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series Reading Order

Court of Thorns and Roses Books in Order

5 Books
2015 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

The best and most straightforward way to experience the Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series is in publication order. Because the narrative timeline flows linearly, the publication order is also the chronological order. Reading them in this sequence ensures you follow Feyre's—and later Nesta's—journeys without spoiling any major plot twists or character developments.

  1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
  2. A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
  3. A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
  4. A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018 - Novella / Book 3.5)
  5. A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
  6. Untitled ACOTAR 6 (Expected October 27, 2026)
  7. Untitled ACOTAR 7 (Expected January 12, 2027)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Unlike some fantasy series with complex prequels, ACOTAR does not require any timeline shuffling. The only minor point of confusion is A Court of Frost and Starlight. Often referred to as Book 3.5, this companion novella is a shorter, slice-of-life story set during the Winter Solstice. While some readers suggest skipping it, it acts as an essential bridge that sets up the emotional stakes and political landscape for Nesta's story in A Court of Silver Flames.

The "Maasverse" and Crescent City Crossovers

Sarah J. Maas's series are interconnected in a shared multiverse known by fans as the "Maasverse." The crossover elements culminate in the Crescent City series, particularly in House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City Book 3), which features direct crossovers with the characters of ACOTAR. To maximize your reading experience and avoid major spoilers, it is highly recommended to read the entire ACOTAR series up to A Court of Silver Flames before diving into the Crescent City series.

Upcoming ACOTAR Books

During her March 2026 interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Sarah J. Maas officially announced that the next phase of the ACOTAR series is a massive, unified story divided into four parts. The first installment, book 6, is scheduled for publication by Bloomsbury on October 27, 2026. This will be quickly followed by book 7 on January 12, 2027, with book 8 currently in progress to wrap up the overarching plotline.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading A Court of Thorns and Roses?

You should start with the first novel, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and follow the publication order. The series has a linear timeline, so there is no need to shuffle books chronologically.

QDo I need to read A Court of Frost and Starlight?

Yes. Although it is a companion novella (Book 3.5), it serves as a crucial bridge that transitions the focus of the series and sets up the character dynamics for A Court of Silver Flames.

QHow does ACOTAR connect to the Crescent City series?

The series exist in a shared multiverse called the "Maasverse." Characters and locations crossover significantly in House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City Book 3), making ACOTAR essential pre-reading.

QWhen is the next ACOTAR book coming out?

The sixth book in the series is scheduled to be released on October 27, 2026, followed by the seventh book on January 12, 2027.

QWho wrote the A Court of Thorns and Roses series?

The entire series is written solely by Sarah J. Maas and published by Bloomsbury.

QWhat is the best order to read all of Sarah J. Maas's series?

The most popular order is to read the entire A Court of Thorns and Roses series first, followed by the Throne of Glass series, and finally the Crescent City series to fully enjoy the crossover events.