The next ACOTAR book, A Court of Splintered Harmony, is scheduled for October 27, 2026. The seventh book, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is scheduled for January 12, 2027. Author Sarah J. Maas and publisher Bloomsbury have confirmed both titles and release dates, giving fans two new installments in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series within about 11 weeks.
When Does the New ACOTAR Book Come Out? Release Dates for Books 6 and 7
Image: Cover of the upcoming sixth ACOTAR installment. Publisher: Bloomsbury.
Fans of Sarah J. Maas’s bestselling romantasy series have a date to look forward to. The answer to when does the new ACOTAR book come out is October 27, 2026, when A Court of Splintered Harmony is scheduled to be published. A second installment, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is scheduled to follow on January 12, 2027.
As of October 26, 2026, the first new book is due to arrive tomorrow. Both titles and their publication dates have been announced by Maas and her publisher, Bloomsbury. The new releases mark a major return to the world of Prythian after the previous main series novel, A Court of Silver Flames, was published in February 2021.
The upcoming books are particularly significant because Maas has described the new material as a large, connected story that will be released across multiple volumes. Readers can therefore expect more than a routine return to the series: the new books are intended to continue its wider narrative rather than present two completely unrelated adventures.
Here is everything readers need to know about the release dates, titles, story details, previous books, and what remains unconfirmed.
What Is the Official ACOTAR Book 6 Release Date?
The sixth book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is titled A Court of Splintered Harmony. Its scheduled publication date is Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The release date was announced in March 2026, when Maas revealed that two new ACOTAR novels would arrive within the following year. Bloomsbury subsequently listed the publication dates on its official series page. The author revealed the books’ titles and covers in August.
For readers waiting for the next chapter of the fantasy-romance saga, this is the most important date to remember.
Book 6: A Court of Splintered Harmony
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release date: October 27, 2026
The next major installment in the ACOTAR series.
Book 7: A Court of Forgotten Melody
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release date: January 12, 2027
The next scheduled volume in the new story arc.
These dates are the announced publication dates. Actual delivery and availability may vary by retailer, format, and country.
When Does ACOTAR Book 7 Come Out?
The seventh ACOTAR book, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is scheduled for January 12, 2027. That puts the two announced releases approximately 11 weeks apart.
This relatively short interval is unusual for a major fantasy series, particularly one with a worldwide readership. Bloomsbury highlighted the two-book publication schedule in its March 5, 2026, corporate announcement, noting the anticipation surrounding the next installments.
The second release is also important because the two books form part of a larger narrative. Maas has explained that the material grew beyond the length she originally expected, leading her to divide the story into multiple physical volumes.
Readers should distinguish between the confirmed release date for A Court of Forgotten Melody and any predictions about what happens in the story. The publication date is official; fan theories about character relationships and plot twists are not confirmed simply because they circulate online.
What Are the Titles of the New ACOTAR Books?
Sarah J. Maas announced the titles of the two upcoming novels in August 2026.
The books are:
- Book 6: A Court of Splintered Harmony
- Book 7: A Court of Forgotten Melody
The first book carries the subtitle The Valkyrie Cycle: Movement I. The second is presented as The Valkyrie Cycle: Movements II & III, indicating how the forthcoming releases are organized within the broader story. The titles and cover reveals were reported by ABC News on August 17, 2026, and are also listed by Bloomsbury.
The title A Court of Splintered Harmony suggests themes of conflict and fractured alliances, while A Court of Forgotten Melody evokes loss and rediscovery. Those interpretations are based on the titles themselves, however, and should not be treated as official plot summaries.
The publisher’s description provides a clearer starting point for understanding the sixth book’s central conflict.
What Is ACOTAR Book 6 About?
The sixth book is expected to return readers to Prythian, the fictional world of faerie courts, political rivalries, magic, and complicated relationships that has defined the series.
According to the publisher’s description reported by Business Insider, the Night Court faces new threats involving Koschei the Deathless and those seeking to seize control of newly liberated human lands. The description also points to tensions within the Night Court following betrayals and revelations.
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Illustrative image: A fantasy landscape evoking the atmosphere of Prythian. This is not an official scene from the book.
Koschei the Deathless and the threat to Prythian
Koschei is a significant figure in the wider ACOTAR storyline. His involvement gives the new installment a threat that extends beyond a personal disagreement or a single court’s internal politics.
The published description suggests that the conflict will involve both faerie territories and human lands. That setup leaves room for political negotiations, shifting alliances, and the consequences of earlier events.
Readers who remember the human queens, Vassa, and Lucien’s connections to the human lands may find this background especially relevant when returning to the series. However, the precise course of the conflict and its eventual outcome should be left to the book itself.
The Night Court’s internal tensions
The threat from outside is only one part of the setup. The publisher’s description also mentions betrayals and newly revealed truths that create tension within the Night Court.
This is important because the series has increasingly explored the consequences of earlier decisions rather than treating every conflict as an isolated event. Relationships, loyalty, and the distribution of power have all played important roles in previous installments.
The sixth book’s premise therefore appears designed to bring together two connected forms of conflict: a danger facing the wider world and disagreements among characters who may need to cooperate to overcome it.
The full extent of these conflicts will become clearer when readers can experience the complete story.
Why Is the New ACOTAR Release Different From Previous Books?
The upcoming release schedule stands out because Maas has explained that the new story grew much larger than she initially expected.
During her March 2026 appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, she discussed how the material developed into a story that could not comfortably fit the original plan. She explained that the narrative ultimately extended beyond 1,000 pages and was divided into four parts.
According to her explanation, the first part is being published in October 2026, while the second and third parts are being published together in January 2027. The fourth part has not received a confirmed publication date.
That means the new releases should not automatically be understood as two fully separate, self-contained stories. They are connected portions of a larger narrative.
How the publication structure works
- October 27, 2026: The first part, published as A Court of Splintered Harmony.
- January 12, 2027: The second and third parts, published as A Court of Forgotten Melody.
- Part four: Maas has said it remains unwritten, with no announced publication date in the reporting available.
This structure is worth knowing before starting the new books. Readers who prefer to wait until a story arc is complete may want to consider that the full narrative is not necessarily finished with the January 2027 publication.
At the same time, the publisher has announced the first two release dates, so readers do not have to rely on speculation to plan for the next installments.
Which Characters Could Return in the New ACOTAR Books?
The ACOTAR series has a large cast, and its perspective has shifted over time. Feyre Archeron is central to the early books, while A Court of Silver Flames focuses heavily on Nesta Archeron and Cassian.
The upcoming story is associated with the Valkyries, the female warrior group developed in A Court of Silver Flames. This provides useful context for the subtitle The Valkyrie Cycle.
Image: A Court of Silver Flames, the previous main ACOTAR novel.
Readers may want to revisit the following characters and storylines before beginning the new books:
- Nesta Archeron: Her development and connection to the Valkyries are important background for the new story arc.
- Cassian: His relationship with Nesta and his place in the Night Court make the events of A Court of Silver Flames relevant.
- Feyre Archeron and Rhysand: Their history and leadership remain central to the wider series.
- Lucien: His connections to the human lands and the broader political situation may be relevant to the new conflict.
- Gwyn and Emerie: Their connection to Nesta and the Valkyries makes their earlier storylines worth remembering.
- Azriel: His role in the Night Court and unresolved personal storylines have generated substantial reader interest.
The presence of a character in the series’ history does not guarantee that the character will narrate a new book or receive a major storyline. Readers should rely on confirmed publisher information rather than fan predictions when distinguishing announced details from theories.
What Has Sarah J. Maas Said About the New Books?
Maas confirmed the two upcoming publication dates in March 2026. The announcement came through her appearance on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast and was subsequently confirmed by Bloomsbury.
She also explained that finding the right story and being in the right frame of mind took time. Once the narrative came together, however, the material developed quickly and became larger than anticipated.
In August 2026, Maas revealed the titles and covers of the two books. Her social media announcements included the phrases “What was broken will be remade” for A Court of Splintered Harmony and “What was lost will be reclaimed” for A Court of Forgotten Melody. ABC News reported these cover reveals on August 17, 2026.
These taglines provide a thematic preview, but they do not establish the ending or confirm any particular romantic pairing.
What has been confirmed, and what remains uncertain?
| Detail | Current status |
|---|---|
| Book 6 title | Confirmed |
| Book 6 release date | October 27, 2026 |
| Book 7 title | Confirmed |
| Book 7 release date | January 12, 2027 |
| Main conflict involving Koschei | Described in publisher material |
| Complete ending of the larger story | Not yet known |
| Release date for part four | Not announced in the reporting cited here |
| Every character’s eventual fate | Not confirmed |
The distinction matters because ACOTAR fans often discuss theories about the future of the series long before the books arrive. Those discussions can be enjoyable, but they should not be confused with official announcements.
How Does the New ACOTAR Book Fit Into the Series?
The A Court of Thorns and Roses series began in 2015 and has grown into a major romantasy franchise combining fantasy adventure, faerie mythology, political conflict, and romance.
The five previously published main installments are:
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses
2015
Introduces Feyre Archeron, the faerie realm, and the central world of the series.
2. A Court of Mist and Fury
2016
Expands the political landscape and develops major relationships.
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin
2017
Brings major political and military conflicts to the forefront.
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight
2018
A shorter bridge between the original trilogy and the next stage of the series.
5. A Court of Silver Flames
2021
Focuses on Nesta and Cassian and introduces important developments involving the Valkyries.
The new books continue the series beyond these five published installments. Bloomsbury’s official series page lists the two upcoming titles alongside the earlier books.
Recommended reading order: Read the five earlier books in publication order before starting A Court of Splintered Harmony. The series contains interconnected character histories and world-building, so starting with Book 6 could make important developments harder to follow.
Where Can You Preorder the New ACOTAR Books?
Bloomsbury’s official website lists both upcoming titles and provides preorder information. The publisher’s Indian website also displays the books, making it a useful starting point for readers in India.
Readers can check:
- Bloomsbury India — official ACOTAR series page
- Sarah J. Maas — official website
- Sarah J. Maas — latest announcements
Before placing an order, confirm the edition, format, shipping arrangements, and estimated delivery date. A book’s official publication date does not necessarily mean every international retailer will deliver it on the same day.
Availability may also differ between print editions, ebooks, and audiobooks. Check the relevant retailer for the format you want.
Why the New ACOTAR Books Matter to Fantasy Readers
The new releases are significant for three main reasons.
First, they continue a series whose last main novel was published in 2021. That makes the October 2026 release a notable return for readers who have spent years waiting for the next installment.
Second, the two announced publication dates are unusually close together. Readers will not have to wait years between these first two volumes, although the wider story’s final part does not yet have a confirmed date.
Third, the new material is expected to develop existing conflicts and relationships rather than simply revisit familiar characters without changing the larger story. The publisher’s description points to threats against the Night Court, danger involving Koschei, and tension among established characters.
These developments give returning readers a clear reason to revisit the previous novels before the new book arrives.
As with any upcoming release, though, the complete reading experience will ultimately depend on the published text. Theories about romances, character deaths, political outcomes, and future spin-offs should remain theories until the author or publisher confirms them.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is the publication of A Court of Splintered Harmony on October 27, 2026. The second announced release, A Court of Forgotten Melody, follows on January 12, 2027. Both dates are listed by the author and publisher.
As of October 26, the first book is scheduled for release the following day. Readers should consult their chosen retailer for local availability and delivery information.
There is no confirmed publication date for the fourth part of Maas’s larger story in the sources cited here. Readers should therefore avoid assuming that January 2027 will mark the end of the entire new narrative.
For the most reliable updates, the author’s official website and Bloomsbury’s series page remain the best places to check.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When does the new ACOTAR book come out?
The sixth ACOTAR book, A Court of Splintered Harmony, is scheduled for October 27, 2026. As of October 26, 2026, its scheduled release is tomorrow.
2. What is the name of ACOTAR Book 6?
The sixth book is titled A Court of Splintered Harmony. Its subtitle is The Valkyrie Cycle: Movement I.
3. When does ACOTAR Book 7 come out?
The seventh book, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is scheduled for January 12, 2027.
4. Who is writing the new ACOTAR books?
Sarah J. Maas is the author of the upcoming books. Bloomsbury is the publisher listed on the official series pages.
5. Will ACOTAR Book 6 focus on Nesta?
The new books are associated with the Valkyrie Cycle, which connects to Nesta’s development in A Court of Silver Flames. However, readers should not assume that the entire sixth book focuses exclusively on Nesta. The new story involves a wider cast and conflicts affecting the Night Court.
6. What is the plot of A Court of Splintered Harmony?
The publisher’s description indicates that the Night Court faces threats involving Koschei the Deathless and allies seeking control of newly liberated human lands. Tensions within the court, including betrayals and revealed truths, also form part of the setup.
7. Do I need to read the previous ACOTAR books first?
Yes, reading the five earlier main installments in publication order is recommended. Their character relationships, magical history, and political developments provide important context for the upcoming story.
8. Is A Court of Forgotten Melody the final ACOTAR book?
It has not been confirmed as the final book in the entire series. Maas has described a larger story divided into four parts, with the fourth part still unwritten in the reporting cited here. Its publication date and the long-term future of the series remain unconfirmed.
