PLEASE NOTE: This blog contains spoilers!
When you think of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), you may think of fated mates… Or perhaps dark, mysterious shadow daddies? Although this series didn’t invent these tropes, it did bring such tropes to the forefront of romantasy, especially with its popularity on BookTok, where you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of reviews of the books or deep dives into the series (which happen to be a personal favorite of mine)!
What readers love most about the ACOTAR series is the romance, the will-they-won’t-they of a couple of key characters, and the good-versus-evil angle of war. This guide will hopefully kickstart a desire to read the A Court of Thorns and Roses series while helping you learn more about the books!
"I am the rock against which the surf crashes.[...] Nothing can break me."
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The Author Behind The Series: Romantasy Revivalist Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas might be one of the most popular authors alive at the moment. Yes, she’s a #1 New York Times bestselling author, but what’s more impressive is how her writing career began in her teens!
Throne of Glass began as Queen of Glass on Fiction Press in the early aughts, before she eventually traditionally published it in 2012, followed by the publication of ACOTAR in 2015.
Years before Sarah even thought up Queen of Glass, her parents adopted and raised her on the Upper East Side. While writing in her teens, Sarah graduated from high school and attended Hamilton College in 2008.
During her time in college, she not only met her husband, Josh, but also graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and a minor in Religious Studies.
Where The Idea For The Series Came From?
Sarah J. Maas drew inspiration from the stories of Beauty and the Beast, the Scottish ballad of Tam Lin, and East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and created ACOTAR, one of the most recognizable series in the modern era!
She’s written a series full of depth and emotions, raising ACOTAR’s popularity into the stratosphere.
Tropes you can expect from this series include (SPOILERS!): enemies to lovers, fated mates, found family, one bed, resurrection, and touch her and die vibes.
What Genre Is ACOTAR?
ACOTAR is the perfect entry point into romantasy for those just starting their journey into the genre, especially if you love reading romance but not so much fantasy.
With lots of action, profound emotional moments, and both plot and romance, this series appeals to many audiences.
How Many Books Are There In The ACOTAR Series & Is It Completed?
Bloomsbury has published the series since 2015 and ACOTAR is still a work in progress. Five books have been released so far, but I have great news!
ACOTAR 6 (Part 1) will be released on October 27th, 2026, followed by ACOTAR 7 (Parts 2 and 3), which will be published on January 12th, 2027.
Part four will eventually be distributed, but Sarah hasn’t announced a date just yet.
Titles for the next books have not been released at this time!
ACOTAR Reading Order
Book 1 - A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
Published May 5, 2015
Page count: 419
SYNOPSIS FOR ACOTAR - CONTAINS SPOILERS
Feyre Archeron hunts in the dead of winter, desperate to bring home food for her starving family: sisters Nesta and Elain, as well as their father.
After she shoots a wolf, who turns out to be a fae, the nineteen-year-old is whisked away from the Human Lands to Prythian by Tamlin, the High Lord of Spring, and also befriends Lucien during this time.
As she grows closer to Tamlin, she’s sent back home to be safe, but she’s faced with a difficult choice: remain at home with her sisters and father, or return to rescue the one she loves from a curse.
Book 2 - A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF)
Published May 3, 2016
Page count: 614
SYNOPSIS FOR ACOMAF - CONTAINS SPOILERS
Months after the events Under the Mountain, Feyre and Tamlin are dealing with their trauma and grief, especially Feyre, who is now High Fae and no longer human. The pair prepares to wed.
When Feyre panics as she walks down the aisle, Rhysand, the High Lord of Night, calls in the bargain they made Under the Mountain and takes her to the Night Court to spend weeks with him.
The more time she spends in Night and with the Inner Circle, the more she realizes her home is no longer in Spring and with Tamlin. Home feels more like Rhysand, his second-in-command, Amren, his general, Cassian, his spymaster, Azriel, and his cousin and third-in-command, the Morrigan.
But what happens when choices made lead to her sisters being forced to become fae?
Book 3 - A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR)
Published May 2, 2017
Page count: 705
SYNOPSIS FOR ACOWAR - CONTAINS SPOILERS
After marrying Rhysand and being given the title High Lady, Feyre decides to return to the Spring Court to spy and keep an eye out for Hybern’s forces.
She becomes masterful at lying, though she and Lucien return to the Night Court. Feyre must decide which courts to trust as war becomes more likely and looms closer with each passing day.
Book 4 - A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOFAS)
Published May 1, 2018
Page count: 229
SYNOPSIS FOR ACOFAS - CONTAINS SPOILERS
Often considered a Holiday novella, this book is the first in the series not told from Feyre’s first-person point of view.
Instead, we get various characters’ viewpoints, which serve as a great bridge between the original first-person trilogy and the next set of novels with multiple points of view!
Feyre continues to learn her role of High Lady as her friends and loved ones prepare to celebrate Solstice.
Book 5 - A Court of Silver Flames (ACOSF)
Published Feb 16, 2021
Page count: 751
SYNOPSIS FOR ACOSF - CONTAINS SPOILERS
A Court of Silver Flames is written in a limited third-person point of view, switching between Nesta Archeron and Cassian.
Nesta adjusts to both her new body as a fae, but also deals with the trauma of being forced into the cauldron and stripped of her humanity.
As she drowns in her emotions and guilt, she’s sent to the House of Wind to try to recover. She and Cassian grow closer, but more importantly, Nesta trains as a Valkyrie and becomes close friends with a priestess and an Illyrian.
She must navigate this new world as new threats loom all around her.
Is ACOTAR Spicy?
Since the books contain spice to varying degrees (especially A Court of Silver Flames), the series can no longer be considered YA as it once was (but more so NA / Adult fantasy), and you can expect the spice level to increase with each subsequent book.
One of the best jokes on social media is dumping out a basket of chili peppers to describe the spice level for A Court of Silver Flames!
Spicy Chapters In The Series:
*A Court of Thorns and Roses: 21, 27, 42, 46
*A Court of Mist and Fury: 2, 42, 48, 55
*A Court of Wings and Ruin: 14, 29, 39, 56
*A Court of Frost and Starlight: 2, 5, 22
*A Court of Silver Flames: 15 (solo session),
19, 22, 26, 37, 41, 44, 51, 58
Characters & Locations In ACOTAR
Main Characters
Feyre Archeron (Introduced in ACOTAR)
Youngest Archeron sister
High Lady of the Night Court
Former human, current High Fae
Died and resurrected by the High Lords
Has a drop of power from each High Lord, so she possesses many powers.
21-22 (ACOSF)
Blue grey eyes, and golden-brown hair, with bargain tattoos including a seeing eye on her hand from Rhysand
Hunter and archer
Rhysand (First appears in ACOTAR)
High Lord of the Night Court
Half-high fae/half-Illyrian
Mated to Feyre
Died and resurrected
Darkness manipulation, among other powers
537-538yo (ACOSF)
Deep blue violet eyes, black hair, multiple tattoos, wings he can bring forth
Nesta Archeron (First appears in ACOTAR)
Eldest Archeron sister
Former human, current High Fae
Former emissary to the Night Court
Trained Valkyrie
Power over death
25 (ACOSF)
Blue-grey eyes, golden-brown hair, with a crashing waves tattoo on her back
Clawed and swallowed the Cauldron’s power while drowning in it
Can control the Dead Trove items
Made a deal with the Mother to give up most of her power if Feyre and Nyx could be saved at the end of ACOSF
Deals with PTSD
Tamlin (First appears in ACOTAR)
High Lord of Spring
Shapeshifting and glamoring powers
509-510 (ACOSF)
Green eyes, golden hair
Plays the fiddle
Formerly engaged to Feyre Archeron
Deals with PTSD
Cassian (First appears in ACOMAF)
Illyrian
General and Commander of the Night Court
538-539yo (ACOSF)
Black hair, hazel eyes, stocky build, Illyrian wings
Part of the Night Court Inner Circle
Mated to Nesta Archeron
Supporting Characters
Azriel (First appears in ACOMAF)
Spymaster for the Night Court
Part of the Night Court Inner Circle
539-540 years (ACOSF)
Black hair, hazel eyes, and Illyrian wings
Shadowsinger abilities, including shadows that dance around him
Shadow powers
In love with Morrigan for centuries, but has an attraction towards Elain
Elain (First appears in ACOTAR)
Middle Archeron sister
Former human, now High Fae
Seer abilities
23-24 (ACOSF)
Brown eyes, golden brown hair
Avid gardener
Favored by the Cauldron
Not as much is known about her as her sisters, as we haven’t gotten her viewpoint, YET, with hopes that she’ll have a point of view in the upcoming novels.
Lucien (First appears in ACOTAR)
Youngest son of the Lady of Autumn
Believed to be Baron’s son, but actually Helion’s
Emissary of the Night Court
Less than 500yo
Possesses a golden mechanical eye that can see beyond what a normal eye can, plus a russet eye and red hair
Sly fox
Fire magic, spell-cleaver, healing powers
Mated to Elain Archeron, though the bond has yet to be accepted
Part of the Band of Exiles
Amren (First appears in ACOMAF)
Rhysand’s Second to the High Lord
Illusion manipulation and healing powers, among others.
10, 000+ years (ACOSF)
Silver eyes, black hair
Sarcastic and easily annoyed
Morrigan (First appears in ACOMAF)
Rhysand’s Third to the High Lord
Rhysand’s distant cousin
Truth powers, among others (though no details yet about what her powers mean)
537-538 (ACOSF)
Brown eyes, blonde hair
Originally betrothed to Eris Vanserra
Queer
Protective of those she loves
Helion (First appears in ACOTAR)
High Lord of Day
Spellcleaver, among other powers
500+ years (ACOSF)
Amber eyes, black hair
Lucien’s father, though it’s unclear if he knows
Trusted by Rhysand
Queer
Eris (First appears in ACOWAR)
Autumn Court’s heir
Lucien’s eldest brother
500+ years (ACOSF)
Amber eyes, red hair
Originally betrothed to Morrigan
Secretly plotting against his father
Suriel (First appears in ACOTAR)
Prophetic and always has the tea
Malevolent fairie species (more than one)
‘Older than the bones of this world’
Milky white eyes, no hair
Has a fondness for Feyre Archeron
Tarquin (First meet him in ACOMAF)
High Lord of Summer
Water manipulation powers
82 (ACOSF)
Turquoise eyes, white hair
Trusting until Rhysand and Feyre steal from him
Sent blood rubies, but removed the threat after ACOWAR
Youngest high lord
Ianthe (First meet her in ACOMAF)
Tamlin’s High priestess
Mistress manipulator
300+ when deceased
Teal eyes, blonde hair
Predator
Bryaxis (First appears in ACOWAR)
Creature of nightmares
Resided in the cavernous pit in the Night Court Library
Unknown age
Female, but no description given
Feeds on fear
Made a bargain with Feyre to help during the war in exchange for a window to see the stars
Disappeared after the war
Jurian (First encounter his eye in ACOTAR, meet him in ACOMAF)
Amarantha wore his eye in a ring during her reign of terror
Was aware of everything she did Under the Mountain
500+ mortal (resurrected)
Brown eyes, brown hair
One of Lucien’s closest friends in the Band of Exiles
Vassa (First meet her in ACOWAR)
One of the mortal queens
Firebird shifting due to Koschei’s curse (human at night, firebird at day)
Mid-20’s (ACOWAR)
Blue eyes, reddish-gold hair
One of the Band of Exiles
Released temporarily to help in the war against Hybern
Really admired Papa Archeron
The Bone Carver (First appeared in ACOMAF)
Death Carver/one of the Old Gods
Divination powers, among others
Ancient when killed
Helped Feyre in the war against Hybern
Alis (First appears in ACOTAR)
Urisk (lesser fae)
Works for Tamlin
Unknown age
Brown hair, brown eyes, skin texture like tree bark
Helped Morrigan deliver Feyre to the Night Court
Villains
Amarantha
Killed by Tamlin
Stole some of the High Lords’ powers, among others
500+ (ACOTAR)
Obsessed with Tamlin since he was young (ew)
Forced Feyre into trials when she went to rescue Tamlin
Cruel
King of Hybern
Killed by Elain and Nesta
Unknown age
Worked with Amrantha
Worked with the Mortal Queens
Briallyn
High Fae
Former Mortal Queen
30s
Looks like an Old Crone
The Cauldron punished her after Nesta stole power, turning her body old and decrepit.
Creatures & Gods In ACOTAR
Contain Spoilers
Old gods like the Bone Carver and the Weaver
White bears that can fight (Winter Court)
White Foxes that are curious (Winter Court)
Pegasi (Day Court, most were slaughtered by Amarantha, sadly)
Suriel's - prophetic fae
Wraiths - servants of Rhysand
Discovering The World Of Prythian (Courts)
Summer
Tarquin is High Lord
Boasts four cities
The High fae all boast dark skin, but various eye colors
Spring
Tamlin is High Lord
Destroyed by Feyre
Needs to be rebuilt
Autumn
Baron is High Lord
Resides in the Forest House with his family
The woods remind others of a jewelry box with its deep colors
Winter
Kallias is High Lord, and Viviane is Lady of Winter
Viviane ruled in Kallias’s place when he was trapped Under the Mountain
Full of roaring fireplaces and evergreens, with sleighs as the main mode of transportation
Day
Helion is High Lord
Full of libraries and knowledge
Dawn
Thesion is High Lord
Lush countryside
Night
Rhysand is High Lord, and Feyre is High Lady
Where you spend most of your time while reading the series!
Divided into three sections: Court of Nightmares, Illyria, and Velaris - the City of Starlight (beautiful and glittering). Velaris was a secret that Rhysand kept even while Under the Mountain.
The Court of Nightmares is the Hewn City, considered a violent place with those who might not agree with Rhysand’s method of ruling and living by their own morals. The residents in the Hewn City are also unaware of Velaris’s existence until the books.
Illyria - home to the Illyrian race. Most train to be in Rhysand’s army and, unfortunately, still don’t see females as equals like in Velaris.
Is ACOTAR Available In Audiobook Form?
For the audiobook lovers, do I have good news! All the books in the ACOTAR series are available in standard audiobook form with Elizabeth Evans as the narrator, but also as Graphic Audio full-cast audiobooks, and I personally recommend checking out the latter for a truly immersive experience.
Will ACOTAR Have A Movie / TV Series Adaptation?
ACOTAR was originally in development with Hulu, but has since been dropped. At present, Sarah has no plans for a TV series, at least not until she finishes the ACOTAR series, which is understandable.
Books To Read After A Court Of Thorns And Roses
For those who like more traditional seelie/unseelie courts, Holly Black’s fairy books will be the perfect read. While The Cruel Prince is one of her most popular series, the Modern Faerie Tales trilogy lays the groundwork for Holly' s world of Faerie.
If your favorite character in ACOTAR is Nesta, you’ll love Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.
If you love forbidden romance and want diverse (Persian) mythology, read This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi.
If you love being in The Night Court, add the Nytefall trilogy by Chloe C. Peñaranda to your TBR.
If you want straight romantasy in an academic setting and a strong female lead who doesn’t give up, check out The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros (unfinished).
Other Books In the Maasaverse (spoilers)
While ACOTAR and Throne of Glass take place in the same world, and Throne of Glass lays some fun Easter eggs, there’s only one brief moment of crossover between Kingdom of Ash and A Court of Silver Flames.
HOWEVER, Crescent City and ACOTAR have a huge crossover, and while it’s not absolutely necessary, I recommend you read Crescent City before book 6 drops in late October of this year!
I hope you enjoyed reading this guide to the ACOTAR series as much as I did writing it. If you haven’t read the series yet, you’re in for lush worlds, beloved romantasy tropes, and plenty of feet-kicking moments if you decide to pick it up (and I recommend you do). Happy reading!
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