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Series Guide
ACOTAR Books in Order: A Court of Thorns and Roses Reading Guide
By Sarah J. Maas · 5 published books · 2 upcoming · Ongoing
The recommended ACOTAR reading order is publication order. There are currently five published books, with A Court of Splintered Harmony scheduled for October 27, 2026 and A Court of Forgotten Melody scheduled for January 12, 2027.
Start with: A Court of Thorns and Roses
What Is ACOTAR?
A Court of Thorns and Roses is Sarah J. Maas's fae-court romantasy series. For first-time readers, publication order is also the clearest story order.
Quick Answer
The recommended ACOTAR reading order is publication order. There are currently five published books, with A Court of Splintered Harmony scheduled for October 27, 2026 and A Court of Forgotten Melody scheduled for January 12, 2027. The series is ongoing.
Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses, continue through A Court of Silver Flames, and keep A Court of Frost and Starlight between A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Silver Flames.
5 published books · 2 upcoming · Ongoing
Quick answer: read A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, A Court of Silver Flames, then A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody.
Read more about this series
Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses, continue through A Court of Silver Flames, and keep A Court of Frost and Starlight between A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Silver Flames.
5 published books · 2 upcoming · Ongoing
Quick answer: read A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, A Court of Silver Flames, then A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody.
Reading order
- 1
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Published2015
Book 1. Introduces Feyre, Prythian, and the core fae-world setup.
- 2
A Court of Mist and Fury
Published2016
Book 2. Expands the courts, the central relationship, and the wider series scale.
- 3
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Published2017
Book 3. Closes the original Feyre-centered war arc.
- 4
A Court of Frost and Starlight
Published2018
Companion novella. Bridges the aftermath of book 3 into the later books.
- 5
A Court of Silver Flames
Published2021
Book 5. Shifts the central focus to Nesta and Cassian.
- 6
A Court of Splintered Harmony
UpcomingOctober 2026
ACOTAR Book 6. Officially scheduled for October 27, 2026. Bloomsbury markets Books 6 and 7 together as The Valkyrie Cycle.
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Amazon - 7
A Court of Forgotten Melody
UpcomingJanuary 2027
ACOTAR Book 7. Officially scheduled for January 12, 2027. Bloomsbury markets Books 6 and 7 together as The Valkyrie Cycle.
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Book-by-Book Overview
| # | Book | Type | Main Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Court of Thorns and Roses | Novel | Feyre and Prythian introduction | Published |
| 2 | A Court of Mist and Fury | Novel | Expands the courts and central relationship | Published |
| 3 | A Court of Wings and Ruin | Novel | Major war and original arc climax | Published |
| 4 | A Court of Frost and Starlight | Companion novella | Bridge and aftermath | Published |
| 5 | A Court of Silver Flames | Novel | Nesta and Cassian focus | Published |
| 6 | A Court of Splintered Harmony | Novel | Upcoming installment | October 27, 2026 |
| 7 | A Court of Forgotten Melody | Novel | Upcoming installment | January 12, 2027 |
ACOTAR Reading Guide
ACOTAR is not just a five-book arc. The published sequence moves from Feyre's original story into a bridge novella and then into later books with a different central focus, with A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody already officially scheduled.
How Many ACOTAR Books Are There?
As of August 12, 2026, five ACOTAR books have been published. Two more are officially listed: A Court of Splintered Harmony for October 27, 2026 and A Court of Forgotten Melody for January 12, 2027, bringing the currently announced series total to seven books.
What Is the Best ACOTAR Reading Order?
For a first read, publication order is the best ACOTAR reading order: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, A Court of Silver Flames, then the upcoming books when they release.
Do You Need a Special ACOTAR Reading Order?
Not really. For a first read, publication order is also the clearest story order. ACOTAR does not have the same kind of competing reading-order debate as Throne of Glass.
Where Does A Court of Frost and Starlight Fit?
A Court of Frost and Starlight belongs after A Court of Wings and Ruin and before A Court of Silver Flames. It is a companion tale and bridge, not a replacement for a main novel, and it gives important emotional and character setup before the later books.
Is ACOTAR a Trilogy?
No. The first three novels form the original major Feyre-centered arc, but ACOTAR continues beyond that trilogy structure. A Court of Frost and Starlight bridges into the later books, and A Court of Silver Flames shifts the central focus to Nesta and Cassian. Two additional ACOTAR books are officially scheduled.
Does ACOTAR Follow the Same Couple?
No. The earlier books primarily follow Feyre's story, but the series expands beyond a single-couple structure. A Court of Silver Flames shifts the main focus to Nesta and Cassian, so the full series is better understood as an expanding ensemble romantasy.
Is the ACOTAR Series Complete?
No. ACOTAR is ongoing. Five books are currently published, and two more are officially listed.
ACOTAR Book 6: Release Date and Current Status
The official title is A Court of Splintered Harmony. Bloomsbury currently lists it as ACOTAR Book 6 with a release date of October 27, 2026, and markets it together with Book 7 as part of The Valkyrie Cycle.
What About ACOTAR Book 7?
A Court of Forgotten Melody is officially listed for January 12, 2027. Bloomsbury currently lists it as the seventh installment in the ACOTAR series.
Does ACOTAR Get Spicier?
Yes. The series becomes more explicit over time, with A Court of Silver Flames representing a noticeably more adult and romance-explicit installment than the opening book.
See the full ACOTAR spice guide.
Should You Read ACOTAR Before Crescent City?
You can start ACOTAR without reading Crescent City or Throne of Glass. Sarah J. Maas's official reading guide says readers can begin with the first book of any of her three series. For readers planning to read the wider Maas books, RomantasyOrder recommends finishing the currently published ACOTAR books before later Crescent City material to reduce crossover spoilers.
Should You Read Throne of Glass Before ACOTAR?
No. You do not need Throne of Glass before ACOTAR. Read whichever Sarah J. Maas series fits your current mood, then circle back later if you want the wider cluster.
Who Should Read ACOTAR?
- Readers who want fae-court romantasy.
- Readers who like a larger cast over time.
- Readers who want romance progression that becomes more explicit later in the series.
Who May Not Enjoy ACOTAR?
- Readers who want a finished series right now.
- Readers who want one fixed central couple throughout.
- Readers who want low-romance fantasy with minimal crossover conversation.
New to this series? Start here
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Best first entry point for ACOTAR readers. Read the published books in order, keep A Court of Frost and Starlight before A Court of Silver Flames, and come back for A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody next.
Buy first book on BookshopSeries at a glance
5
Published now
🌶️🌶️
Spice
Ongoing
Status
3
Tropes
Confirmed upcoming: A Court of Splintered Harmony on October 27, 2026 and A Court of Forgotten Melody on January 12, 2027.
Bridge novella: A Court of Frost and Starlight bridges the original arc and A Court of Silver Flames.
Best for: fae-court romantasy readers
Start with: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct ACOTAR reading order?
Read ACOTAR in publication order: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, A Court of Silver Flames, then A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody.
How many ACOTAR books are there?
There are five published ACOTAR books and two officially confirmed upcoming books, making seven confirmed books in the current sequence.
Is the ACOTAR series complete?
No. ACOTAR is ongoing. A Court of Splintered Harmony is scheduled for October 27, 2026, and A Court of Forgotten Melody is scheduled for January 12, 2027.
Can I skip A Court of Frost and Starlight?
You technically can follow the broad plot without treating it like a full-length main installment, but skipping it is not recommended. It bridges A Court of Wings and Ruin and the later books and gives important emotional and character setup before A Court of Silver Flames.
Can A Court of Silver Flames stand alone?
No. It changes the central couple, but it still depends on the worldbuilding, character history, and emotional setup from the earlier ACOTAR books.
Does every ACOTAR book follow the same couple?
No. The first arc centers on Feyre, then A Court of Silver Flames shifts the main focus to Nesta and Cassian.
Should I read ACOTAR before Crescent City?
You can start ACOTAR without reading Crescent City or Throne of Glass. Sarah J. Maas's official reading guide says readers can begin with the first book of any of her three series. For readers planning to read the wider Maas books, RomantasyOrder recommends finishing the currently published ACOTAR books before later Crescent City material to reduce crossover spoilers.
Should I read Throne of Glass first?
No. You do not need Throne of Glass before ACOTAR. Read whichever Sarah J. Maas series fits your current mood, then circle back later if you want the full connected-world experience.
Is ACOTAR a trilogy?
No. The first three books form the original major arc, but the full series continues with a bridge novella, A Court of Silver Flames, and two confirmed upcoming books.
What comes after A Court of Silver Flames?
A Court of Splintered Harmony comes next, followed by A Court of Forgotten Melody. The official release dates currently listed are October 27, 2026 and January 12, 2027.