A Court of Thorns and Roses Books in Order
If you are looking for the A Court of Thorns and Roses books in order, you’ve come to the right place. Not only do we have them by publication order and with mini-reviews, but we also have suggestions on when you should read them in relation to Sarah J Maas’s other books!
I’ve been a HUGE fan of A Court of Thorns and Roses since I first read it in 2017. This series got me hooked on the rest of the Sarah J Maas books as well. While I’ve read and loved each of her series, ACOTAR is definitely my favorite of the bunch.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Books in Order
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) – 2015
- A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) – 2016
- A Court of Wing and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) – 2017
- A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1) – 2018
- A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses #4) – 2021
- A Court of Thorns and Roses Book #5 (Announced but release date is TBD)
- A Court of Thorns and Roses Book #6 (Announced but release date is TBD)
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A Court of Thorns and Roses Books in Order with Reviews
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Year: 2020
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: #1 Bestselling series
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This book has a cult-like following for a reason. The first book in the series is a loose fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in the world of Prythian. Magical creatures, humans, and fae are all prominent in the book.
When Feyre kills a wolf in the words, a creature arrives at her house to drag her to a magical land that she has only heard about in stories told to terrify children. Now, she must remain a captor of Tamlin, a fae, as retribution.
This is a fast-paced, addicting, fantasy romance series with a love triangle that develops by the end of the novel. Book two is jaw-dropping! This series is on its way to becoming a classic that you will want to binge in one week.
While this book is technically the first book in a YA fantasy series, the later books become very steamy. The first book is appropriate for YA but Jackie and I agree that the later books in the series are strictly for 18 and up. We are so excited this is going to be one of the Hulu book adaptations.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love a Beauty and the Beast retelling and love a good fantasy romance. Put them together in a book written by Sarah J. Maas and you get a fantastic story.
Why Jackie loves it
The first book is just a warm-up for the rest of the series. Initially, you think you know where this story is headed, but I promise that it will take so many twists and turns, that you will not want to put this book (and the rest of the series) down.
Find this book in: Popular Fantasy Book Series for Young Adults / Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books / Sarah J Maas Books in Order / Fairy Tale Retellings / Best Books by Jewish Writers / Best Adult Fantasy Novels / ACOTAR Books in order
A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah J Maas
Year: 2016
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: ACOTAR #2
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Feyre is having a hard time recovering from what happened under the mountain in Book 1 of the series as she had to do truly terrible things to save the Spring Court. Tamlin’s overbearing and overprotecting tendencies are making her feel trapped. As her wedding to Tamlin, High Lord of the Spring Court approaches, Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court, comes back into her life.
Feyre spends a lot of this learning to control her new High Fae powers while learning to navigate political alliances and her own emotions. This story sets up for an epic battle in part 3.
Why Kirsten loves it
Move over, Tamlin, there is a new leading man in my life. Rhysand is the epitome of a book boyfriend. Strong, charismatic, funny, and sexy as hell. Feyre is a hell of a heroine too – a badass heroine that would make Katniss Everdeen proud.
I loved how she found her inner strength in this book and I can’t wait to see where their story takes us in book 3! Be warned though – this fantasy series doesn’t have many sex scenes, but the sex scenes they have are quite explicit.
Find This Book in: The Best Books Like Fourth Wing
Find similar books in: Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses
Court of Wings and Ruin
Author: Sarah J Maas
Year: 2017
Genre: Fantasy
More info: ACOTAR #3
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Feyre and the Courts of Prythian need to work together to defeat the king threatening to take over their land. This story is filled with political machinations and lots of battles, but also the sweet moments and friendly banter between the friends in the Night Court.
The book wraps up Feyre’s story nicely, bit leaves room at the end for her sisters and the other members of the Night Court to get their own stories and adventures.
Why Kirsten loves it
The epic conclusion to the main trilogy of books in ACOTAR felt well-concluded, but I was craving more. I’m so happy to know our time in Pyrthian isn’t yet over as SJM has promised more books set in this universe.
A Court of Frost and Starlight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Year: 2018
Genre: Fantasy
More info: A Court of Thorn and Roses #3.5
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This short novel bridges the gap between the #ACOTAR trilogy and the next books set in the same universe. It has us catching up with all of our favorite characters during the Winter Solstice.
Why Kirsten loves it
This holiday book is cute and fun with no real plot – just some stage setting for the next book. Think of it as an extended epilogue to A Court of Wings and Ruins.
Find this book in: Fantasy Christmas Books / Best Holiday Books / Sarah J Maas Books in Order / A Court of Thorns and Roses Books in order
A Court of Silver Flames
Author: Sarah J Maas
Year: 2021
Genre: Fantasy
More info: ACOTAR #4
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Sarah J. Maas does it again, which is saying something because I am not a Nesta Archeron fan and she was our main protagonist in this story. The book revolves around her love story with Cassian, but also around her overcoming her trauma from being cauldron-made.
The Queens from the previous books are also back with a new deadly plan. Can Nesta help heal the lands and herself while also preventing further devastation?
Trigger Warnings
Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
I can’t wait to see and read the next story in this series, even if I have to wait another 2-3 years. Even though it was 800 pages, I flew through it in 3 days.
Find this book in: A Court of Thorns and Roses Books in Order / Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books / Books With Color in the Title
A Court of Thorns and Roses Special Editions
I also wanted to showcase the new special editions and the updated covers of the ACOTAR series. I’m still partial to the covers with Feyre on the front, but I know not everyone agrees with me. Which editions do you like best?
Amazing A Court of Thorns and Roses Gear
Can’t get enough of Feyre and her crew? Check out the amazing fan-created pieces below.
Expert Tip
Is A Court of Thorns and Roses Series a YA fantasy or an adult fantasy?
The first book in A Court of Thorns and Roses Series can be considered appropriate for children ages 14+. HOWEVER, the remaining books in the series are not appropriate for anyone under the age of 18.
I recommend not allowing anyone under the age of 18 to read the books. They will inevitably want to keep reading and the content is sexual in nature and not appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Court of Thorns and Roses series order?
Is ACOTAR a YA Fantasy?
No. Even Though the books are published under a young adult imprint, they are definitely not appropriate for an audience under the age of 18 years old.
When should I read ACOTAR in relation to SJM’s other books?
I believe in starting with ACOTAR. It’s trilogy set-up of the first three books has fewer characters than the Throne of Glass or Crescent City Series and the world-building isn’t as intense. It’s a great gateway book to the world of Sarah J Maas. Whatever you do, don’t read Crescent City BEFORE ACOTAR, you’ll miss important elements if you reverse it.
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Epilogue
That’s the full list of A Court of Thorns and Roses books in order. I think you can take a break after the 3rd book and revisit the novella and Nesta’s story whenever you’d like! But as I mentioned earlier, make sure you read this series BEFORE reading Crescent City.
Ultimate List of Best Adult Fantasy Novels to Read
If fantasy books are your favorite books, then these are the perfect book lists for you. This list if carefully curated and divided into sub-genres.
