The literary world is abuzz! Renowned romantasy author Sarah J. Maas has officially unveiled the highly anticipated release dates for the sixth and seventh installments in her blockbuster “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) series. This news, a beacon for legions of devoted fans, arrived straight from Maas herself during a candid appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. Readers can mark their calendars for a double dose of Prythian magic, as Maas promises an expansive, interconnected narrative unlike anything before.
The Long-Awaited ACOTAR Release Dates Are Here
After years of speculation and fervent hope, the wait for concrete information on the next “ACOTAR” books is finally over. Sarah J. Maas revealed the official release schedule, igniting excitement across the global book community.
Here are the crucial dates:
October 27, 2026: “ACOTAR” 6
January 12, 2027: “ACOTAR” 7
These dates confirm that fans will not have to endure another long hiatus between major “ACOTAR” releases. The quick succession is deliberate, reflecting the author’s vision for a cohesive, unfolding story.
Unpacking Maas’s “Massive, Massive Story” Structure
What makes these upcoming “ACOTAR” books particularly unique is Sarah J. Maas’s innovative approach to storytelling. She clarified that “ACOTAR” 6 and “ACOTAR” 7 are not standalone novels with neatly wrapped up arcs. Instead, they form the initial parts of one grand narrative.
Maas explained that her initial “Part One” of this new story, which became “ACOTAR” 6, unexpectedly grew to approximately 400 pages. This organic expansion led her to structure the overarching plot into multiple volumes. “ACOTAR” 6 will encompass the first part of this extensive storyline. Following closely, “ACOTAR” 7 will cover “Part Two” and “Part Three.” A definitive “fourth and final part” of this saga is also planned for a later date, solidifying the idea that this is “meant to be read as one massive, massive story.” This strategy allows Maas to deliver her ambitious vision without sacrificing detail or making fans wait excessively for a conclusion.
The Creative Journey: Insights into Maas’s Process
The extended gap since the last main “ACOTAR” novel, “A Court of Silver Flames” (2021), has been a topic of much discussion among fans. Sarah J. Maas offered insights into her creative process, highlighting the intentionality behind the delay. She emphasized that she doesn’t force herself to write if the story isn’t ready, understanding that quality would suffer.
Maas described needing to “get something sorted out first” before the “right story” truly struck her. Once it did, she noted, the narrative “poured out very quickly.” This breakthrough occurred while she was writing in Montana, where the story spontaneously expanded. Her writing journey, she shared, often mirrors her own mental health experiences. Elements from characters like Aelin (from “Throne of Glass”) and Feyre (from “ACOTAR”) were drawn from “very broken places” within herself. She also acknowledged the challenges of balancing a prolific writing career with motherhood, contrasting her past “Gollum-in-a-cave” writing style with her current pace of “a book a year, a book every year and a half.”
Fan Theories and What to Expect from Prythian
While specific titles and cover art remain under wraps, Sarah J. Maas did offer tantalizing hints and confirmations about the direction of the upcoming “ACOTAR” books. Fan speculation has been rampant, and some popular theories align with Maas’s subtle clues.
A leading theory suggests Elain Archeron, Feyre’s third sister, will be the central perspective character. This follows the pattern of the series, with Feyre headlining the first trilogy and Nesta taking the spotlight in “A Court of Silver Flames.” Maas herself playfully acknowledged this by correlating her own gardening activities with delving deeper into Elain’s character, stating, “Elain is a gardener, and everything I did during those weeks became research for her book.”
Beyond Elain’s potential perspective, Maas confirmed several highly anticipated plot developments:
Mor’s Powers: Readers will finally learn the truth about Mor’s abilities.
Feyre’s Access to the House of Wind: The mystery surrounding how Feyre gained access will be revealed.
- Tamlin’s Redemption Arc: Maas carefully hinted at a potential redemption arc for Tamlin. She stressed that any such narrative would be handled with extreme care, ensuring it doesn’t erase his past actions but remains genuine to his character and respectful of readers’ diverse experiences.
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Other fan theories still circulating include the dynamics between Azriel, Gwyn, and Elain, a potential crossover involving Bryce from the “Crescent City” series, and the looming possibility of betrayal within the Night Court.
The Ever-Expanding Maas-iverse
Sarah J. Maas debuted in publishing in 2012 and has since crafted a sprawling literary universe encompassing 16 books across three best-selling romantasy series: “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” “Throne of Glass,” and “Crescent City.” The “ACOTAR” series, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last spring, often serves as the gateway into the “Maas-iverse” for new readers.
The initial “ACOTAR” novels introduced readers to the perilous world of Prythian, home to immortal Fae. The first three books chronicled human Feyre’s journey, her transformation into Fae, and her rise to become High Lady of the feared Night Court. Subsequent books, like the novella “A Court of Frost and Starlight” and “A Court of Silver Flames,” broadened the narrative scope, shifting focus to other beloved characters. Maas’s last two releases in 2022 and 2024 were part of her “Crescent City” series, further expanding her intricate world-building. Intriguingly, Maas also hinted at a crossover event between “Crescent City” and “ACOTAR,” promising even more interconnectedness within her vibrant literary landscape. In 2023, Bloomsbury, Maas’s publisher, secured a deal for four additional books, cementing her prolific future.
Navigating a Potential TV Adaptation
The immense popularity of the “ACOTAR” series has naturally led to discussions about a television adaptation. Sarah J. Maas, who now owns the rights to all her work, expressed strong opinions on this prospect. Known for being a “type A control freak” when it comes to her creations, Maas stated she would only agree to an adaptation if guaranteed extensive involvement. Her desire stems from a deep love for film and television, aiming to ensure any adaptation remains true to her original vision and meets fan expectations. A specific challenge she highlighted is casting the iconic character of Rhysand, admitting she has yet to find an actor she believes could fully capture his essence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the next ACOTAR books officially releasing?
The highly anticipated sixth book in the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) series, “ACOTAR” 6, is scheduled for release on October 27, 2026. This will be swiftly followed by “ACOTAR” 7 on January 12, 2027. These dates were personally confirmed by author Sarah J. Maas during her appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast.
Which characters are expected to be the focus of ACOTAR 6 and 7?
While Sarah J. Maas has not officially disclosed the perspective character for “ACOTAR” 6, fan speculation heavily points towards Elain Archeron, Feyre’s sister. This theory is supported by the series’ narrative progression, which has previously highlighted Feyre and Nesta. Maas also offered a cryptic hint linking Elain to gardening. The books are expected to delve into key plotlines surrounding Elain’s journey, Mor’s powers, Feyre’s access to the House of Wind, and a carefully handled potential redemption arc for Tamlin.
What is Sarah J. Maas’s unique storytelling approach for ACOTAR 6 and 7?
Sarah J. Maas has indicated that “ACOTAR” 6 and 7 are not standalone books but rather form one “massive, massive story” that will ultimately span three or possibly four physical volumes. “ACOTAR” 6 will cover “Part One” of this extensive narrative, while “ACOTAR” 7 will encompass “Part Two” and “Part Three.” This structure allows Maas to explore a sprawling storyline without concluding individual arcs within each book, promising a deeply interconnected reading experience for fans.
The Countdown to Prythian Continues
The revelation of the “ACOTAR” 6 and “ACOTAR” 7 release dates is monumental for the romantasy genre. Sarah J. Maas has not only provided concrete timelines but also offered a glimpse into her ambitious vision for the series’ future. With an expansive, interconnected narrative promised, along with potential character focus on Elain and resolution to long-standing mysteries, the anticipation for these next installments will undoubtedly reach fever pitch. As fans eagerly await further details like titles and cover art, the countdown to October 2026 has officially begun, promising two unforgettable journeys back to the world of Prythian.
