I’ve finished ‘A Court of Splintered Harmony’ – and I’ve got one important question

As a die-hard fan of anything the romantasy titan Sarah J. Maas pens, waiting for the latest ACOTAR instalment, A Court of Splintered Harmony, felt like waiting for Santa Claus’s arrival as a six-year-old. Five years is a long time to leave fans hanging, particularly when you've spent that time obsessing over fictional characters, debating theories on BookTok and wondering whose story will be told next.So, naturally, when A Court of Splintered Harmony, the sixth book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series – also known as The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I – finally landed on 27 October, 2026, I wasted little time getting stuck in. It took me a modest four days to finish, although this would have been shorter if the world of journalism wasn't calling. It's hardly the mammoth fantasy epic we've come to expect from Maas, and certainly one that could be devoured in an afternoon without any pesky real-world responsibilities.I'm also one of those readers who has worked their way through Maas's other worlds, including the completed Throne of Glass series and all three published Crescent City novels. So, what did I think of the long-awaited new ACOTAR book? Spoilers ahead. 'A Court of Splintered Harmony' by Sarah J. Maas, published by BloomsburyBloomsbury★★★★☆Following release day, it wasn't long before the BookTok girls descended to share their reactions, dissecting every interaction, romantic possibility and questionable character decision. Having now finished the book, I can safely say there is plenty to discuss. Whether all of it is worth the five-year wait, however, is another question.The story returns us to Prythian, where the Night Court is dealing with the aftermath of previous betrayals, fractured relationships and the growing threat of Koschei.Unlike earlier instalments, the narrative moves between several familiar characters, including Feyre, Rhysand, Azriel, Nesta, Cassian and Mor, giving readers a much broader look at the inner workings of the Night Court.And while there is plenty to enjoy about revisiting these characters, I did find myself asking one rather important question throughout: why is everyone irritating me?Azriel, where is your moment?Let's address the elephant in the room. Surely, after years of waiting, this was supposed to be Azriel's moment? If there is one character ACOTAR fans have spent an extraordinary amount of time campaigning for, it's the brooding shadowsinger. His mysterious nature, complicated history and seemingly endless romantic speculation have made him one of the most anticipated characters in the entire series. Yet, somehow, I finished this book feeling as though I knew little more than I did before.There is so much potential in his character that leaving readers still hungry for answers feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps Maas is deliberately keeping her cards close to her chest for the next instalment, but after all the anticipation, I wanted a little more than another serving of unanswered questions.Nesta defenders, this one is for usI'll admit I may be biased here, but Nesta remains one of my favourite characters in the series. It’s refreshing to read a female protagonist who doesn't feel the need to be universally likeable. Nesta has always been complicated, stubborn and occasionally downright infuriating, but that is precisely what makes her interesting.In fact, with Feyre's priorities now firmly centred around motherhood, Nesta arguably feels like the strongest female presence in the story. And perhaps that is what makes Elaine's position so interesting, too.For years, Nesta was criticised for her icy personality, yet Elain's softer exterior doesn't necessarily make her any less complicated. I'd actually love to see Maas take her somewhere unexpected. Give me an Elain villain era. Give me a woman who stops trying to please everyone and starts making some questionable decisions of her own. I think there is far more potential there than another predictable romantic storyline.Cassian, I miss the old youNow, Cassian. Oh, Cassian. I fell in love with this character during A Court of Silver Flames. His devotion to Nesta, his humour and his willingness to fight for the people he loves made him one of my favourite males in the series.So why am I now finding myself increasingly frustrated with him? Where is the man who practically went to his knees for Nesta? Where is the confidence, the unwavering loyalty and the energy of someone who would quite literally burn the world down for his mate?Instead, I found myself wanting to shake some sense into him. His relationship with Nesta should be one of the emotional anchors of the story, but I wanted more of the connection that made them so compelling in the first place.Perhaps I'm simply holding him to the impossibly high standards set by his previous book, but I know what this character is capable of. I just wish we were seeing more of it.Feyre, Rhysand and the Nyx-shaped elephant in the roomAnother slightly controversial opinion: I found the emphasis on Feyre's motherhood a little jarring. I completely understand that becoming a parent can fundamentally change someone's priorities, and motherhood is clearly an important part of Feyre's journey. However, I sometimes felt as though Nyx had become the centre of her entire existence, leaving less room for the Feyre we originally fell in love with.Perhaps I'm being cynical as someone without children, but I missed seeing her as the fierce, independent woman who helped carry the earlier books. Being a mother doesn't mean losing those other parts of yourself, and I would have liked to see more of that balance.And then there's Rhysand. This pains me to say, but I think Rhys peaked in A Court of Mist and Fury. He remains an iconic character, but the charm, mystery and magnetic energy that made him so irresistible in the second book haven't quite hit the same way for me.I don't necessarily need every character to remain exactly as they were when we first met them. People change, relationships evolve, and priorities shift. But when you have built such an enormous attachment to these characters, it's difficult not to notice when something feels a little off.The BookTok drama and THAT chapterIf you've spent any time on BookTok since the release, you'll probably have seen comparisons between one particular chapter and Love Island.Without giving too much away, there is a moment that feels considerably more like a reality television recoupling than the epic fantasy romance we've come to expect from Maas. It is messy, dramatic and exactly the sort of thing that sends readers straight to their group chats.Surprisingly, I actually loved this part. Sometimes fantasy needs a little chaos, and I certainly wasn't complaining about having something to dissect once I put the book down.It also reminded me why these books inspire such passionate fandoms. We don't just read them and move on. We become invested in the characters, their relationships and every tiny interaction that might hint at what comes next.A necessary introduction, but not quite enoughPerhaps my biggest criticism is that, despite everything, not an awful lot happens. There is plenty of groundwork being laid, with Maas expanding the world beyond the familiar territories of Prythian and introducing readers to the wider political landscape, including Montesere, Vallahan and Rask.I appreciate that this is the opening movement of a much bigger story. With A Court of Forgotten Melody arriving on 12 January, 2027, it is clear that Maas is setting the scene for something considerably larger.But understanding the purpose of a book doesn't necessarily mean every reader will find it satisfying. That said, the shorter length makes for an incredibly accessible read. Maas's writing remains easy to fall into, and returning to her world is still an enjoyable experience. Was A Court of Splintered Harmony worth the wait?Ultimately, A Court of Splintered Harmony is a slightly frustrating return to a world I absolutely adore. But I wanted more. More Azriel, more Nesta and Cassian, more of the Feyre and Rhysand dynamic that made me fall in love with the series, and, most importantly, more actual progression in the story.Maybe that's the difficulty of being a long-standing Maas fan. The expectations are enormous, and when you've spent years building up a fictional world in your head, it's almost impossible for a new instalment to satisfy every theory and expectation.Still, I wouldn't say I regret picking it up. In fact, I'll be counting down the days until 12 January, 2027, when we return to Prythian for the next instalment. Because, despite all my complaints, I'm clearly not going anywhere. Sarah J Maas, I'll see you in January.