The highly anticipated release of the new book, A Court of Splintered Harmony, by author Sarah J Maas, brought a magical evening to York city centre.  

At the event, 80 guests were able to experience a late-night book browsing experience, as well as enjoy refreshments and light snacks as they took part in bookmark and jewellery making. 

Having sold 13 million copies worldwide, the buzz surrounding the new release on Tuesday has been shared by fans across social media, and by those at Waterstones York on Monday evening.  

The Potions Cauldron, based in The Shambles, created unique themed drinks for the event with each one named after a different court in the series. 

Imogen, who was a fan attending the event, said she was: “excited to dive back into the universe” after so long. 

Other fans there for the evening, wore costumes inspired by characters in the series. 

After a five-year hiatus, Maas released the sixth novel in her popular romantasy series, A Court of Thornes and Roses, which invited readers to return to the fictional fae realm of Prythian. 

When midnight approached, fans we able to receive their own copy of the book, some going home to finish reading it in the same night.  

Some fans travelled from Newcastle and Hull to attend the event. 

Nick Newman, the events coordinator at Waterstones York, said they: “haven’t done a midnight launch in a very long time” and the sold-out event shows how engaging the series is for so many readers. 

Going forward, he likes: “the idea that we can be a community hub” for passionate fans in York to come together and enjoy book events. 

This event is one of many hosted at the Waterstones location in York. For more information on upcoming events, visit: https://www.waterstones.com/events/search/shop/york