A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Reading Order

Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series is a fantasy romance phenomenon following Feyre Archeron from human huntress to High Lady of the Night Court. The series blends fae mythology, romance, and high-stakes fantasy.

Our Recommendation: Read in Publication Order Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses and read straight through. The novella (A Court of Frost and Starlight) should be read between books 3 and 4.

Complete ACOTAR Reading Order

  1. A Court of Thorns and RosesBuy Now2015
  2. A Court of Mist and FuryBuy Now2016
  3. A Court of Wings and RuinBuy Now2017
  4. A Court of Frost and StarlightBuy Now (novella)2018
  5. A Court of Silver FlamesBuy Now2021

Where to Start

Start with: A Court of Thorns and Roses

The series must be read in order. Book 1 is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that establishes the world and characters. Note: Many readers find book 2 (A Court of Mist and Fury) to be where the series truly takes off.

Is A Court of Frost and Starlight necessary?

A Court of Frost and Starlight is a novella/bridge book set between the original trilogy and A Court of Silver Flames. It's lighter in tone (focused on holidays and healing) but contains setup for book 5. We recommend reading it, but some readers skip it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ACOTAR books are there?

There are currently 5 ACOTAR books: 3 main novels, 1 novella, and 1 spin-off novel focusing on Nesta. Sarah J. Maas has confirmed more books are planned for the series.

Should I read Throne of Glass before ACOTAR?

No, they're separate series. Read whichever interests you first. ACOTAR is more romance-focused with adult content; Throne of Glass started as YA and is more action-adventure focused.

Is ACOTAR connected to Crescent City?

Yes! Sarah J. Maas has confirmed connections between her worlds. House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City #3) has major crossover elements. Read ACOTAR before Crescent City book 3 to avoid spoilers.

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