Sarah J. Maas Drops Bombshell: Two New A Court of Thorns and Roses Books Coming, Plus Major Adaptation Update

The queen of romantasy, Sarah J. Maas, just set the book world ablaze with an announcement that’s got fans screaming, crying, and adding two new release dates to their calendars immediately. In a move that’s pure Maas energy, the bestselling author revealed not one, but two upcoming books in her wildly popular A Court of Thorns and Roses series—and the internet is absolutely losing it.

The Announcement That Broke the Internet

During an appearance on the massively popular Call Her Daddy podcast with host Alex Cooper, Maas dropped the news that has romantasy readers everywhere in a full-blown meltdown. The first untitled A Court of Thorns and Roses book (officially ACOTAR 6) will hit shelves worldwide on October 27, 2025, with the seventh installment following on January 12, 2027.

“I’ve been working on these books for years,” Maas told Cooper, her voice trembling with the kind of excitement that only comes from finally being able to share something you’ve poured your soul into. “Returning to Prythian feels like coming home, but these books are going to take readers to places they’ve never imagined.”

What We Know (And What We’re Desperately Guessing)

Bloomsbury Publishing, Maas’s longtime publisher, released a statement that’s simultaneously tantalizing and maddeningly vague. The press release promises a return “to the courts of Prythian” with “romance, danger, and intrigue” awaiting readers in this “stunning new installment.”

But here’s where things get really interesting: while ACOTAR 6 promises a return to familiar territory, ACOTAR 7 is shrouded in even more mystery, with Bloomsbury simply teasing that “the magic continues in the next exciting installment.”

The timing is particularly noteworthy given that the last full entry in the ACOTAR series, A Court of Silver Flames, released in 2021—though fans did get the third Crescent City book, House of Flame and Shadow, in 2024. Still, for a fanbase that’s known to create entire economies around Maas’s release schedules, this double announcement is basically Christmas, their birthday, and the lottery all rolled into one.

The Numbers Behind the Phenomenon

Let’s talk about the empire Maas has built. With over 75 million books sold and translations in 40 languages, she’s not just a bestselling author—she’s a cultural force. The ACOTAR series alone has spawned countless fan theories, TikTok trends, and enough fan art to wallpaper the entire state of Texas.

The romantasy genre, which blends romance with fantasy elements in ways that have captured the hearts of millions, has exploded in popularity largely thanks to Maas’s influence. Her ability to create complex, flawed characters who find love in the most unexpected places has resonated with readers in a way that few authors achieve.

The Adaptation Saga: From Dead to… Something Else?

Perhaps the most shocking revelation from the Call Her Daddy interview wasn’t about the new books at all, but rather Maas’s update on the long-gestating ACOTAR television adaptation.

For years, fans have been riding an emotional rollercoaster regarding the series’ move to screen. First announced in 2021 with massive excitement, the project seemed to stall during Hollywood’s double strike nightmare of 2023. Then, in February 2025, Hulu officially declared the adaptation dead, leaving fans devastated and questioning everything they thought they knew about the entertainment industry.

But Maas just pulled a plot twist that would make even Rhysand proud: “I have the rights back to everything now,” she revealed to Cooper. “Getting the rights back to all my things has been a big part of my journey in recent years that maybe at some point soon I will talk more about, but right now my focus is on books.”

This revelation sent the fandom into immediate speculation mode. Does having the rights back mean Maas is planning to shop the adaptation elsewhere? Is she considering producing it herself? Or is she simply taking control of her intellectual property in a way that more authors are beginning to do in the streaming wars era?

Maas was characteristically cryptic but clearly excited about the possibilities. “I look at any [adaptation] as kind of another facet of the worlds that I’ve created,” she explained. “And it’s something that I want to be in charge of, I want to be figuring out, I want to be learning everything that I can.”

She continued, revealing her Type A personality in the most relatable way possible: “I’m a type A control freak a little bit, but I want to know everything about how it gets made, not because of that control but just because I love movies. I love TV. I want to be a part of that, and I want to see everything adapted the way I envision it and the way I know fans want it.”

The Perfect Timing for Fantasy Adaptations

Maas’s revelation comes at a fascinating moment in the entertainment landscape. With Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe heading to Apple TV in both series and movie form, the Eragon dragon tales getting a fresh adaptation at Disney+, and George R.R. Martin’s Westeros continuing to bear fruit for HBO, the timing feels perfect for another fantasy behemoth to make the leap from page to screen.

The success of shows like Shadow and Bone, The Witcher, and House of the Dragon has proven that there’s a massive appetite for fantasy adaptations that honor their source material while bringing something new to the table. And let’s be honest—the ACOTAR fandom is one of the most passionate, organized, and creative in the book world. They’ve already cast the entire series in their heads, designed costumes, and created enough mood boards to fill the Spring Court itself.

What This Means for the Future of Romantasy

Maas’s dominance in the romantasy space isn’t just about her books—it’s about what her success represents for the genre as a whole. When an author can sell 75 million copies and have her work translated into 40 languages, it sends a clear message to publishers, producers, and other creators: there’s a massive audience for stories that blend heart-pounding romance with epic fantasy worlds.

The fact that Maas chose to make this announcement on Call Her Daddy—a podcast known for its frank discussions about sex, relationships, and female empowerment—speaks volumes about how the lines between traditionally “serious” fantasy and romance-driven fantasy have blurred. Maas’s books don’t apologize for their romantic elements; they celebrate them, and in doing so, they’ve helped legitimize romance as a crucial component of fantasy storytelling.

The Fan Reaction: A Perfect Storm of Emotions

Within hours of the announcement, #ACOTAR6 and #ACOTAR7 were trending worldwide on X (formerly Twitter), with fans expressing everything from ecstatic joy to utter disbelief. The comments section of Maas’s announcement post became a masterclass in internet emotion, with readers typing in all caps, using every available emoji, and generally behaving as if they’d just been told Rhysand himself had personally invited them to the Night Court.

One fan wrote: “SARAH J MAAS JUST GAVE US TWO BOOKS AND TOOK BACK THE RIGHTS???? I’M NOT CRYING YOU’RE CRYING.” Another added: “October 27 can’t come soon enough. I’ve already cleared my schedule, told my boss I’m taking a mental health day, and started my countdown.”

The adaptation news sparked its own wave of speculation, with fans immediately theorizing about which streaming platforms might be in the running, who could potentially star in the series, and whether Maas might consider a more hands-on role in the production process.

Looking Ahead: What We’re Hoping to See

While details remain scarce, the romantasy community has already begun speculating wildly about what these new books might contain. Will we finally get Nesta’s full redemption arc? Will there be more exploration of the human world? Could we possibly see the return of some fan-favorite characters who met tragic ends in previous books?

The January 2027 release date for ACOTAR 7 is particularly interesting, as it gives Maas plenty of time to potentially align the book release with any adaptation news. Could we be looking at a coordinated campaign that sees the books and the show dropping in the same timeframe? The strategic mind reels at the possibilities.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

Beyond the immediate excitement, Maas’s announcement represents something significant for the publishing industry as a whole. In an era where many authors are struggling with rights issues, streaming adaptations, and the changing landscape of book consumption, Maas’s ability to take control of her intellectual property while simultaneously delivering two major books to her fans is a masterclass in author empowerment.

It also speaks to the enduring power of the romantasy genre, which has proven that readers want complex world-building, compelling characters, and yes, steamy romance all in one package. Maas didn’t just capitalize on a trend—she helped create it, and now she’s doubling down at a time when many would be content to rest on their laurels.

As we count down the months until October 27, 2025, one thing is certain: the world of Prythian isn’t done with us yet, and based on Maas’s track record, whatever comes next is going to be absolutely unforgettable.

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