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For fans of Sarah J. Maas’s wildly popular A Court of Thorns and Roses series, the question on everyone’s mind is simple yet burning: when will the highly anticipated sixth installment hit bookstore shelves? Some fans say we may even get an ACOTAR 6 announcement as early as this month.
The vibrant world of Prythian, with its captivating High Fae, political intrigue, and steamy romance, has left readers desperate for more after the conclusion of A Court of Silver Flames, which was released in February of 2021.
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While an official release date for ACOTAR 6 remains unannounced as of March 2025, speculation continues to mount within the fandom. Sarah J. Maas has cultivated one of the most dedicated reader bases in modern fantasy literature, with the ACOTAR series alone selling millions of copies worldwide and spawning everything from merchandise to a possible forthcoming television adaptation. So let’s dive into the theories as to when we can expect the highly-anticipated sixth book and what the book will be about.
WARNING: There will be spoilers ahead for the first five ACOTAR books.
When Will ACOTAR 6 Be Announced?
We are still waiting on an official announcement, but because it has been four years since the last book in the series was released, fans are expecting an announcement any day. Maas’ publishing schedule may hold some clues as to when we can expect an announcement.
Maas typically alternates between her major series, and her most recent release, the third book in her Crescent City series, House of Flame and Shadow, dropped in January of 2024. In an interview with Today, Maas confirmed that she is currently working on ACOTAR 6 and that will be the next book she releases. Based on Maas’ previous publishing cadence, the ACOTAR fandom seems to agree that a late 2025/early 2026 release date for ACOTAR 6 is most likely.
There is a popular theory circulating online that says we may get a release date as early as this month. Bloomsbury, the publisher of Maas’ ACOTAR series, is holding a trading update on March 20, 2025. Historically, Bloomsbury has announced major book releases near or during these trade updates. Maas typically has a 12-18 month gap between book releases so if ACOTAR 6 is announced on March 20, 2025, a 2026 release date would be likely.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books) (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 9)
Could the ACOTAR 6 Announcement Be Delayed?
While most want to believe we will get an announcement sooner rather than later, there is a popular theory online that we may have to wait until May 5, 2025 to get an announcement. May 5, 2025 will be the 10-year anniversary of ACOTAR’s release and many publishers like to align releases with anniversaries so this could be a possibility.
What Will ACOTAR 6 Be About?
The first three books in the ACOTAR series were written in Feyre’s point of view and focused on her story. The novella, A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOFAS), featured alternating character POVs, and the most recent book, A Court of Silver Flames (ACOSF), focused on Nesta’s story.
The first three books (A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin) were intended to be a trilogy with ACOFAS bridging the gap between the first trilogy and the next set of books. It is widely theorized that since ACOSF focused on Nesta’s story, the next ACOTAR book will focus on the last remaining Archeron sister, Elain. None of this has been confirmed by Maas or Bloomsbury but it does seem highly likely that the sixth book will follow Elain’s journey and reveal whether she ends up with Lucien or Azriel.
Popular Theories for ACOTAR 6
The literary community is abuzz with theories as to what the sixth ACOTAR book will reveal. There are still several unresolved plot points and even more theories as to how they will play out. Here are a few of the most popular theories generating buzz online:
- Elain will reject the mating bond with Lucien
- Azriel will end up with Gwyn, not Elain
- Bryce and Azriel are mates
- Elain will end up with Tamlin and become High Lady of the Spring Court
- Elain is a seer and her full powers will be revealed
- The next book will be in Azriel’s POV, not Elain’s
- There will be a betrayal in the Night Court
While Bloomsbury Publishing and Maas’s representatives remain tight-lipped about specific timelines, one thing remains certain: when ACOTAR 6 finally does arrive, it will be a major literary event that sends ripples through the fantasy community and beyond.
