Sarah J. Maas has opened the next chapter of A Court of Thorns and Roses with two major book announcements. Fans now know the titles, covers, and release dates for the next two ACOTAR installments. The sixth book is A Court of Splintered Harmony. The seventh is A Court of Forgotten Melody.
A Court of Splintered Harmony will arrive on October 27, 2026. A Court of Forgotten Melody will follow on January 12, 2027. Maas has also introduced the books as part of a larger story cycle called the Valkyrie Cycle.
The announcement gives ACOTAR readers concrete information after years of anticipation. It also raises new questions about the future of Prythian, the characters who will lead the story, and the threats that remain unresolved.
Sarah J. Maas Has Revealed the Next ACOTAR Books
The new announcement gives readers much more than a simple confirmation of another ACOTAR sequel. Maas revealed two titles, two covers, and a release schedule for the next stage of the series.
A Court of Splintered Harmony will start the new cycle on October 27, 2026. A Court of Forgotten Melody will continue the story on January 12, 2027. The two books will arrive only a few months apart, which creates a closely connected reading experience.
The new releases also introduce the Valkyrie Cycle. According to the supplied reporting, Maas developed the story into four movements and plans to publish those movements across three books. The first book covers Movement I. The second covers Movements II and III. A third book will complete Movement IV.
That structure makes the new ACOTAR era different from a standard sequel series. Maas treats the material as one larger narrative instead of several unrelated stories.
The announcement also creates a clear distinction between confirmed information and fan theories. Readers now know the titles, release dates, and basic structure. However, many character and plot details remain unknown.
What Are the New Sarah J. Maas ACOTAR Books Called?
The two new titles continue the naming style that readers associate with the ACOTAR franchise. Both begin with “A Court of,” but each title adds a new thematic phrase.
A Court of Splintered Harmony
A Court of Splintered Harmony is the sixth ACOTAR book. Maas plans to release it on October 27, 2026. It opens the Valkyrie Cycle and covers Movement I of the larger story.
The title immediately invites questions about what “splintered harmony” means. The phrase could suggest conflict, division, damaged relationships, or changes within Prythian. However, the title alone cannot confirm any specific plot detail.
The available promotional material gives readers a thematic clue without revealing the full story. That approach allows Maas to create anticipation while keeping the major narrative developments private.
For now, the most important confirmed detail remains its role in the new cycle. ACOTAR 6 will introduce the next major storyline after the events of the existing books.
A Court of Forgotten Melody
A Court of Forgotten Melody is the seventh ACOTAR book. It will arrive on January 12, 2027, only a few months after ACOTAR 6. The book covers Movements II and III of the Valkyrie Cycle.
The phrase “forgotten melody” creates its own set of questions. It may suggest something lost from Prythian’s history or something that characters must recover. Yet Maas has not publicly explained the exact meaning of the title.
The book’s position within the cycle provides a stronger clue. ACOTAR 7 will not simply start another unrelated adventure. Instead, it will continue the larger story that begins with A Court of Splintered Harmony.
ACOTAR 6 and 7 Release Dates
Readers finally have confirmed dates for both upcoming books. A Court of Splintered Harmony will release on October 27, 2026. A Court of Forgotten Melody will arrive on January 12, 2027.
The short gap between the two releases stands out. Readers will wait years for the next chapter, but they will not have to wait long between these two books. That schedule should help maintain the momentum of the Valkyrie Cycle.
The publication plan also reflects the unusual size of the story. Maas divided the narrative into four movements and will spread those movements across three physical books. ACOTAR 6 contains the first movement. ACOTAR 7 contains the second and third. A future third book will complete the fourth movement.
The third book does not yet have a confirmed title or release date in the supplied material. Readers should therefore avoid treating rumored dates or titles as official information.
For anyone planning an ACOTAR reread, the existing five books provide the foundation for the new cycle. Once readers finish that sequence, they can move into A Court of Splintered Harmony in October 2026 and continue with A Court of Forgotten Melody in January 2027.
The new schedule gives the series a clear path forward. It also confirms that Maas plans to tell a much larger story rather than deliver only one additional sequel
Sarah J. Maas and the Valkyrie Cycle
The biggest surprise about the new ACOTAR books involves their structure. Sarah J. Maas is not simply releasing two separate sequels. Instead, A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody form part of a larger story called the Valkyrie Cycle. The story contains four movements and will eventually span three physical books.
The first book, A Court of Splintered Harmony, covers Movement I. A Court of Forgotten Melody covers Movements II and III. A third ACOTAR book will complete Movement IV. Maas has not announced its title or release date yet.
This structure gives the upcoming ACOTAR era a different shape. Maas is treating the new material as one large story instead of a series of unrelated adventures. She chose to divide that story into several books so she could preserve its full scope.
The Valkyrie name also connects with A Court of Silver Flames. That novel introduced Nesta Archeron, Gwyn Berdara, and Emerie as a close group of female warriors. Their training and friendship made the Valkyrie concept an important part of the series.
However, readers should avoid assuming that every future plot detail has been confirmed. Maas has revealed the basic structure, titles, covers, and release dates. Many character details and story developments remain unknown.
Why the Story Is Being Split Across Multiple Parts
Maas reportedly decided to divide the new story because it grew much larger than a typical single novel. The narrative eventually developed into four distinct parts. Rather than cut the material down, she chose to preserve the larger story and publish it across three books.
That decision also explains the different sizes of the upcoming books. A Court of Splintered Harmony runs at roughly 352 pages. Current publisher information places A Court of Forgotten Melody at around 928 pages.
The publication plan therefore looks unusual for a major fantasy series. The October 2026 release introduces the first movement. The January 2027 release then carries the second and third movements. A later book will complete the fourth movement.
Readers should not view ACOTAR 6 as a fully separate story that simply leads into another sequel. Instead, the two announced books represent connected sections of one larger narrative.
That distinction also matters when readers study the titles and covers. Each detail may offer a thematic clue, but it may not reveal the complete story. The October book could introduce conflicts that the January book develops much further.
For readers planning a reread, the practical approach is simple. Finish the existing five ACOTAR books first. Then begin the new cycle with A Court of Splintered Harmony.
What We Know About the ACOTAR 6 Story
Maas has revealed limited plot information for A Court of Splintered Harmony. However, the available details point toward a major threat in Prythian. The story continues after the earlier ACOTAR books and brings Koschei the Deathless back into focus.
The promotional line for the sixth book reads “What was broken will be remade.” That phrase offers a thematic clue, but it does not provide a complete plot summary. It could relate to relationships, political divisions, magical consequences, or changes within Prythian.
Readers should treat those possibilities as interpretations rather than confirmed facts.
Koschei provides a clear connection to earlier events. The character remains one of the major unresolved supernatural threats in the ACOTAR world. His continued presence gives Maas an established conflict to develop as the new cycle begins.
The Valkyrie connection also raises questions about Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie. Their importance in A Court of Silver Flames makes them natural subjects of fan speculation. Still, the available announcement does not confirm every character’s role in the new books.
The safest expectation is that ACOTAR 6 will expand an existing conflict while opening a much larger storyline. The confirmed material points toward danger and transformation. It also suggests that the consequences will extend beyond a single book.
Koschei and the Continuing Threat
Koschei the Deathless remains one of the most important unresolved threats in the ACOTAR world. Earlier books introduced him as a powerful supernatural figure, but his story did not reach a final resolution.
The new cycle reportedly brings the Night Court and its allies into conflict with this continuing danger. That connection gives the upcoming books a direct link to earlier ACOTAR events.
Koschei also creates an opportunity for Maas to combine several elements of her storytelling. His presence can support large fantasy conflicts while also affecting relationships, alliances, and personal choices.
However, many fan theories go beyond the confirmed information. Readers have already discussed possible connections between Koschei, different courts, ancient powers, and other characters. Those theories can add excitement, but they remain speculation.
The same caution applies to predictions about the final outcome. The available announcements do not reveal how the conflict will end or which characters will face Koschei directly.
For now, readers can confirm one important point: Koschei’s unresolved storyline remains relevant to the next phase of Prythian’s story. Maas can build on that foundation without starting the conflict from scratch.
That approach also helps explain why longtime readers are watching the new books closely. The Valkyrie Cycle does not erase the previous storyline. Instead, it gives unresolved elements room to grow into a larger conflict.
What We Know About ACOTAR 7
A Court of Forgotten Melody follows A Court of Splintered Harmony on January 12, 2027. The book covers Movements II and III of the Valkyrie Cycle, which gives it a major role in the larger narrative.
Its promotional phrase reads “What was lost will be reclaimed.” Like the phrase for ACOTAR 6, it works mainly as a thematic clue. Maas has not explained exactly what the line refers to.
The title also fits the musical language of the Valkyrie Cycle. Maas divides the larger story into “movements,” while the title uses the word “melody.” Together, those choices create a clear sense of continuity.
Because ACOTAR 7 contains two movements, readers can expect it to carry substantial narrative weight. It should build on conflicts that ACOTAR 6 introduces rather than function as an unrelated adventure.
Many details remain unknown. Maas has not fully revealed the POV structure, the complete cast of central characters, or the major romantic developments. She has also not disclosed the ending of the wider cycle.
What readers can confirm is much simpler. A Court of Forgotten Melody continues the Valkyrie Cycle. It arrives only a few months after ACOTAR 6. The two releases should therefore feel closely connected when readers experience them together.
What the Title May Suggest — and What It Does Not Confirm
The title A Court of Forgotten Melody naturally invites theories. The word “forgotten” can suggest something lost from memory or history. “Melody,” meanwhile, connects with the musical structure of the Valkyrie Cycle.
Those words may encourage theories about hidden history, forgotten powers, or lost elements of Prythian. However, the title alone cannot confirm any specific plot point.
That distinction matters in the ACOTAR fandom. The series contains many unresolved mysteries, so readers often build theories from small details. Some theories may eventually prove correct. Until Maas confirms them, however, they remain theories.
The title’s clearest confirmed meaning comes from its position within the Valkyrie Cycle. It represents Movements II and III and continues the story that begins with A Court of Splintered Harmony.
The promotional phrase about reclaiming what was lost adds another clue. Still, it does not identify a specific character, object, court, relationship, or magical power.
The safest interpretation is therefore broad. The story will explore the recovery of something important. The exact meaning remains one of the major mysteries surrounding ACOTAR 7.
This approach also protects readers from treating fan speculation as official information. As Maas reveals more details, some theories may gain support. Others may disappear completely.
What the New Covers Reveal About the Next ACOTAR Era
The newly revealed covers give the next ACOTAR era a distinct visual identity. Both designs use rich fantasy imagery and emphasize the darker, mysterious atmosphere associated with the new cycle.
The artwork has already encouraged fan discussion. Readers have examined the imagery for possible clues about characters, creatures, locations, and future conflicts.
However, cover art does not always provide literal plot information. Publishers often use symbolic images to establish a book’s mood or themes. An object or creature on a cover may therefore represent an idea rather than a major story element.
The shared presentation offers a more reliable clue. Both covers identify the books as part of The Valkyrie Cycle. The first carries the Movement I designation, while the second covers Movements II and III.
That labeling reinforces the idea that the books belong to one continuous narrative. The covers do more than announce two new titles. They introduce a new visual chapter for the ACOTAR franchise.
For longtime readers, the reveal also provides something tangible after years of waiting. The books now have names, dates, and recognizable identities.
Still, readers should separate visual interpretation from confirmed story information. The covers can inspire theories, but Maas’s eventual story details will provide the definitive answers.
Until then, the strongest takeaway is clear: the new artwork introduces a darker and more mysterious presentation for the Valkyrie Cycle while keeping the books firmly connected to the wider ACOTAR universe.
Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR Series So Far
Before readers enter the Valkyrie Cycle, it helps to understand where the ACOTAR story currently stands. Sarah J. Maas began the series with A Court of Thorns and Roses in 2015, introducing Feyre Archeron and the magical world of Prythian. The story initially follows Feyre’s transformation after she crosses into the faerie realm, but the series gradually expands into a much larger political, romantic, and magical saga.
The published sequence currently includes five books. The first three form the core arc centered heavily on Feyre, while A Court of Frost and Starlight serves as a shorter bridge between major storylines. A Court of Silver Flames then shifts much of the narrative focus toward Nesta Archeron and Cassian. Sarah J. Maas’s official reading guide lists these five books as the existing ACOTAR reading sequence. (sarahjmaas.com)
| Book | Title | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Court of Thorns and Roses | 2015 |
| 2 | A Court of Mist and Fury | 2016 |
| 3 | A Court of Wings and Ruin | 2017 |
| 4 | A Court of Frost and Starlight | 2018 |
| 5 | A Court of Silver Flames | 2021 |
This progression matters because the upcoming books are not starting a completely separate fantasy world. They build on characters, conflicts, relationships, and unresolved threats established across the earlier novels.
For new readers, beginning with the first book remains the clearest way to understand the political relationships and mythology that the later installments assume.
How A Court of Silver Flames Sets Up the Next Era
A Court of Silver Flames changed the perspective of the series by moving much of the attention toward Nesta. Her complicated relationship with trauma, family, power, and Cassian gave the series a different emotional center while also expanding the importance of the Valkyries.
Nesta’s training alongside Gwyn Berdara and Emerie became particularly significant. The three women develop a close friendship while preparing together, and their bond gives the term “Valkyrie” a strong connection to the modern generation of characters in the Night Court.
That context helps explain why the name Valkyrie Cycle immediately stands out. However, the title of the cycle does not mean that every future plot detail has already been confirmed. The upcoming books may expand the concept in ways that readers cannot yet know.
The fifth book also left several larger questions open. Prythian still contains unresolved political tensions and supernatural dangers, while characters across the series have unfinished personal and magical storylines.
Koschei is particularly important because his presence was not fully resolved before the series paused. His continued relevance provides one possible bridge between the previous era and the new narrative.
As a result, A Court of Silver Flames works as more than simply the fifth entry in a reading list. It establishes characters and relationships that make the Valkyrie terminology meaningful while leaving enough unresolved material for the next cycle to develop.
Sarah J. Maas’s Other Major Fantasy Series
ACOTAR represents only one part of Sarah J. Maas’s publishing career. Her bibliography also includes Throne of Glass and Crescent City, two major fantasy series with their own worlds, characters, and mythology.
Maas’s official reading guide places all three series at the center of her work and provides recommended starting points for readers exploring her bibliography.
Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass was the series that established Maas as a major fantasy author. The story begins with Celaena Sardothien, an imprisoned assassin who receives an opportunity to compete for her freedom.
The series eventually grows far beyond its initial competition premise. It develops into a sprawling fantasy story involving kingdoms, ancient powers, warfare, friendships, romance, and questions of identity.
Unlike ACOTAR’s stronger romantasy emphasis, Throne of Glass leans heavily into epic fantasy and long-form world-building. Its eight-book structure also gives readers a substantial completed story to explore.
For someone discovering Maas through the ACOTAR announcement, Throne of Glass offers an easy way to see how her approach to character development and fantasy storytelling evolved before and alongside her later work.
Crescent City
Crescent City takes Maas’s storytelling into a very different setting. The series begins with House of Earth and Blood and centers on Bryce Quinlan, a young woman living in a modern fantasy world filled with humans, angels, fae, and other supernatural beings.
The combination of contemporary technology and high fantasy creates a different atmosphere from Prythian. Yet the series still contains familiar Maas trademarks: complicated relationships, powerful characters, hidden histories, political tensions, and large-scale supernatural conflicts.
Crescent City also became especially important to readers interested in connections between Maas’s fictional worlds. Those connections have fueled extensive fan discussion, although individual theories about future crossover developments should not be treated as confirmed unless Maas or her publishers establish them.
Maas’s work also appeals to readers who enjoy expansive fantasy worlds, mythology, and epic storytelling. That same interest extends beyond novels into major cinematic projects, including Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Movie, another highly anticipated epic built around classical mythology.
Why Sarah J. Maas Remains So Popular
Sarah J. Maas’s appeal comes from the way she combines several genres inside large fantasy narratives. Her books can move between romance, adventure, political conflict, mythology, humor, and emotional character drama without remaining confined to one category.
Fantasy storytelling also continues to attract audiences across books, movies, and streaming platforms. For another major fantasy franchise making headlines, readers can explore our coverage of Masters of the Universe Streaming on Prime Video.
ACOTAR illustrates that approach particularly well. The series began with a relatively focused fairy-tale premise but expanded into a world involving multiple courts, supernatural threats, alliances, ancient powers, and complex relationships.
Character development is another major part of the reading experience. Maas frequently allows characters who initially appear difficult, damaged, or morally complicated to receive much deeper arcs later. Nesta’s development in A Court of Silver Flames is one prominent example.
The romance element also plays an important role in the series’ identity. Relationships do not simply sit alongside the fantasy plot; they often influence political alliances, personal decisions, character growth, and the emotional stakes of major conflicts.
At the same time, Maas has built stories that encourage readers to look for clues. Small details can become the basis for theories about future revelations, which helps explain the intense discussion surrounding every new announcement.
Her official biography describes her as the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City series. Her publisher also reports that her books have sold more than 75 million copies and been published in 40 languages.
That combination of commercial reach, expansive fantasy worlds, romance, and theory-driven fandom explains why the announcement of two new ACOTAR books has generated such strong interest.
What Readers Should Expect From the New ACOTAR Books
The new ACOTAR books will continue the story of Prythian while expanding the conflict introduced in earlier novels. However, Sarah J. Maas has not revealed every major plot detail. Readers therefore have a clear framework, but many important questions remain open.
The Valkyrie Cycle gives the upcoming story its strongest confirmed direction. A Court of Splintered Harmony begins the cycle with Movement I. A Court of Forgotten Melody follows with Movements II and III. A third book will complete Movement IV.
Readers can also expect the new books to build on unresolved elements from the existing series. Koschei remains an important threat, while characters connected to the Night Court still have unfinished stories.
Romance will likely remain important to the ACOTAR experience. However, the available material does not confirm every future relationship or pairing. Fans should therefore separate official announcements from theories that circulate online.
The same caution applies to the new books’ character focus. Maas has not provided a complete breakdown of every point-of-view character in the supplied sources. Readers should avoid assuming that one specific character will lead the entire cycle until Maas confirms it.
What seems most certain is the scale of the story. Maas has divided the narrative into four movements because the material grew too large for a single conventional novel. That decision suggests a broad storyline with room for several characters, conflicts, and emotional arcs.
The Return of Prythian’s Larger Conflicts
The next ACOTAR era will not leave the existing mythology behind. Instead, it can build on conflicts that Maas introduced earlier in the series.
Koschei remains one of the clearest unresolved dangers. His presence gives the new cycle a direct connection to earlier events and allows Maas to revisit a threat that the previous books did not completely resolve.
The broader world of Prythian also offers plenty of room for expansion. The series contains multiple courts, magical systems, ancient histories, political alliances, and characters with unfinished arcs. Maas can use those elements without rebuilding the world from the beginning.
That continuity should matter to longtime readers. The new books can reward readers who remember smaller details from earlier installments. At the same time, the new cycle can introduce fresh conflicts and new emotional stakes.
The Valkyrie connection adds another important layer. A Court of Silver Flames gave Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie a strong bond through their training. The new cycle’s name naturally makes readers curious about their future roles. Yet the available source material does not confirm exactly how much space each character will receive.
Readers should also expect uncertainty. Maas has revealed the overall structure, titles, covers, and release dates, but she has not disclosed the complete plot.
That balance creates the central appeal of the new books. The story has a clear foundation, but plenty of mysteries remain.
Romance, Character Arcs and Future POVs
Character relationships remain one of the defining features of ACOTAR. Maas combines romantic storylines with fantasy conflicts, personal growth, and political decisions. The upcoming books will likely continue that approach, although the available announcements do not confirm every future pairing.
This uncertainty matters because readers often use earlier character development to predict the next major storyline. A Court of Silver Flames, for example, placed Nesta and Cassian at the center of its narrative while also developing Nesta’s friendship with Gwyn and Emerie.
The Valkyrie Cycle creates natural interest in those characters. Their relationships could influence future conflicts, but readers should not treat fan predictions as official information.
The same principle applies to point-of-view characters. Maas has not publicly confirmed a complete POV list in the supplied material. Therefore, claims about which character will narrate each movement should remain cautious.
The new books also give Maas an opportunity to explore characters who received less attention in earlier installments. ACOTAR’s large cast includes rulers, warriors, magical beings, friends, and political figures. A long multi-book story gives the author more space to revisit those characters.
That expanded scope could make the new cycle feel different from the earlier books. Instead of focusing on one central relationship at a time, Maas can move between several character arcs.
For readers, the safest expectation is simple: relationships will likely remain important, but the exact pairings and POV structure are still part of the mystery.
Sarah J. Maas ACOTAR 6 & 7: Confirmed vs. Speculation
The easiest way to understand the new announcements is to separate confirmed information from fan theories.
| Confirmed | Not Yet Confirmed |
|---|---|
| A Court of Splintered Harmony is ACOTAR 6 | Full plot synopsis |
| ACOTAR 6 releases October 27, 2026 | Complete POV list |
| A Court of Forgotten Melody is ACOTAR 7 | Every major character’s role |
| ACOTAR 7 releases January 12, 2027 | Future romantic pairings |
| The story forms the Valkyrie Cycle | Ending of the entire cycle |
| The cycle contains four movements | Title and date of the third book |
| ACOTAR 6 covers Movement I | Exact meaning of each title |
These confirmed details give readers a strong foundation. Maas has provided enough information to establish the publication plan and the structure of the next story.
However, large gaps remain. Readers do not yet have a complete plot synopsis for every movement. They also do not have final answers about every character, relationship, or future release.
That distinction becomes especially important as fan theories spread online. A theory can offer an interesting interpretation, but it does not carry the same weight as an official announcement.
The new covers and titles may encourage more speculation. Readers can analyze those clues while still keeping the line between evidence and prediction clear.
For now, the safest approach is to treat the titles, release dates, and Valkyrie Cycle structure as confirmed. Everything beyond those details needs stronger evidence.
Why the Next ACOTAR Cycle Could Be Important
The Valkyrie Cycle could become a major turning point for the ACOTAR franchise because it gives Sarah J. Maas a much larger narrative canvas.
The existing books already established Prythian as a world with several courts, competing interests, magical threats, and complex relationships. The new cycle can bring those elements together while continuing the character stories that readers already know.
Fantasy audiences also continue to show strong interest in mysterious worlds and supernatural stories across entertainment. Readers looking for another upcoming genre title can also check our coverage of Wicker Movie (2026).
The four-movement structure also gives Maas more room to develop the story. She does not need to resolve every conflict within one book. Instead, she can introduce a problem, deepen it, and then carry its consequences into later movements.
That approach could also create stronger connections between characters. A larger story allows personal relationships and political conflicts to develop side by side.
The timing adds another interesting factor. ACOTAR 6 arrives in October 2026, followed by ACOTAR 7 in January 2027. Readers will not face another long gap between those two installments.
However, the future of the cycle extends beyond those releases. A third book still needs to complete Movement IV. Maas has not announced its title or publication date in the supplied material.
That means the October and January releases will open the next era rather than immediately conclude it. Readers can expect answers to some existing questions while gaining new mysteries along the way.
The biggest takeaway is that ACOTAR is entering an expansive new phase. Maas has provided the framework, but the story itself still holds many surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarah J. Maas
Who is Sarah J. Maas?
Sarah J. Maas is the bestselling fantasy author behind three major series: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City. Her books combine fantasy, romance, character-driven storytelling, and large-scale world-building. ACOTAR remains one of her most recognized series and follows the magical world of Prythian through several connected character arcs.
When is ACOTAR 6 coming out?
A Court of Splintered Harmony, the sixth ACOTAR book, is scheduled for October 27, 2026. It will begin the Valkyrie Cycle and cover Movement I of the larger story.
What is ACOTAR 6 called?
The sixth ACOTAR book is titled A Court of Splintered Harmony. Sarah J. Maas revealed the title alongside the book’s cover and release information. The book will open the Valkyrie Cycle and begin the next major storyline in the ACOTAR universe.
What is ACOTAR 7 called?
The seventh ACOTAR book is titled A Court of Forgotten Melody. It will continue the Valkyrie Cycle and cover Movements II and III. The book is scheduled to arrive on January 12, 2027.
When is ACOTAR 7 coming out?
A Court of Forgotten Melody will release on January 12, 2027. The short gap between ACOTAR 6 and ACOTAR 7 means readers will move quickly from the opening movement into the next two movements of the larger story.
How many ACOTAR books are there?
The ACOTAR series currently has five published books. The sixth and seventh books will arrive in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Maas also plans a third book for the Valkyrie Cycle, which will complete Movement IV. The supplied source material does not provide a title or release date for that final volume.
What is the Valkyrie Cycle?
The Valkyrie Cycle is the larger story that includes the upcoming ACOTAR books. Maas divided the story into four movements and plans to publish them across three books. ACOTAR 6 covers Movement I, while ACOTAR 7 covers Movements II and III. A future third book will complete Movement IV.
Is Koschei returning in the new ACOTAR books?
Koschei remains an important unresolved threat from the existing ACOTAR storyline, and the new cycle continues that conflict. However, the available source material does not provide enough detail to explain the full scope of his role in every upcoming book. Readers should therefore avoid treating fan theories about his storyline as confirmed information.
What should I read before ACOTAR 6?
New readers should start with A Court of Thorns and Roses and follow the existing series in publication order. The five published books establish the characters, relationships, courts, mythology, and conflicts that support the new cycle. Readers can then move into A Court of Splintered Harmony when it arrives in October 2026.
Sarah J. Maas’s Next ACOTAR Chapter Matters Because the Story Is Expanding
Sarah J. Maas has finally given ACOTAR readers a clear look at the series’ next stage. A Court of Splintered Harmony will launch the Valkyrie Cycle in October 2026, while A Court of Forgotten Melody will continue it in January 2027.
The announcement matters because Maas has chosen a larger structure for the story. Four movements will span three books, giving her more space to develop conflicts, relationships, and character arcs.
At the same time, many details remain unknown. Readers know the titles, release dates, and basic structure. They do not yet know every POV character, major plot development, romantic direction, or the final outcome of the cycle.
That uncertainty will likely fuel discussion as the first release approaches. ACOTAR has always encouraged readers to examine clues and develop theories, and the new titles and covers provide plenty of material for speculation.
Still, the confirmed information offers enough to establish the next chapter. The story will return readers to Prythian, continue unresolved conflicts, and expand the world that Maas has built across five published ACOTAR books.
For longtime fans, the wait is now much easier to measure. October 27, 2026 marks the return of ACOTAR with A Court of Splintered Harmony. Then, on January 12, 2027, A Court of Forgotten Melody will carry the story into its next movements.
Sarah J. Maas has set the stage. Now readers can wait to see how the Valkyrie Cycle changes the future of Prythian.