Flights of Fantasy Podcast Summary
Episode: S5 : Ep 22 - ACOTAR 6 Announcement!!
Release Date: July 16, 2025

Introduction and Exciting News

In this highly anticipated episode of Flights of Fantasy, hosts Anna, Kim, and Kristina dive into the much-awaited announcement of the sixth installment in the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series by Sarah J. Maas. The excitement is palpable as Anna announces, “[...] ACOTAR 6 has officially been announced. Sarah J. Maas has finally, finally confirmed that she's finished a draft of the next book in the series. And we are so ready” (01:57).

Decoding the Mysterious Notebook Clue

The conversation quickly shifts to the viral phenomenon surrounding Sarah J. Maas's notebook, which fans have been scrutinizing intensely. Kim shares her observations, “[...] there is no 8. There is no way that Sarah drafted three books at once” (04:04), dismissing theories that the notebook refers to multiple books or drafts beyond ACOTAR 6. Anna adds, “We don't think that this draft's plural is because she wrote multiple books” (05:09), emphasizing that Sarah's writing process typically focuses on one book at a time.

Speculating on the Drafts and Publication Timeline

The hosts delve into what the notation "6D" might signify, with Anna explaining the complexities of manuscript drafts: “[...] every draft brings the book closer to its final form” (07:11). They discuss two primary schools of thought regarding the plural "drafts," considering both multiple points of view (POVs) and the layered nature of the writing process. Kim suggests, “It could be 6D, as in she has multiple notebooks for book 6, and this is notebook D” (04:29).

Analyzing Sarah J. Maas's publishing history, Kim notes, “[...] with the exception of Silver Flames, every other Acotar book came out in May” (11:28). This leads them to speculate that ACOTAR 6 might also release around May, approximately ten months from the announcement, though they acknowledge the possibility of a six-month traditional publishing window.

Analyzing Sarah J. Maas's Recent Activities

Anna and Kim engage in a detective-like analysis of Sarah's recent social media activity, particularly a post from 15 months prior showing her at the Yellowstone Club in Montana. They compare seasonal clues from the post and a recent video to deduce that the footage is likely recent, suggesting that the draft completion is fresh. Kim reflects, “I think that...

tranlating the content here - about discussions on the possible timing of drafts and the writing process—probably not crucial to go into each minute-by-minute detail.

But the user requested that the summary include notable quotes with timestamps and proper attribution.

Proceeding:

Timeline and Release Date Speculations

Kim emphasizes the typical publishing timeline: “Typically traditional publishing takes about nine to 12 months at a minimum” (11:05). Considering Sarah J. Maas's history of releasing ACOTAR books in May, the hosts predict a possible release within the next year, though they express frustration with the wait: “I don’t love May as a release date, guys. If you're an elementary school aged mom, you know, you know May Simon is a real thing” (11:43).

Theories on Main POV Characters

A significant portion of the episode focuses on speculating who will hold the main POV in ACOTAR 6. Anna posits, “If every sister is getting her own book and we. That is the trajectory of the series, then it went Feyre Nesta, and naturally Elain would be next” (17:22). Kim concurs, adding, “So that's my guess as of right now is that Elain is going to be the main character” (17:49). They discuss the potential for multiple POVs, including characters like Azriel and Lucien, expressing both excitement and concerns about character focus and development.

Listener Questions: Rhysand and Character Arcs

Addressing listener inquiries, the hosts defend Rhysand’s character against rumors of a negative arc in Silver Flames. Anna asserts, “I cannot stress this enough. And again, we will go into it in the episodes. But our high lord and savior is not evil” (21:08). Kim supports this by stating, “She does not think that this means anything necessarily” (08:36), and both hosts emphasize Sarah J. Maas's history of creating morally complex yet fundamentally good characters.

Excitement and Anxieties for ACOTAR 6

Anna and Kim share their personal excitements and concerns regarding ACOTAR 6. While Anna is thrilled about returning to the beloved world and witnessing character developments, Kim expresses nervousness about potentially Elain-centric narratives possibly sidelining beloved characters like Azriel. Kim mentions, “I am nervous about if it is going to be an Elaine centric book. Where does that leave us with Azriel?” (24:10). Despite these anxieties, both hosts convey unwavering trust in Sarah J. Maas’s storytelling prowess.

Upcoming Content and Community Engagement

Looking ahead, the hosts announce the revival of their Theories and Predictions episodes in light of the ACOTAR 6 announcement. Anna enthuses, “We will be bringing back our Theories and Prediction episodes” (26:35), inviting listeners to engage through their social media platforms. They highlight their favorite segment, “Mastermind spelled M A A S,” where they explore Easter eggs and cross-series theories, promising more in-depth discussions as they unravel the mysteries of the upcoming book.

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with Anna and Kim expressing their collective excitement and gratitude towards their listeners. They encourage the community to join their conversations on Instagram and TikTok, and remind fans to rate and review the podcast to support its growth. Anna signs off with heartfelt enthusiasm: “Cheers and happy reading. Happy listening” (27:06).

Notable Quotes:

• Anna: “ACOTAR 6 has officially been announced. Sarah J. Maas has finally, finally confirmed that she's finished a draft of the next book in the series. And we are so ready.” (01:57)

• Kim: “There is no 8. There is no way that Sarah drafted three books at once.” (04:04)

• Anna: “Every draft brings the book closer to its final form.” (07:11)

• Kim: “Typically traditional publishing takes about nine to 12 months at a minimum.” (11:05)

• Anna: “Our high lord and savior is not evil.” (21:08)

• Kim: “I am nervous about if it is going to be an Elaine centric book. Where does that leave us with Azriel?” (24:10)

Join the Conversation:

Stay updated with all things Flights of Fantasy by following them on Instagram and TikTok. Share your theories, favorite moments, and engage with fellow Romantasy enthusiasts as they embark on this exciting journey towards ACOTAR 6.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to focus solely on the insightful discussions and key points raised by the hosts.