How Many ACOTAR Books Are There?

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)

Feyre Archeron, a mortal huntress, kills a wolf in the woods and is taken to the faerie world of Prythian by the High Lord Tamlin as punishment. What starts as Beauty and the Beast retelling slowly reveals a world under a dark curse. This is the entry point — lighter in tone than what follows, heavy on world-building and Feyre's introduction to the fae.

A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF)

Widely considered the best book in the series and one of the best romantasy novels ever written. Feyre escapes a suffocating situation with the help of Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court — and discovers a world, a power, and a love she never imagined. The shift from Book 1 is dramatic. The Night Court world-building, the Feysand dynamic, and the emotional arc here are what turned ACOTAR into a phenomenon. Do not skip ahead to this one — you need Book 1 for full impact.

A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAF)

The conclusion of Feyre's main trilogy. War is coming to Prythian and Feyre must navigate court politics, family loyalties, and the full scale of the threat she's been preparing for. This is the biggest book scope-wise — multiple POVs, massive battle sequences, and the payoff of everything built in Books 1-2. The ending sets up the world's future without closing it entirely.

A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOFAS)

A shorter bridge novella set after ACOWAF, following multiple characters in the aftermath of the war. It's not required reading but gives closure on character arcs and sets up Nesta's story in Book 5. If you loved the inner circle dynamics, this is worth it. If you mainly want the Nesta/Cassian story, you can skim it or skip to the key chapters.

A Court of Silver Flames (ACOSF)

Nesta Archeron and Cassian. The most explicit book in the series by a wide margin, and one of the most beloved Nesta redemption arcs in the genre. ACOSF focuses tightly on Nesta's trauma, her resistance to healing, and her combustible dynamic with Cassian. Many readers actually prefer this to the main trilogy — it's darker, more intense, and the romance is more central. Can be read somewhat independently but benefits from knowing Books 1-4.

As of 2025, Sarah J. Maas has not published a sixth ACOTAR book. She has indicated more stories set in the Prythian world are planned — potentially focusing on Elain and Azriel — but no title, publication date, or official announcement has been made. Maas is currently focused on her Crescent City series, which shares a connected universe.

Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros

The most obvious next read. Fourth Wing has the same romantasy DNA — a world with magic, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and a female protagonist discovering her power. It's the book that picked up where ACOSF left off on the bestseller lists and has a similarly devoted fanbase.

From Blood and Ash – Jennifer L. Armentrout

Poppy has been protected and sheltered her entire life — and her guard Hawke is the one person she's not supposed to want. JLA's world is heavily influenced by ACOTAR and delivers the same forbidden romance intensity with a similarly complex magic system reveal structure. The fandom overlap is massive.

Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas

Maas's other major series. Celaena Sardothien, an assassin, competes for the position of King's Champion. The writing is slightly earlier Maas — less refined than ACOTAR — but the world-building becomes enormous and the later books (Heir of Fire onward) are among her best work. The Crescent City series connects all of Maas's worlds if you want the full picture.