Sarah J. Maas' new 'ACOTAR' book smashes release-day record with 1.7 million copies sold

Sarah J. Maas' 'ACOTAR' Book 6 sells 1.7 million copies on release day, breaking the author's previous sales record

Sarah J. Maas has achieved a major publishing milestone as the sixth instalment in her bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series sold 1.7 million copies on its release day.

Titled A Court of Splintered Harmony, the fantasy novel arrived on October 27 and broke the author's previous release-day sales record. According to Variety, the book's opening-day sales were 600% higher than those of A Court of Silver Flames, the fifth instalment, which debuted in 2021.

Publisher Bloomsbury confirmed that the 1.7 million figure includes preorders and first-day sales of English-language print and ebook editions across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. The total does not include audiobook sales or translated editions.

The impressive debut also puts A Court of Splintered Harmony on track to become the biggest book release of 2026.

Reacting to the achievement, Maas said she had been focused on the characters and stories while writing, adding that the overwhelming response from readers was difficult to comprehend. She also expressed gratitude for the support surrounding the latest release.

With the sixth book's success, Maas has now sold more than 100 million copies worldwide across her three fantasy franchises: A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass and Crescent City.

The release was supported by an extensive promotional campaign, including merchandise collaborations with brands such as Funko and For Love & Lemons. Around 2,000 midnight launch events were also organised worldwide.

Meanwhile, fans will not have to wait long for the next instalment. A Court of Forgotten Melody, the seventh ACOTAR book, is scheduled for release on January 12. The upcoming novels form part of Maas' planned four-part Valkyrie Cycle storyline.

The franchise has also attracted television interest, although its previously announced Hulu adaptation was scrapped in February 2025.