Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR book 6 finally lands as romantasy fever sweeps the UK

A Court of Thorns and Roses fever has spread across the UK, as romantasy titan Sarah J. Maas’s latest book finally hits shelves. In London and beyond, fans organised midnight launch parties while bookshops hosted lock-ins to celebrate release day.

Since the author announced A Court of Splintered Harmony, ACOTAR devotees have been re-reading the record-breaking series – and online speculation about the plot has been rife. To prevent leaks, publishers declined proof copies and book reviewers and bloggers are only getting their hands on the viral book today (27 October).

A Court of Splintered Harmony is subtitled The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I, and the novel’s plot will be continued in book seven, A Court of Forgotten Melody – set for release on 12 January 2027. The perfect excuse for another re-read, if you ask me.

A gateway to the genre for many readers (myself included), the series currently includes five titles: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, and A Court of Silver Flames.

Following the stories of sisters Feyre, Nesta and Elain Archeron in the faerie realm of Prythian, ACOTAR dominates BookTok – TikTok’s book community – and has reached international mainstream success, with a TV adaptation now in the works.

Despite its recent popularity, the first ACOTAR book was actually released in 2015, when it was positioned as a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast. With fairies, dark magic and shape-shifting creatures, the series is a nostalgic trip back to the books of our childhood – just with added smut, romance and enemies-to-lovers storylines.

Sarah J Maas has sold more than 75 million books

Alamy Stock Photo

It’s no exaggeration to say people are completely obsessed. In the hours following the announcement of the new books, thousands of BookTokers took to social platforms to discuss theories based on the titles, covers, and elusive blurbs, while many more preordered the book to land on their doorstep on launch day. If you decided to wait, you can save 50 per cent on the new book at Amazon.

The sixth title, which is less than 400 pages long, forms part of a new trilogy. The second novel, subtitled The Valkyrie Cycle, Movements II & III, is far more weighty at nearly 900 pages long.

Though both these books sit within the existing ACOTAR series, fans are speculating whether A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody could crossover with Maas’ other best-selling series, Throne of Glass (TOG). The biggest clue toward this is the spider on the cover of book seven, a theme throughout the TOG books.

Here’s everything you need to know about A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody.

'A Court of Splintered Harmony' by Sarah J Maas, published by Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury

A Court of Splintered Harmony is the first of two instalments designated by Maas as “The Valkyrie Cycle”.

“What was broken will be remade,” the blurb reads, continuing, “Deep in the heart of the continent, Koschei the Deathless is stirring. Though he’s been bound to a mountain lake for millennia, the insidious threat of his return now spreads across the Fae territories, attracting powerful allies hell-bent on reclaiming what was once theirs: the human lands.”

Taking place in the wake of the Hybern War, The Night Court is rebuilding Prythian under the rule of High Lord Rhysand and High Lady Feyre. The book hints towards betrayals and revealed truths in the Night Court’s inner circle, all while Koschei creeps closer. “To survive, they must find a way to repair the splintered harmony all around them.”

'A Court of Forgotten Melody' by Sarah J Maas, published by Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury

You’ll have to wait a little longer for the seventh book in the series, A Court of Forgotten Melody, which will be released on 12 January 2027. Subtitled “The Valkyrie Cycle: Movements II & III”, the book continues Prythian's attempt to unite allies and defend against Koschei the Deathless.

“What was lost will be reclaimed,” the blurb begins. “Prythian might never be the same again. Traditional alliances are crumbling, and no amount of diplomacy seems sufficient to repair them. With the continued threat of Koschei the Deathless on the horizon, a united front is crucial—and farther out of reach than it has ever been before.”

Grappling with old enemies, shifting powers and tested bonds, the Night Court’s inner circle spreads across the land to find Koschei’s weakness.