Sarah J. Maas' sixth A Court of Thorns and Roses book, A Court of Splintered Harmony, releases on October 27, 2026. Target will host midnight release events at about 250 U.S. stores on October 26, alongside an ACOTAR merchandise collection that is mostly exclusive to Target.
Romantasy readers have a late-night plan for the end of October. Target will host midnight release events at about 250 stores on October 26 for A Court of Splintered Harmony, the sixth book in Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses series, the retailer announced. The book officially releases on October 27, 2026.
What's trending
According to Target's announcement, the events will run from 9 p.m. to midnight local time, with ACOTAR trivia, photo opportunities, and the chance to buy the book the moment it releases. The first 100 guests at each event will receive a free keychain and a commemorative entry ticket.
Target is also launching an ACOTAR merchandise collection on October 11. The retailer says nearly 85% of the assortment is available only at Target, and most items cost under $20. The range includes drinkware, teas, jewelry, apparel, a fragrance line, a tabletop game, journals, puzzles, and book nooks.
One practical note for fans: pre-order pickup won't be available at midnight. Customers who pre-ordered can collect their copies when stores open on October 27.
Why it's resonating
The release ends a long wait. Brit + Co called it "the romantasy event of 2026," noting that the new installment follows a five-year gap in the main series. Maas has described books six and seven as one story that grew too large for a single novel, and the seventh book is scheduled for January 12, 2027, according to the same report.
Midnight releases have also become social events in their own right. For many readers, especially teens and young adults who found the genre through BookTok, a release is a chance to dress up, meet other fans, and celebrate a fictional world together.
Fantasy celebrations go beyond book launches
That same instinct, turning a favorite fantasy world into a shared celebration, carries over into birthdays. Fans who line up at midnight for a new romantasy release often want their own milestones to feel just as immersive: candlelit tables, jewel-toned decorations, fantasy-inspired snacks, and invitations that look more like a book cover than a party flyer.
Dragons are among the genre's most popular motifs, which is why dragon-themed parties have taken on a more elegant, grown-up look. A watercolor design such as this editable fantasy dragon birthday invitation fits that style, and it comes in both a printable and a phone-sized version for sharing in a group chat.
The bottom line
With about 250 Target stores staying open late on October 26 and a seventh book already scheduled for January, the ACOTAR wave isn't slowing down. For romantasy fans, release night is the main event, and the appetite for themed, fantasy-inspired celebrations shows no sign of fading after it.