a return

For millions of readers around the world, the announcement felt almost mythical—like the reopening of a portal long thought sealed. Bestselling fantasy author Sarah J. Maas, widely considered one of the defining voices of the modern “romantasy” genre, has confirmed that two new novels are coming to her blockbuster series A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). The reveal arrives more than five years after the last installment, reigniting excitement among fans who have spent half a decade theorizing about the future of Prythian.

The next chapter of the saga will unfold across two back-to-back releases, with the sixth ACOTAR book scheduled for October 27, 2026, followed by a seventh on January 12, 2027.

For a series that helped reshape fantasy publishing in the last decade, the announcement marks not just a continuation but a major expansion of one of the genre’s most influential worlds.

define

First published in 2015, A Court of Thorns and Roses quickly became a defining example of the emerging fantasy-romance hybrid known as romantasy. The series blends epic worldbuilding with character-driven emotional stakes, following human huntress Feyre Archeron as she becomes entangled in the dangerous, seductive realm of the fae.

Across five existing books—

• A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)

• A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)

• A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)

• A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018)

• A Court of Silver Flames (2021)

—the saga has expanded far beyond Feyre’s original arc, weaving together political intrigue, mythological creatures, magical warfare, and sweeping romance.

The series has sold millions of copies worldwide and helped propel Maas into the upper echelon of contemporary fantasy authors. Her books overall have surpassed 75 million copies sold globally, translated into dozens of languages and embraced by readers across generations.

For many fans—especially those discovering fantasy through BookTok and other online communities—ACOTAR represents the gateway into a broader literary universe.

stir

Maas revealed the news during an appearance on the popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast, where she spoke candidly about the creative journey that led to the next installment.

According to the author, it took time to rediscover the emotional and narrative momentum needed to return to Prythian.

“It took me a while to find the right story,” she explained, describing a creative breakthrough that eventually produced a narrative so expansive it had to be split into multiple volumes.

The story, Maas said, arrived suddenly during a period spent in Big Sky, Montana, where the initial inspiration struck and writing progressed rapidly.

The result was not a conventional sequel but something far larger.

flow

Rather than functioning as two separate novels, the upcoming books are essentially segments of a single enormous narrative.

Maas described the new arc as “one massive, massive story” that originally existed as a single concept before being divided due to its sheer scale.

The structure reportedly works like this:

• Book 6 – Part One

• Book 7 – Parts Two and Three

• A future eighth book – Part Four

In other words, the upcoming releases represent the beginning of a four-part saga within the ACOTAR universe.

Publishing them only weeks apart is an intentional move designed to preserve narrative momentum and prevent fans from waiting years between installments.

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The announcement has already sparked anticipation reminiscent of the midnight release era that once surrounded blockbuster franchises like Harry Potter and Twilight.

Booksellers and fan communities expect late-night launch parties, cosplay events, and massive pre-orders once the books approach publication.

For many younger readers, romantasy series such as ACOTAR have become cultural touchstones—stories that merge escapism with deeply emotional storytelling.

Online fandoms have played a significant role in sustaining the hype. TikTok’s BookTok community in particular has fueled the series’ enduring popularity, with viral videos, fan theories, and aesthetic edits reaching millions of viewers.

anticip

The announcement arrives during what many critics describe as the golden age of romantasy.

Once considered a niche blend of genres, the fusion of fantasy and romance now dominates bestseller lists. Readers are drawn to stories that combine sweeping magical settings with intimate emotional stakes—epic battles alongside complicated relationships.

Sarah J. Maas is widely credited with helping shape this modern literary movement.

Her writing helped prove that fantasy stories centered on female protagonists, romance, and emotional complexitycould become global publishing phenomena.

Alongside her other series—Throne of Glass and Crescent City—Maas built an interconnected mythology that continues to expand with each release.

blend

Beyond ACOTAR, Maas’s broader body of work has increasingly hinted at something even larger: a shared fantasy universe.

Her earlier series Throne of Glass follows assassin-turned-hero Celaena Sardothien navigating political intrigue and magical conspiracies.

Meanwhile, Crescent City explores a more contemporary fantasy setting featuring half-fae heroine Bryce Quinlan in a modern magical metropolis.

Fans have long speculated that these worlds are interconnected—and recent novels have included subtle hints suggesting that characters and realms might eventually collide.

With the next ACOTAR arc reportedly massive in scope, some readers believe the upcoming books could finally bring these universes together.

fwd

While official plot details remain tightly guarded, several story possibilities dominate fan speculation.

Elain’s Story

One widely discussed theory centers on Elain Archeron, the third sister of Feyre and Nesta. Her quiet personality and prophetic abilities have left many narrative threads unresolved.

Fans suspect the next installment could explore:

• her powers as a seer

• her relationship with Lucien

• the unresolved tension involving Azriel

fwd

The publishing industry has already reacted strongly to the announcement.

Following the news, shares of Bloomsbury Publishing, Maas’s long-time publisher, reportedly surged as investors anticipated enormous sales.

This reaction underscores the economic influence of Maas’s storytelling. Few authors can guarantee a global publishing event simply by announcing a new book.

For Bloomsbury, ACOTAR represents a modern counterpart to its earlier success with Harry Potter—a franchise capable of driving international demand and cultural conversation.

why

Beyond sales figures, Maas’s work has reshaped the perception of fantasy literature.

For decades, mainstream fantasy publishing often centered male heroes, war-driven plots, and traditional hero’s-journey narratives.

Maas introduced something different:

• emotionally complex female protagonists

• romantic relationships integral to the plot

• themes of trauma, healing, and resilience

• layered character growth across multiple books

The result is a reading experience that feels both epic and intimate.

Her influence can be seen across contemporary publishing, where romantasy titles now dominate bestseller charts.

sum

The announcement of two new ACOTAR novels signals more than just a continuation of a beloved story.

It represents the next phase of a literary movement that has transformed fantasy publishing over the last decade.

For longtime readers, the return to Prythian feels like revisiting a familiar dreamscape—one filled with magic, danger, romance, and mythic stakes.

For new readers discovering Maas for the first time, the upcoming releases may become the gateway into a universe that continues to expand in surprising ways.

Either way, the message is clear.

The world of A Court of Thorns and Roses is far from finished.

And if Sarah J. Maas is right, the story still has much bigger chapters ahead.

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