• The cast of "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" attended a UK fan screening on Wednesday.
• Some of the cast wore eye-catching outfits that nodded to their "Hunger Games" characters.
• Others wore looks that fell flat with mismatched accessories.

The countdown to the premiere of "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is on.

The hotly anticipated adaptation of Suzanne Collins' fifth "Hunger Games" novel, which follows Haymitch Abernathy's experience in the 50th Hunger Games, officially hits movie theaters on November 20, 2026. However, on Wednesday, much of the cast gathered for an advanced fan screening of the film in London.

Everyone was dressed to the nines for the premiere, and some cast members wore outfits that celebrated the characters they played in the movie or aspects of the larger "Hunger Games" universe. Some outfits were more successful than others, though.

Take a look at the best and worst looks the "Sunrise on the Reaping" cast wore to the screening.

Elle Fanning's pink gown was full of whimsy.

Fanning portrays a young Effie Trinket in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," a character known for her outlandish outfits and dramatic head accessories.

Fanning perfectly paid tribute to Effie's style with her Robert Wun ensemble. Her ballerina-pink dress had a strapless neckline, with a second bodice floating around her torso and ending in a ruffled peplum for a high-fashion flair. A full tulle skirt flowed to her ankles, showing off her coordinating pumps.

The showstopping element of Fanning's look, though, was her music-box-inspired headpiece, which featured a ballerina that spun as she walked the red carpet. Cartier jewelry completed the look.

Kieran Culkin's jacket was fun, but the overall outfit would have been better with a few tweaks.

Like Fanning, Culkin nodded to his "Sunrise on the Reaping" character with his red-carpet look, wearing a black jacket with sparkly embroidery that would be right up his character Caesar Flickerman's alley.

However, he paired the look with simple black trousers and a blue button-down, which didn't suit the jacket's glamorous vibe. A more dramatic shirt and bold accessories would have elevated the outfit.

Joseph Zada looked effortlessly cool in his oversize suit.

Zada stars as Haymitch Abernathy in the film, and though he didn't nod to his character with his red-carpet outfit, he did look every bit the leading man.

Gucci designed Zada's suit, which included an oversize charcoal jacket and wide-legged pinstripe trousers. He wore a light-blue shirt under the jacket, a thin tie, and an off-center belt.

Statement sunglasses added a chic touch to the look.

Glenn Close's accessories took away from her dress.

Simone Rocha designed the green gown that Close, who plays handler Drusilla Sickle in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," wore to the premiere.

The moss-green dress had a high, boat-neck neckline and flowed into a sheath before cinching at the knee with bow-shaped ruching. The full skirt then flowed to the floor in a subtle pleated pattern.

The dress was a statement in and of itself, but Close then added black leather gloves and a black cane to the look. Ditching the gloves or choosing a matching pair would have been better.

Mckenna Grace brilliantly brought the arena to life with her glittering gown.

Grace, who plays Maysilee Donner, has been having fun paying homage to "The Hunger Games" franchise with her red-carpet looks while promoting the film, and the fan screening was no exception.

She arrived in an Almée Couture gown covered in colorful sparkles that seemed to depict the arena landscape where Haymitch, Maysilee, and the other tributes compete during the 50th Hunger Games.

The sky was depicted on the top of the bodice, which had spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline, while a mountain range and a grassy field sat on her hips. Three-dimensional flowers sat at the bottom of the field, separating the bodice from the skirt, which flowed from her knee in sparkly, taupe fabric.

The details on the dress took it to the next level. There's even a small structure in the center of the field that appears to be the cornucopia that tributes rely on during the Hunger Games.

Serafin Mishiev's denim look didn't quite work.

Mishiev, who plays Woodbine Chance in the film, chose a denim look for the screening.

He wore a white long-sleeved top with a chambray shirt over it, which was unbuttoned at the top and tucked into his pants. His pants were made of a darker denim, and he paired the look with a black belt and brown shoes.

It wasn't immediately clear how Mishiev's look might relate to his "Hunger Games" character, though it does somewhat resemble the outfits miners wear at work in District 12. Either way, it wasn't the best choice for the red carpet. The outfit may have worked better if he had worn the same shade of denim in both pieces and hadn't mixed colors with his accessories.

Whitney Peak's colorful dress offered a fun homage to the Covey family.

Peak attended the screening in a Chanel gown. The high-neck dress was covered in a collage of differently colored and textured fabrics, with black, green, yellow, and pink blending together. The black faded toward the length of the bodice, while the tulle skirt was in pastel hues only.

The high-fashion dress was pretty in its own right, but it also subtly nodded to Peak's "Sunrise on the Reaping" character, Lenore Dove Baird. In "The Hunger Games," Lenore is related to Lucy Gray Baird, the tribute from District 12 who wins the 10th Hunger Games, as depicted in "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes."

When she is reaped for the Games, Lucy wears "a dress made of a rainbow of ruffles, now raggedy but once fancy." Peak's gown seems like a high-fashion take on Lucy Gray's dress, connecting her character to the larger "Hunger Games" universe.

• Suzanne Collins' "Sunrise on the Reaping," published in 2025, is a prequel to "The Hunger Games."
• It's being adapted into a film, based on Haymitch's experience as a tribute from District 12.
• Jennifer Lawrence confirmed on Wednesday that she will reprise her role as Katniss Everdeen in the film.

A new dawn is rising in "The Hunger Games" universe (literally).

"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is set to hit theaters on November 20, taking fans back into the world of Panem. This time, they will see it through the eyes of a young Haymitch Abernathy as he competes as a District 12 tribute 24 years before the events of Suzanne Collins' original trilogy.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting the film since it was first announced in 2024, before the novel it is based on was even published.

Now, a little under a month before it premieres, the film's arrival is feeling more and more real. Tickets finally went on sale on Wednesday, and the same day, Jennifer Lawrence confirmed she'll be reprising her role as Katniss Everdeen in the film, alongside Woody Harrelson and Josh Hutcherson.

Here's everything we know about the movie so far.

'Sunrise on the Reaping' hits theaters in November 2026

"Sunrise on the Reaping" was published in March 2025, and it is the second prequel to Collins' immensely popular dystopian series, following the 2020 release of "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." Like "Ballad," the latest installment reveals key lore about the world of Panem, while staying true to the heart of Collins' original works.

Lionsgate announced it would adapt the story into a feature film, following the success of the "Ballad" adaptation, in conjunction with the novel's June 2024 announcement.

At the time, Deadline reported that the film, "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," would be released on November 20, 2026. The film officially premieres on the 20th, though some fans were able to secure advanced screening tickets for November 18 and 19 at select theaters.

Francis Lawrence, the filmmaker who helmed every movie in the series except the 2012 original, directed the movie from a script adapted by Billy Ray.

Nina Jacobson and her producing partner, Brad Simpson, returned to produce the prequel under their Color Force banner. Jacobson told Variety in March 2025 that her team already had "a great draft" of the script and set filming locations before the book was even released.

Filming started in the summer of 2025

"Sunrise on the Reaping" has a massive cast, largely because Haymitch is reaped into the second Quarter Quell. The 50th Hunger Games has twice as many tributes competing, meaning 48 children from the districts are sent to the arena instead of 24.

In addition, the novel introduces readers to characters in District 12 with connections to the other books in the series and features appearances by "Hunger Games" favorites such as Effie Trinket and Plutarch Heavensbee.

Lionsgate revealed the film's cast on social media, showing snippets of the characters' introductions in the novel as they burst into flame, revealing the actors portraying them.

The 'Sunrise on the Reaping' cast includes:

• Haymitch Abernathy: Joseph Zada
• Lenore Dove Baird: Whitney Peak
• President Snow: Ralph Fiennes
• Effie Trinket: Elle Fanning
• Caesar Flickerman: Kieran Culkin
• Plutarch Heavensbee: Jesse Plemons
• Beetee Latier: Kelvin Harrison Jr.
• Wiress: Maya Hawke
• Mags Flanagan: Lili Taylor
• Maysilee Donner: Mckenna Grace
• Wyatt Callow: Ben Wang
• Louella McCoy: Molly McCann
• Lou Lou: Iona Bell
• Magno Stift: Billy Porter
• Drusilla Sickle: Glenn Close
• Panache: Jhaleil Swaby
• Ampert: Percy Daggs IV
• Silka: Laura Marcus
• Wellie: Rada Rae
• Maritte: Sky Frances
• Clayton: Salimou Thiam
• Ringina: Tatyana Muzondo
• Buck: John Doeble
• Kerna: Alina Reid
• Hull: Kaine Buffonge
• Willamae: Kara Tointon
• Sid: Smylie Bradwell
• Clerk Carmine: Jeffrey Hallman
• Woodbine: Serafin Mishiev

The film's star, Zada, is a relative newcomer with a handful of roles to his name. In March 2025, Jacobson told Variety her team was looking for an actor who could bring the same "mischief" Woody Harrelson brought to the role in the original trilogy without "impersonating" him.

"You want somebody who very credibly feels like they could be a young version of this character, before the trauma and grief and rage that the fallout of the Games create," Jacobson said. "Nobody can be Woody Harrelson, but Woody Harrelson."

Of the roles announced, Fiennes' and Fanning's castings arguably generated the most buzz.

Fiennes, who is no stranger to film franchises after playing Voldemort in the "Harry Potter" films, will be offering the third cinematic iteration of President Coriolanus Snow.

Donald Sutherland originated the role of the aging villain in the three original "Hunger Games" films, and fans saw Tom Blyth's portrayal of Snow as a young man in the first prequel. Snow is the primary antagonist in "Sunrise on the Reaping," as he is in the original trilogy, and he makes some chilling appearances in the novel.

Elizabeth Banks played Effie Trinket, Katniss and Peeta's handler from the Capitol, in the original "Hunger Games" trilogy, and the character appears as a young stylist in "Sunrise on the Reaping." Fans were eager to see who would step into Banks' shoes because her performance was so beloved in the films, and Fanning's casting was met with overwhelming excitement.

Plemons will take over the role of Plutarch for Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Jeffrey Wright played Beetee Latier before Kelvin Harrison Jr. Interestingly, both Plemons and Harrison previously played Hoffman's and Wright's children in other projects. Plemons was Hoffman's son in the 2012 film "The Master," and Harrison was Wright's son in "Monster," released in 2018.

Lawrence announced that filming for the project was set to begin in July 2025 at CinemaCon in April 2025, and Zada and Grace were spotted together in Spain that month.

Lionsgate released the most enlightening trailer for the movie yet in September 2026

On November 20, 2025, Lionsgate shared an official teaser trailer for the film to celebrate one year until its release.

It gave viewers a glimpse of the arena for the 50th Hunger Games, showing Zada as Haymitch standing on a podium alongside his fellow tributes in a picturesque, hilly countryside.

Importantly, the teaser showed Lenore Dove giving Haymitch a striker with a bird on one end and a snake on the other. The striker plays an important role in the book, was illustrated on the book's cover, and was unveiled as the official logo for the film in a teaser clip released in April 2025, making its appearance exciting for fans of the text.

Both the teaser trailer and teaser clip ended with Harrelson's voice saying, "I think these games are gonna be different."

On April 13, 2026, Lionsgate released the first full-length trailer for the film. It offered a more comprehensive look at the film's plot, focusing on Haymitch's reaping and his time at the Capitol before the Hunger Games actually begin.

Clips of some of the book's biggest moments appeared in the trailer, including a chariot crash during the parade of tributes, Haymitch's live TV interview before he enters the arena, and a private conversation between Haymitch and President Snow.

The trailer is also stacked with appearances from the star-studded cast. It features Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, the role Stanley Tucci played in the original trilogy, and Maya Hawke as a younger, less traumatized version of Wiress, an ally to Katniss in the 75th Quarter Quell and a mentor to Haymitch in the 50th.

Hawke as Wiress offers one of the most chilling lines in the trailer: "The arena, it's a killing machine. But all machines can be broken."

Lionsgate also released a video introducing Haymitch to viewers on July 4, which is both Reaping Day in the "Hunger Games" universe and Haymitch's birthday. It includes clips from the movie, as well as commentary from Lawrence, Jacobson, and Zada on Haymitch as a character.

Finally, the studio shared a second full-length trailer for the movie on September 16, a little over two months before the film's premiere. "Witness the beginning of a revolution," the official "The Hunger Games" Instagram account captioned the trailer.

The trailer gives a closer look at Haymitch's experience in the Capitol and the arena after he is reaped for the Games, showing glimpses of his disastrous tribute parade and his work to dismantle the arena from the inside as he competes.

It also tees up his conflict with President Snow more directly than the other trailers. In one clip, Haymitch looks directly at Snow and claps in a silent stadium, the lone voice of dissent as Capitol loyalists look on in horror at this small act of rebellion (and, in Plutarch Heavensbee's case, in awe).

Alongside the trailer, Lionsgate also released two posters for the film, coining the slogan, "Challenge authority. Capitalize power."

The tributes from District 12 pose under "challenge authority," while people from the Capitol, like Snow and Heavensbee, are on the "capitalize" poster.

The 'Sunrise on the Reaping' epilogue

Since the book the movie is based on was released, fans have wondered if the film will include the epilogue from "Sunrise on the Reaping."

The epilogue takes place in District 12 after the events of "Mockingjay," with Haymitch telling Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark about his childhood and time in the arena.

In December 2025, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson would be reprising their roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in "Sunrise on the Reaping," though the outlet didn't say whether Harrelson would return alongside them or how they would appear in the film.

On October 28, Lawrence confirmed she will appear in the film, alongside Hutcherson and Harrelson, to the delight of fans.

On the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, host Alex Cooper asked Lawrence what it was like to step into Katniss' shoes again, and Lawrence replied that it was "unbelievable."

"It was so crazy because it was the same crew," she said. "It was the same camera guys, the same AD, who I've worked with a million times too because I love him, and Josh and Woody."

"It was so emotional. Josh and I, like, didn't walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other," she added. "And Woody obviously came through the window of my hotel room uninvited cause it would not be the same. It wouldn't be the same if he listened to boundaries and used a door."

Lawrence didn't reveal any details about her appearance in the film, but "Hunger Games" adaptations have historically been fairly loyal to Collins' book, making it safe to assume the trio will be depicted in some form of the epilogue.

• Sarah J. Maas' "A Court of Splintered Harmony" came out on Tuesday.
• The book largely sets the scene for future installments, but it's full of important details.
• Readers learned more about Azriel's shadows and Nesta's possible connections to the prison.

It's "ACOTAR" time, people.

On Tuesday, Sarah J. Maas released "A Court of Splintered Harmony," the sixth book in the "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series. The book is the first volume in a larger story arc within the world of "ACOTAR," which Maas has titled "The Valkyrie Cycle."

Maas took readers back to Prythian in the novel, picking up after the events of "A Court of Silver Flames" and "House of Flame and Shadow," the third book in her "Crescent City" series. High Lord Rhysand, High Lady Feyre, and their Inner Circle are working to protect humans and keep Koschei, a death god, from escaping the enchanted lake where he's trapped. There's plenty of turmoil for the Inner Circle at home, too, though, from power struggles to love triangles.

Luckily, parts two and three of "The Valkyrie Cycle" come out in January 2027 in one volume called "A Court of Forgotten Melody," so fans won't have to wait too long to see what happens next in "ACOTAR."

In the meantime, "ACOSH" was packed with plot twists and shocking reveals, so read on for a look at the most important details you may have missed.

Spoilers for Maas' works ahead.

Koschei the Deathless

Koschei was positioned as the looming villain in Maas' latest novel, though the character has yet to physically appear on page. (He made a brief appearance in a shadowy form in "A Court of Silver Flames.")

In "ACOSH," Vassa, a human queen trapped by Koschei, tells Feyre and Rhysand that he projects his voice to others rather than allowing anyone to get close to him, with the notable exception of Feyre's father, according to Lucien.

Vassa also shared that all the women Koschei keeps as prisoners are distant descendants of the fae warrior who initially trapped him at the lake.

It's not the first time Maas has alluded to the mysterious female fae who trapped Koschei and his sister Stryga. The Bone Carver, their brother, spoke of her to Feyre and Cassian, Rhysand's general, in "A Court of Wings and Ruin," saying, "Clever, that fae warrior. Her bloodline is long gone now — though a trace still runs through some human line." He also said she could have been his "salvation," though he doesn't explain how.

The Bone Carver said her name had been forgotten to history, but perhaps Koschei will reveal her identity in future Maas works.

The Bone Carver also said he and his siblings came from another world, much like the Asteri (known as the Daglan in Prythian). It's possible they originate from the world on which Maas' "Throne of Glass" series takes place, considering Maas has been tying her three fantasy worlds together in her recent works.

Azriel's shadows

"ACOSH" offers readers a more in-depth look at Azriel's shadows. Through his narration, Maas reveals that the shadows are sentient, exploring the world for Azriel and telling him everything from the weather to how people are feeling.

They also display feelings toward different characters throughout the novel, investigating intruders in the Night Court or avoiding others, such as the shadow creature Erebos.

They seem either unable or unwilling to come anywhere near Elain Archeron. They won't enter any room she is in, whether that be a dining room or a temple.

Azriel thinks his shadows' disappearance is "a gift," but their absence puts him in danger twice in "ACOSH."

First, he does not sense the creature Bryaxis approaching during baby Nyx's naming ceremony, thinking to himself that his shadows weren't there because "Elain had chased them away." Bryaxis was able to attack the Inner Circle in part because Azriel didn't feel her coming.

Hours later, Azriel's shadows do not warn him that Lucien, Elain's mate, is outside her bedroom, as they had "fled the moment he'd sought out Elain," again leading to trouble for the Shadowsinger. He and Lucien physically fight during the interaction, and Rhysand kicks Azriel out of the house. Morrigan, Rhysand's third and the object of Azriel's longing for years, also scolds him, and the interaction marks the last time he sees Elain in the novel, who ends up fleeing Prythian in the aftermath.

In contrast, his shadows are thrilled to see someone else a few pages later: Gwyn. Azriel ventures to the House of Wind to retrieve some of his belongings after the incident, and when he hears singing, his shadows "surged past his feet, a black tide racing ahead," sprinting to Gwyn. The shadows then gather at Gwyn's feet, watching her until Azriel summons them back.

Perhaps Maas will explore what Azriel's shadows know about each female in future works.

Nesta and the prison

As she is in "A Court of Silver Flames," Nesta Archeron is central to the plot of "ACOSH," quarreling with the Inner Circle and ultimately saving them when Bryaxis comes back to town.

She is also drawn to the prison throughout the novel, which she explored extensively with Bryce Quinlan in "House of Flame and Shadow." During their journey there, they discovered that the prison had once been an eighth court that could have served as the Dusk Court.

Maas leans into dusk imagery each time Nesta visits. During one trip to the prison, she looks "to the purpling eastern sky. To the first star of evening. To the darkness, the night growing beyond it."

She also sees that the prison is along "that northern horizon, stained with a dazzling blend of encroaching night and lingering day."

It also appears that Nesta and Rhysand may share a connection to the prison. When Nesta tries to winnow to the island, she almost drowns and sees something "glimmering" on the floor below, believing it is calling, "Find me," to her. Rhysand saves her, telling Nesta he heard her mentally scream, "Find me," to him.

It's possible Nesta was confused and shouting out mentally for aid, but it's also possible Nesta and Rhysand were being beckoned by the same Made object. Rhysand controls the prison through his bloodline, so it's plausible that a Made object associated with it is calling to them both.

In addition to the dusk imagery she associates with her, Maas also ties Nesta to the word "splintered," which appears in the novel's title. Nesta asks her house for guidance on her relationship with Cassian, and the house offers her a pile of splinters from a punching block she broke during her training. For Nesta, the demonstration is meaningful.

"The House couldn't have chosen a better symbol of where she and Cassian stood," she thinks to herself. "The training, the determination, the love that had grown between them — all shattering not due to some outside force, but because of her."

The splinters lead her to open up to Cassian about her feelings, but they also may indicate that "Splintered Harmony" in the title has a lot to do with Nesta and Cassian.

Other imagery

Nesta isn't the only character Maas associates with specific imagery throughout the book.

Maas repeatedly associates Elain with spring. Azriel describes Elain as "a whisper of spring" and "as lovely as a spring dawn." Lucien says she has a "floral scent," and she is seen tending flowers and decorating Nyx's naming ceremony with them in the book.

Maas also introduces the concept of Feyre and her son, Nyx, as a flash of silver in the night court.

Clotho made "a braided, silvery piece of fabric" for Feyre and Rhysand to use during Nyx's naming ceremony, telling Nesta it was one of a kind as she gave it to her to pass on to the High Lord and Lady. Later, when Lucien is dining at their home, he notices a tapestry Feyre has hung on the wall, saying his magical eye can see the silver thread moving in it.

During his chapter, Lucien also says his magic eye has shown him a silver aura around Feyre since the moment he met her, describing it as a "silvery brightness" that intensified as Feyre found love and joy at the Night Court.

Gwyn's power

During both passages in which Gwyn appears in the novel, she is singing, which seems significant given the musically themed titles of books six and seven in the "ACOTAR" series.

Maas gives indications that Gwyn's music may have magical properties.

Nesta notices that Gwyn's singing voice is more powerful than the voices of her fellow choir singers, saying, "Gwyn could have carried the entirety of the song herself, that mezzo-soprano voice so rich and resonant that it seemed to effortlessly burst from her."

Likewise, Azriel describes Gwyn's voice as "otherworldly" and "strange and yet familiar," adding that "starlight spilled down the steps, almost in answer to the song" as she sang.

Maas also seems to liken Gwyn to light, particularly when she's singing.

When Nesta watches Gwyn sing, she notes that she "shone" and seemed to "radiate light," thinking to herself that "the candlelight seemed to bend toward" her friend. Similarly, when Azriel sees Gwyn at the House of Wind, he describes her hair as "shining in the starlight," remarks on her "bright gaze," and notes that her eyes were lit by the stars above.

Similarities between Azriel and Gwyn

Throughout "ACOSH," Azriel describes himself as a monster because of his shadow-wielding abilities and talent at extracting information from enemies. He says he was often called a monster or a demon in his youth, and he came to think of himself that way.

"He was a monster — merely a creature," Azriel thinks of himself in the text. "Best left skulking in shadows. Most suited to collecting information through subterfuge or pain."

Other characters in "ACOTAR" have said people think of them as monsters, like Rhysand, but the only other character in "ACOSH" who seems to genuinely think of herself as monstrous is Gwyn.

In a chapter told from her perspective, Gwyn reveals that she has been avoiding training with the Valkyrie and the world outside the temple because she relished killing enemies during the Blood Rite. Her chapter ends with her thinking she hears Bryaxis laughing at her, "like it knew it wasn't the only monster down here."

Maas also highlights parallels between Azriel's and Gwyn's powers in "ACOSH."

Azriel talks about his Siphons, which help control his magic, repeatedly in the book. He notes that they are all "a cobalt bordering on turquoise," for a reason he has never known.

Later, Gwyn throws her Invoking Stone at Azriel when he startles her, which he says "glittered with turquoise fire." Gwyn's eyes are a similar shade, described as teal throughout Maas' works.

In addition to the similar coloring of the Siphons and the Invoking Stone, Azriel notes that the Stone has a similar magical feel, thinking he "never realized how much presence it seemed to have, like his Siphons, but wholly different," he said.

Azriel quickly returns the Stone to Gwyn after their brief interaction, but Maas may explore the similarities between the two down the line.

Parallels with Mor

At the end of "ACOSH," Elain begs Mor to take her with her to Vallahan, and Mor agrees, seeing that Elain needs space from Azriel, Lucien, and the Inner Circle to figure out what she wants.

It's not the first time Mor has helped an Archeron sister get some distance from a male causing her problems.

In "A Court of Mist and Fury," Mor whisks Feyre away from males twice. First, she rescues Feyre from the Spring Court after Tamlin traps her in his house. Later, Mor winnows Feyre to the cabin after she discovers that Rhysand had been keeping the fact that they were mates a secret.

She does the same for Nesta in "A Court of Silver Flames," winnowing Nesta to Emerie's home when she needs a break from Cassian. She brings Gwyn to the house, too, so Nesta has the support she needs during her turmoil.

For Feyre and Nesta, that time away allowed them to figure out how they felt about the males in their lives, positive or negative. Hopefully, Elain gets the same clarity from her space.

• Rebecca Yarros fans are waiting for the fourth "Empyrean" novel to be released.
• Yarros hasn't announced when she'll publish the next book in the "Fourth Wing" universe.
• Luckily, there are plenty of other romantasy and fantasy books fans can read while they wait.

Patience is the name of the game for "Fourth Wing" fans these days.

"Fourth Wing" introduced readers to Violet Sorrengail, a student at Basgiath War College training to be a dragon rider as war looms outside the school. The 2023 novel was an instant bestseller for author Rebecca Yarros, who has since written two additional installments in the "Empyrean" series, as well as a novella (more on that in a minute).

After it was published in January 2025, "Onyx Storm," the third book in the series, became the fastest-selling adult novel published in the past 20 years, with over 2.7 million copies sold in one week.

The "Empyrean" series is set to have five books in total, and the fourth will hopefully resolve the cliffhangers Yarros left in "Onyx Storm." However, while Yarros has confirmed she started writing book four, she has yet to announce a publication date for the novel.

It will be a while before the next "Fourth Wing" book hits bookshelves, but luckily, fans can read similar novels, like those with fantasy settings or enemies-to-lovers romances.

"Threshing Day" by Rebecca Yarros

Ahead of the release of the next "Fourth Wing" novel, Yarros published "Threshing Day" in September, a collection of stories set in the "Empyrean" universe.

Each chapter in the collection tells the story of a different character's experience on Threshing Day, when riders are selected by a dragon during their training at Basgiath in a process that is often dangerous for participants. Violet doesn't have a chapter in the book, as her Threshing Day is covered in "Fourth Wing," but the 13 chapters are all told by her fellow riders, including her partner, Xaden Riorson, and her siblings, Brennan and Mira.

The collections span multiple years, and the book is chock-full of lore about dragons and their riders, answering some questions readers had about the "Fourth Wing" universe. It's the perfect appetizer to hold readers over while they wait for the fourth "Empyrean" novel.

"A Court of Mist and Fury" by Sarah J. Maas

If you've read "Fourth Wing," you're probably already familiar with Sarah J. Maas' "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series about faeries.

The second book in Maas' series feels most similar in tone to the "Empyrean" series.

In "A Court of Mist and Fury," Feyre Archeron is adjusting to her newfound life as a faerie after she almost died under the mountain — as well as coming to terms with the deal she made with Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court, to spend a week with him every month. Despite it all, she got what she wanted: an immortal life with Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court.

However, Feyre's life in the Spring Court starts feeling more claustrophobic by the second, especially when Tamlin forbids her from leaving the house. To her shock, she finds refuge with Rhysand, where she uncovers truths about the Night Court, Rhys, and herself that will change everything she thought she knew.

"A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire" is the second book in Jennifer L. Armentrout's "Blood and Ash" series, and protagonist Poppy is reckoning with the realization that nothing in her world is what she thought it would be in the sequel to "From Blood and Ash."

Poppy was raised as the Maiden, believing it was her divine duty to sacrifice herself to the Ascended, the immortal beings that rule over her world. After falling in love with her new guard, Hawke, and running away with him, she realizes she's been betrayed by the Ascended — and Hawke.

Poppy doesn't know who to trust, but Hawke is determined to protect her — especially as Poppy develops powers that could change their world.

"The Magicians" by Lev Grossman

If you're a fan of the magical school setting in Yarros' series, you will love "The Magicians" by Lev Grossman (which was also turned into a Syfy series of the same name).

At the top of the trilogy, Quentin Coldwater feels apathetic about the future, though his aptitude for math could get him into any college he wants. Instead, he still longs for the simplicity of his favorite fantasy series, taking comfort in the magical world of Fillory whenever he can.

When he gets accepted into a secret magical college, Quentin feels like his dreams are coming true. Then, he accidentally taps into a darker side of his power and starts a chain of events that puts him and his classmates in danger — and opens the doors to Fillory.

"Divine Rivals" by Rebecca Ross

"Divine Rivals" has the enemies-to-lovers fun and secrecy of Yarros' series, though Rebecca Ross sets her fantasy story against the backdrop of a newsroom instead of a war college.

Iris Winnow is desperate to get promoted to columnist at the Oath Gazette. Her mother has fallen into alcoholism since her brother left to fight in a war of the gods, and Iris feels like she is one missed paycheck away from falling into ruin.

She's competing for the promotion against Roman Kitt, her infuriatingly handsome coworker who makes her feel small every time she sees him. As Roman continues to succeed, her chances of success grow slimmer with each passing day.

Iris' only comfort is writing letters to her brother on her grandmother's old typewriter. She doesn't know where he is, so she slips the letters under her wardrobe, where they disappear. Iris is hopeful her letters are somehow reaching her brother — until a stranger writes back.

Ross' story evolves into a fantasy full of romance and longing, which continues in its sequel, "Ruthless Vows."

"The Serpent and the Wings of Night" by Carissa Broadbent

You'll love the first book in Carissa Broadbent's "Crowns of Nyaxia" series, "The Serpent and the Wings of Night," if Violet's perseverance drew you to the "Empyrean" series as much as her romance with Xaden did.

Oraya has spent every moment of her life fighting to stay alive since her father, the Nightborn vampire king, adopted her after his forces killed her entire human family when she was a child.

Oraya is sick of being mortal in a world of vampires ready to kill her, so she decides to enter the Kejari, a tournament where the winner gets a wish granted to them by the goddess it's named for.

She plans to avoid the vampires competing against her at all costs, but when she is forced into an alliance with Rhain, a handsome vampire she knows nothing about, Oraya will have to trust someone besides her father for the first time in years.

The competition is deadly, especially as war looms beyond the arena, but Oraya's attraction to Rhain may be an even bigger danger.

"Divergent" by Veronica Roth

If you somehow missed the "Divergent" craze when Veronica Roth's books or the films based on them were released, it's the perfect series to binge while you wait for the fourth "Empyrean" book.

In the first installment of the series, readers are introduced to 16-year-old Beatrice Prior, a girl on the precipice of changing her life forever. Beatrice lives in a society divided into factions based on people's aptitudes, and it's her turn to take a test that will tell her which faction she belongs to.

Beatrice's results put her entire society's system at risk, and the only way she can survive is to keep her results a secret. She abandons her home faction of Abnegation to join Dauntless, hoping she can hide in the group that values bravery and strength above all else. But she's not the only one with secrets.

"One Dark Window" by Rachel Gillig

Those drawn to the romantic tension of the "Empyrean" series might want to put "One Dark Window" by Rachel Gillig at the top of their to-be-read list.

The only thing keeping Elspeth Spindle safe in her home of Blunder, a land cursed with darkness, is the monster she calls Nightmare, a spirit trapped in her mind.

Elspeth's long-kept secret falls apart when she has a run-in with a highwayman, who turns out to be the king's nephew and captain of the guard working in secret to overthrow his uncle. Elspeth agrees to help the captain and his family in their quest to end the dark magic that rules their kingdom once and for all, even if it puts her own life at risk and forces her to face the Nightmare's power over her.

Elspeth and the captain are on a time crunch to accomplish their mission, particularly as the Nightmare threatens to take her mind over for good. Still, they can't ignore the attraction between them, no matter the dangers coming their way.

"His Majesty's Dragon" by Naomi Novik

If the dragons in Yarros' fictional world were the most exciting part of "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" for you, you may want to give Naomi Novik's "His Majesty's Dragon" a try.

The novel is set in the 1800s during the Napoleonic Wars. Will Laurence is a normal captain in the British forces until he captures a dragon egg. When it hatches, he bonds with Temeraire and becomes a rider, fighting in the skies.

Laurence will have to learn how to fly and fight in the middle of the war — or risk his and Temeraire's lives.

"Eragon" by Christopher Paolini

"The Inheritance Cycle" series by Christopher Paolini may fall into the young-adult category, but the high-fantasy writing and the emotional coming-of-age journey the hero goes on throughout the series will make it just as exciting for adults as for younger readers.

In the series opener, Eragon is just a teenager living a simple life on a farm with his family until he stumbles upon a blue stone, which turns out to be the first dragon hatchling born in his country in a century.

Eragon immediately becomes a Dragon Rider when his dragon, Seraphina, hatches. The only living rider is supposed to be king, setting Eragon on a path of magic and danger.

Like Yarros' series, "The Inheritance Cycle" is an epic journey of dragons and their riders, full of magic, romance, and adventure.

"A Promise of Fire" by Amanda Bouchet

Amanda Bouchet's "The Kingmaker Chronicles" is a three-part series full of magic, gods, and romance that will appeal to Yarros fans drawn to Violet's powerful signet and Xaden's dedication to her.

In the first installment, "A Promise of Fire," Cat Fisa has been on the run for years. She was born with the ability to tell when people are lying, a once-in-a-generation power that makes her the "Kingmaker." Cat wants nothing to do with her power — or her family in the North that would use her for it — so she stays hidden, pretending to be a soothsayer in a traveling circus in the South.

When Griffin, the general of a newly established human kingdom, sees her, he knows what Cat is immediately and takes her in the hopes of protecting his family's throne. Cat won't go down without a fight, though, and Griffin's hostage becomes even harder to control when powerful family members come looking for her.

As they make their way toward his family's castle, Griffin will have to convince Cat his family is worth working with — a task that becomes even more difficult when he realizes he doesn't want Cat to just work with him; he wants her to be his wife.

"House of Earth and Blood" by Sarah J. Maas

If you liked the modern flair in the "Empyrean" series, you'll love Sarah J. Maas' steamy "Crescent City" series.

In "House of Earth and Blood," half-fae Bryce Quinlan thrives after graduating from Crescent City University, living with her best friend, the werewolf and alpha of the Pack of Devils, Danika Fendyr.

Bryce has everything she wants — until she comes home to find Danika and the Pack of Devils murdered by a demon. She thinks the culprit was arrested, but a year later, similar murders start up again in the city.

Because she's the only one who saw the demon that killed her friends, Bryce teams up with Hunt Athalar, a Fallen angel enslaved to work for the Archangels who run Crescent City, to solve the mystery. As the investigation progresses and Bryce and Hunt's attraction to each other grows, the unlikely pair will discover secrets about Crescent City that could upend their world as they know it.

To date, Maas has published three books in the series, including "House of Flame and Shadow" in January 2024.

"Neon Gods" by Katee Robert

As Violet was raised to hate Xaden Riorson, Persephone Dimitriou's fear of Hades was instilled in her from childhood in "Neon Gods" by Katee Robert.

Trusting Hades feels like Persephone's only option after her mother promises her hand in marriage to Zeus, the leader of the 13 houses in Olympus, whose wives mysteriously end up dead.

Persephone decides to run away from the city rather than marry Zeus, seeking refuge with Hades, a man she wasn't even certain existed until she found herself on his doorstep. Luckily, Hades wants revenge on Zeus, too, and they agree that making him jealous is the best way to do it.

Hades and Persephone decide to put on a show, but neither expects the real, palpable attraction that develops between them.

"Throne in the Dark" by A.K. Caggiano

A.K. Caggiano's "Villains & Virtues" trilogy has all the magic and enemies-to-lovers fun of the world of "Fourth Wing" with a heap of slow-burn tension and a lighter tone than Yarros' work.

In "Throne in the Dark," Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne is determined to free his demon father from his magical imprisonment and take over the world by his side. There's just one problem: a beautiful, sickeningly sweet human named Amma, who accidentally becomes one with the magical weapon he needs to bring down the mortal powers that be.

Damien has no choice but to travel the realm with Amma to find a way to separate her from the weapon. He could kill her, but Amma proves to be surprisingly helpful — and to his horror, she isn't the worst travel companion he could imagine.

Amma has secrets of her own, though, and she and Damien must work together to get through their respective missions unscathed. And worst of all, as he spends more time with Amma, Damien starts to wonder if what he truly wants is the human by his side.

"Bride" by Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood is best known for her New York Times bestselling, STEM-centered romance books. Still, her first paranormal novel, "Bride," can help "Empyrean" fans with their book hangover after they finish "Onyx Storm."

In "Bride," vampire Misery Lark is about to marry Lowe Moreland, the Alpha of the Weres, as part of a historic peace deal. Most vampires would be afraid of agreeing to bind themselves to their natural enemies, but after spending most of her childhood as an emissary among the humans, Misery is ready to take on the risk — especially since she needs the Weres' resources to try to track down Serena, her human foster sister who went missing without a trace.

Misery plans to avoid Lowe as much as possible, but from the moment they meet at their wedding, Misery seems to perplex and infuriate Lowe for reasons she can't understand (aside from their species' century-long feud). Soon, he's keeping a closer eye on her than she would like, but she might not mind his presence as much as she thought.

"The Dead Romantics" by Ashley Poston

If reading Yarros' work makes you yearn for a little magic in your day-to-day life, you might like the magical realism in Ashley Poston's "The Dead Romantics."

Florence Day's first meeting with her new editor is a disaster. After a breakup leaves her with a serious bout of writer's block, Florence desperately needs an extension on the novel she's ghostwriting. Ben, who is inconveniently handsome and charming, refuses, leaving Florence more frustrated than ever.

Then, her father dies unexpectedly, and Florence must return to her Southern hometown and her family's funeral parlor and face the actual ghosts she has always been able to see, an ability that left her alienated for much of her childhood.

Once she makes it home, it's not surprising that a ghost shows up seeking her help, but it is a shock when the specter turns out to be Ben. He needs Florence's help handling his unfinished business: her.

"A Fate Inked in Blood" by Danielle L. Jensen

The first installment in the "Saga of the Unfated" duology, "A Fate Inked in Blood," offers an enemies-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of Norse mythology.

Freya spent her childhood dreaming of becoming a warrior, but at 20, she is married to a man she hates, trapped in her fishing village, and guarding her most closely kept secret: She is a shield maiden, possessing magic that can protect her and others from attacks.

Freya's years of secret-keeping come to an end when her husband betrays her to the local jarl. After she uses her magic to survive a fight against his son Bjorn, the jarl sees Freya as what her father always feared she could become: a weapon. The jarl magically binds Freya to him, enlisting Bjorn to keep her safe.

Freya must prove herself as a magic-wielder and warrior to stay alive, but her pull toward Bjorn may put her at greater risk than her magic ever could.

"Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli

By day, Rune Winters is a vapid socialite. By night, she's the Crimson Moth, a witch trying to single-handedly save those like her that her government is determined to wipe out.

When her vigilante efforts put her at risk, Rune needs a cover story, and none could be better than Gideon Sharpe, a witch hunter known for his dedication to the cause. If he falls for her, Gideon could offer the perfect protection, but Rune has no idea Gideon is onto her, happy to get close to Rune to find the witch he believes she is associating with.

Rune and Gideon are lying to each other at every turn, but the feelings they develop along the way might be the one truth they can't deny. Book one in Kristen Ciccarelli's "The Crimson Moth" series, "Heartless Hunter," is packed with dizzying magic, political rebellion, and decadent enemies-to-lovers tension.

"Quicksilver" by Callie Hart

If you loved the adventurous elements of the "Empyrean" series as much as the romance, Callie Hart's "Quicksilver" will be right up your alley.

Saeris Fane is trying to keep her brother alive in their desert world, where water is nearly impossible to come by. She'll starve herself, steal from the Undying Queen, and use her illegal alchemical powers to do it, even if it puts her own life at risk.

When she's finally caught for her thievery, Saeris is saved when she accidentally opens a portal, and a beautiful and intimidating fae named Kingfisher takes her to his homeland, where ice and magic abound. However, she'll find the fae are just as dangerous as the Queen, and after she makes a binding agreement to Kingfisher, she'll have to live among them until she can use her alchemy to fulfill her half of the deal.

Saeris wants to get their bargain over with, desperate to get home to check on her brother. Yet it might be the magnetic pull she feels toward Kingfisher that derails her.

• Leslie Hodgin and her husband had dreamed of moving abroad.
• They finally took the leap in January, deciding not to waste time in their 50s.
• Hodgin said the move was expensive and time-consuming, but she's been happy with their relocation.

This story is based on an interview with Leslie Hodgin, a 55-year-old marketing consultant who moved from the US to the Netherlands with her husband, John Lyman, 52. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Until 2026, I was living in Richmond, Virginia, with my husband and our cat.

My dad was in the Army, so I grew up all over the world, but Richmond is my adopted home. I lived there for about 10 years.

During that time, I got an offer to move to Seoul, South Korea, for my marketing job. My husband, John, and I were dating at the time. We got married one week before moving to Seoul for two years.

After the contract ended, we returned to the States. I love Richmond, but it did feel small after I had been in Korea.

Some events happened in both of our families that made us want to move abroad again sooner rather than later. My dad died. My husband's mom died. We had a couple of dear friends pass away. It was all very quick. And it made me think, "What are we waiting for? We don't have promises for tomorrow. Now is the time."

We don't have kids, so that wasn't holding us back. We had some money in the bank to move, which I know is a privilege. It was like, "Let's just go and live our lives. We shouldn't just keep hoping for someday because there may not be someday."

Moving to the Netherlands

John had gone to graduate school in the Netherlands, so we'd visited before. Through my work in advertising, I also had a fairly large network of people living there.

There's a visa for Americans called the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) that allows freelancers and entrepreneurs to live in the Netherlands. It made the country seem like a great choice for us.

My husband works for himself, so it was easier for him to pick up and go anywhere. I started my own consulting business and left my agency. I knew there was an advertising community in the Netherlands, and I planned to freelance if my consulting business wasn't doing well.

My husband's dad is in his 90s, and my mom just turned 80. Moving far from them was probably the hardest part of the decision. I have a little guilt for that, but they're excited for us. I've promised my mom that I'll be home for any big family and important events.

That's a hard thing to do, but we felt it was right for us not to put our lives on hold.

Downsizing our lives

We moved in January. We did it in six months. We'd sold our house about a year before moving and were living in an apartment.

We decided to sell almost everything we owned to keep costs as low as possible. We shipped a half-crate over, which is quite small, so we had to get rid of a lot of stuff. We made close to $12,000 selling everything and used it to pay for the visas and help with some of the moving costs.

When we moved, we had nine suitcases, including a large piece of art. It was the largest oversize item that would fit on an airplane, and we had a special museum-packing company pack it. And our cat, of course, came on the plane with us.

We live in a two-bedroom apartment. It's an old, old building, but the apartment is newly renovated and has a patio.

We do feel lucky that we found a place because there is a housing shortage, and it's quite hard to find housing, particularly if you're American or from another country and you don't have Dutch income. We had to pay six months' rent upfront to secure our rental.

Life in Europe

It still feels surreal that we live here. My husband and I will frequently look at each other and say, "Oh my God, I can't believe that we're here." I never want to lose that feeling.

Business seems to be going really well. I also already knew some friends, but I've met so many amazing people through social media and made some great friends with our neighbors.

We love the sense of community. I appreciate the social contract that people afford each other in the Netherlands, from the opportunities the government provides to the respect and trust they show each other in general.

Recently, there was Open Monumentendag, or Open Monuments Day, with over a thousand monuments, churches, houses, farms, and historic places across the Netherlands open to the public for free. They do that every year, and it feels so special. It seems like every other weekend there's a festival.

There are always challenges. I'm very slow to pick up the language. Most people speak English, but I feel like I need to be better.

Moving also costs a lot more than you plan for. Even if you've tried to pad all the numbers, it still costs more than anticipated. Because our work was quite slow earlier in the year, we were like, "Gosh, what have we done?"

Our cost of living is fairly similar to what it was in the US. We don't have a car, so we don't have that expense. We would be paying double the rent in New York City for this same apartment.

A fresh start

I feel alive again. I felt a little stagnant in Richmond after living overseas, and moving has opened a lot of doors for my creativity.

On social media, I've documented trying one new thing a week. It's gotten us out to meet people and have some interesting experiences.

There's a risk in moving abroad. You have to get yourself over the hump, and you have to be brave.

Believe in yourself. If there's something you want to try, like moving overseas, going on a solo trip, or taking a cooking class, take a chance on yourself. You're never going to regret trying it if it doesn't work out. If you don't ever put yourself out there, you're going to look back in 20 years and be like, "That would have been great. Why didn't I give that a shot?"

Retirement didn't exactly mean slowing down for Bonnie and Hunter Moore.

The Moores, both 71, have lived near the Vanderbilt campus in Nashville for over 40 years. They bought their home in 1983, raising their two children and building their careers. Bonnie was a proofreader, while Hunter worked in the music industry.

When they retired in 2019, they were excited to have more time for their passions. For Hunter, that includes reading, playing the piano, working on model trains, and independent study (he's currently working on a dissertation for fun). Bonnie loves entertaining her friends — especially in her "Not Your Mother's Bible Study" group — hosting her grandsons, and traveling.

By 2023, though, it was clear their home base wasn't set up to help them thrive in retirement, as their bedroom, office, and music studio were all on the second floor. After caring for their own aging parents, they knew second-floor living wasn't ideal for aging in place, particularly when Hunter developed vertigo that made climbing stairs unsafe.

Bonnie and Hunter didn't want their adult children worrying about them as they got older, as they had worried about their parents. Instead, the Moores hoped to set themselves up to live independently for as long as possible — and have fun while doing it.

Luckily, the house next door was the perfect solution to their problem.

The Moores bought the house next door as a rental property in 2007.

The Moores bought the rental house, which provided supplemental income, in 2007 for $360,000. At 1,400 square feet, it had three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The front couldn't be changed too drastically because the Moores live in a historic area, but their lot had space in the back where they could expand the home.

As they realized they wanted to upsize for retirement from their 2,700-square-foot home, Bonnie and Hunter decided to do a massive overhaul of the rental house, taking it down to the studs.

The renovation, which added a two-story addition to the back, gave them a 4,400-square-foot space with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two half baths, plus ample living space and a bonus room that could be converted into a bedroom if needed.

They also incorporated features that would make aging in place easier.

The house took over a year to transform.

The Moores hired Michael Brown Construction, Beth Haley Designs, and Allard Ward Architects to bring the project to life. Brown specialized in historic renovations, and Haley had an expertise in aging-in-place accommodations, both of which were needed.

Renovations kicked off in early 2024 and took about 18 months to complete. Because they gutted the original structure, the Moores had to pay for all new plumbing and electrical wiring throughout the home in addition to the cosmetic changes. The height of the original exterior stayed the same, and the windows that were originally there didn't move. Nearly everything else changed, though.

The Moores were able to stay in their first home while they transformed their new house, which, Bonnie said, made everything easier.

"We didn't have to move," she said. "We could look out the window and notice somebody was walking around, and go over to see if they needed to talk to us. It was wonderful."

First-floor living was a priority in the design.

It was important to the Moores that the addition had a second story so they'd have plenty of bedrooms for their kids, grandkids, and loved ones to stay in when they visited.

However, they wanted the first floor to be where they spent most of their time. It needed to accommodate larger parties, such as their Christmas gatherings or Bonnie's Bible study group, and their bedroom had to be on the main level as well.

An open-concept design on the first floor was perfect for the Moores.

The kitchen and living areas are combined in the Moores' home, with large windows and sliding glass doors framing the space and letting in light.

A table helps to visually separate the kitchen from the living area.

The large kitchen was a huge upgrade.

"My kitchen is probably about the size of part of my downstairs next door," Bonnie said of the space, which features a large island surrounded by ample built-in cabinetry.

It also has a walk-in pantry, one of Bonnie's favorite features, and was set up to suit the couple as they get older, with wide walkways and doorways. A few of the drawers also have large gaps behind them, so you can reach behind them without jamming your fingers.

There are two living spaces on the main floor.

The first floor has a larger living room with a TV, and another with two comfortable chairs in front of the fireplace, which the Moores think of as their den. A grand piano splits the two spaces.

Bonnie also said they had the fireplace raised intentionally.

"As you're sitting in your chair, you're looking straight into the fireplace instead of looking down," she said. "When you're old, you don't want to have to bend over as much, so you raise things in that way without it looking weird."

The Moores also felt free to get creative with how they used their rooms.

The house came with a formal dining room, but the Moores didn't feel they needed that space, since they had a dining area at their kitchen counter and kitchen table.

Instead, they turned it into a workout room and office for Bonnie.

It has a treadmill, a weight machine, and a desk. However, it could easily still work as a dining space or even a bedroom down the line if needed.

"We kept it with the feel of a dining room in case somebody wanted that for resale," Bonnie said.

The Moores didn't want to waste any space in their home.

To maximize the space, they put shelving wherever possible. For instance, Bonnie turned the space below their stairs into a "hobbit hole" for her grandsons, filling it with a bean bag and books as an escape for them.

"I used every place that you could store something," she said.

Their home library can also serve multiple purposes.

Bonnie described Hunter as a "voracious reader," so a library was a must-have for their home.

Still, the room has a closet and an en suite bathroom, and it could fit a smaller bed or a Murphy bed, so it could become another first-floor bedroom if the Moores ever need live-in help.

The primary suite sits on the first floor.

Bonnie and Hunter's bedroom has plenty of room for the couple to walk around the bed on either side, which was intentional. They didn't want the space to become cumbersome if they use wheelchairs or walkers someday.

It also has a loveseat, which Bonnie said they added so they can sit and put on their shoes without bending down.

There's plenty of storage in the bedroom.

The suite has a walk-in closet, one of Bonnie's favorite features in her new home.

Its blue cabinetry matches that in the bathroom for a cohesive look.

The bathroom is both luxurious and long-term-minded.

The bathroom is designed to accommodate a walker or wheelchair with ease.

It has luxury touches, like a double vanity and a massive walk-in shower with grab bars and a bench running the length of the shower for aging-in-place accommodations.

They also made the showerhead adjustable, which was a must-have because Bonnie is 5-foot-4 and Hunter is 6-foot-2. Bonnie wanted to make sure the height could adjust easily with one hand in case they developed any mobility issues, and that function has already come in handy.

Bonnie had a mastectomy in August and wasn't able to lift her arms above her head in the initial weeks of her recovery. Being able to adjust the showerhead height on her own during that time allowed her to maintain her independence as she healed.

They also have a laundry room in their en suite.

The location of the laundry room means the Moores can live entirely on their first floor if they want, ensuring they don't have to use stairs if it becomes challenging for them.

The Moores will never have trouble reaching the second floor of their home, though.

The Moores didn't want their second floor to become inaccessible if stairs became harder for them to manage as they age, so they decided to add an elevator to the home in the renovation.

It was a pricey aspect of the renovation, coming in at around $31,000, which doesn't include the cost of building out the space for it or installation.

Bonnie said the elevator was worth it, though, as it feels "responsible" for her and Hunter at this stage. It's a big comfort to their kids, too.

"They're so relieved that we aren't going up and down the stairs," Bonnie said.

The elevator sits next to a room where Bonnie stores things like Christmas decor and luggage, and she said being able to pop items directly into the elevator has been great for them.

There are two bedrooms upstairs.

One of the bedrooms has twin beds for the Moores' grandsons to enjoy, and it connects to Hunter's office (which could also be turned into a bedroom if needed) via a Jack-and-Jill bathroom.

The other bedroom on the second floor has an en suite bathroom, providing privacy for whoever stays there.

There's an additional living area upstairs as well.

An open area at the top of the stairs has a wet bar, a mini fridge, and a cozy seating area.

The Moores love having an additional flex space for their family or friends to enjoy when they come to visit.

The garage serves multiple purposes.

The Moores didn't have a large garage at their old home, so they were excited about the detached, two-car garage on their new property.

They finished a space at the back with a half bathroom and a room for Hunter to work on his model trains. The space has vaulted ceilings for a more luxurious look, which Bonnie said they added with the home's resale value in mind.

There's an unfinished attic in the garage as well, which gives the Moores the option to expand their living space further if they want.

"If one of our kids wanted to live over there and finish it, they could," Bonnie said.

The Moores' home is everything they hoped it would be.

The Moores moved into their home in August 2025, and they've been loving it ever since.

"This is our dream house," Bonnie said. "We are so grateful that we could do this because we put everything we possibly wanted."

"When we sit at our dining room table and eat breakfast, I tell my husband every morning, 'I'm so happy,'" she added.

Hunter echoed Bonnie, saying the renovation "seemed like a huge project," but their design team made it manageable, as did being able to bounce ideas off Bonnie.

"I'm so glad we did it," he added.

It's working well for their community, too. Bonnie said the house has made their guests feel at ease when they've hosted parties and had people stay overnight.

"It's better than I thought it would even turn out, and the way it makes us feel is just very peaceful," Bonnie said. "My kids all love it, and we have room for everybody. I host all the holidays and the birthday parties."

The renovation was worth the investment.

In total, the Moores said they spent about $1.7 million turning their rental property into their dream home. That cost includes furniture upgrades and some exterior stonework to ensure the house looks up to date from the outside.

They were able to offset it with the $850,000 sale of their first home, and Bonnie said she views the work they did as an investment in the future, for both themselves and their kids.

"This allows us to stay in our house as long as we possibly can, and if we can't, then we have designed a house that will probably sell for $1.9 million," she said. "Our kids can sell it, pay for wherever we need to be, or it can be a great inheritance for them."

She and Hunter feel only gratitude that they could create a house that will benefit them and their whole family for years to come.

"The sooner you do it, the more you can enjoy it before you really need it," she said. "And it's a relief for your children. It's the best gift we could give them."

• Sarah J. Maas' sixth "A Court of Thorns and Roses" novel comes out on October 27.
• Book seven will follow on January 12, 2027, as Maas first announced in March 2026.
• Maas has been revealing which characters will tell the story on her social media in recent days.

Sarah J. Maas fans, it's finally time to go back to Prythian.

The sixth "A Court of Thorns and Roses" novel, titled "A Court of Splintered Harmony," will hit bookshelves on October 27 after months of anticipation. It will be quickly followed by book seven, "A Court of Forgotten Melody," on January 12, 2027.

It's been five years since Maas last released an "ACOTAR" book, and the novel is eagerly awaited not only by fans but also by Maas' publisher, Bloomsbury. The company's sales fell 10% for the 2025-2026 fiscal year because Maas didn't release a new book, Publishers Weekly reported.

Both Bloomsbury and Maas have been sharing teasers on social media about "A Court of Splintered Harmony" in the lead-up to its publication, with Maas revealing which characters will be narrating the novel (after asking fans to stop sharing any leaks of book six).

Here's everything we know about "ACOTAR" six so far.

Warning: Some spoilers for Maas' work — including "ACOTAR" and "Crescent City" — ahead.

Maas is releasing the sixth 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' story in multiple volumes

In March 2023, Bloomsbury announced that Maas had signed a deal for three more books with the publisher. At the time, she was already under contract for four titles, including "House of Flame and Shadow," the third installment in her "Crescent City" series, published in January 2024. Readers didn't find out what the next book she would write would be until her March 2026 appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast with Alex Cooper.

She told Cooper she finished the sixth "ACOTAR" book while writing in Montana over the summer of 2025, but she didn't share details about it because of its nontraditional release structure.

"This book's coming out October 27, and then on January 12, like two months later, I can't do math, whatever that is, the next ACOTAR book will be coming out," Maas said. "So there will be two books within, like, a very short span."

As her fans will know, Maas' books are typically split into parts, separating different sections of the story she is telling. However, when it comes to the sixth "ACOTAR" story, Maas said the individual parts became longer than she anticipated as she started writing, with part one coming in at 400 pages at one point.

As she continued writing, Maas decided the parts didn't have to be in a single physical book.

"What if this book was really long?" she said. "What if it took me more than a thousand pages to tell the story that needed to be told, the arc that I wanted to create from start to finish?"

Maas said the story for "ACOTAR" six was ultimately divided into four parts, though it is still one cohesive story. Part one is the novel Bloomsbury will publish on October 27, 2026, and parts two and three will be published together on January 12, 2027. Maas has yet to write or give a publication date for part four, but she told Cooper all three volumes would be published "in a very short time."

"It's meant to be read, ideally, as one massive, massive story as opposed to in a trilogy," she said. "It's not a trilogy. Like, arcs aren't wrapped up."

Maas finally shared some details about the books in August 2026

On August 16, Maas cleared her Instagram of all its posts, changing her profile photo to a black-and-white illustration of a monster and a spider. Then, on August 17, she shared the covers and titles of books six and seven on social media.

The "Splintered Harmony" cover features a pink-and-orange backdrop with a sketched drawing of a monster with teeth and bones, and the subtitle is "The Valkyrie Cycle: Movement I." The Valkyrie were introduced to "ACOTAR" in "A Court of Silver Flames," when Nesta Archeron brought the legendary all-female fighting squad back to life alongside her friends Gwyn and Emerie.

Maas posted the book alongside the tagline, "What was broken will be remade." The blurb shared on booksellers' websites reveals that the Night Court is facing new threats when book six opens: Koschei the Deathless, one of three legendary monster siblings introduced throughout "ACOTAR," and those willing to ally with him to claim the newly freed human lands.

The description also notes that there is tension among the members of the Night Court because of "recent betrayals and revealed truths," which they must work through if they want to defeat Koschei.

"A Court of Splintered Harmony" will be 352 pages and will include three bonus chapters from the "ACOTAR" series. Those bonus chapters were previously published in specific editions of Maas' novels, but they will be in all copies of "ACOSH," as the publisher shared on its social media on September 24. One chapter focuses on Feyre and Rhysand, one on Cassian and Nesta, and one on Azriel's experience on the Winter Solstice that takes place in "A Court of Silver Flames."

Teasers from the new book

In mid-September, Bloomsbury began sharing quotes from "A Court of Splintered Harmony," offering more insight into the novel than the vague blurbs.

It released six quotes in total, and the first, shared on September 17, revealed that at least some of the novel will be told from Lucien Vanserra's perspective.

"Lucien's heart thundered, throat drying out," the quote read. "Maybe this had been a terrible idea."

Lucien has only played a supporting role in the "ACOTAR" books so far, but Maas has been teeing up his expanded role in her books through his unaccepted mating bond with Elain Archeron, Feyre's middle sister, and his connection to Koschei. He serves as an emissary to the human lands for the Night Court in "ACOSF," alongside Jurian and Vassa, a human queen who was sold to Koschei and cursed to turn into a firebird each day. It would be surprising if Vassa — and by extension Lucien — weren't involved in fighting against Koschei in book six.

Likewise, the final quote Bloomsbury shared on October 9 appeared to confirm that Azriel will narrate some of "ACOSH." The quote didn't include his name, but the unnamed narrator was communicating with shadows: "'We are here,' the shadows whispered in his ear. 'We are always here.'"

Azriel is a Shadowsinger in the "ACOTAR" world, with his shadows being described as keeping him company and whispering to him as he serves as the Night Court's spymaster.

No other passage shared by Bloomsbury names a narrator, but interestingly, the quote shared on September 28 asks if it is "possible for mates to…un-mate" if a bond were to "fracture deeply enough" that it cannot be repaired.

Lucien and Elain's mating bond is strained because Elain has yet to accept it, so some fans think the comment is about them. At the end of "House of Flame and Shadow," though, Nesta and Cassian were at odds, so others think the quote hints at tension between the pair (more on that in a minute).

On October 24, Bloomsbury also shared a sneak peek of the map that sits at the front of "A Court of Splintered Harmony." It shows new locations in the Night Court, such as Sangravah, and in the Autumn Court, including the Forest House and the Thorn-Wood. It also offers a look at the faerie realms outside Prythian, such as Vallahan. Koschei's lake is in the other faerie realms, sitting among the open fae lands in front of a mountain range.

Maas chimes in

Maas' Instagram was quiet after she announced the titles of her books, until October 19, when she took to her Instagram story to ask fans not to share leaks of "A Court of Splintered Harmony."

"I know how much you love these books and these characters; I know you've been waiting for a long time to know what comes next," she wrote. "That love for these stories is exactly why I'm requesting that you please, please don't share leaks."

"Nothing about this release is meant to feel like a secret that needs to be found out," Maas went on. "Publishing a book takes time and effort from so many hardworking people to get it into your hands. Throughout this long process, everyone involved has been dedicated to keeping things from being spoiled, but sometimes things happen, and it is beyond disheartening to see out-of-context moments take away from all of you who have waited so patiently."

"All I'm asking for is just a bit more of that patience — until you can get everything in its fullness, the way it's meant to be read," Maas said.

Representatives for Maas did not respond to a request for comment on the Instagram story, and Maas did not specify which images spreading online contained authentic leaks of the book.

However, in the week leading up to the book's release, she posted a short video each day to reveal which of her characters would narrate "A Court of Splintered Harmony." Each video featured a quote from the character set against a sketch of the monster on the novel's cover. The backdrop for the first drop was gray, but it grew progressively darker, revealing stars with each post.

The narrators are:

Feyre

Feyre was the narrator for the first four "ACOTAR" books, telling the story from a first-person perspective. Like books one through four, the passage Maas shared was in the first-person perspective, unlike the other quotes:

"My body wouldn't move. Couldn't move. I could do nothing to help him, nothing at all, and I would die from it, this despair and agony. Please, I tried to beg the darkness, please. Anything. I'd give anything for him to be safe. My life, my territory, my — would you give that too?"

Maas provided no further context about the quote, though fans were quick to point out that the inner monologue seemed like what Feyre would have been thinking when she gave birth to her son, Nyx, as she and the baby almost died because he was born with wings. Rhys also nearly lost his life, as he and Feyre bound their lives together at the end of "A Court of Wings and Ruin." Nesta saved them all by returning her power to the cauldron, but the passage could be a flashback to the scene from Feyre's perspective.

Cassian

Cassian was one of the two narrators of "A Court of Silver Flames," which told his and Nesta's love story. His passage from the new novel appears to show him and Nesta at odds:

"So Cassian let her go. Let her keep walking down the hall, and out the front door. Nesta didn't look back at him. Not once."

It's unclear what they may be fighting about, though Cassian was disapproving of Nesta's actions in "House of Flame and Shadow." Details below.

Nesta

In the quote Maas shared from Nesta, the eldest Archeron sister is drawn to some unnamed power.

"On trembling legs, head spinning, Nesta managed to get to her feet. Maybe whatever called for her over the northern horizon was a siren song, luring her away from what mattered, who mattered. Come, it beckoned, but to where? To what end? More shadows and loneliness and secrets? It would consume her, if she let it."

Lucien

Maas' quote from Lucien was more specific than the one Bloomsbury shared, shedding light on the fire-wielder's frustration with Feyre.

"Lucien ran a hand through his hair. Tamlin had saved him. And then Lucien had rebuilt himself, his life. Only for Feyre to bring it all crumbling down."

Lucien is likely reflecting on Feyre's actions in "ACOWAR," when she brought down the Spring Court after Tamlin made a deal with the King of Hybern to get her back.

Gwyn

Gwyn is haunted by memories of her past in the sneak peek Maas offered from her portion of the novel.

"Gwyn staggered back from the railing, from the darkness, fingers fumbling for the invoking stone in her pocket. It was glowing and warm to the touch in a way that had nothing to do with its proximity to her flesh. You are here, the stone seemed to affirm, you are safe. The past cannot harm you. Gwyn shook her head. She was inclined to disagree."

Gwyn may be in the library where she works, as readers saw her and Nesta fleeing a dark force there in "A Court of Silver Flames."

Mor

At the end of "A Court of Frost and Starlight," Mor set off for Vallahan, another fae realm, to attempt to get the leaders there to sign a new treaty between humans and fae. She appears to be continuing that work in "A Court of Splintered Harmony," based on the teaser Maas shared about Mor, and offering more detail about her power, which is simply referred to as "truth" in "ACOTAR."

"She flexed her hands at her sides, working out the faint trembling in them. It was a fool's errand. She knew it — Rhys and Feyre knew it. Vallahan would know it, too. But she'd try. One last time. Mor sucked in a breath, an ancient, night-kissed power awakening from its slumber deep within her. Different from Rhys's, older."

Azriel

Maas confirmed Azriel was a narrator for the book the day before its release, writing of his Illyrian heritage:

"You are an Illyrian, Azriel — the wind sings through your very blood. You cannot be caged. You cannot be broken. They lock you away because they fear you."

The quote seems to refer to Azriel's childhood, as he spent his early years locked in his father's home, unable to learn to fly.

More clues about 'ACOTAR' 6 narrators

It makes sense that Nesta and Gwyn will be central to Maas' new books since the novels are part of "The Valkyrie Cycle." The Valkyries were a central focus of "A Court of Silver Flames."

The book ushered in a new era for the series, as it was told from Nesta's perspective. Maas again focused on her in "House of Flame and Shadow" in her "Crescent City" series.

The "recent betrayals and revealed truths" mentioned in the description of "A Court of Splintered Harmony" could refer to Nesta's actions in "HOFAS." Specifically, the "revealed truths" may reference the resurrection of the long-forgotten Dusk Court in Prythian, which they discover Rhysand is an heir to, while the "recent betrayal" against the Night Court could be Nesta's lending the Mask of the Dread Trove to Bryce Quinlan, the "Crescent City" protagonist, without Rhysand and Feyre's permission.

Bryce also gave Nesta the sword Gwydion at the end of "HOFAS," telling her she thinks she was meant to have it when she returns the Mask. Nesta shared with Bryce in the same scene that Cassian is the most upset with her of everyone for her actions.

It seems Maas was setting up a continuation of Nesta's story for her next "ACOTAR" story in the scene, which may see her explore her power and connections to the fae of the Dusk Court.

You can read a more detailed breakdown of what to remember from Maas' previous works ahead of "ACOTAR" six here.

Elain's role in future 'ACOTAR' books

One notable character doesn't yet have a confirmed POV in the new novel: Elain Archeron.

In "A Court of Silver Flames," Elain had settled into life at the Night Court, refusing to explore her mating bond with Lucien or her Seer powers. She also seems to have an attraction to Azriel in the text, with the pair almost kissing in his bonus chapter. However, Maas juxtaposes their connection with the ill-fitting aspects of life at the Night Court for Elain during a visit to the Court of Nightmares in "ACOSF."

Maas told Eva Chen during an appearance on "Live Talks Los Angeles" in February 2021 that she planned to write a book from Elain's perspective. She also discussed Elain on "Call Her Daddy" in March 2026, saying Lucien's involvement in bringing Elain to the fae world is a barrier to their relationship. Maas said she was "interested" as a writer in exploring what it meant for someone not to desire to be mated.

It's surprising that Elain is not confirmed to have a POV in "A Court of Splintered Harmony," given Maas' past comments, the brewing tension surrounding Elain, and the fact that both Lucien and Azriel have POVs in the book. Elain may have a surprise chapter in the book, or she could narrate future installments in the series.

Readers will have to wait and see what role Maas plans for Elain to play in the new "ACOTAR" books.