By Salma El-Sakka
After a years-long reading slump, a chance recommendation introduced the author to Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR romantasy series, sparking a voracious return to books. The series, beginning with A Court of Thorns and Roses in 2015, has sold over 75 million copies worldwide and become a literary phenomenon comparable to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.
Sixth installment arrives after five-year wait
A Court of Splintered Harmony, the sixth ACOTAR novel, was released on October 28, 2026, drawing queues at bookstores and launch parties globally. Some fans took time off work to read the new book immediately, underscoring the series’ intense hold on its predominantly female readership.
Personal rediscovery mirrors broader trend
The author, who once read a book a day in childhood, found that work and phone addiction had eroded the habit. A 2025 poll showed 40% of Britons had not read a book in the past year, and a government campaign aimed to revive reading. Yet ACOTAR alone rekindled the author’s love for reading, leading her to devour five books — nearly 600,000 words — in a week.
Criticism and cultural significance
Despite snobbery toward romance and fantasy genres, the series’ commercial success reflects the underestimated power of female-driven fandoms, akin to those behind The Beatles, Taylor Swift, and the Barbie movie. Maas’s world-building creates immersive faerie realms with complex mythologies, making even fantastical elements feel plausible.
Community fuels enduring popularity
Readers form communities around the books, turning enjoyment into a shared experience. The author notes that while the series relies on familiar tropes, its blend of escapism, strong characters, and epic stakes resonates deeply, getting millions "glued to the page once more."
