A Court of Thorns and Roses Book Series Order: Complete Guide

Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series has quietly become one of the most fan-devoured fantasy romances of the last decade. If you’ve been hearing buzz about the books and wondering where to start—or if you finished the published titles and are trying to figure out what’s coming next—this guide covers all five published books, both confirmed upcoming releases, and the practical details that matter most: reading order, content considerations, and how ACOTAR stacks up against Maas’s other series.

Books Published: 5 · Main Trilogy: Books 1–3 · Book 6 Release: October 27, 2026 · Series Status: Ongoing

In what order should I read A Court of Thorns and Roses?

Sarah J. Maas and her publisher recommend reading the ACOTAR books in publication order—that means starting with A Court of Thorns and Roses and moving straight through to A Court of Silver Flames without skipping or reordering (Bloomsbury Publishing). This isn’t just a suggestion; the later books assume you’ve experienced the earlier ones, and major plot developments build on prior knowledge in ways that make publication order the most satisfying path.

Publication order

• Book 1: A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
• Book 2: A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
• Book 3: A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
• Novella: A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018)
• Book 5: A Court of Silver Flames (2021)

Chronological story order

For the main narrative, publication order and chronological order are identical—the story moves forward through each installment without flashback chapters or dual timelines that would require reordering. The novella (A Court of Frost and Starlight) takes place after the events of Book 3 and serves as a bridge to Book 5, so reading it in sequence maintains narrative coherence.

How many books are there in the court of thorns and roses series?

As of now, five ACOTAR books have been published, but the series is far from finished. Sarah J. Maas has confirmed two additional titles: Book 6 slated for October 27, 2026, and Book 7 scheduled for January 12, 2027 (Sarah J. Maas Official Website). The series began as a trilogy centered on Feyre Archeron, expanded with a novella bridging to a second arc, and has since grown into what Maas describes as an ongoing saga.

Main books

The core narrative spans three standalone books that together form the original trilogy, with Feyre Archeron as the protagonist throughout. A Court of Thorns and Roses opens her story as a mortal huntress who kills a wolf and finds herself whisked to the faerie realm of Prythian; the trilogy then tracks her transformation through love, war, and self-discovery across A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Wings and Ruin (Bloomsbury Publishing).

Novellas and spin-offs

A Court of Frost and Starlight functions as both a novella and a transitional work—it wraps up loose threads from the trilogy and sets the stage for what comes next, with Book 5 shifting the protagonist role to Feyre’s sister Nesta Archeron (Bloomsbury Publishing). The Goodreads series page lists 7 primary works and 19 total works when counting special editions, companion novellas, and international releases (Goodreads), but the core ongoing narrative consists of five published books plus two announced.

Is there a book 6 of A Court of Thorns and Roses?

Yes, and it’s closer than you might think. Book 6 in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is scheduled for release on October 27, 2026, published by Bloomsbury Publishing in hardback format with 352 pages (ISBN 9781639739134) (Bloomsbury Publishing). Sarah J. Maas announced both Book 6 and Book 7 release dates during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, giving fans more than two years of runway before the first of the new titles arrives (Sarah J. Maas Official Website).

Announcement details

The dual announcement—Book 6 in late 2026 and Book 7 in early 2027—signals that the series is structured as a duology rather than a standalone sequel, suggesting the two books will form a connected narrative arc. Specific plot details remain under wraps, but the announcement came directly from Maas’s official website and was subsequently confirmed through publisher listings.

Expected release date

With a confirmed release date of October 27, 2026 for Book 6 and January 12, 2027 for Book 7, readers have concrete dates to anticipate. The gap between Book 5 (2021) and Book 6 represents the longest wait between installments in the series’ history, but the announcement pattern suggests a more aggressive release schedule going forward once the new arc begins.

What age group is ACOTAR for?

The A Court of Thorns and Roses series is classified as New Adult Fantasy Romance, a category that typically targets readers aged 17 to 30, though the books have found a broad adult readership as well. This classification means the series includes mature content—romantic scenes, violence, and emotional themes—that goes beyond what you’d find in Young Adult fantasy, even when the protagonist is a young adult character.

Content warnings

Readers should expect romantic content that includes explicit scenes, violence tied to the fantasy warfare elements, and emotionally intense relationships. The series does not shy away from mature themes, and this is a deliberate creative choice that distinguishes it from Maas’s earlier Throne of Glass series. Parents considering the books for younger readers should note that “New Adult” as a category sits between Young Adult and Adult fiction in terms of content maturity.

Recommended age

Most readers and reviewers place ACOTAR as appropriate for readers 16 and up, though some parents and educators draw the line at 18 given the romantic content. The books have become popular among adult fantasy readers precisely because of their emotional depth and character development, not just the romance elements. If a 13-year-old is interested, parents should review content specifically—there is nothing legally restricting the books, but the maturity level is genuinely higher than typical YA fantasy.

Is ACOTAR or Throne of Glass more spicy?

The short answer is that ACOTAR leans more heavily into romantic and sexual content than the Throne of Glass series. If you prioritize romance-forward storytelling with explicit scenes, ACOTAR is the series for you. If you’re looking for epic fantasy with extensive world-building and character development where romance plays a supporting role, Throne of Glass will likely be more satisfying (Cats and Coffee review).

Spice levels compared

Both series feature romance, but Throne of Glass is fundamentally an epic fantasy story where relationships develop alongside extensive plot and world-building. ACOTAR, by contrast, is a fantasy romance where the romantic relationship is central to the narrative structure. The difference is not about quality but about genre emphasis—Throne of Glass readers often describe the romance as “slow burn” with less screen time for intimate scenes, while ACOTAR gives those scenes significant narrative weight (Cats and Coffee review).

Reader preferences

Readers who come to Sarah J. Maas through ACOTAR often find Throne of Glass less romance-focused than expected, while Throne of Glass veterans may find ACOTAR’s romantic intensity a tonal shift. The two series share the author’s signature character development and plot twists, but their genre balance differs meaningfully. There is no “better” option—only the choice that matches what you’re looking for in a fantasy read.

Reading the ACOTAR Series: A Step-by-Step Guide

• Step 1: Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses (Book 1, published May 5, 2015). This is the entry point and cannot be skipped.
• Step 2: Read A Court of Mist and Fury (Book 2, 2016) immediately after. This is where the series transforms for most readers.
• Step 3: Continue with A Court of Wings and Ruin (Book 3, published May 2, 2017). This concludes the original Feyre arc.
• Step 4: Read A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018 novella) before Book 5. It provides necessary context and emotional transition.
• Step 5: Move to A Court of Silver Flames (Book 5, 2021). Note that the protagonist changes to Nesta Archeron.
• Step 6: Wait for Book 6 (October 27, 2026) and Book 7 (January 12, 2027). No need to reread unless you want to.

How Does ACOTAR Connect to Sarah J. Maas’s Other Series?

Sarah J. Maas writes three interconnected fantasy series: A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), Throne of Glass, and the Crescent City series. The publisher confirms that all three can be read in any order, though the Crescent City reading experience is “more rewarding if you pick up the Court of Thorns and Roses series first” (Bloomsbury Publishing). Community readers have noted that reading Crescent City before ACOTAR can create minor spoilers for the older series due to shared world elements (Cats and Coffee review).

The table below maps the three series across genre balance, spice level, and reading-order implications so you can decide where to start.

The implication: if you’re planning to read all three series eventually, starting with ACOTAR gives you the broadest context for the shared-world elements that appear in Crescent City.

ACOTAR Series Publication Timeline

The series launched fast, with the first three books arriving within three years, then a longer gap before the recent expansion. The timeline below captures every confirmed release date.

The pattern: fast initial trilogy, then longer waits that compressed once the duology announcement arrived—suggesting the publisher is now planning releases on a tighter schedule.

“You can read these three series in any order, but you may find the Crescent City reading experience more rewarding if you pick up the Court of Thorns and Roses series first.”

— Bloomsbury Publishing (Official Publisher)

“A Court of Frost and Starlight marks the end of her story arc and sets the scene for A Court of Silver Flames, which is Nesta’s book (Feyre’s fiery sister).”

— Bloomsbury Publishing (Official Publisher)

“The first two ACOTAR audiobooks are narrated by Jennifer Ikeda, with Amanda Leigh Cobb taking over for books three and four, and Stina Nielsen narrating the fifth.”

— Cats and Coffee (Book Review Community)

Pros and Cons of Reading the ACOTAR Series

Before committing to a seven-book series, readers should weigh what ACOTAR delivers against its demands. The summary below captures the trade-offs.

ACOTAR Series Specs

Five published books plus two confirmed, with varying lengths and page counts that reflect the series’ narrative ambitions. The specs below let you plan your reading time and decide which format suits you.

The longest book in the series is A Court of Wings and Ruin at 720 pages and 199,464 words, while the upcoming Book 6 is a comparatively lean 352 pages—suggesting the new arc may favor tighter pacing or a narrower focus.

Clarity: What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Still Unknown

With two books announced but many details missing, readers benefit from knowing exactly what’s set in stone versus what’s speculative. The split below separates verified facts from open questions.

Related reading: Five Nights at Freddy’s complete series guide

The A Court of Thorns and Roses unfolds best in publication sequence, mirroring the detailed series reading order that aligns story chronology with release dates for optimal immersion.

Frequently asked questions