The boxes were sealed. The readers were ready. And when the countdown reached midnight, rose petals filled the air.
For fans gathered at Book Hero NZ, a five-year wait for the latest instalment of Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses series was finally over.
The release of A Court of Splintered Harmony brought costumes, queues and a late-night celebration reminiscent of the Harry Potter launches — this time for a fantasy world with distinctly adult themes.
Some readers had travelled across the country for the occasion.
Popular fantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. (Source: 1News)
"I came all the way from Christchurch. Just for this," one fan told 1News.
Another was simply looking forward to returning to familiar characters.
"So just excited to go back into it, you know. I miss that world."
Book Hero’s Sacha Wackrow said the anticipation was shown in the effort fans put into the evening.
“There were a lot of great outfits. Like, a lot of people came dressed for the books and everyone was just here to really celebrate.
"It's been five years since the last book. This kind of fandom just doesn't happen every day."
For Evelyn, that meant an outfit inspired by Nesta Archeron, one of the series' central characters.
She had also recruited a friend to the fandom, encouraging her to work through the earlier books before the new release.
"My friend only finished it, like, midnight last night, so I forced her to read through all of the books in, like, six months."
More than a midnight party
The series is part of the 'romantasy' genre, blending romance with elaborate fantasy worlds.
For some fans, its appeal has extended well beyond one author's books.
"[A Court of Thorns and Roses] is what got me back into reading," fan Jade Watson said.
The midnight event was her first book launch and a chance to meet others who shared her enthusiasm.
"I've met so many beautiful people in there, and it's good to connect with people who also love books and love reading," she said. "I've made quite a few friends out of it, which is awesome too."
Wackrow said some of those attending had previously known one another only through online book communities.
"They bonded over their love of books and then they just all decided to come here and party together and meet each other."
She said rediscovering reading was a familiar experience among many of the customers and one she shared herself.
"Because they're so exciting and like myself and so many other people, it’s really helped spark their love of reading again."
Spoilers and school bans
The enthusiasm has come with debate over the series’ sexual content.
Titles from A Court of Thorns and Roses have been banned from some American school libraries, including state-wide restrictions in Utah. Those restrictions concern access in schools, rather than a general ban on adults buying or reading the books.
Wackrow said the books contained adult themes but shouldn't be dismissed for that.
"It’s spice and it’s nice.
"I just think it’s so wonderful and it’s got people back into reading and what’s wrong with having a little fun?"
Ahead of the latest release, the author appealed to fans not to circulate leaked material, asking readers to allow others to experience the story in full.
For Wackrow, avoiding spoilers was about protecting the experience.
"People have waited so long they need time to actually sit down and read it."
At Book Hero, the release rules meant the books remained sealed until midnight.
Once the boxes were opened, another operation began: packing orders for readers who had opted to wait at home.
The shop received more than 1000 pre-orders, with staff working into the early hours to prepare hundreds for same-day delivery.
NZ Post said it was working with the retailer to get copies to customers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch on release day.
For those leaving the midnight launch with a copy already in hand, the question was how much reading they could fit in before morning.
One fan had a practical reason to resist.
"I have a classroom full of kids at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning, so nope, home to bed – but definitely tomorrow."
Others had no intention of putting the book down.
"And I’m not going to get any sleep tonight."
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