Sarah J. Maas Just Announced New ACOTAR Books — Here’s What We Know | The Gilt List
Wellll, here we go… Sarah J. Maas just dropped the first real update on the next A Court of Thorns and Roses arc, and bloody hell, epic proportions, it is much bigger than anyone expected. Excited? Me too.
If you were bracing for a normal sequel after A Court of Silver Flames, you can toss that expectation straight out the window, good bye, see you never. Maas confirmed that the next ACOTAR’s new romantasy story is one massive narrative that had to be physically split across multiple books because it simply would not fit into a single volume. Really fun for our reading lives. Slightly terrifying for our emotional stability. But also makes her stand out as a writer on par with other greats of our time.
She described the story as “really, really, really big.” And judging by the structure she revealed, that was not an exaggeration.
Takeaways
- The next A Court of Thorns and Roses arc is one continuous story split across three books and four parts.
- ACOTAR 6 (Part 1) releases October 27, 2026 and is about 352 pages.
- ACOTAR 7 (Parts 2 and 3) releases January 12, 2027 and is a massive 928 pages.
- ACOTAR 8 (Part 4) is still being written and has no release date yet.
- The new arc will explore free will, mating bonds, and whether destiny can be wrong.
- Maas also confirmed future ACOTAR books and a crossover with Crescent City are still planned.
What Sarah J. Maas actually announced about ACOTAR 6, 7, and 8
During a recent interview, Maas explained that the next ACOTAR story poured out as one enormous narrative rather than a clean trilogy or separate standalone arcs.
So instead of trying to cram it into a thousand page monster, Bloomsbury split it into four parts across three physical books.
Here is the structure she revealed:
| Book | What It Contains | Release Date | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACOTAR 6 | Part 1 | Oct 27, 2026 | 352 |
| ACOTAR 7 | Parts 2 & 3 | Jan 12, 2027 | 928 |
| ACOTAR 8 | Part 4 | TBD | Unknown |
The key detail here is that this is meant to be read as one continuous story. The narrative arcs will not wrap neatly between volumes.
That is a completely different structure from earlier books like A Court of Wings and Ruin or A Court of Frost and Starlight, which each resolved their main storyline before moving forward.
This time the story simply keeps going.
Which means cliffhangers are almost guaranteed. Greaaat. Are you ready? I’m not.
Why ACOTAR 6 and 7 are releasing back to back
Maas said the decision to release the first two books only a few months apart was intentional. She apparently hated the idea of readers finishing Part 1 and then waiting an entire year for the next piece of the story. Honestly? Fair. Sometimes as an author a whole idea pops into your head, and waiting kills you.
This time we get:
- Part 1 in October 2026
- Parts 2 and 3 in January 2027
That gap is just over two months, which is basically nothing in publishing time. I imagine she’s been writing this for some time, it’s been ready. We’re just not.
Whose POV will ACOTAR 6 follow?
Officially? We still have no confirmation. What do you think? Fans think it might be Elain’s turn, but I’m rooting for Nesta.
Maas did drop a thematic hint that has readers spiralling. She said the story explores:
- free will
- mating bonds
- whether “nature gets it wrong sometimes”
I’m a big fan of books exploring free will; it’s controversial, but if done right, it’s exactly what young readers need. And honestly, us to.
The “nature gets it wrong” comment has the Elain readers fully feral because it lines up with years of speculation about mating bond choice versus personal agency. Which is an incredible idea.
Are we finally getting the Elain book? Maybe. Maybe not. Maas loves chaos a little too much to make that predictable. Watching her on social might be our only choice.
Why Did the Five-Year ACOTAR Gap Happen?
Maas also addressed the massive gap since the last ACOTAR release. She explained that the delay was personal rather than creative block. She needed time to work through things in her own life before the next story arrived. Which is typical for authors with agency. Stories are meant to be told, not forced. And when a writer has freedom to explore, we get their best work.
This time it came fast and hard. She hinted that she might talk about that period more openly later, but for now the takeaway is that the story only landed once she was ready to tell it. A story on agency? That gets you thinking.
What this means for the future of ACOTAR
A few big things came out of the announcement that readers should pay attention to.
First, the series is not ending.
Maas is contracted with Bloomsbury for at least two more books beyond this arc, plus a completely separate standalone project she says has been sitting in her head for years. We all saw this coming but with Fourth Wing on its tail, many didn’t see the timing.
Second, the House of Sky and Breath universe connection is still expanding. That also deserves its time.
Maas confirmed that the upcoming fourth Crescent City book will feature a crossover set in the ACOTAR world. What??? Time to read a bunch of books to keep up I guess. And of course this means Prythian chaos is absolutely not finished yet.
Finally, the long discussed ACOTAR TV adaptation remains uncertain. Maas still holds the rights to her work and has been clear she will not move forward with an adaptation unless she has full creative control. I hope she keeps that control, and doesn’t let it boss her around in the way other authors have fallen into.
What to read while waiting for ACOTAR 6
October 2026 is still months away. That is plenty of time for several emotional breakdowns, rereads, and at least one ill-advised 3am binge. Girl. I’ll be here too. In fact, I’m going to reread them JUST to write my POVs in a way I didn’t have time to before. If you want to see that, join my List. I’m just a writer & editor with a love for writers, and I want to see them succeed. Here are other books like ACOTAR and below is the sign up punishment to my further thoughts.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sarah J. Maas’ New ACOTAR Books
Of course, this is based off interviews, publisher notes, and other tricks and tips. I can’t know for sure this is all for sure, but it’s what we know right now.
October 27, 2026. It’s Part 1 of a massive new story arc and clocks in at 352 pages. Pre-orders are live now on Bloomsbury’s website.
January 12, 2027! Less than three months after ACOTAR 6. It contains Parts 2 and 3 of the same story and is 928 pages. Maas deliberately scheduled them back to back so readers wouldn’t have to wait a year between volumes.
Yes. Maas confirmed a Part 4 is still being written, which will be released as a third book. No release date yet, no page count, no title. But the story was always planned as four parts across three volumes.
Three. The next ACOTAR story is one continuous narrative split across four parts and three physical books: ACOTAR 6 (Part 1, October 2026), ACOTAR 7 (Parts 2 and 3, January 2027), and ACOTAR 8 (Part 4, TBD).
On the March 4, 2026 episode of Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper. It was a nearly two-hour live interview that over 166,000 people watched simultaneously.
No plot details have been confirmed. Maas did not reveal titles, covers, or whose POV the new books follow. She teased themes of free will, mating bonds, and whether “nature gets it wrong sometimes” — which fans are interpreting as pointing toward Elain, Lucien, or Azriel’s storyline.
Maas has not confirmed the narrator. She said her choice of perspective character was unexpected even to her. Fan speculation is heavily focused on Elain, Lucien, Azriel, or some combination… but nothing is official yet.
Yes. ACOTAR 6 is available for pre-order now through Bloomsbury’s website at $28.80 (RRP $32.00). Hardcover availability may vary by region, Waterstones in the UK has a hardcover pre-order for ACOTAR 7 already listed (thank you Waterstones as ever). Check your preferred retailer for format options.
Because it’s too long for one volume. Maas described the story as “really, really, really big”, big big. Part 1 alone is 352 pages and Parts 2 and 3 together are 928 pages, with Part 4 still being written. She’s never told a story this way before and was explicit that arcs won’t wrap up between volumes.
Maas said the gap was personal. But it feels intentional with her other series. She said she needed time in her own life before the right story came. When it arrived, it “poured out very quickly.” She hasn’t elaborated further but hinted she’ll share more eventually. The five-year gap since A Court of Silver Flames (2021) is the longest between any ACOTAR releases.
Yes. Maas has confirmed a fourth Crescent City book is coming and that it will feature a crossover set in the ACOTAR universe. No release date has been announced yet.
No. Maas is contracted with Bloomsbury for at least six total upcoming titles — a mix of ACOTAR, Crescent City, and a brand new series. There’s also a standalone she’s described as a story that’s been “brewing in the back of her mind for a long time.”
No book tour has been announced yet for the ACOTAR 6 release. Vivid Seats has a placeholder page for future Sarah J. Maas events but no confirmed dates or venues as of March 2026. Keep an eye on her official website and social channels for any tour announcements closer to October.
Uncertain. Maas confirmed she owns the rights to all her work but said she won’t adapt for screen until she’s guaranteed full creative control with no restrictions on her vision. No deals have been announced.
No. Nope. Maas was clear about this. However, time will tell how the structure is. According to Mass it’s one continuous story split into parts purely because of length. It is not designed as a trilogy with individual arcs that resolve between books. She compared it to reading one massive novel in instalments.
Honestly? Probably. It’s been five years since A Court of Silver Flames and Maas has said this story picks up threads from across the entire series. If you don’t have time for a full reread, you can join The Gilt List and I’ll release quick recaps before the release.
Publication order: A Court of Thorns and Roses > A Court of Mist and Fury > A Court of Wings and Ruin > A Court of Frost and Starlight (novella) > A Court of Silver Flames. Do not skip Frost and Starlight! It bridges important character dynamics even though it’s shorter and lighter in tone. Then you’re ready for ACOTAR 6 in October.
At a guess as an industry insider…no. ACOTAR is published by Bloomsbury, a traditional publisher, which makes it ineligible for Kindle Unlimited. You’ll need to purchase it or borrow through your library’s Libby or Overdrive app. Given the demand, library holds will fill up fast — place your hold early if that’s your plan.
Nothing confirmed yet. Bloomsbury has released special editions, collector’s editions, and exclusive covers for previous ACOTAR books through retailers like Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. Given the scale of this release, special editions are almost guaranteed, but none have been announced as of March 2026. Watch Bloomsbury’s social channels and your preferred retailer.
352 pages for Part 1. Eek. That makes it the shortest ACOTAR release by a significant margin…but that’s intentional. It’s not a standalone story, it’s the opening act of a four-part narrative. ACOTAR 7 follows less than three months later at 928 pages. Together, Parts 1 through 3 clock in at 1,280 pages before Part 4 even exists.
You absolutely need the full series. Maas has been clear this is a continuation, not a new entry point. If you haven’t read ACOTAR at all, start at book one — do not jump in at ACOTAR 6. This is the opposite of standalone.
She teased that the new story explores free will, fate, and whether “nature gets it wrong sometimes” in relation to mating bonds. That’s the closest thing to a plot detail she’s given so far, and fans are reading it as a direct signal that this arc will interrogate or challenge the mating bond system established in earlier books …possibly through Elain and Lucien’s unresolved bond.
The events of House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City 3) already crossed over into the ACOTAR universe. Maas confirmed a fourth Crescent City book will continue that crossover. Whether the new ACOTAR books directly reference Crescent City events is unknown, but the worlds are now officially linked.
Almost certainly yes. The Crescent City crossover was primarily contained within that series, and Maas has historically kept her series accessible independently. But if you want the full picture of how these worlds connect, reading House of Flame and Shadow before October wouldn’t hurt.
A Court of Silver Flames published February 16, 2021…over five years before ACOTAR 6 arrives. It followed Nesta and Cassian and was the most explicitly spicy ACOTAR book to date.
Currently five published, with three more confirmed: ACOTAR 6 (October 2026), ACOTAR 7 (January 2027), and ACOTAR 8 (TBD). That brings the series to eight books total once complete, plus the A Court of Frost and Starlight novella.