Unlock the Future of Sarah J. Maas's Universes: What's Next After House of Flame and Shadow?
Dive into the confirmed upcoming books, series expansions, and timelines for this beloved fantasy author's captivating worlds.
Sarah J. Maas, the internationally bestselling author often recognized by her initials SJM, has captivated millions with her immersive fantasy worlds. Known for the *Throne of Glass*, *A Court of Thorns and Roses* (ACOTAR), and *Crescent City* series, her blend of intricate world-building, compelling characters, high-stakes adventure, and romance has created a dedicated global fanbase. Following the release of *House of Flame and Shadow* in early 2024, readers are eagerly anticipating what comes next. Let's explore the confirmed and potential projects on Sarah J. Maas's horizon.
Key Highlights: What to Expect Next
Get the quick rundown on SJM's future plans.
- Next Up: ACOTAR Book 6: Sarah J. Maas has confirmed her current writing focus is the sixth main installment in the *A Court of Thorns and Roses* series.
- Crescent City 4 is Coming: A fourth book continuing the *Crescent City* saga is officially planned, but it will follow the next ACOTAR book.
- Multiple Books Contracted: Maas has a contract with Bloomsbury for six upcoming books, ensuring a steady stream of new content for years to come, primarily focused on expanding the ACOTAR and Crescent City universes.
Deep Dive into Upcoming Projects
Exploring the future of ACOTAR, Crescent City, and beyond.
Sarah J. Maas maintains a dynamic publishing schedule, often alternating between her major series. This strategy keeps readers engaged across her interconnected (or potentially interconnected) universes while allowing her the creative space to develop each story arc fully.
Various editions and box sets of Sarah J. Maas's popular series.
The Next Chapter: A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Book 6
The ACOTAR series, which began with Feyre Archeron's journey into the fae lands of Prythian, remains a fan favorite. It blends high fantasy, romance ('romantasy'), and political intrigue.
- Current Focus: Maas has explicitly stated that the next book she is writing and releasing will be the sixth main novel in the ACOTAR series. This follows the pattern of switching focus after a major release in another series (*House of Flame and Shadow*).
- Expected Timeline: While no official release date has been announced, based on Maas's typical writing and publishing pace (around 12-18 months between major novels) and hints from her publisher, Bloomsbury, speculation points towards a release in late 2025 or early 2026. Bloomsbury has also teased potential "exciting announcements" in 2025, which could include a firm date.
- Content Speculation: Details about the plot or main characters for ACOTAR 6 are tightly under wraps. The fifth book, *A Court of Silver Flames*, shifted focus to Nesta Archeron and Cassian. Fans theorize the next book might center on other beloved characters like Elain Archeron, Lucien Vanserra, Azriel, or perhaps explore unresolved plot threads from previous books.
- Further ACOTAR Books: The current contract includes more than just Book 6 for the ACOTAR world, with hints at a potential Book 7 also being part of her multi-book deal.
Continuing the Saga: Crescent City Book 4
The *Crescent City* series, an adult urban fantasy set in the technologically advanced, magic-filled world of Midgard, introduced readers to Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar. Its intricate plot and shocking twists, especially the crossover elements revealed in *House of Sky and Breath*, have generated immense excitement.
- Confirmed but Waiting: Maas has confirmed that a fourth *Crescent City* book is definitely planned. She knows whose story it will tell.
- Release Timing: This installment is further down the "airport taxiing line," according to the author. It will come *after* ACOTAR Book 6. Given the potential timeline for ACOTAR 6, Crescent City 4 might not arrive until late 2026 or 2027, though this is purely speculative.
- Narrative Direction: Following the events of *House of Flame and Shadow*, the possibilities for Book 4 are vast, potentially delving deeper into the Asteri, the Princes of Hel, the remaining mysteries of Bryce's heritage, or shifting focus to other key characters within the expansive cast.
The Foundation: Throne of Glass (TOG)
Maas's debut series, *Throne of Glass*, concluded its main storyline with *Kingdom of Ash* in 2018. It follows the assassin Celaena Sardothien (later revealed as Aelin Galathynius) on her epic journey.
- Completed Arc: The primary narrative of the TOG series is complete. There are no current announcements or plans for new novels directly continuing the main plotline.
- Enduring Popularity: Despite concluding, TOG remains incredibly popular. Publishers continue to release new covers, special editions, and box sets, indicating its lasting significance in Maas's bibliography and the fantasy genre.
- Potential Connections: While narratively separate, subtle hints and fan theories often discuss potential connections or shared multiverse elements between TOG, ACOTAR, and Crescent City, fueled by easter eggs within the books.
A bookstore display showcasing the popularity of Sarah J. Maas's works.
Visualizing the Maasverse: Series Overview
A mindmap connecting her major literary projects.
To better understand Sarah J. Maas's expansive literary universe and her ongoing projects, this mindmap provides a visual overview of her main series, their status, and the confirmed upcoming installments.
Comparing the Series: A Thematic Radar
Visualizing key elements across Maas's major works.
Sarah J. Maas's series share common threads but also possess distinct strengths. This chart offers a subjective comparison based on prevalent themes and reader perceptions across *Throne of Glass*, *A Court of Thorns and Roses*, and *Crescent City*. The scores (out of 10) reflect relative emphasis within each series.
This visualization highlights how *Throne of Glass* emphasizes political intrigue and action, *ACOTAR* leans heavily into romance and character arcs, and *Crescent City* excels in complex worldbuilding and detailed magic systems, while still incorporating significant elements from the other categories.
Publishing Landscape and Other Ventures
Contracts, formats, and the SJM brand.
Bloomsbury Partnership and Future Output
Sarah J. Maas works closely with Bloomsbury Publishing. Her current contract secures the publication of six upcoming books. While confirmed titles include ACOTAR 6 and Crescent City 4, this leaves room for further installments in these series or potentially other, yet unannounced projects. This long-term commitment signals confidence in Maas's continued success and provides fans with assurance of more content.
Audiobook Dominance
Maas's works have found immense success in audiobook format. Notably, she was named Spotify's top author for audiobook listens in 2024. This highlights the popularity of consuming her stories audibly and suggests continued investment in high-quality audiobook productions for future releases.
Merchandise and Adaptations
The rich worlds and beloved characters created by Sarah J. Maas have inspired a vast market of official and fan-created merchandise, from apparel and art prints to special edition book boxes. While persistent rumors and fan wishes for film or television adaptations exist, no official, confirmed adaptation projects directly involving Maas are publicly announced as of April 2025. However, the sheer popularity and cinematic quality of her series make adaptations a strong possibility in the future.
Sarah J. Maas Series Overview Table
A quick reference guide to her main literary projects.
This table summarizes the status and key details of Sarah J. Maas's three major fantasy series.
| Series Title | Genre | Number of Main Books Published | Novellas/Companion Books | Series Status | Next Confirmed Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throne of Glass | Young Adult High Fantasy | 7 | 1 (The Assassin's Blade) | Completed (Main Story) | None Planned |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) | New Adult / Adult High Fantasy, Romantasy | 5 | 1 (A Court of Frost and Starlight) | Ongoing | Book 6 (SJM's Current Project) |
| Crescent City | Adult Urban Fantasy | 3 | 0 | Ongoing | Book 4 (After ACOTAR 6) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Quick answers to common queries about Sarah J. Maas's projects.
What is Sarah J. Maas's next book?
Sarah J. Maas has confirmed that her next book release will be the sixth main installment in the *A Court of Thorns and Roses* (ACOTAR) series. She is currently focused on writing it.
When will ACOTAR Book 6 be released?
There is no official release date yet. However, based on her typical publishing schedule (12-18 months between major books) and publisher hints, speculation suggests a possible release in late 2025 or early 2026.
Will there be a Crescent City Book 4?
Yes, Sarah J. Maas has confirmed that a fourth book in the *Crescent City* series is planned. However, it will be released *after* ACOTAR Book 6.
Are there any more Throne of Glass books planned?
The main storyline of the *Throne of Glass* series concluded with *Kingdom of Ash* in 2018. Sarah J. Maas has not announced any plans for new novels continuing the main plot of this series.
How many total books does Sarah J. Maas have planned?
Sarah J. Maas has a contract with Bloomsbury for six upcoming books. These are expected to include ACOTAR 6, Crescent City 4, and likely further installments within these universes or potentially other projects.
Recommended Reading
Explore related topics for deeper insights.
- What is the best reading order for all of Sarah J. Maas's series, including potential crossovers?
- What are the most popular fan theories and predictions for ACOTAR book 6?
- Can you explain the crossover elements between the Crescent City and ACOTAR series?
- Is there any recent news about a potential TV show or movie adaptation of Sarah J. Maas's books?
References
Sources used for this information.
Last updated April 27, 2025