Latest news with #ACOTAR
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Sarah J. Maas gives major update on 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' upcoming books
Sarah J. Maas gives major update on 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' upcoming books Sarah J. Maas has thrilled readers by confirming that she has completed the first drafts of A Court of Thorns and Roses books six to eight. In a video shared to Instagram, Maas closes a notebook labelled 'ACOTAR 6-8,' shuts her laptop, and pops a bottle of champagne. The caption simply reads: 'First drafts DONE.' The moment marks a long-awaited update for fans who have eagerly anticipated news since the 2021 release of A Court of Silver Flames. The bestselling fantasy series, often celebrated for its romance, action, and immersive world-building, has become a literary sensation and a favourite across BookTok. Maas has published five previous titles in the ACOTAR series, including A Court of Mist and Fury and the novella A Court of Frost and Starlight. The latest announcement strongly hints that books six, seven, and eight are officially in development. Fans responded with enthusiasm, flooding the comments with excitement: 'OMG IT'S HAPPENING EVERYONE DONT STAY CALM ITS HAPPENING' and 'SARAH THIS IS THE BEST SATURDAY OF MY LIFE!!!!.' Although the release window for the upcoming ACOTAR books remains uncertain, fans excitedly await further updates on the superhit series.
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside TikTok's literature boom: BookTok creators share their top summer reads
Stuck looking for your next beach read? With BookTok currently booming, four creators share their favourite reads and hottest trend predictions for this summer While TikTok has earned a name for brainrot and doomscrolling, it's actually leading this summer's hottest revival: BookTok. The hashtag currently contains over 59.3 million posts, while TikTok Shop data reveals that book sales were up 375% in 2024 compared to 2023. But what are people reading? According to popular online bookseller, Books2Door, the romance genre has seen one of the biggest readership surges, with sales rising 20% month on month. And while romantasy has dominated the book charts (think ACOTAR), Books2Door predict a slight change in reading habits this summer. 'A noticeable trend this summer is a shift from last summer's Romantasy (romantic fantasy) boom toward darker romance genres,' the bookseller reveals. They add: 'Titles like Legacy of Gods and Haunting Adeline are gaining traction, reflecting readers' growing interest for suspenseful love stories with a darker edge. This shift signals a broader trend in adult fiction where readers are exploring complex emotional themes paired with thrilling, sometimes supernatural elements.' So, looking for your next fairy-king romantic epic to sizzle over by the pool? Or maybe a more sentimental drama to lie back with in the grass? We asked four popular BookTok creators for their summer picks: Ben Mercer, @bcemercer Summer holidays are the perfect time to invest in a deep read. Ben shares his top fictional picks that might make you shed a tear or two. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - "This summer I'm going to Italy and I'm finally going to take down Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels starting with My Brilliant Friend. It's fun to read something related to where you're headed, it's supposed to be brilliant and if I like it, I can crack on with the sequels!" The Names by Florence Knapp - "Knapp's debut novel The Names is a great concept, Sliding Doors mixed with One Day. A mother takes her newborn son to the registry office and the narrative splits in three as the name she chooses changes the rest of his life. It's easy to read but funny, shocking and moving all at once." A Month In The Country by J.L. Carr - "This is my favourite read of the year so far. It's warm, profound, and funny with a small mystery running through the tale of a WW1 veteran who's spending a month uncovering an old painting in a village chapel. It's got the perfect elegiac, quietly beautiful tone for a summer read." For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Sam - @samfallingbooks Sometimes we find love where we least expect it. Here are Sam's top romantic and fantasy reads to transport you faraway - without getting on a flight Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - "A beautifully written story set in the 1980s centring around the life of astronauts! It blends the wonder of space with all the love we find in our lifetime. An unforgettable read that will 100% make you cry." A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna - "A cosy fantasy about a witch trying to get her powers back while running an unconventional inn for the lost and the wandering. Equal parts hilarious, thoughtful and heartfelt. An absolute delight." Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez by Abby Jimenez - "This book never fails to deliver a romance with so much heart. Falling in love when you least expect it, falling in love while life keeps moving, while you're still navigating hurdles, and holding on to the love that you have throughout it all because that's what makes it all worth it. I will never skip an Abby Jimenez book." Dakota - @sp3llb00k If dark romance is your cup of (black) tea, then Dakota has the best picks for you. Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan - "A sharp, melancholic tale of a teenage girl's cruel games and emotional awakening during a sultry summer on the French Riviera. It dances between innocence and manipulation, freedom and guilt. Holden Caulfield if he were a hopeless romantic girl. Reads like a spell - you'll feel the sun on your skin, too." Mrs. S by K Patrick - "A taut, sensual portrait of forbidden desire set in an English boarding school where a repressed young matron begins an affair with the headmaster's wife. It's about bodies, boundaries, and the ache of queer becoming across a blistering hot summer. Wonderful and gross." The Girls by Emma Cline - "A sun-drenched fever dream of adolescence and obsession, following a teenage girl lured into the dark glamour of a Manson-like cult in 1960s California. It's about a longing for belonging, for danger, for someone to notice you. Sexy and terrifying." Coco - @cultofbooks Looking for love – but with less fairies? Coco shares some of her favourite contemporary romances. Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston - "This book found me at a point where I was losing my love for reading. It shows a love story that was beautiful, not perfect, and was a little out of its time loop (once you read it, you'll get what I mean)" Game On by Ki Stephens - "It's so nostalgic to all my favourite books, the romance, the tension AND she is an English girl in America (take me out right now)" Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young - "This is a beautiful contemporary romance that highlights a relationship of a differently able couple and how they deal with a surprise that comes along the way (9 months in the making!)"
CNET
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Prime Day Deal: Score the First 3 ACOTAR Audiobooks for Free Through Audible
You've likely heard of the Court of Thorns and Roses best-selling fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas, also known as ACOTAR. If you haven't read it yet but are wondering what all the online memes and references are about, now's the perfect chance to learn... for free. Right now, Amazon Prime Day is offering huge savings on thousands of products and services, including three free months of Premium Plus when you sign up for Audible. With this limited-time offer, you'll also get one free monthly credit to purchase any premium selection title in Audible's extensive catalog. After three months, your subscription will auto-renew at $14.95 per month, which you can cancel anytime. With 4.6 stars out of nearly 290,000 on Amazon and over 3.8 million ratings on Goodreads -- yes, you read that right -- almost 4 million -- it's clear that many readers enjoyed this action-packed series of faerie lore. The ACOTAR series currently includes five books, meaning you can download and listen to the first three for free. And trust me, you won't want to stop after the first book. Audible offers over one million titles and 130 audiobook genres to listen to. Multiple membership tier options are available, starting with the cheapest Plus plan ($7.95 per month) and ending with the Premium Plus Annual Plan ($229.50 per year). Audible Premium Plus is the platform's most common plan. If anything, take advantage of this great Prime Day deal and dive into the fascinating world of ACOTAR for my sake. I can't be the only one with unwarranted AI "thirst traps" of Rhysand and the Bat Boys clogging up my social media feeds. Please. For more amazing discounts, check out the best Prime Day Deals under $25 or the best anti-Prime Day sales from retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. Why this deal matters Many of us don't have the time to actually sit down and read books like we'd prefer. Listening to audiobooks is a fantastic alternative. It allows you to learn, stimulate your brain and stay in the know about popular titles while completing other tasks like driving, cleaning, working or exercising -- and you can start for free today.
Buzz Feed
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Just 34 Things From Etsy That Will Have All Your Friends Saying, 'Send Me The Link'
An acrylic sun catcher so mesmerizing, I wish I could crawl inside of it and pretend I'm in a scene from Beauty and the Beast. And just imagine the colorful sun rays that'll cascade from this — stunning. A floral desk mat for all the lovers of warm, soothing cottagecore vibes. This is a *must* for all the WFH peeps, video game players, and lunch break YouTube watchers. A bookish hoodie that's got nothing but truth written on it. Not only is it made with a fantastical design, but it'll also be the coziest thing for you to snuggle up in as you start the next chapter in your current romantasy novel. Or an ACOTAR crewneck you can cozy up in when you go to read the next book in the series while pretending to be on a balcony overlooking Velaris. Made of the softest material in Prythian, this sweater lets you showcase your love for your favorite court and is designed with some of the novels' most beloved quotes on each sleeve. A reviewer-beloved, aloe vera-based curl refresher spray if you want to showcase your bouncy curls without having to revamp your entire wash 'n' go. This'll help rehydrate your locks *without* the frizz in seconds! A nongreasy, lightweight whipped body butter that'll indulge your skin in the natural powers of shea butter, mango butter, and essential oils. It comes in over 70 (!) delightful scents *and* it comes in a recyclable jar! A tufted floor cushion so you can turn any corner of your tiny apartment into a good space to curl up and watch your comfort show. (The Office, anyone?) Your bestie will also appreciate it during a much-needed sleepover. A chic coffee cup holder because the phrase "I've always got my hands full" applies both literally and figuratively. This helpful little thing lets you easily carry your Starbucks with you while you answer work emails and *most importantly* look at the latest TikTok your bestie just sent you. A book tracker bookmark — not only does it help you keep track of where you are in your current read, but it also serves as an adorable way to show your book history by letting you color and write in the titles you've read so far. Plus, you'll finally be able to stop subjecting your book to the dreaded dog ears. And a bookshelf street sign to transform your beloved book corner into its own little world. It's available in options like Romance Rd, Horrow Hwy, and as a custom sign! (I'll be getting "TBR Rd," because I def buy books faster than I read them. 🫠) A fresh eucalyptus bundle because there are few things in life that feel better than being embraced with eucalyptus's fresh, soothing scent. The bundle is infused with essential oils that are released by the steam of your shower and add a tranquil, botanical aesthetic! Until further notice, you'll find me here. Or a set of shower steamers if you want to take your shower experience to the zen level. These are handmade with essential oils and Epsom salt and come in delightful scents such as lavender, grapefruit, and eucalyptus. An adorable crocheted mushroom crossbody bag, which reviewers say is roomier than it looks! No outfit will ever be boring with this little guy as your accessory. A powerful hair growth treatment so you can achieve the lengthy locks of your dreams. It's made with natural ingredients like black castor oil, rosemary, peppermint, herbs, cloves, and essential oil blends. Plus, reviewers mention that they *love* the smell! A plush potted tulip plant you'll adore because it'll brighten up your space — and you won't even need to lift a finger to keep it alive! In my humble opinion, that's the best part. And a fan-favorite Highland cow plush — careful, your guests might want to kidnap this lil' cutie. And how can you blame them? It's so cuuuuute!!! A scratch-off world map, which serves as a fun (and pretty!) way of showcasing all the places you've traveled to. Scratch off the silver foil layer to reveal the beautiful watercolor underneath. Reviewers also say it works perfectly as a housewarming gift! A crystal-infused organic facial serum designed for anyone who wants a bit of ~plumping~ with their pampering. This plant-powered hyaluronic acid serum is enriched with a blend of marshmallow extract, blue-green algae extract, chicory root extract, and chlorophyll for a revitalizing blend of antioxidants, proteins, and fatty acids. Magical fairy lights that'll add a fairytale touch to your mundane space and transform your bedroom into a cozy oasis. Why get regular ol' string lights when you can get these crackling crystals paired with the larger glowing bulbs for some *truly* enchanting vibes? A knot candle because if you thought your regular candles gave off cozy vibes, just wait until you get your hands on these. 😍 It comes in so many colors and scents you're basically obligated to get one for every room in your home. Or a "Witch's Brew Candle" — legend has it: it's said to fill your home with feelings of coziness as well as vibes of peace, happiness, and protection. But even if you don't believe in all that hocus pocus, at least you'll get to enjoy the alluring scent of orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. A machine-washable faucet splash catcher because it soaks up all the extra water that ends up around your sink throughout the day. Beats wasting paper towels and having to constantly wipe that countertop down! An all-natural scour paste made with baking soda, castile soap, and natural oils that'll work on those hidden spots in your home you've been avoiding (but somehow your mom will notice them). This stuff works on your tile, sink, stovetop, bath, and just about any surface! A genius butter dish and grip set because actually having to slice and spread a pat of butter is simply preposterous. Instead, just pop a butter stick straight onto this grip and spread away for hassle-free pan greasing. A sentimental art print that'll look so charming above your coffee station and delight all the artsy coffee lovers out there. An elegantly handmade floral coaster so that even the thing your iced drink rests on is eye-catching. These coasters are made with real flowers and sprinkled with gold flakes that make them look so sophisticated, you may be tempted to point that pinky up every time you reach for your drink. A pair of bubble and wand earrings because they'll ~blow~ you away with how pretty they are. They're sure to be the center of attention, no matter what you wear! A set of Goldfish fridge magnets — can you believe it? We're now using our fave childhood snack as a functional item in our adult home. What a full-circle moment. A handy dandy minimalist weekly cleaning printable that gives you a daily breakdown of small things you can do around your home every day to keep it clean, instead of letting it all pile up on you and having to clean it all at once. A quirky French café-themed print if you, too, believe that any hope for a good day should be sponsored by coffee. Hang this in your kitchen or at-home office, and you'll constantly have this cute lil' cat to look to for some sense of relatability. A dreamy, reviewer-beloved chiffon maxi dress worthy of infinite twirls. Designed with an elegant V-neckline and a hidden zipper closure, this flowy dress is perfect for those summer weddings you've got coming up this year. And bonus — custom sizing is available! A chemical-free glass cleaner for anyone who appreciates non-toxic cleaning products. This cleaner is made with ingredients so safe; you could even eat them (probably won't be too tasty, though), like castile, essential oils, distilled water, and lime. This also makes it safe for kids and pets! But don't let this sway you from its effectiveness — one use of this, and you'll have glistening, streak-free windows and mirrors. A luxurious, vegan pure wild-crafted batana oil to elevate your self-care regimen. Use it as a deep-conditioning treatment, a leave-in conditioner, a scalp massage oil, or a skin moisturizer! And the scent? Heavenly. A set of all-natural toilet bombs because it'll stop you from dreading cleaning your porcelain throne. Heck, you might even look forward to it with these! These are scented with essential oils like eucalyptus, lemon, and lavender and will clean, disinfect, *and* deodorize your toilet. All you have to do is drop one or two of these in the bowl, watch them fizz away, scrub, and flush — amazing.
Sydney Morning Herald
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
No fairytale: How an online fantasy community sold out City Hall
Jess Felschow never felt she had a place where she truly belonged. That was before she found Celestial Events, a group that brings together people who love fantasy stories. They aren't alone. Fantasy fiction is exploding in popularity, and Jess is one of millions who have found comfort in series such as A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas. The books have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide, connecting an entire generation of readers. With Celestial Events, which boasts 10,000 online members, Jess could dress up and unapologetically embrace her interests, something she'd never experienced before. And now, along with her husband – and assistant dog Charlie – Jess has attended her first fantasy-themed ball, Starfall at Customs House by the Brisbane River. 'The people that go to these events are so kind and open-minded and accepting of everybody,' she says. Jess also walked the fashion runway at Queen Street Mall in her Starfall ball gown, a 'surreal' experience she says she would never have done before finding Celestial Events. Celestial Events came into being when another Brisbane local picked up an ACOTAR novel on a holiday. With a background in events, having run Brisbane Fashion Month, Carly Vidall-Wallace says she 'hadn't really read an enjoyable book since high school' and was enamoured. 'Trying to find people who are understanding and patient enough to want me involved in all aspects of events has been a big struggle.' Jess Felschow, Celestial Events member ' A Court of Thorns and Roses just ignited something in me.' She posted in a Sarah J. Maas Book Club Facebook group about interest in a ball modelled after the fantasy series, and Celestial Events was born. Overwhelmed by the response, Carly went into event-planning mode and within two weeks tickets for the first Starfall ball were on sale. 'I thought I might be the only one but when I saw that response I thought I'm not alone, I'm not a super geek and this could be really fun.' The first event sold 300 tickets in a minute. Carly scheduled a second ball the next evening to meet demand. That was 18 months ago. Now Carly has sold out City Hall, with 1000 Celestials in attendance and no plans to slow down. While this particular ball event is inspired by the acclaimed ACOTAR series, Carly has to be smart when it comes to copyright risk. Her events incorporate elements from a range of fantasy tales, including The Hunger Games, The Lord of the Rings and Fourth Wing. She has since been successful to obtain a trademark in Australia and New Zealand for Celestial Events Starfall Ball. Carly has also recently made it to the third round of the Telstra Business Awards in the community sector for her work with Celestial Events. With interstate and international interest, she has tapped into a huge market of fantasy-lovers who are seeking community, connection and friendship. 'Even though life is pretty hard, and the news is miserable at the moment, this is a space where that doesn't matter. You're going to be a fairy princess or you can be whoever you want to be. This is your night where you are the main character,' Carly said. The community strives to be an inclusive space where all are welcome and embraced. This has meant that naturally, the group has attracted many neurodiverse members. 'Escapism in the fantasy world has an interest in the neurodiverse community.' 'Even if you're super anxious when you put on a character you can be less shy because you're in persona'. Carly Vidall-Wallace, Celestial Events founder Coming from the fashion industry, Carly knows too well the feelings of inadequacy and comparison that she experienced in these spaces. 'I guess I felt that [the fashion industry] was a little bit VIP, you're either in or you're not. What are you wearing? What are they wearing? It was sometimes not a very positive space,' she said. For members of the neurodivergent community, finding a place of belonging isn't always an easy feat. Melbourne-based psychologist Susan Rodriguez-Manning said having a safe space was important to people who historically struggle to find community. 'Cosplaying allows you to dress up as the main character, the villain, or the hero, and be unapologetically that loud, excited, and talkative person without criticism,' she said. Cosplaying is the practice of dressing up as someone from a film, book or video game. It's a huge element of the fantasy book community. There's an added element of creativity as fans will often add their own interpretations to the words on the page to imagine how they see their favourite characters. '[Cosplaying] provides a safe way to explore the sides of yourself that you have felt the need to mask,' Susan said. Although the community has naturally attracted a large neurodivergent audience, it isn't exclusive and is open to anyone who loves fantasy stories. In a business sense, capitalising on the ever-growing 'BookTok' community was a smart move. 'Ironically, by dressing up as someone else, you get to fully be seen for your authentic self and celebrated for who you are'. Susan Rodriguez-Manning, psychologist With almost 60 million posts under #BookTok on TikTok and entire sections of book stores dedicated to stories highlighted online, it's quickly influencing the publishing world. Book-chain QBD Books recently opened their 100th store with the rise of romantasy genre, where series like ACOTAR sit, partly responsible for the business success. But like every online community, the BookTok world isn't immune to darker aspects.
