A Court of Thorns and Roses<\/em> is officially done in draft form. The author revealed in July 2025 that she had finished writing the long-anticipated book, and fans have been eagerly waiting for updates ever since.<\/p>\nThe world of Prythian briefly appeared in Maas\u2019 2024 novel, House of Flame and Shadow,<\/em> but the last full ACOTAR<\/em> book, A Court of Silver Flames<\/em>, was released in 2021. Since then, readers have been speculating about the next chapter in the beloved series.<\/p>\nFans Hope for a 2025 or 2026 Release<\/h2>\n
While Bloomsbury has not confirmed an official release date, Maas\u2019 July announcement gives fans hope that the book could arrive sooner rather than later. In her social media post, she celebrated finishing the first draft with a video showing her closing a notebook labeled \u201cACOTAR 6,\u201d shutting her laptop, and popping a bottle of bubbly. \u201cFirst drafts DONE,\u201d she captioned the post, igniting excitement across her fanbase.<\/p>\n
Since that announcement, fans have been eagerly checking for updates, speculating whether Maas might release the book later in 2025 or early 2026. While nothing is official, the fact that the draft is complete suggests the wait may finally be nearing its end.<\/p>\n
\n<\/blockquote>\nMaas Confirms Work on Book Six<\/h2>\n
In March 2023, Bloomsbury announced that Maas had signed a deal for three more books with the publisher. At that time, she was already contracted for four titles, including the third installment of her Crescent City<\/em> series, House of Flame and Shadow.<\/em><\/p>\nBy September 2023, fans got their first hint about the next ACOTAR<\/em> book during a Live Talks Los Angeles appearance. Maas admitted she was \u201cdrafting\u201d the book and thoroughly enjoying the process. \u201cI will say that I\u2019ve become so focused and obsessed with writing this book,\u201d she told the duo. \u201cIt\u2019s like that feeling of having a crush or when you\u2019re first, like, obsessed with someone, and you\u2019re just thinking about it nonstop.\u201d<\/p>\nIn a January 2024 interview with Today<\/em>\u2019s Jenna Bush Hager<\/strong>, Maas reiterated that the next published work would be the sixth ACOTAR<\/em> installment. \u201cI\u2019m very, very excited about that one,\u201d she said, though she shared no specific details.<\/p>\nWhat We Know \u2014 and Who Might Be the Focus<\/h2>\n
Clues from House of Flame and Shadow<\/em> hint at potential plotlines for the new book. The novel linked ACOTAR, Crescent City<\/em>\u00a0and Throne of Glass<\/em> in a multiverse, showing what might be happening in Prythian when the new book begins.<\/p>\nNesta and Azriel uncover a magical prison in Prythian connected to a long-lost fae court, working alongside Bryce Quinlan, who brings a powerful sword called Gwydion (the Starsword) from her home planet, Midgard. At the book\u2019s end, the sword is returned to Azriel along with a magical mask loaned by Nesta. Maas\u2019 characters tease that the eight-pointed star tattoo on Nesta may be significant for future events. \u201cI think that eight-pointed star was tattooed on you for a reason. Take that sword and go figure out why,\u201d Bryce tells Nesta.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
Jim Shannon\/Connecticut Post via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n WATERBURY, CT JUNE 17: Barnes & Noble in Waterbury display of the popular books by Sarah J. Maas.Maas\u2019s has sold 3.1 million print books, according to Circana. (Jim Shannon\/Connecticut Post via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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While Nesta has been a central figure, fans have speculated that Book 6 could focus more on Azriel, exploring his past, powers, and the ongoing politics of the Night Court. He was a key player in A Court of Silver Flames<\/em>, and with the multiverse connections now established, there\u2019s ample opportunity to see his story unfold\u2014possibly alongside Nesta, or even through his own perspective.<\/p>\nAdditionally, Maas has suggested she may explore Elain Archeron\u2019s story further. In A Court of Silver Flames,<\/em> Elain had begun settling into life at the Night Court while navigating a complicated dynamic with Lucien. Fans may see her arc continue alongside Azriel\u2019s, Nesta\u2019s, and the other beloved characters\u2019 adventures.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n