What Order Should I Read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas? (ACOTAR)
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Sarah J Maas is one of the world’s most popular romantasy authors.
Her debut novel, Throne of Glass, published in 2012, and over the last 12 years her total of published works has increased to a staggering 23.
What Order Should I Read A Court of Thorns and Roses?
It’s clear that Maas has the knack for writing stories with a delectable blend of romance and fantasy that readers can’t get enough of. But with so many books to read, it can be difficult for new readers to know where to start.
Fear not, this blog post will outline how to get started with A Court of Thorns and Roses, before moving onto the other two series in the Sarah J Maas universe.
Do I Read ACOTAR Or ToG First?
The general advice is that Throne of Glass is an epic fantasy, and is therefore likely to be enjoyed by readers who enjoy expansive fantasy world building. A Court of Thorns and Roses, on the other hand, leans further into the romance aspects of the story.
For readers who prefer romance to world building, ACOTAR may be the one for you, but you can read them whichever way round you like.
Are ACOTAR And TOG Connected?
These series are connected, as they both take place in the same universe often referred to as the ‘Maasverse’.
Although the two stories take part in different locations, they share the same magic and background, with a crossover in The Kingdom of Ash.
What Order To Read ACOTAR?
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Synopsis:
“Feyre is a huntress, but when she kills what she thinks is a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor, Tamlin, is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal Fae.
And there's more to the Fae than the legends suggest.
As Feyre adapts to her new home, her feelings for Tamlin begin to change. Icy hostility turns to fiery passion that burns through every lie she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But shadows are creeping in, and Tamlin has a dark secret that he cannot share. Fate brought Feyre to Tamlin for a reason, but saving him from the darkness that threatens his world will lead her down a path that she can never return from.”
A Court of Mist and Fury
Synopsis:
“Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court - but at a steep cost. Though she now possesses the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.
Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, the mesmerising High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates his dark web of political games and tantalising promises, a greater evil looms - and she might be key to stopping it.
But only if she can step into her growing power, heal her fractured soul and have the courage to shape her own future - and the future of a world cloven in two...”
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Synopsis:
“Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring her land to its knees.
But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit - and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords and hunt for allies in unexpected places. And her heart will face the ultimate test as she and her mate are forced to question whether they can truly trust each other.”
“In this companion tale to the bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Feyre, Rhys and their friends are working to rebuild the Night Court and the vastly changed world beyond after the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin.
But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated - scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.”
A Court of Silver Flames
Synopsis:
“Nesta Archeron has always been prickly - proud, swift to anger and slow to forgive. And since the war - since being made High Fae against her will - she's struggled to forget the horrors she endured and find a place for herself within the strange and deadly Night Court.
The person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred, winged warrior who is there at Nesta's every turn. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. And when they are forced to train in battle together, sparks become flame.
As the threat of war casts its shadow over them once again, Nesta and Cassian must fight monsters from within and without if they are to stand a chance of halting the enemies of their court. But the ultimate risk will be searching for acceptance - and healing - in each other's arms.”
ACOTAR 6 (Untitled)
To be released in October 2026
ACOTAR 7 (Untitled)
To be released in 2027
“Enter the realm. Unleash the darkness. Live the legend.
In a land without magic, an assassin is summoned to the castle. Celaena Sardothien has no love for the vicious king who rules from his throne of glass, but she has not come to kill him. She has come to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three murderers, thieves, and warriors in a deadly competition, she will be released from prison to serve as the King's Champion.
But something rotten dwells in the castle - and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying mysteriously, one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival - and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world, and the people she has come to love.”
Crown of Midnight
Synopsis:
“Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become the King's Champion. But she is far from loyal to the crown. Though she goes to great lengths to hide her secret, her deadly charade becomes more difficult when she realises she is not the only one seeking justice.
Her search for answers ensnares those closest to her, and no one is safe from suspicion - not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a princess with a rebel heart.
Then, one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie ... and what she is willing to fight for.”
The Assassin's Blade
Synopsis:
“Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful Assassin's Guild and its scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, she yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. But when Arobynn dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, Celaena finds herself acting independently of his wishes and questioning her own allegiance.
If she hopes to escape Arobynn's clutches, Celaena will have to put her faith in her wits and her blade... knowing that if she fails, she'll lose not just a chance at freedom but her life.”
Heir of Fire
Synopsis:
“Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak, but now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth. That truth could change her life - and her future - forever.
Meanwhile, monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena will need the strength not only to fight the evil that is about to be unleashed but also to harness her inner demons. If she is to win this battle, she must find the courage to face her destiny - and burn brighter than ever before.”
Queen of Shadows
Synopsis:
“Celaena Sardothien has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.
She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.
Everyone Aelin loves has been taken from her. Everything she holds dear is in danger. But she has the heart of a queen - and that heart beats for vengeance.”
Empire of Storms
Synopsos:
“The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves increasingly at odds with those who don't.
With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, dark forces stand poised to claim her world.
The only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may take more from Aelin than she has to give, a quest that forces her to choose what - and who -she's willing to sacrifice for the sake of peace.”
Tower of Dawn
Synopsis:
“Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the famed Torre Cesme for the wounds Chaol received in Rifthold.
After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child at the hands of Adarlanian soldiers, Yrene Towers has no desire to help the young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need, and she will honour it. But Lord Westfall carries his own dark past, and Yrene soon realises that those shadows could engulf them both.
Chaol, Nesryn, and Yrene will have to draw on every scrap of their resilience to overcome the danger that surrounds them. But while they become entangled in the political webs of the khaganate, long-awaited answers slumber deep in the mountains, where warriors soar on legendary ruks. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival ... or doom them all.”
“Aelin Galathynius has vowed to save her people - but at a tremendous cost. Locked in an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. The knowledge that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, but her resolve unravels with each passing day.
With Aelin captured, her friends and allies have scattered. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever. But as destinies weave together at last, all must stand together if Erilea is to have any hope of salvation.”
“Bryce Quinlan loves her life. Every night is a party, and Bryce is going to savour all the pleasures Lunathion - also known as Crescent City - has to offer. But when a brutal murder shakes the very foundations of the city, Bryce's world comes crashing down.
Two years later, Bryce still haunts the city's most notorious nightclubs - but seeking only oblivion now. Then the murderer attacks again. And when an infamous Fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, is assigned to watch her every footstep, Bryce knows she can't forget any longer.
As Bryce and Hunt fight to unravel the mystery and their own dark pasts, the threads they tug ripple through the underbelly of the city, across warring continents and down to the deepest levels of Hel, where things that have been sleeping for millennia are beginning to stir.”
House of Sky and Breath
Synopsis:
“Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar have made a pact. As they process the events of the Spring they will keep things . platonic . until Winter Solstice. But can they resist when the crackling tension between them is enough to set the whole of Crescent City aflame?
And they are not out of danger yet. Dragged into a rebel movement they want no part of, Bryce, Hunt and their friends find themselves pitted against the terrifying Asteri - whose notice they must avoid at all costs. But as they learn more about the rebel cause, they face a choice: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight. And they've never been very good at staying silent.”
House of Flame and Shadow
Synopsis:
“Bryce Quinlan is stranded in a strange new world. She's going to need all her wits about her to get home again and return to everything she loves. But that's no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust.
Meanwhile, Hunt Athalar is back in the Asteri's dungeons. Stripped of his freedom and the happiness he'd fought so hard for, he's without a clue as to Bryce's fate. Hunt is desperate to help his mate, but until he can escape the Asteri's chains, his hands are quite literally tied.”
Top tip: Make sure you read A Court of Thorns and Roses before Crescent City to avoid spoilers!
Is ACOTAR Finished?
No, the ACOTAR series isn’t finished. The sixth book is scheduled to publish in October 2026, and the seventh book is due in 2027.
Few details are known about these books at the moment, with the titles, covers and synopses all to be revealed.
Frequently asked questions
Is ACOTAR being adapted into a TV series, and if so, when is it coming out?
The show has been ‘in development’ with Hulu since 2021, although it has recently been confirmed that the series is no longer ‘moving forward’. It has also not been scrapped completely and is not currently being sold to other networks. What does all that mean? The future of A Court of Thorns and Roses is unclear, and while we may or may not end up with a TV series in the future, it’s not being written or filmed at the moment.
What is in the cast for A Court of Thorns and Roses? Who will play Feyre?
While there has been much speculation as to who would be cast in the TV adaption of A Court of Thorns and Roses, there have been no official announcements.
Will there be an A Court of Thorns and Roses movie?
At this moment in time, a movie adaption of A Court of Thorns and Roses is not in production.
Who are the main characters in A Court of Thorns and Roses?
The main character of the first four books is Feyre Archeron. She is 19 years old at the beginning of the first book and acts as her family’s huntress.
Tamlin is Feyre’s love interest, and also High Lord of the Spring Court. His close friend is Lucien, and Rhysand is High Lord of the Night Court.
Is A Court if Thorns and Roses a spicy book series?
Yes, ACOTAR is considered to be a ‘spicy’ book series (that means that there is considerable content of a sexual nature).
Who reads the audiobooks?
The first two ACOTAR books are read by Jennifer Ikeda. The next two books (A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Frost and Starlight) are read by Amanda Leigh Cobb. The final book, A Court of Silver Flames, is read by Stina Nielsen.