The sixth installment in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, A Court of Splintered Harmony, was published globally by Bloomsbury on October 27, 2026. The book, subtitled The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I, continues the story of the Night Court and its inner circle.
Before its release, leaks of the book circulated online, prompting Maas to address fans on Instagram Stories. “Nothing about this release is meant to feel like a secret that needs to be found out,” she wrote, urging readers to avoid spoilers.
A sprawling romantasy saga
Maas has described the Valkyrie Cycle as “one massive, massive story” rather than a traditional trilogy. Movement IV, or ACOTAR book 8, is reportedly still being written.
The series began with A Court of Thorns and Roses, a romantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast that introduced readers to Feyre Archeron and the magical land of Prythian. Subsequent books expanded the world, with A Court of Silver Flames focusing on Feyre’s sister, Nesta.
Unlike earlier entries, A Court of Splintered Harmony features multiple perspectives, including Azriel, Feyre, Nesta, Cassian, Lucien, Gwyn, and Mor. The plot centers on the looming threat of Koschei the Deathless and the internal rifts within the Night Court as they attempt to form new alliances.
The publisher teased: “What was broken will be remade. Deep in the heart of the continent, Koschei the Deathless is stirring. Though he’s been bound to a mountain lake for millennia, the insidious threat of his return now spreads across the Fae territories, attracting powerful allies hell-bent on reclaiming what was once theirs: the human lands. The Night Court will not stand idly by while innocents are attacked.”
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What’s next for the series
The seventh book, A Court of Forgotten Melody, promises to escalate tensions as traditional alliances crumble and the Night Court faces old enemies. Bloomsbury hinted: “What was lost will be reclaimed. Prythian might never be the same again.”
Maas stated in a Call Her Daddy interview that the books are “meant to be read ideally as one massive, massive story as opposed to like in a trilogy”, and arcs are not wrapped up.
The Valkyrie Cycle’s Unique Structure
Sarah J. This approach is reflected in the structure of the books, with Movements II and III combined into the seventh installment, A Court of Forgotten Melody, set for release on January 12, 2027.
Character Perspectives and Plot Developments
Contrary to popular speculation, A Court of Splintered Harmony does not center on Elain Archeron, though she remains a significant figure in the story. This shift in focus allows for a deeper exploration of the internal rifts within the Night Court and the external threat posed by Koschei the Deathless.
The plot of A Court of Splintered Harmony looks into the fallout from the events in Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow, as well as the ongoing efforts to form new alliances. Bloomsbury’s teaser highlights the stakes: “What was broken will be remade…
The Graphic Audio version of A Court of Splintered Harmony, featuring a full cast and cinematic elements, is scheduled for release on December 23, offering another way to experience the story.
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