The world of romantasy erupted in excitement on March 4, 2026, when bestselling fantasy author Sarah J. Maas finally addressed the question fans have been asking for years: What comes next for the A Court of Thorns and Roses series?
During a highly anticipated 90-minute episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast hosted by Alex Cooper, Maas delivered the news readers across the United States and United Kingdom had been waiting for. The episode—titled “The Wait Is Over”—blended personal stories, candid confessions, and a blockbuster literary announcement that immediately sent social media into a frenzy.
Within hours of the episode’s release on YouTube, it surpassed one million views, and hashtags like #ACOTAR6 began trending globally on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Fans flooded comment sections with theories, excitement, and relief after a five-year gap since A Court of Silver Flames debuted in 2021.
But Maas didn’t just confirm another sequel. She revealed something much bigger: two brand-new ACOTAR novels arriving within months of each other, forming part of an ambitious narrative arc that could reshape the entire Prythian universe.
The Major Announcement: Sarah J. Maas Reveals Two New ACOTAR Books
The revelation came toward the end of the podcast, after Maas spent much of the episode discussing her personal life, writing process, and lighter topics such as pregnancy experiences, celebrity crushes—including Orlando Bloom—and her love for Diet Coke and Cheetos.
Then came the moment fans had been waiting for.
Addressing the long hiatus since A Court of Silver Flames, Maas acknowledged readers’ frustration and made it clear she had heard their concerns.
“I don’t want anyone to wait any longer,” she said, framing the announcement as a gift to the fandom, often affectionately referred to as the “Maasverse.”
The author also described how difficult the creative process had been. After struggling to write within her usual routines, Maas traveled to Big Sky, Montana, where she said she found what she described as an “energy vortex” that helped unlock the story.
Once she reached the right mental space, she explained, the chapters began flowing effortlessly.
“Everything clicked,” Maas said, describing the experience as magical after months of creative struggle.
The announcement instantly transformed the interview into one of the most talked-about literary events of the year.
Official Details: ACOTAR Book 6 and Book 7 Release Dates
Maas confirmed that the next two novels will serve as the sixth and seventh installments in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Unlike previous books, these will form part of one massive interconnected storyline rather than a trilogy or self-contained arcs.
Below is a breakdown of the official information revealed during the podcast.
| Date | Event | Details |
| March 4, 2026 | Announcement Event | Sarah J. Maas reveals two new ACOTAR books on the Call Her Daddy podcast |
| October 27, 2026 | Release of Book 6 | First two parts of the new storyline, estimated 800+ pages |
| January 12, 2027 | Release of Book 7 | Third part of the overarching narrative |
| Future (TBA) | Possible Book 8 | A fourth part planned but not yet written |
The rapid release schedule marks a dramatic shift from previous ACOTAR publishing timelines, where fans often waited years between installments.
By releasing the books only a few months apart, Maas aims to allow readers to experience them almost like a duology, minimizing cliffhanger frustration.
A Massive New Storyline Expanding the Prythian Universe
One of the most surprising revelations from the podcast was Maas’s decision to abandon traditional trilogy structures for the upcoming arc.
Instead, she described the narrative as “one massive, massive story.”
This means the two announced books will not provide full standalone resolutions, but instead act as pieces of a larger saga that may ultimately span four parts.
In practical terms, that means:
- Book 6 covers Parts One and Two of the story
- Book 7 covers Part Three
- A potential Book 8 could conclude the arc
This ambitious storytelling structure mirrors sprawling fantasy series such as A Song of Ice and Fire, where complex plots unfold across multiple volumes.
Publisher Bloomsbury holds the rights to the series, and pre-orders are already live on platforms like Barnes & Noble. Interestingly, early listings for Book 6 briefly appeared online before disappearing again—fueling speculation ahead of the official announcement.
Elain Archeron Takes Center Stage in the Next ACOTAR Story
Perhaps the most exciting revelation for longtime readers is the shift in character focus.
While previous books centered on Feyre Archeron and later Nesta Archeron, the upcoming storyline will shine the spotlight on the often-overlooked Elain Archeron.
For years, Elain has remained one of the series’ most mysterious characters. Known for her gentle personality and newly discovered seer abilities, she has largely stayed in the background while other characters drove the action.
But Maas hinted that this will soon change dramatically.
While writing A Court of Silver Flames, the author said she occasionally slipped into Elain’s point of view while researching gardening—suggesting that the character’s connection to nature may become important in the story.
Many fans now believe Elain’s arc will involve:
- Prophetic visions shaping the fate of Prythian
- Personal growth and independence
- A slow-burn romance storyline
Speculation is already raging over whether her potential romantic arc could involve Lucien or Azriel, two characters closely linked to her in previous books.
The Truth About Mor’s Powers Could Change Everything
Another major tease from Maas involves the mysterious character Morrigan, commonly known as Mor.
For several books, readers have been told that Mor’s true abilities have not yet been fully revealed. During the podcast interview, Maas confirmed that the upcoming storyline will finally expose “the truth about Mor’s powers.”
This revelation could reshape the political landscape of Prythian.
Mor’s backstory already includes traumatic experiences involving family betrayal and abuse. If her powers are connected to truth, illusions, or emotional manipulation—as many fans suspect—it could lead to dramatic confrontations with powerful figures from her past.
Narratively, this storyline may explore themes of:
- Breaking cycles of abuse
- reclaiming personal power
- confronting buried trauma
These themes align with the emotional arcs that have defined the ACOTAR series from the beginning.
Tamlin’s Possible Redemption Arc Sparks Debate
Few characters in the series divide the fandom as strongly as Tamlin, the former High Lord of the Spring Court.
Once Feyre’s love interest, Tamlin later became one of the story’s most controversial figures after his actions during the early books.
However, Maas hinted that his story may not be over.
The upcoming novels could revisit Tamlin’s isolation in the crumbling Spring Court, potentially offering a deeper exploration of his downfall and possible redemption.
For some readers, this could provide long-awaited nuance to a character often portrayed as a villain.
Others believe it may challenge the moral certainty of the Night Court itself, raising questions about forgiveness, accountability, and the complexity of personal change.
Why These New ACOTAR Books Could Redefine the Romantasy Genre
Beyond the excitement of new installments, Maas’s announcement reflects a broader shift in the romantasy genre—a blend of romance and fantasy that has exploded in popularity across TikTok and BookTok communities.
With over 38 million copies sold worldwide, the ACOTAR series has become one of the defining pillars of the genre alongside authors like Rebecca Yarros.
The upcoming books promise to deliver everything fans expect from Maas:
- expansive world-building
- Celtic-inspired fae mythology
- slow-burn romantic tension
- intense emotional character arcs
- high-stakes magical conflicts
But the massive scale of the new storyline also suggests a deeper narrative ambition. With Book 6 potentially exceeding 800 pages, readers can expect a sprawling adventure filled with prophecies, betrayals, and evolving alliances between Prythian’s powerful courts.
The Future of the ACOTAR Series and the Maasverse
While Books 6 and 7 are now confirmed, Maas also revealed that a fourth part of the story remains unwritten.
This future installment—possibly Book 8—will be drafted after the upcoming releases.
For fans, that means the journey through Prythian is far from over.
Some readers are even speculating about potential crossovers with Maas’s other fantasy worlds, particularly those featured in the Crescent City series.
Whether those theories come true remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the ACOTAR fandom is more energized than it has been in years.
The Countdown Begins for ACOTAR’s Next Chapter
After half a decade of waiting, the future of A Court of Thorns and Roses is finally taking shape.
With two new novels arriving between October 2026 and January 2027, readers will soon return to the magical courts of Prythian for what may become the most transformative chapter in the series yet.
Between Elain’s long-awaited spotlight, Mor’s hidden powers, and Tamlin’s uncertain future, the stage is set for a story that could redefine the ACOTAR universe.
And if Sarah J. Maas delivers on her promise of “no more waiting,” these upcoming books may not just satisfy fans—they could become the most talked-about fantasy releases of the decade.
Leave a Reply