I'm not from that area so i have no idea. But, maybe they pre-ordered it ( which technically is purchasing the book but just have to wait to receive it) Though stores do mess up. I know for Spirit Bound my friend went to target and she was buying the series all at once and she saw Spirit Bound out a week before it was supposed to be released. Just sitting out on the shelves. SHe got two , one for me. But when she went to the cashier to pay for it ,the cashier scanned the book and an alarm went off notifying them not to sell the book. But maybe stores of smaller or lesser security mixed up. It's possible but not likely . I know i wont go into any thread vaguely resembling the words "last sacrifice " in a week, in case people somehow do get advanced copies. Stuff do leak onto the internet. ANd when the book comes out I will definitely avoid Shadow Bite altogether until I read it.