuters that Cursed Child is already the most pre-ordered book in the US since 2007 when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released.

The retailer also said the book - released midnight on the 31 July - will likely be 2016’s biggest seller, with Harry Potter parties being held accross many of their stores.

Amazon has also been reporting huge sales, with Cursed Child being the most pre-ordered print and Kindle book in their stores.

"For the millions of us who are Harry Potter fans, a new Hogwarts story is a huge event," Amazon Books editor Seira Wilson said. "I could easily see young fans adapting to the format and using it to act out the play on their own.”

Cursed Child is the eighth part in the Harry Potter series and revisits many familiar characters, including Harry, Ron, and Hermione, while also introducing numerous new ones, such as Albus Severus Potter, Rose Weasley-Grainger, and Scorpius Malfoy.

Read our reviews round-up of the theatre production, which has sold out until May 2017 but is adding dates in the near future.