To the fans who listen—some dreams will be answered soon enough.
It is no secret that Sarah J. Maas has captured the hearts of countless readers with A Court of Thorns and Roses, first published ten years ago May 5, and its sequels. With only five books released so far—the last, A Court of Silver Flames, published in 2021—fans are eagerly awaiting the sixth ACOTAR installment.
But just when will this sixth book be released? And which character’s POV will it be written in? While Maas has kept many details under wraps, she’s left a slight breadcrumb trail of clues for the eagle-eyed reader.
When House of Flame and Shadow—the third in Maas’ Crescent City series—was announced by Bloomsbury in 2023, the publisher also confirmed the author had signed an additional four-book deal in addition to a preexisting three-book agreement. (And for those doing the math, yes, that means seven future books.)
But while no additional information about which of her series these books might belong to, Maas shared more information in January 2024.
In addition to explaining she’s planned out her next four books in what she described as a “taxiing position,” Maas confirmed to Today’s Jenna Bush Hager her next book after House of Flame and Shadow would be set in the ACOTAR universe.
“I’m very, very excited about that one,” the bestselling author teased. “I know much more about what’s happening in this one. And then the next book in that series, I have the ideas and general, vague thoughts.”
She continued, “But the nitty gritty of writing and the emotional journeys with the characters—I usually love to go on those journeys with them.”
But despite the tease, the 39-year-old hasn’t shared exactly which character she’s excited to go on that emotional journey with—though fans have theories.
So far, two of the three Acheron sisters, Feyre and Nesta, have anchored books, leaving Elain Acheron as a likely contender for the POV of the sixth novel.
And while some fans have also pointed to the Night Court’s elusive, shadow-wrapped spy Azriel as a possibility, so far Maas has kept her ACOTAR POVs for her female characters—save for the A Court of Frost and Starlight novella.
It’s actually that novella, released in 2018, that may hold more hints about the next book. Fans have turned to a Q&A included in the back of the special edition of ACOFAS for answers as to where the series is headed.
“The Cassian and Nesta book is next,” Maas noted in the interview, alluding to A Court of Silver Flames. “And I know what I want to write for the second spinoff novel, but I’m keeping the door open after that.”
And that door that remains open just so happens to be book no. 6, since the fifth did indeed tell Cassian and Nesta’s story.
Another detail that may be pointing towards the Elain book? Maas’ increased time in her then-new garden.
“And I remember the entire time I was ripping out the ivy, and trying to get some semblance of order into the garden beds, I just slipped into Elain’s head,” she explained later in the interview. “Elain is a gardener, and everything I did during those weeks became research for her book.”
So, if we’re putting two and two together: even before she wrote A Court of Silver Flames, Maas knew who the sixth book would be about, and at the same time she was doing research for Elain’s future book.
Yet, while two and two does usually equal four, Maas is an evasive storyteller—both in her books and in interviews. So while Elain does seem the most likely candidate for the next ACOTAR installment, until Bloomsbury and Maas officially announce the next book, fans can only hold onto their theories.
In the meantime, if you have a literary itch that needs to be scratched, keep reading for E! News’ roundup of spring book releases.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Release: March 18
At long last, Collins is revealing what really when down when Haymitch Abernathy entered the Hunger Games for the Second Quarter Quell—and she doesn’t disappoint. Harrowing and heartbreaking, Sunrise on the Reaping is possibly Collins’ most gruesome outing in Panem yet, though like its predecessors it offers glimmers of the hope to come. Plus, it is chock full of nods to both The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as well as the original trilogy—including familiar faces popping up.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Release: March 18
In 2012, the journal of a Lutheran pastor from 1912 is uncovered and, in it, he recounts his interactions with a Blackfeet man—and vampire—Good Stab. Moving between three time periods (2012, 1912, and the time of the 1870 Marias Massacre, in which around 200 Blackfeet people were slaughtered by the U.S. army) the story is a chilling tale of murder and revenge, with supernatural elements that only heighten the narrative.
Saltwater by Kate Hays
Release: March 25
Every year, the Lingates return to their luxurious villa in Capri, despite a 1992 tragedy that left family member Sarah dead at the bottom of a cliff. Though deemed a horrible accident, something isn’t quite right. And exactly 30 years later, the mystery intensifies as the necklace Sarah was wearing that fateful night turns up, setting off a deadly chain of events that uncovers the secrets from that night—including what actually happened to Sarah.
All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett
Release: April 1
American college graduate Anna arrives to start a new life in London, only for the reality of the city to dampen all she’d envisioned about her dream home. That is, until she gets caught up in the world of the elite when she’s hired as a tutor by a wealthy family and is soon befriended by her student’s older sister. But in keeping up with this life of luxury, may just come with a price.
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Release: April 1
For Samatha and Xavier, a bad first impression soon gives way to a life-changing first date—which was not what Samantha had in mind for her final night in Minnesota before moving nearly 2,000 miles away. But as she navigates a devastating family crisis and Xavier tries to keep his head down and build his budding vet practice, they can’t seem to forget their magical night together. It’s heartfelt, funny and utterly unputdownable.
Fearless by Lauren Roberts
Release: April 8
Lauren Roberts is back with the epic conclusion to the Powerless series, which sees Paedyn and Kai both back in Ilya. But while they are reunited at last, a decision might break them forever—and destroy Ilya in the process.
The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose
Release: April 15
Five years after The Perfect Divorce, Jeneva Rose is once more throwing Sarah Morgan for a loop, as she discovers her marriage to her second husband isn’t without its secrets, namely his infidelity. However, as she seeks a divorce, new evidence surrounding the murder case involving her first husband pops up. Plus, husband no. 2’s mistress soon goes missing. Suffice to say, Rose doles out an endless supply of juicy twists and turns in this exciting page-turner.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Release: April 22
Taking light inspiration from Taylor Swift’s “Last Great American Dynasty,” the latest from Henry follows writers Alice and Hayden who arrive on a small island off the coast of Georgia for the opportunity of a lifetime: The chance to write the definitive biography of the now-reclusive 20th century tabloid sensation Margaret Ives. But as they battle it out for the top prize—and try to piece together Margaret’s ever-elusive story—sparks can’t help but fly.
Matriarch by Tina Knowles
Release: April 22
Knowles is laying her cards down down down down and telling her story—from the very beginning in Galveston, TX, as the youngest of seven to life to, as the title suggests, matriarch of one of the biggest families in pop culture. Prepare to get to know Ms. Tina Knowles like never before.
The Pretender by Jo Harkin
Release: April 22
Chances are you’ve never heard of Lambert Simnel but back in the late 15th century, he nearly brought the rising Tudor rule to its knees when he emerged out of nowhere as a long thought-to-be-dead Plantagenet duke, who may just have a claim to the throne of England. This gripping story follows a young man, a puppet for the Tudor detractors, who is thrust into the world of aristocracy—and all the dangers and deceit that come with it.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Release: May 6
Fortune is back in Barry’s Bay, this time to see Charlie Florek meet his match in Alice Everly. Set a few years after Every Summer After, a heartbroken Alice winds up at the lake—where she spent the summer that changed everything for her as a teen—for some time with her recently-injured grandmother. She quickly befriends Charlie, their neighbor and cottage’s caretaker for the summer and, we’ll, we’ll let Fortune take it from here. After all, fans have been begging her to give Charlie his happily ever after for years—and she’s fully delivered with a sweet, summer love story.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Release: May 6
Backman is a can’t-miss author for a reason. Set in dual timelines, My Friends follows a pivotal summer for a group of teenagers and a budding artist who 25 years later is mesmerized by a painting depicting three of those friends—and she’s determine to learn more about the people, and the place, behind it. In true Backman fashion, it’s a beautiful, occasionally heartbreaking examination of life, loss, and the people who sustain us.
The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz
Release: May 20
Looking for closure after her fiancée’s death, Abby goes to the island where the tragedy took place. There, she meets a man who says he knows what happened before her fiancée’s sudden death—only he goes missing soon after. Now trapped on an island with her fiancée’s possible killer on the loose, and a close-knit group of ex-pats who are more suspicious than ever, Abby goes on a quest to get to the truth before it’s too late.