Details you might've missed in Sarah J. Maas' 'A Court of Splintered Harmony'

The sixth "A Court of Thorns and Roses" novel is out. Alexandra Genova / SAINT LUCY Represents 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. "A Court of Splintered Harmony." Bloomsbury 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. Sarah J. Maas. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images 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 pri