Sarah J. Maas has finally revealed the titles and covers of the next two A Court of Thorns and Roses books, giving readers their clearest look yet at the future of the bestselling fantasy series. ACOTAR Book 6 is A Court of Splintered Harmony, while Book 7 is A Court of Forgotten Melody.
A Court of Splintered Harmony will be published on October 27, 2026, followed by A Court of Forgotten Melody on January 12, 2027. The roughly 11-week gap means fans will not have long to wait between the two installments.
The August 17 announcement was accompanied by digital billboards in Los Angeles, Denver and New York City, while Maas revealed the books through back-to-back Instagram posts. The covers also introduced a major new detail: both books belong to “The Valkyrie Cycle.”
ACOTAR Books 6 and 7 release dates and titles
Book 6, A Court of Splintered Harmony, carries the subtitle “The Valkyrie Cycle: Movement I.” Maas teased the story with the line, “What was broken will be remade.”
Book 7, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is labeled “The Valkyrie Cycle: Movements II & III.” Its teaser reads, “What was lost will be reclaimed.”
- Book 6: A Court of Splintered Harmony — October 27, 2026
- Book 7: A Court of Forgotten Melody — January 12, 2027
- Publisher: Bloomsbury
The release dates were known before the titles appeared. Our earlier report on the ACOTAR Book 6 release date and multi-book announcement explains how the publication plan emerged before the latest cover reveal.
What does The Valkyrie Cycle mean?
The Valkyrie Cycle branding is particularly significant after A Court of Silver Flames. That book shifted much of the attention to Nesta Archeron and developed her friendship with Gwyn and Emerie as the women trained together and revived the Valkyrie tradition.
That makes Nesta, Gwyn and Emerie obvious characters to watch, but the new covers do not confirm who will be the principal protagonist or narrator. The exact meaning of the Valkyrie Cycle remains one of the biggest unanswered questions.
The “Movement” labels also suggest that Books 6 and 7 should be viewed as closely connected parts of a larger narrative rather than completely separate adventures.
Is ACOTAR Book 6 about Elain?
Maas has not officially revealed who leads A Court of Splintered Harmony. That leaves Elain Archeron at the centre of considerable fan speculation.
Elain still has several unresolved storylines, including her Seer abilities, her mating bond with Lucien and her complicated connection with Azriel. Those threads make her a logical candidate for a larger role, but there is currently no confirmation that Book 6 is specifically “Elain’s book.”
The same caution applies to theories involving Azriel, Lucien, Gwyn or particular romantic pairings. Until Maas or Bloomsbury provides a detailed synopsis, they remain theories rather than established plot details.
Do readers need Crescent City before ACOTAR Book 6?
Maas has already connected ACOTAR with her Crescent City universe. In 2024’s House of Flame and Shadow, Bryce Quinlan’s story crossed into Prythian and involved Nesta and Azriel, expanding the shared history between the worlds.
Those events could provide useful background for future ACOTAR developments. However, there has been no official statement saying readers must finish Crescent City before starting Book 6.
For readers preparing for October, A Court of Silver Flames is particularly relevant because of its focus on Nesta and the Valkyries. Those exploring more fantasy and fiction while waiting can also browse this selection of books worth adding to a reading list.
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ACOTAR books in order
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
- A Court of Mist and Fury
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
- A Court of Frost and Starlight
- A Court of Silver Flames
- A Court of Splintered Harmony — October 27, 2026
- A Court of Forgotten Melody — January 12, 2027
The official Bloomsbury ACOTAR page provides further information about Maas’ published books and series.
What happened to the ACOTAR TV adaptation?
The new books are moving ahead, but the previously planned television adaptation is not. Disney’s 20th Television and Hulu began developing an ACOTAR series in 2021, with Outlander developer Ronald D. Moore working with Maas.
That project was scrapped in February 2025 following creative differences, and the rights subsequently reverted to Maas. No replacement ACOTAR television series has been officially announced as part of the Books 6 and 7 reveal.
The literary franchise itself remains enormous. Maas is also the author of Throne of Glass and Crescent City, and her three fantasy series have sold more than 85 million English-language copies combined and are published in around 40 languages.
What readers know with certainty is now considerably clearer: Book 6 arrives October 27, Book 7 follows January 12, and both belong to the Valkyrie Cycle. What remains deliberately hidden is just as important — the main point of view, central romance and precise meaning behind Maas’ promises that something broken will be remade and something lost reclaimed.
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