ACOTAR 6 Unveiled: What We Know (and Don't Know) About Sarah J. Maas's Next Chapter

Key Highlights

No Official Release Date Yet: Despite rampant fan speculation and anticipation around specific dates, Sarah J. Maas and her publisher, Bloomsbury, have not confirmed a release date for ACOTAR 6.
Projected Timeline: Late 2025 or Early 2026: Based on the author's consistent publishing history and recent project completions, the most likely window for release falls between late 2025 and early 2026.
Elain Archeron in the Spotlight?: Strong fan theories and series patterns suggest the sixth book will primarily focus on Elain Archeron's journey, exploring her powers and healing arc.

Current Status & Author Confirmation

It's Officially Happening!

Fans of the enchanting world of Prythian can rejoice! Author Sarah J. Maas has publicly confirmed that she is actively working on the sixth installment of the beloved A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series. Following the release of A Court of Silver Flames in February 2021, which shifted focus to Nesta Archeron, Maas stated in interviews (including one with TODAY in 2024) that the next book set in the ACOTAR universe is indeed underway. It is her priority within the series, and reports indicate it is currently in the drafting stage. This aligns with her current book deal, which includes several more books, ensuring that ACOTAR 6 is likely not the end of the saga.

Decoding the Release Date Mystery

When Can We Expect ACOTAR 6?

The most burning question for fans is undoubtedly: "When will ACOTAR 6 be released?" As of April 29, 2025, there is no official confirmed release date. However, analyzing Sarah J. Maas's past publishing schedule and recent activities provides strong clues.

Why Late 2025 or Early 2026?

Several factors contribute to this widely accepted timeframe:

Publishing Cadence: Sarah J. Maas typically maintains a rhythm of releasing major books every 1-2 years. Her latest release was House of Flame and Shadow (from the Crescent City series) in January 2024. Allowing for writing, editing, and production, a late 2025 or early 2026 release for ACOTAR 6 fits this pattern.
Author's Focus: With the main arcs of her other major series (Throne of Glass and Crescent City) recently concluded or paused, her focus can shift more dedicatedly to ACOTAR.
Publisher Hints: While not providing a date, Bloomsbury's updates have acknowledged the book's progress, suggesting it's moving through the pipeline.

Missed Milestones and Speculation

Fan anticipation reached fever pitch around specific dates, hoping for an announcement:

March 20, 2025: Bloomsbury held a trading update event, leading many to hope for a release date reveal. However, the event passed without any ACOTAR 6 news.
May 5, 2025: This date marks the 10-year anniversary of the publication of the first ACOTAR book. While a significant milestone, there has been no official indication that an announcement is tied to this date.

It's crucial to rely on official announcements from Sarah J. Maas or Bloomsbury for confirmed dates.

Whispers from Prythian: Potential Plot & Character Focus

Whose Story Will Be Told?

While Sarah J. Maas guards her plots closely, the structure of the series and unresolved character arcs fuel intense speculation about the focus of ACOTAR 6.

Elain's Journey: The Leading Theory

The most prominent theory, supported by numerous fan discussions and analyses, points to Elain Archeron as the main protagonist. After Feyre's trilogy and Nesta's dedicated book, Elain, the third Archeron sister, seems the natural next focus. Her story is expected to delve into:

Healing and Self-Discovery: Processing the trauma of being Made Fae and her experiences during the war.
Exploring Her Powers: Understanding and potentially mastering her abilities as a Seer.
Romantic Developments: Navigating the complexities of the mating bond with Lucien Vanserra and her connection with Azriel.

Other Potential Perspectives

While Elain is the frontrunner, other characters possess rich, unexplored backstories that could take center stage or share the narrative:

Azriel: The mysterious Shadowsinger of the Inner Circle. Fans are eager to learn more about his past, his powers, and his potential romantic entanglements (often linked with Elain or Gwyneth Berdara).
Morrigan (Mor): Another core member of the Inner Circle whose history and full power potential (including her "power of truth") remain largely unexplored.
Tamlin: Some fans speculate about a potential redemption arc or further exploration of the former High Lord of the Spring Court.

Unconfirmed Titles

Rumors occasionally surface regarding potential titles, such as A Court of Shaded Truths. However, these are purely speculative and have not been confirmed by official sources. Sarah J. Maas typically reveals the official title closer to the publication date.

Visualizing ACOTAR 6 Anticipation

Mapping the Possibilities

To help visualize the key elements surrounding ACOTAR 6 – from the release date puzzle to the potential character arcs – here's a mindmap outlining the current state of knowledge and speculation:

mindmap root["ACOTAR 6 Status
(As of April 2025)"] id1["Release Date"] id1a["Status: Unconfirmed"] id1b["Expected: Late 2025 / Early 2026"] id1c["Basis: Author Pattern, Project Focus"] id1d["Past Speculation: March 20, May 5 (No News)"] id2["Author Status"] id2a["Confirmed Working on Book"] id2b["Currently Drafting"] id2c["Next ACOTAR Book"] id3["Character Focus (Speculation)"] id3a["Primary Theory: Elain Archeron"] id3a1["Healing Arc"] id3a2["Seer Powers"] id3a3["Romantic Triangle (Lucien/Azriel)"] id3b["Other Possibilities"] id3b1["Azriel (Shadowsinger)"] id3b2["Morrigan (Truth Power)"] id3b3["Tamlin (Redemption?)"] id4["Plot & Title"] id4a["Plot Details: Unknown"] id4b["Title: Unconfirmed"] id4b1["Rumors (e.g., A Court of Shaded Truths) are Speculative"] id5["Related Projects"] id5a["Hulu TV Adaptation (In Development)"] id5b["Future Books (More planned in series deal)"]

Fan Anticipation Levels

The ACOTAR fandom is buzzing with excitement about whose story might be next. While Elain leads the popular vote, there's significant interest in other characters as well. This chart reflects the general levels of fan anticipation for potential character focuses in ACOTAR 6, based on online discussions and community sentiment (Note: This is speculative analysis, not based on official data).

As the chart suggests, anticipation is highest for Elain, closely followed by Azriel, Lucien, and Gwyn. While fans love Feyre and Rhysand, there's a slightly lower expectation for them to be the primary POV again immediately. Interest in Mor's story and the potential introduction of new main characters also exists within the fandom.

The Broader ACOTAR Universe

More Than Just Books

The world Sarah J. Maas created continues to expand beyond the pages.

Hulu Television Adaptation

A live-action television series based on A Court of Thorns and Roses is currently in development at Hulu. Sarah J. Maas herself is involved in the project, working alongside Ron Moore (known for Outlander and Battlestar Galactica). While details about casting, release dates, and specific plot adaptations are still emerging, the development of the show adds another layer of excitement for fans and signifies the franchise's growing popularity.

The Future of the Series

ACOTAR 6 is confirmed not to be the final book. Sarah J. Maas's current publishing contract includes several more books, at least two of which are expected to be further installments in the ACOTAR series, plus potential novellas. This means readers can look forward to more stories exploring the intricate politics, relationships, and magic of Prythian and its surrounding world long after Book 6 is released.

Fan artwork depicting High Lords from ACOTAR

Fan artwork by @jemlin_c depicting various High Lords, showcasing the rich cast of characters within the ACOTAR universe.

ACOTAR 6: Fact vs. Speculation Summary

Distinguishing Confirmed News from Fan Theories

Navigating the flood of information about ACOTAR 6 can be confusing. This table summarizes what is officially confirmed versus what remains in the realm of speculation or fan theory as of April 29, 2025.

Aspect	Confirmed Fact	Common Speculation / Theory
Working on Book?	Yes, Sarah J. Maas confirmed she is actively drafting ACOTAR 6.	N/A
Release Date	No official date announced.	Late 2025 or Early 2026 (based on author's patterns).
Main Character(s)	Not officially confirmed.	Strongly theorized to be Elain Archeron. Azriel and Mor are also frequently discussed possibilities.
Book Title	Not officially announced.	Rumored titles like "A Court of Shaded Truths" circulate but are unverified and likely inaccurate.
Place in Series	Confirmed as the 6th main installment (following ACOSF).	N/A
Final Book?	No, author has a deal for more books, including further ACOTAR installments.	N/A
Hulu Series	In development, with Sarah J. Maas involved.	Specifics like release date, casting, and adaptation details are still speculative.

Latest News & Fan Discussions

Keeping Up with ACOTAR 6 Buzz

The ACOTAR fandom is constantly discussing the next book. This video touches upon recent news and fan reactions surrounding ACOTAR 6, reflecting the ongoing anticipation and analysis within the community as of early 2025.

Keeping an eye on official author channels and reputable news sources remains the best way to get confirmed updates as they become available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is the exact release date for ACOTAR 6?

As of April 29, 2025, there is no official release date for ACOTAR 6. Sarah J. Maas and her publisher have not made an announcement. The commonly cited timeframe of late 2025 or early 2026 is based on educated guesses derived from her previous publishing schedule.

Who will be the main character in ACOTAR 6?

This has not been officially confirmed. However, the strongest and most popular fan theory suggests that Elain Archeron will be the primary point-of-view character, following the pattern of focusing on each Archeron sister. Other possibilities discussed include Azriel or Mor.

Is the title really "A Court of Shaded Truths"?

No, the title for ACOTAR 6 has not been officially announced. Titles like "A Court of Shaded Truths" are purely speculative fan creations or rumors and should not be considered confirmed until announced by Sarah J. Maas or Bloomsbury.

Is ACOTAR 6 the last book in the series?

No, ACOTAR 6 is not expected to be the final book. Sarah J. Maas has a contract for more books, including additional novels set in the ACOTAR universe beyond the sixth installment.

What's the status of the ACOTAR TV show on Hulu?

The ACOTAR television adaptation is officially in development at Hulu. Sarah J. Maas is involved as a creator alongside Ron Moore. There is no official release date or casting information available yet, as the project is still in its developmental stages.