If you have ever heard someone mention a certain Rhysand (👀), or scrolled past memes about dangerously attractive faeries, odds are you have run into ACOTAR, the series that has upended romantic fantasy over the past few years.
Here is a complete guide, kept mostly spoiler free, so you can figure out whether this story is for you.
What is ACOTAR?
ACOTAR is short for A Court of Thorns and Roses, the title of the first book in the series. It is epic fantasy with romance, magic, politics, battles, and intense characters who change enormously along the way.
It is written by bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, known for building rich, dark, deeply emotional worlds.
About the author: Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas (United States, 1986) published her first novel at 26 and has been a global phenomenon ever since.
- Author of Throne of Glass, Crescent City, and ACOTAR.
- Her books have been translated into more than 37 languages.
- She is an expert at pairing fantasy with intense relationships and unexpected twists, and at building complex worlds.
The ACOTAR books in order, with summaries
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Year: 2015
- Genre: a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a dark streak.
- What is it about? Feyre, a human huntress, accidentally kills a magical creature. As punishment she is taken into the world of the Fae, where she discovers that things are not what they seem.
- Themes: freedom, love, sacrifice, betrayal.
This is the most young adult book in the series, though the story turns more mature starting with the next one.
2. A Court of Mist and Fury
- Year: 2016
- This is where the real emotional journey begins.
- Feyre deals with the fallout of the first book and comes up against her own identity, her power, and unexpected new bonds.
- The Night Court appears, and with it… Rhysand.
- Beloved by fans, considered the best of the series by many, myself included.
If you liked the first book, this one will probably become an obsession.
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin
- Year: 2017
- Looming war, alliances, secrets brought into the open.
- Character arcs closing for many of the cast.
- A heavy dose of action, strategy, and emotional growth.
An epic ending to Feyre’s main trilogy.
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight
- Year: 2018
- A kind of holiday interlude set in Velaris.
- Shorter, a bridge between arcs.
- More intimate and personal, focused on recovery after the war.
Not essential in plot terms, though it is a treat for fans.
5. A Court of Silver Flames
- Year: 2021
- Starring Nesta Archeron, Feyre’s sister, and Cassian.
- Centered on mental health, trauma, and female empowerment.
- More adult, intense, emotional, and sensual.
- It also develops new friendships between women and expands the Fae world.
Much darker and deeper. This is not a light read, though every page is worth it.
Will there be more books?
Yes, and the wait is finally over. In March 2026, Sarah J. Maas announced on the Call Her Daddy podcast that the next ACOTAR installment had grown so large it was split in two, giving us books six and seven. On August 17, 2026, she revealed the titles and covers: A Court of Splintered Harmony, out October 27, 2026, and A Court of Forgotten Melody, out January 12, 2027.
According to the synopsis, book six follows the Night Court as it stands against Koschei the Deathless and other enemies bent on overrunning the human lands. Maas has described the whole thing as one massive story told in parts, so at least one more book is expected after these two.
As for the screen, the Hulu adaptation that was announced back in 2021 never made it out of development. Showrunner Ronald D. Moore left the project, and Maas confirmed in March 2026 that she has the rights to all of her books back, saying her focus right now is on the books themselves. A future adaptation is not off the table, though for the moment there is nothing in production.
What order should you read ACOTAR in?
- A Court of Thorns and Roses.
- A Court of Mist and Fury.
- A Court of Wings and Ruin.
- A Court of Frost and Starlight (optional but recommended).
- A Court of Silver Flames.
Is it for you?
Yes, if you like:
- Fantasy with dark, emotional romance.
- Strong, complex female characters.
- Enemies who turn into allies, and then something more.
- Magical worlds with politics, battles, and drama.
- Books that grab you and refuse to let go.
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