The key facts

  • The sixth ACOTAR book, A Court of Splintered Harmony, went on sale at midnight on Tuesday after a five-year gap since the previous book in 2021
  • Around 30 fans greeted the release at an overnight event at The Secret Bookshelf bookshop in Carrickfergus (County Antrim)
  • Around 30 fans greeted the release at a midnight event at The Secret Bookshelf bookshop in Carrickfergus (County Antrim)
  • The seventh book, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is scheduled for 12 January 2027 — a noticeably shorter wait
  • The seventh book, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is announced for 12 January 2027 — the wait will be noticeably shorter

Midnight release in Carrickfergus

The sixth book in Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series — A Court of Splintered Harmony — went on sale at midnight on Tuesday after a five-year wait. The night before, on Monday evening, an overnight release event was held at the independent bookshop The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus (County Antrim, Northern Ireland), drawing around 30 fans despite heavy rain and strong winds. This was reported by BBC News NI.

A celebration for fans

Guests were treated to felting, friendship bracelet making and a dedicated area for discussing fan theories; some arrived in pyjamas and slippers. Among the visitors were Katie McCabrey and Amy Savage, for whom reading is a way to escape everyday stresses: 'I just love reading fantasy books like this, because the real world is a bit awful, and I love escaping into a fantasy land of faeries,' Amy said. David Jeron and Sami Patrick came in mythical costumes with crowns and elf ears, marking their two-year 'book anniversary' this way; they also hosted the evening quiz. According to Sami, the five-year wait led her to Maas's other series, which she likes even more.

The organisers and the series context

The idea for the midnight release belongs to Jo Zebedee, who runs The Secret Bookshelf together with her husband Chris and once helped stage midnight launches of the Harry Potter books. She said the shop specialises in fantasy and science fiction, and that events 'bring the bookshop to life'; local craftspeople and businesses joined the celebration, providing treats for guests. Zebedee believes it is precisely independent bookshops that should keep young people's interest in reading alive.

What is known about the series

ACOTAR is a romantic fantasy series named after its first book, published in 2015, and set in the fictional world of Prythian; before the new book, five volumes had been released, the last being A Court of Silver Flames in 2021. Maas is considered one of the driving forces behind the popularity of the 'romantasy' genre, which soared thanks to social media discussions, above all the BookTok community on TikTok. The author announced the new book in March, and fans will not have to wait long for the continuation: the seventh book, A Court of Forgotten Melody, will be released on 12 January 2027 — that is, noticeably sooner than the five-year gap between the sixth and fifth volumes.

Katie and Amy stand side by side and smile at the camera. Katie on the left has long, dark hair and is wearing a black jacket. On the right, Amy has shoulder-length, blonde hair and is wearing a pair of black framed glasses and a black leather jacket. Both are stood in front of a large bookshelf.
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Katie and Amy say they have been excited for the release of the newest ACOTAR book, A Court of Splintered Harmony

A group of women are crowded around a small table making beaded friendship bracelets.
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Some of those who were at the release party took part in activities like friendship bracelet making and felting

Women wearing grey and black standing in front of large ACOTAR series display.Image source, AFP via Getty Images
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A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) first came out in 2015

David and Sami are dressed up in costumes for the ACOTAR event. David on the left is wearing an all-black attire, whereas Sami on the right is wearing a glittery blue dress with light up wings. They are both smiling at the camera while standing in front of a stacked bookshelf.
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David and Sami were the event's quiz hosts as attendees counted down to midnight

Jo Zebedee smiles at the camera. She has short, greying hair and is wearing a pair of glasses, as well as a green patterned scarf and a black shirt. She is standing in front of a bookshelf.
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Jo Zebedee runs The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus alongside her husband, Chris

A photo of a woman with red hair smiling and holding a red book with yellow writing on the front cover. She has got tattoos on and a black tank top.Nikita has long curled brown hair, she is wearing a black top and holding a book which depicts a brown-haired man behind a blonde-haired lady. Nikita has tattoos on her hand, shoulder and neck. In the background, grey shelves with books can be seen.Picture of Sarah J. Maas in a red top. She has ginger hair and is sitting in front of a blurred background.