The Moment That Started It All

At first glance, the Reel is minimal — a classic SJM move. No flashing text, no big reveals, no dramatic voiceover. Just a desk, a notebook, and a toast. But in the hands of Sarah J. Maas, minimalism is a weapon. She knows her readers, and she knows exactly how little she needs to give them to spark days — no, weeks — of nonstop discussion.

There’s a mark behind the “6.”
We don’t know what it is. We can’t agree on what it is. And somehow, this tiny flourish on the cover of a notebook has ignited more theories than the ending of A Court of Mist and Fury did back in 2016.

Last week, Sarah J. Maas — bestselling author, creator of our favorite fae courts and master of Internet meltdowns — posted a deceptively simple Instagram Reel. In the video, she gently closes a notebook labeled with “ACOTAR 6” on the cover. But right after the number, there’s a small mark — a dash? An arrow? A “–8”? Something else entirely? Fans immediately zoomed, cropped, brightened, and sharpened screenshots like they were in an FBI crime lab.

And that was only the first detail to send the fandom spiraling.

She then shuts her laptop, picks up a champagne glass, and toasts to the camera. The caption reads simply: “First drafts DONE.” That’s drafts, plural — a word choice that now lives rent-free in the heads of every ACOTAR reader across the globe.

In under 24 hours, the comments sections of BookTok, Bookstagram, and Reddit lit up like the Starfall sky, filled with every possible theory about what’s coming next in the A Court of Thorns and Roses universe. Is this just ACOTAR 6? Is it multiple books? Is the mysterious mark behind the “6” a clue to a hidden title, a trilogy plan, or a coded nod to future installments?

Let’s break it all down — every clue, every theory, and why this single short video has gripped the fantasy book community like no other.

Why This Hit the Fandom Like a Starfall Comet

The ACOTAR fandom is uniquely primed for this kind of chaos. For one, it’s been years since the last full installment: A Court of Silver Flames (2021), which shifted the focus to Nesta and Cassian. Since then, we’ve had teases of future books, but nothing concrete. We know Maas has big plans for multiple spin-offs, but the order and focus of those books have been a mystery.

Then there’s the fact that ACOTAR isn’t just a book series anymore — it’s an ecosystem. It’s a sprawling fae soap opera where every side glance, every hinted mate bond, every unfinished sentence becomes fan theory fuel. Add in Maas’s signature of hiding Easter eggs and interconnected clues across her series (hello, multiverse theories), and you’ve got a community trained to overanalyze everything.

So when she drops a 7-second Reel with “ACOTAR 6” and the word “drafts,” of course the Internet goes nuclear.

The Mysterious Mark: Arrow, Dash, or –8?

Let’s talk about the detail that’s become the Da Vinci Code of the ACOTAR fandom.

Theory A: It’s an Arrow

Some believe the mark is an arrow — a nod to archery and, by extension, Elain Archeron. It could symbolize her stepping into a more active role, finally wielding power (and perhaps weapons) rather than being the quiet observer.

Theory B: It’s a Dash Leading to 8

Others swear it reads as “–8,” suggesting a range: 6 through 8. This would mean Maas has mapped and perhaps even drafted the entire next ACOTAR arc, spanning three books. The plural “drafts” in her caption fits neatly here.

Theory C: It’s Just a Design Element

A small but vocal faction insists we’re all losing it over nothing — it’s just a decorative flourish in the notebook’s design. To which the rest of the fandom says: Not in an SJM book, it isn’t.

The Big Theories for ACOTAR 6

Now, let’s break down the fan speculation currently dominating every ACOTAR discussion thread.

1. Elain Archeron Takes the Spotlight

By far the most popular theory: ACOTAR 6 will be Elain’s book.
She’s the only Archeron sister without her own POV novel, and her story has been simmering in the background for years. We’ve seen glimpses of her seer abilities, her complicated dynamic with Lucien, her charged (and often painfully unresolved) moments with Azriel… but never a deep dive.

An Elain-centered book could finally:

Explore her powers and their limits.
Resolve — or reignite — the Azriel/Lucien triangle.
Show her role in the political and magical landscapes of Prythian beyond the Night Court.

2. Azriel’s POV — Or a Dual Perspective

Azriel is a fan favorite. He’s mysterious, loyal, and walking around with enough emotional baggage to fill the Sidra River. A full Azriel POV would be a dream for many readers, especially if paired with Elain’s.

A dual POV could deliver:

The ultimate slow-burn romance.
Insight into the spymaster’s world of secrets.
Connections to threads from other courts and even other series (yes, Crescent City crossovers are still on the table).

3. The Gwyn Theory

Post-Silver Flames, Gwyneth Berdara has a passionate fanbase. Some believe ACOTAR 6 could center on Gwyn, possibly in a triangle with Azriel and Elain, or in a story that splits its attention between the Night Court and the Valkyries.

4. Court Politics and Betrayal

Others think romance will take a backseat to political intrigue. This theory involves:

A rift in the Inner Circle.
A betrayal from an unexpected source (Mor? Elain? Even Amren?).
A threat that forces alliances across long-standing court boundaries.

5. Multiple Books Already in the Works

Here’s where the “drafts” and the “–8” come into play. Some fans are convinced Maas has already drafted books 6, 7, and 8 — potentially each focusing on a different POV but connected in one overarching arc. This would explain the champagne toast: she hasn’t just finished a book, she’s laid the groundwork for the next era of ACOTAR.

What We Could Expect in Tone and Scope

If Maas follows the pattern set by Silver Flames, we can expect:

A more intimate, character-focused story than the original trilogy.
Steamy romance woven into high-stakes plotlines.
Easter eggs and multiverse hints linking to her other works (Throne of Glass, Crescent City).

However, the potential for multiple POVs or multiple books could also mean:

A return to larger-scale conflict involving multiple courts.
Deeper exploration of underused settings, like the Day Court, Autumn Court, or even lands beyond Prythian.
Interludes or cameos from old favorites.

Why “Drafts” Matters More Than You Think

The plural form isn’t just a throwaway. Authors (especially ones as meticulous as Maas) choose their words carefully. “First drafts DONE” could mean:

Multiple POV drafts for a single book.
Multiple books in the same universe.
A trilogy or duology written as one long project.

And given her history of planting seeds years in advance, the odds that she’s holding more cards than she’s shown us are… high.

When Could We See ACOTAR 6?

Historically, Maas’s turnaround from first draft to publication can range from 18 months to over two years, depending on revisions, marketing, and her other projects. If the draft is complete now, late 2025 or 2026 is the most realistic window. But if she’s finished multiple drafts? We could see a faster release schedule than usual.

Why This Matters Beyond the Book

This isn’t just about ACOTAR 6. It’s about a fandom that thrives on communal theorizing, on spotting microscopic clues, and on living in a world that feels almost as real as our own. This video reminded us why we love being here — the group chats, the Reddit threads, the TikToks dissecting the angle of her champagne glass.

It’s not just hype. It’s home for fantasy readers.

Final Thoughts — And a Question for You

Sarah J. Maas just gave us seven seconds of video and managed to fuel thousands of hours of speculation. Whether ACOTAR 6 focuses on Elain, Azriel, Gwyn, or someone entirely unexpected, one thing is certain: the next chapter of Prythian is going to break the Internet all over again.

And as for that mark behind the “6”?
Maybe it’s an arrow.
Maybe it’s a dash.
Maybe it’s a sly way of saying you have no idea what’s coming.

If you ever find yourself thinking, “Wait… who was that again?”, you can revisit every character from the ACOTAR universe right here: ACOTAR Wiki – Characters.

💫 Now tell me — what’s your theory?
Drop your predictions in the comments. And if you need me, I’ll be over here, staring at a zoomed-in screenshot of that notebook until my eyes blur.

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✨ Keep chasing stars & stories,

– Viktoria, Your Cosmic Book Guide

ACOTAR 6 – the Internet Loses Its Mind: Breaking Down the Theories, Clues, and Wild Speculation