Escape to Prythian: A Guide to Reading the ACOTAR Series

Full of toe-curling romance, political intrigue, and an immersive fantasy world, the ACOTAR books are a worldwide phenomenon! Whether you’re reading the series for the first time or looking for a refresher before you move on to another Sarah J. Maas series, our guide is here to help—while keeping spoilers to a minimum, of course!

A Deep Dive into Sarah J. Maas

Commonly referred to as the “Queen of Romantasy,” the author of ACOTAR, Sarah J. Maas, is often heralded as one of the most popular writers of her time. As a #1 New York Times and internationally best-selling author, Maas has managed to generate an ever-growing fanbase of readers, taking BookTok by storm around 2020. Between writing her first series, Throne of Glass, at 16 years old, connecting with millions of romantics in the ACOTAR series, and exploring urban fantasy with Crescent City, Maas is certainly a name to look out for!

What is ACOTAR?

If you’ve been online in the last couple of years, you’ve no doubt seen the acronym thrown around in literary spheres—but what does it stand for? ACOTAR stands for A Court of Thorns and Roses, the title of the first book in the series. You’ll notice that fans of the ACOTAR series tend to abbreviate all of the titles using the same format.

Title Abbreviations for the ACOTAR Books:

• ACOTAR: A Court of Thorns and Roses
• ACOMAF: A Court of Mist and Fury
• ACOWAR: A Court of Wings and Ruin
• ACOFAS: A Court of Frost and Starlight
• ACOSF: A Court of Silver Flames

Should You Read the ACOTAR Books Before Sarah J. Maas’s Other Series?

Each of Sarah J. Maas’s series was written to act as an independent story. While this means there is technically no “correct” order to read them, many dedicated fantasy fans recommend starting with the ACOTAR books—especially if you’re just dipping your toe in the romance subgenre. We personally think the payoff of finishing this series before starting Crescent City is well worth it.

Are the ACOTAR Books Considered Spicy?

Make no mistake—while A Court of Thornes and Roses leans more towards romantic tension and provides minimal spice, the ACOTAR books become increasingly graphic throughout the series. The second and third feature steamy moments and pulse-racing on-page descriptions, but it’s the fifth book that truly breaks the spice scale. If you’re looking for scandalously explicit scenes to get your pulse racing, you’ll love A Court of Silver Flames.

Dive into Sarah J. Maas’s Fantastical World with the ACOTAR Series

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an avid audiobook listener, e-reader fan, or physical copy lover, there are countless ways to enjoy the ACOTAR series! Lose yourself in the story and fall in love with the fantastical cast of characters ASAP.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

The ACOTAR series kicks off with A Court of Thorns and Roses. After killing a wolf in the woods to provide for her family, a terrifying monster appears to demand retribution from 19-year-old Feyre Archeron. To save her sisters, she agrees to go with him to his world, Prythian, the legendary realm of the Fae. But, upon arriving at the Spring Court, she discovers her captor is not quite the beast she thought he was—at least not always.

As Feyre adapts to her new home, her feelings for Tamlin, the High Lord of the region, twist and transform into something more romantic than she ever thought possible. But as tensions between them grow, it’s clear something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient evil is growing, and it’s up to Feyre to save the Fae male (and world) she’s come to love.

A Court of Mist and Fury

In the second of the ACOTAR series, A Court of Mist and Fury, Feyre has survived Amarantha’s clutches Under the Mountain—but at a cost. She may have the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, but her still-human heart can’t forget the terrible deeds she enacted to save Tamlin’s people. As their wedding approaches and her bargain with Rhysand, the High Lord of the feared Night Court, begins, Feyre must navigate her new gifts, tantalizing temptations, and political plotting to defeat the looming evil before it’s too late.

A Court of Wings and Ruin

Everything comes to a head in the third ACOTAR book, A Court of Wings and Ruin. Determined to gather intel on Tamlin and the invading King Hybern's next moves, Feyre returns to the Spring Court. But one wrong move could mean that everyone and everything she holds dear could perish. As war rages, Feyre must master her powers and take her place amongst the other High Fae of the land to save the world she’s come to love—no matter the stakes.

A Court of Frost and Starlight

A Court of Frost and Starlight, the fourth and shortest title in the ACOTAR series, gives readers a bit of a breather. As the world recovers from the war and the Winter Solstice approaches, Feyre, Rhysand, and the rest of the Inner Circle are hard at work rebuilding the Night Court. Navigating her first holiday as High Lady, Feyre must find a way to help those she loves most in the world heal from the lingering emotional scars of their past.

The Original Inner Circle in the ACOTAR Books:

• Rhysand: High Lord of the Night Court
• Cassian: the General Commander of the Night Court armies
• Morrigan “Mor”: Rhysand’s cousin and third in command, overseer of the Court of Nightmares
  Azriel: Shadowsinger and spymaster for the Night Court
• Amren: a creature from another world, second in command and advisor to the High Lord

A Court of Silver Flames

Ever since she was forced into the Cauldron and turned into High Fae against her will, Nesta Archeron, Feyre’s older sister, has struggled to find a place for herself in Prythian. Angry, unforgiving, and proud, she can’t seem to move past the horrific memories of the war with Hybern. After countless failed attempts to help curb her destructive behavior, Feyre and Rhysand force Nesta to live in the House of Wind. There, she must train with Cassian and work in the library until something, anything, changes.

There’s just one problem: no one sets off her temper more than Cassian. But as the two are forced to spend time together, it’s clear that the intense connection between them is undeniable. With a threat to the Continent growing in the background, the key to salvation might very well depend on Cassian and Nesta facing their inner demons. Dive into the fifth ACOTAR book, A Court of Silver Flames, to experience the fiery passion for yourself.

Is the ACOTAR Series Complete?

Fans of Feyre and friends can rejoice! For a while, all we had was the confirmation that Maas finished the draft of the next ACOTAR book from last July. But on March 4th, 2026, Maas went on the podcast Call Her Daddy to announce that we’re getting two new titles in the ACOTAR series! The sixth will be out this year on October 27th, with the seventh released not long after on January 12th, 2027.

The next time you’re searching for magical escapism, head to your favorite Rochester, Michigan, bookstore and grab the first in the ACOTAR series! Book club it with friends or devour the books by yourself. You’ll be hooked—trust us.