Fans Brave Weather for Midnight Release of New 'ACOTAR' Novel

Around 30 dedicated fans braved torrential rain and high winds to attend a midnight release event for "A Court of Splintered Harmony," the sixth book in Sarah J. Maas's "A Court of Thorns and Roses" (ACOTAR) series. The event, held at The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, marked the culmination of a five-year wait for the latest installment.

Attendees participated in various activities, including crafting friendship bracelets and felting, while waiting for the embargo to break at midnight on Tuesday. Some fans embraced the cozy atmosphere by wearing pajamas and slippers. The ACOTAR series, known for its blend of fantasy and romance, has garnered a significant following, particularly through social media platforms like TikTok's "BookTok."

Fans expressed their enthusiasm for the series as an escape from daily life. "I just love reading these kinds of fantasy books because the real world is a little bit terrible and I love to escape into a fantasyland of fairies and anything other worldly," said Amy Savage, one of the attendees. Her friend, Katie Mccabrey, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We're all here tonight because we all share just needing to escape from everyday life in common and this is a great way to do it."

The ACOTAR series is set in the fictional world of Prythian and follows the protagonist's experiences with love and the fae. The popularity of the series has contributed to a surge in interest in the "romantasy" genre. The books released in the series so far are:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
• A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
• A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
• A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018)
• A Court of Silver Flames (2021)

"A Court of Splintered Harmony" was announced in March, and the next book in the series, "A Court of Forgotten Melody," is slated for release on January 12, 2027.

David Jeroen and Sami Patrick, who host a book-focused Instagram account and were celebrating their two-year "bookiversary," attended the event dressed in mythical attire. "I think it's all about escaping reality and going into a different world and dimension where you get to live through another character and experience new things that you wouldn't be able to in real life," Jeroen explained. "You can't ride a dragon in real life so you can read about it."

Jo Zebedee, co-owner of The Secret Bookshelf, organized the event, drawing inspiration from past midnight releases, such as those for the Harry Potter books. "We are a big fantasy shop... so we very much celebrate the worlds that sometimes can be difficult to find a space in mainstream books," Zebedee said. "There's something around the excitement of books and just that whole vibe of here's something to really celebrate.. we just wanted to bring that all together to make a fun night."

Zebedee emphasized the role of independent bookshops in fostering a love for reading, particularly among younger generations. "I think events is when a bookshop comes to life," she stated. "It's about a love of books and tonight is just such a love of books."