After waiting five years for the next A Court of Thorns and Roses, fans have had plenty of time to theorize about what’s going to happen. With Elain Archeron still waiting for her moment in the spotlight, unanswered questions surrounding a certain mating bond, and the endless connections between Maas’s fictional worlds that we could spend hours talking about, there is no shortage of theories about what’s to come. From shocking character deaths and unexpected romances to the possibility of a full-blown Avengers-style crossover, fans have imagined just about every scenario imaginable. While nothing is confirmed, these are some of the ACOTAR 6 theories fans are hoping to see come to life.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City.

1. The Maasverse Goes Into Full Crossover Mode

One of the biggest theories circulating among ACOTAR fans is that the next book could complete the Maasverse connections that Sarah J. Maas began between Crescent City and A Court of Thorns and Roses characters in the last installment of Crescent City. Could characters from Throne of Glass make an appearance in Prythian? Some fans think Aelin could return to settle a life debt after Rhysand helped slow her fall at the end of Kingdom of Ash. Others have wondered whether the similarities between the magical objects, ancient beings, and different worlds across the series point toward a much larger conflict.

One particularly interesting theory involves the Illyrians—Cassian, Rhysand, and Azriel. Could their magic be connected to the Wyrdkeys from Throne of Glass? In this theory from @emilystheories on TikTok, it’s noted that there are similarities between the swirling patterns associated with Illyrian tattoos and descriptions of Wyrd-related magic. The theory also raises a bigger question: Could the absence of tattoos among Illyrian women be connected to the power they have historically been denied?

And then there’s Koschei. Could the mysterious death god actually be Valg? Fans have pointed to the black blood associated with Stryga, his sister, as a possible clue, alongside the similarities between the Dead Trove objects and the Wyrdkeys. If there’s any truth to this theory, Prythian may only be the beginning. Could he be trying to open a gateway back to the Valg world?

2. Helion Discovers That Lucien Is His Son

Lucien’s family ties are one of the longest-running secrets in ACOTAR, and fans can’t wait to see the truth finally come to light. Although Lucien has spent much of his life believing Beron is his father, readers know the truth thanks to Feyre’s smart thinking: Helion, the High Lord of Day, is his real dad. For Lucien, discovering that he’s Helion’s son could help him understand his own powers and place in the world. For Helion, learning that he has a son could be an emotional turning point, especially given his complicated history with Lucien’s mother, who readers have seen in a tumultuous relationship with Beron. Some fans have taken the theory even further. What if Helion dies and Lucien inherits the Day Court, becoming its next High Lord? It would give Lucien a powerful new role in Prythian and potentially bring his story full circle after years of being caught between courts. Let’s just hope that we don’t get another Aedion/Gavriel moment… if you know, you know.

3. Elain Rejects the Mating Bond

Few topics in the ACOTAR fandom spark as much debate as Elain’s relationship status. With a mating bond between her and Lucien and a number of fans rooting for her and Azriel, the question of who Elain will ultimately end up with has become one of the series’ biggest ship wars. It does pose an interesting question that we rarely seen in fantasy. Could Elain reject the mating bond entirely? Sarah has said in multiple interviews that you can be mated with someone that you’re not truly in love with. She’s gone as far to say that “nature can make a mistake.” We’ve seen this (though, not on page) with Rhysand’s parents.

One popular theory is that Elain will reject her mating bond with Lucien, challenging the idea that a mating bond automatically determines someone’s romantic future. It would give her the freedom to decide what she wants for herself, whether that means pursuing Azriel, finding love wth someone else, or choosing to remain single altogether.

Whether Elain ultimately chooses Lucien, Azriel, or no one at all, fans are more than ready to see her take control of her own story once and for all.

4. Elain Embraces Her Darker Side

Speaking of Elain, one of the most fascinating theories about her future has little to do with romance. Instead, it’s focused on her stepping into the stranger, more supernatural side of her seer abilities. Rather than becoming another traditional warrior, what if Elain’s journey takes her into the world of divination, ancient riddles, and forgotten magic?

Elain may just end up being the one who travels through strange lands, learns different forms of divination, and uncovers secrets that no one else can see. This would transform her from the garden-loving sister quietly waiting in the background to a secluded, tortured oracle with a connection to the unknown. Elain’s visions have already established that she can see things others cannot, but we’ve only seen glimpses of what her abilities might become. There’s still so much to uncover.

5. Tamlin Dies, and Elain Becomes the High Lady of Spring

This theory combines two major questions about Prythian’s future: What happens if Tamlin dies, and could Elain eventually become the High Lady of Spring?

The idea begins with a question raised early in the series about what happens when a High Lord dies without an heir. If Tamlin were to die, perhaps while saving someone else, the magic of the land could choose a new ruler. And who better than Elain? The imagery long associated with Elain has been flowers, gardens, and the natural world. Her gentle demeanor and connection to growing things make the Spring Court for an interesting argument, especially if her storyline explores the relationship between nature, magic, and rebirth.

The most compelling part of this theory is the possibility that Elain would not simply inherit the title. Instead, the land itself could choose her, making her the first High Lady whose authority comes directly from the magic of her court. It would be a dramatic twist, especially if Tamlin’s death came through a selfless act of sacrifice. However, Sarah has made it a point to say that she has no intention of giving him a full redemption arc, because doing so would invalidate the healing journey of abuse survivors, so we have a hard time believing this one is going to be canon.

6. Mor Is More Than a Powerful Fae

Mor has remained one of the most mysterious members of the Inner Circle, which has made many people distrusting of her and her lineage. One theory suggests that Mor might be a banshee, drawing on the figure’s associations with war and fate in Celtic mythology. In this theory, Mor’s powers could be connected to truth (which has already been stated in the book), death, or the ability to sense when someone is approaching the end of their life.

Others believe Mor could eventually be revealed as a Crochan witch from Throne of Glass, pointing to her love of red clothing (Crochans traditionally wear red cloaks) and a mysterious passage in A Court of Frost and Starlight that references her blood calling her to travel far and wide. Others have noted that her powers manifested after her first period, which is very similar to the story we hear in Throne of Glass with Manon and the Thirteen. With very little known about her lineage on her mother’s side, there’s definitely plenty of room for speculation.

7. Eris and Mor Are Mates

Mor’s lineage isn’t the only thing in question. There’s also a big question mark over Eris and Mor’s failed engagement. Although there’s a lot of contention between the two, many have wondered what if they’re actually mates? If a mating bond exists between them, it could help explain some of the tension and unanswered questions that have lingered for years.  It would also force both characters to confront the past that has been hinted at in the series thus far. However, this theory remains especially contentious because Mor’s sexuality and her desire to be free of the expectations placed on her are important parts of her story. What if their mating bond is the one that was “wrong” that Sarah’s been hinting at all along to throw us off Lucien and Elain’s scent?

8. Gwyn Is a Lightsinger

Gwyn has become a fan favorite, and some of her unusual qualities have unearthed speculation about what she might be capable of. One of the strongest theories that has come out of it suggests that Gwyn could be a lightsinger. Given her connection to the library and her hauntingly beautiful singing voice that has been mentioned by multiple characters throughout Silver Flames, the similarities are too interesting to ignore. It’s also one of the strongest arguments that fans use to explain their love for a Gwyn and Azriel pairing. It’s important not to forget, however, that in the series, lightsingers are traditionally described as evil, bloodthirsty creatures.

9. Cassian Dies

Not every fan theory has a happy ending, and we know this one is not going to go over well with fans if it does come true. Some readers believe Cassian could die in book six or seven, potentially sacrificing himself to protect someone he loves. As one of the most beloved members of the series, his death would have enormous emotional consequences, particularly for Nesta and the Valkyries. It would also fundamentally change the dynamic of the group.

That said, Cassian was nearly killed already in A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Silver Flames, so we have a hard time believing that Sarah would tease us with these deaths only to bring it upon him later in the series. Still, in a series where war and death are never far away, nothing is off the table.

10. Vassa and Lucien Find Their Way to Each Other

If Elain rejects the mating bond, what happens next for Lucien? One possibility is that he eventually finds love with Vassa, the human queen who has been cursed by the mysterious Koschei. The pairing would make sense, seeing as the two live together after the war along with Jurian. The three have become so close, they’ve been coined the “Band of Exiles,” so a romance naturally progressing between the two is absolutely feasible. Not to mention that both characters have been caught up in circumstances beyond their control, and both have complicated relationships with power, freedom, and belonging. And, based on the title—A Court of Splintered Harmony—we have a feeling that the dynamic between Lucien and the Inner Circle is only going to grow more complicated as everyone deals with the fall out of House and Flame and Shadow.

11. The Spider on the Cover Is a Clue

Sarah J. Maas fans know that even the smallest details can inspire enormous theories, and the imagery on the cover of the next book is no exception. For ACOTAR 6, the bone imagery has readers wondering whether the story will explore ancient magic, the death gods like the Bone Carver and Koschei, or even Nesta’s scrying abilities and connection to the Dread Trove.

Meanwhile, the spider imagery and eight-pointed star on the book seven cover point to a bigger Maasverse theory. Some readers have wondered whether the spider is a reference to Stryga, the Weaver, who played an unsettling role in the first three books of the series. Others have speculated that it could be a Stygian spider, or kharankui, a creature connected to Maeve in Throne of Glass. The eight-pointed star on the spider’s back has also created speculation about world-walking and the connections between different realms. Oh, and let’s not forget that one of Aelin’s favorite songs in ToG is the Stygian Suite. Could that be the forgotten melody the title is referencing?

12. The Dusk Court Returns

Finally, there is the question of the Dusk Court. The Prison island has yet to be fully explored, and some believe it could eventually be restored as a forgotten court in Prythian. Fans have connected the forgotten court to the Prison island, as well as Queen Theia and the ancient history linking Prythian to Crescent City. Since Theia helped open a passage to Midgard, could the Dusk Court hold even more clues about how the Maasverse connects? If it is eventually restored, there’s a good chance Elain, Azriel, or Nesta may play a role in its return.