It’s unclear when Sarah J. Maas plans to publish the nextA Court of Thorns and Rosesnovel, but as the series celebrates its tenth anniversary in May, fans are expecting to receive thesixthACOTARbook announcementlater this year. While it’s widely agreed that the nextA Court of Thorns and Rosesnovel will likely revolve around Elain and her pending love triangle with Lucien and Azriel, there are several other important subplots fans are hoping for Maas to resolve as well.
As it’s been nearly four years sinceA Court of Silver Flameshit shelves, readers have had plenty of time to think about what they most hope to see in thenextA Court of Thorns and Rosesnovel. While some fan theories can only speculate on what twists Maas will introduce next, there are several plot-based elements Maas is almost guaranteed to explore throughout thepopular fantasy book series' narrative.
10The Continuation Of Elain’s Story
She Is The Final Archeron Sister For Maas To Explore
If Maas is to continue with the pattern set in previousA Court of Thorns and Rosesbooks—centering the narrative around an Archeron sister—the next installment will likely feature Elain’s story. Elain Archeron is the middle sister, who has always been quiet, sweet, and loving—although she was not always the best sister to Feyre. However, after she is turned fae by the cauldron, Elain’s journey becomes quite tumultuous. While she struggles throughout most ofACOWARto adjust to her new life,the latter novels see her relationship grow stronger with Feyre and the Inner Circle.
Now that Maas has explored Nesta and Cassian’s relationship inA Court of Silver Flames, readers are anticipating the next novel to explore Elain’s love story.
Now that Maas has explored Nesta and Cassian’s relationship inA Court of Silver Flames, readers are anticipating the next novel to explore Elain’s love story—and detailher pending love-triangle romance arc with both Lucien and Azriel. Currently, Azriel is one of the only characters Elain feels comfortable around, but her mating bond with Lucien will make their relationship a difficult one to manage. As theCourt of Silver Flamesbonus chapter hints at Azriel’s feelings towards Elain, it’s looking like the sixthACOTARnovel will finally deliver on this storyline.
9Cassian Needs To Tell Nesta He Loves Her
His Response In Silver Flames Is Underwhelming
Nesta fights against her and Cassian’s mating bond for most of the book, but after a traumatic event almost kills Cassian, Nesta finally admits her love for him at theend ofA Court of Silver Flames. This is a huge moment for Nesta, especially when being vulnerable isn’t in her nature. However, she decides to fully accept Cassian as her mate and expresses her love for him in a really sweet way. ButCassian doesn’t say I love you back—which has sparked a lot of debate online since the book’s release.
Some believe Cassian’s lack of response hints that he does not truly love Nesta, while others argue that his love for her can be seen through his actions throughout the novel—and they do to an extent. However, with a fandom so divided on this topic,Maas needs to rectify this element in the sixthACOTARbookand give fans closure to their characters' romance arc.
8Seeing Feyre & Rhys As Parents
This Adds A New Element To Their Romance Arc
Feyre and Rhys' son, Nyx, was born at the very end ofA Court of Silver Flames, andreaders have not gotten to see the two characters in their new role as parentsin much detail. Aside from experiencing Feyre, Rhys, and Nyx’s near death at the end of the novel, Maas hasn’t had much time to explore their journey into parenthood. However, as Elain, Azriel, and Lucien are all rather close to the couple, Maas may feature their romance and parenting subplot in more detail.
Maas’ACOTARseries has already seen the two characters grow a lot in their relationship and individually, but being parents will likely bring out a whole new side to Feyre and Rhys' characters. While the sixthA Court of Thorns and Rosesbook won’t heavily focus on Feyre or Rhysand, it would be nice to see how the two adjust to their new life as parents whilst continuing to rule over Velaris.
7Finding Out Where Mor Has Been
Her Character Is Notably Absent In The Later Novels
Mor is absent throughout much ofA Court of Frost and StarlightandA Court of Silver Flames, andher whereabouts have long been questioned by readers,leading to severaltheories suggesting Mor will betray the Inner Circlein the nextACOTARnovel. Her journeys are barely discussed throughout the narrative and, because she is such a trusted member, no one questions the lack of information she returns from her expeditions with.
This Court Of Thorns & Roses Theory Explains Mor’s Power Of Truth (But It’s Probably Wrong)
In Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Morrigan’s “power of truth' has never been revealed but foreshadow could provide the answer.
However, if Maas were to explain where Mor has been traveling and what she’s discovered in greater detail throughout the sixthA Court of Thorns and Rosesnovel,it would help to lessen the suspicion surrounding her character—or perhaps reveal Mor to be the traitor many fans believe her to be. Either way, Mor has long been an underdeveloped character throughout theACOTARseries, and it will be interesting to see how Maas plans to evolve Mor in future sequels.
6Tamlin’s Redemption Arc
This Plotline Has Been Brewing For Several Novels
Tamlin’s redemption arc in theA Court of Thorns and Rosesseries has been building throughout the last several books. And while his character deserves to be punished for his previous actions,Maas has seemingly been setting his character up for redemptionin a future novel. Throughout the last few books in theACOTARseries, Tamlin has fallen far from grace—with his court in disarray and no friends remaining by his side.
The latter novels also depict Tamlin’s character in conversation with both Rhys and Nesta, where he has been contemplating the actions and decisions that led to his downfall. And if the sixthA Court of Thorns and Rosesnovel does center around Elain,it would be the perfect opportunity for Maas to begin his redemption storyline—especially as his relationship with Lucien will likely bring his character back into the story in a major way.
5Elain Growing Into Her Powers
Her Seer Abilities Have Barely Been Explored
Maas reveals inA Court of War and Ruinthat Elain’s traumatic experience in the cauldron gave her Seer abilities—allowing her to see through time, and glimpse visions of the future.These powers have been greatly misunderstood throughout the series thus far, and it’s only when Azriel discovers her powers that things begin to make sense. Elain has seen several visions that come to pass throughout the narrative, but until readers are allowed into her perspective it will be hard to fully understand the scope of what she can do.
The next novel should put a heavier focus on Elain’s abilities and see her train to become even more powerful.
The next novel should put a heavier focus on Elain’s abilities and see her train to become even more powerful. Elain has so far been described as meek, quiet, and gentle, butit would be exciting to see her character evolve into someone strong who can find her strength outside of her sisters' coddling. Knowing there’s a potential war pending with Koschei, Elain’s powers would be a great asset to the Inner Circle and the overall narrative.
4Lucien Discovering He Is Helion’s Son
Feyre Has Still Not Told Him About Her Discovery
Lucien’s true parentage was discovered inA Court of War and Ruin, and Lucien’s character has still not been made aware of this very crucial detail. As Maas explains, Lucien’s mother had an affair with Helion—High Lord of the Day Court—butLucien was raised to believe that Beron was his father. It’s not yet known if Beron is aware Lucien is not his son. However, his previous actions and overall hatred for Lucien suggest he has an idea.
This storyline has long been waiting to play out on the page, and now that Maas is likely to focus on Elain in thenextA Court of Thorns and Rosesnovel, Lucien’s story, in turn, will become a greater focus. Lucien is one of Maas' most neglectedCourt of Thorns and Rosescharacters, and it would be great if Lucien’s arc was finally given some substance. Hopefully, this means Maas will decide to reveal the truth about Lucien’s parentage andhint at the possibility of him becoming High Lord of the Day Courtin the next book.
3Where Bryaxis Has Been Must Be Revealed
No One Really Seems Concerned That He’s Missing
InA Court of War and Ruin,Feyre releases Bryaxis from beneath the House of Windto secure his help in the war with Hybern. However, he only agrees to do so if he can get some windows in his library—which seemed to be an incredibly easy trade-off. But after the events of the third novel, Bryaxis never returns, and inA Court of Frost and Starlight, Rhys mentions that they will one day have to hunt Bryaxis down.
Bryaxis is a creature of nightmares that resides in the subterranean levels of the library beneath the House of Wind.
Knowing Bryaxis seemed content to return to the library in the House of Wind, it’s odd he has not yet returned or made any further appearances. However, given that he’s out potentially wreaking havoc in Prythian,the situation is something the Inner Circle will have to prioritize in the next novel. It will be interesting to have Maas reveal the creatures' motives and find out just what Bryaxis has been up to since last appearing in the narrative.
2Eris Overthrowing Beron From The Autumn Court
He’s Been Preparing To Do So Over The Course Of Several Novels
Eris Vanserra’s character, despite being introduced back inACOWARis still considered to be one of Maas' more mysteriousCourt of Thorns and Rosescharacters. However, Eris has made it very apparent thathis main goal is to unseat his father, Beron, as High Lord of the Autumn Court, claiming to hate his father and all that he’s done. Eris later offers his assistance to the Inner Circle in exchange for their support when he overthrows his father—a storyline that is still waiting to unfold.
As Lucien is likely to be a major focus throughout the next book, it’s safe to assume his life in the Autumn Court will be examined in further detail—and likely bring Eris back into the story as well. This has led many to believe that Eris' wish to unseat his father will come to fruition in the nextA Court of Thorns and Rosesnovel. And afterMaas has been stringing this storyline along for several books, it makes sense to see it play out in her next release—or else risk becoming redundant.
1Someone Being Crowned High King Or Queen Of Prythian
Maas Has Hinted At This Possibility Several Times
Now that the wall between Prythian and the human lands has fallen, there is an even greater need to unite the continent under one crown. The courts had briefly formed an alliance to fight against Hybern, but since then, they each have kept relatively to themselves. However,Maas has on multiple occasions casually brought up the idea of a High King or Queen of Prythian—someone who would rule over Prythian as a whole. How Maas plans to make this happen is unknown, but several fans have begun to wonder when this storyline will play out.
A Single Detail From A Court Of Thorns & Roses Proves Lucien Must Become High King
Lucien’s decisions in the last few A Court of Thorns and Roses novels have contributed to setting up his character as a candidate for High King.
Now that most of the conflict has been resolved throughout the courts, the idea of a High King or Queen may again be introduced in the sixthA Court of Thorns and Rosesbook. A few characters have been considered for the role since the idea was introduced—with some fans feeling Rhys and Feyre, Nesta, or even Lucien could claim the title. Either way, the concept of a High King or Queen can only be teased for so long before it needs to become a reality.
