'I love to escape into a fantasyland of fairies': Fans rejoice as new 'romantasy' book hits shelves — SkimNews
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- Sarah J Maas released A Court of Splintered Harmony, the sixth book in her ACOTAR series, at midnight on 28 June 2025, following a five-year gap since the previous main installment.
- The Secret Bookshelf, an independent bookshop in Carrickfergus, hosted a midnight launch event featuring fan activities like felting, bracelet making, and theory discussions to celebrate the release.
- Fans Katie Mccabrey and Amy Savage attended the event, citing the need to escape everyday life through fantasy books, with Amy admitting she had to re-read another novel due to distraction from ACOTAR anticipation.
- David Jeroen and Sami Patrick dressed in mythical costumes for the event and shared that the genre offers escapism, allowing readers to experience dimensions like dragon-riding that real life doesn’t permit.
- Jo Zebedee, co-owner of The Secret Bookshelf, organized the event to foster excitement around reading, drawing inspiration from past Harry Potter midnight launches and emphasizing the role of indie bookshops in celebrating niche genres.
Why it matters: The enthusiastic turnout for a single-book launch underscores the cultural and commercial momentum of the romantasy genre, driven by social media and independent bookshops that create community spaces—giving publishers and retailers a blueprint for engaging young adult audiences beyond digital platforms.
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