The ACOTAR books are a fantasy-romance series by Sarah J. Maas, officially titled A Court of Thorns and Roses. The recommended reading order starts with A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015), followed by A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight and A Court of Silver Flames. Two further books are scheduled: A Court of Splintered Harmony on October 27, 2026, and A Court of Forgotten Melody on January 12, 2027, according to the author’s official website.
ACOTAR Books in Order — Complete Series Guide, Summaries and Upcoming Releases
Introduction: What Are the ACOTAR Books?
The ACOTAR books have become a widely recognized fantasy-romance series for readers who enjoy magical worlds, powerful characters, dangerous rivalries and emotionally complicated relationships. Written by Sarah J. Maas, the series follows Feyre Archeron, a young human whose life changes after she crosses into the realm of the Fae.
The story takes place primarily in Prythian, a magical land divided into different courts, each with its own rulers, customs, powers and political interests. As the series develops, it moves beyond its initial fairy-tale-inspired premise into larger conflicts involving love, loyalty, war, trauma and the struggle for power.
The first novel, A Court of Thorns and Roses, was published in 2015. Bloomsbury identifies five previously published books in the main series, while the sixth and seventh installments are scheduled for October 2026 and January 2027.
For readers who are new to the series, understanding the correct reading order is important because later books build on earlier events and character relationships. This guide explains each installment, what the series is about, which book to read first and what is confirmed about the upcoming releases.
What Happened? The Latest ACOTAR Books Update
The main development for fans is the planned continuation of the series with two new titles.
A Court of Splintered Harmony
Book 6 · October 27, 2026
The next installment is scheduled for publication on October 27, 2026. As of October 26, it is due to arrive tomorrow.
A Court of Forgotten Melody
Book 7 · January 12, 2027
The seventh installment is scheduled to follow on January 12, 2027, giving readers another continuation roughly eleven weeks later.
Both titles appear on Sarah J. Maas’s official website and Bloomsbury’s series page. These are announced publication dates, so readers should check their local bookseller for the availability of specific editions and any regional scheduling changes.
The new releases are part of the story’s continued development rather than a replacement for the original five books. Readers should start with the first novel if they want to understand the characters, relationships and political tensions leading into the upcoming installments.
Key Details About the ACOTAR Series
- Full series name: A Court of Thorns and Roses.
- Author: Sarah J. Maas.
- Publisher: Bloomsbury.
- Genre: Fantasy romance, romantasy and young adult-origin fantasy with increasingly mature themes.
- First book: A Court of Thorns and Roses.
- First publication: 2015.
- Primary setting: Prythian, a magical world inhabited by the Fae.
- Main character introduced: Feyre Archeron.
- Previously published main-series books: Five.
- Next scheduled book: A Court of Splintered Harmony, October 27, 2026.
- Following scheduled book: A Court of Forgotten Melody, January 12, 2027.
The series blends romantic relationships with fantasy adventure. Its appeal comes not only from romance but also from character development, shifting alliances, magical abilities and conflicts that become more complex across the books.
ACOTAR Books in Order: The Complete Reading List
The best starting point for most readers is the publication order listed in Sarah J. Maas’s official reading guide. The following list includes the five earlier books and the two announced future installments.
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses
2015 · Book 1
Feyre Archeron kills a wolf while hunting in the forest, unaware of the wider consequences. She is taken to Prythian, where she discovers a dangerous Fae world and becomes involved with Tamlin, a powerful High Lord. The story draws on elements of fairy tales while establishing the series’ magic, romance and political tensions.
Best for: Meeting Feyre and understanding the world.
2. A Court of Mist and Fury
2016 · Book 2
The second novel explores the consequences of the first book’s events. Feyre must confront emotional wounds, reconsider her understanding of love and power, and navigate the Night Court’s complicated world. The book broadens the series and deepens several major character relationships.
Best for: Readers who want deeper character development and romance.
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin
2017 · Book 3
Political tensions and threats to Prythian escalate. Feyre must make difficult decisions while navigating alliances, deception and the growing danger facing the courts. The novel places greater emphasis on war, cooperation and the consequences of powerful choices.
Best for: Readers who enjoy large-scale fantasy conflicts.
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight
2018 · Novella
This shorter installment takes place after the major conflict in the third novel. It focuses on recovery, relationships and life after war, offering a quieter transition between the first three books and the next major installment.
Best for: Readers who want additional character moments and a bridge to book five.
5. A Court of Silver Flames
2021 · Book 5
This installment shifts the main focus to Nesta Archeron and Cassian. Nesta struggles with painful experiences and difficult relationships, while training and new friendships challenge her to confront her past. The story also introduces a more prominent role for the Valkyries.
Best for: Readers interested in Nesta’s growth and a different central romance.
6. A Court of Splintered Harmony
Scheduled for October 27, 2026
The sixth book is the next scheduled installment. It is associated with the Valkyrie Cycle and continues the wider narrative in Prythian. Readers should consult the official publisher description for confirmed plot information rather than relying on fan theories.
Status: Upcoming as of October 26, 2026.
7. A Court of Forgotten Melody
Scheduled for January 12, 2027
The seventh book is scheduled to continue the larger story. It follows the sixth installment closely, but readers should not assume the overall series will conclude with this release unless the author or publisher confirms that information.
Status: Upcoming as of October 26, 2026.
The publication years and announced future dates are based on the official series guide and publisher listings.
Background: How the ACOTAR Series Became So Popular
bloomsbury.com
Sarah J. Maas first introduced readers to Prythian in 2015. The original book combined familiar fairy-tale elements with a more elaborate fantasy setting, creating a foundation for a series that would grow increasingly complex.
The books attracted readers who enjoy several genres at once: fantasy, romance, adventure and stories centered on personal transformation. As the series progressed, the focus expanded from Feyre’s experiences to the lives and struggles of other characters.
Social media also helped introduce ACOTAR to new readers. The term romantasy became widely used for books that combine fantasy worlds with prominent romantic storylines, and ACOTAR is frequently associated with that category. The publisher itself describes the series as a blend of romance, adventure and faerie lore.
What makes the series different?
Several elements help distinguish ACOTAR from a straightforward romance or traditional quest fantasy.
- A changing central focus: Later books explore characters beyond Feyre, giving the wider cast more room to develop.
- A detailed magical setting: Prythian’s courts have different rulers, political interests and supernatural abilities.
- Relationships with consequences: Romantic relationships influence character decisions, alliances and conflicts.
- Long-running storylines: Events in earlier novels can affect the choices and challenges faced by characters in later installments.
- A mixture of romance and action: Personal relationships exist alongside political struggles, magical threats and war.
These elements also explain why reading the books in order is recommended. Starting in the middle can make major relationships and political developments harder to understand.
Which ACOTAR Book Should Beginners Read First?
For most first-time readers, the answer is straightforward: begin with A Court of Thorns and Roses.
The first book introduces Feyre, the Fae and the basic rules of Prythian. Later installments build on these foundations, so starting with a later book may reveal important developments before their original context.
Here is a quick guide to choosing your starting point.
| If you want… | Start with… |
|---|---|
| The complete story from the beginning | A Court of Thorns and Roses |
| To understand the main romantic relationships | Read books 1 and 2 in order |
| Major fantasy battles and political conflicts | Continue through book 3 |
| A shorter bridge between major novels | A Court of Frost and Starlight |
| Nesta and Cassian’s story | A Court of Silver Flames, after the earlier books |
| To catch up before the upcoming releases | Read all five previously published installments |
There is little advantage to skipping the earlier books if your goal is to understand the full narrative. Even when a later installment focuses on a different character, it assumes familiarity with the events and relationships established previously.
Are ACOTAR Books Suitable for Young Readers?
Parents and readers should be aware that ACOTAR is not simply a children’s fairy-tale series.
Although the first book draws on fairy-tale traditions, the series includes mature romantic content, sexual situations, violence, war, trauma and emotionally intense themes. Later installments, particularly A Court of Silver Flames, contain more explicit adult material.
The series is generally marketed to adult fantasy-romance readers today, although its readership includes older teenagers as well. Suitability depends on the reader’s age, maturity and comfort with the content.
Parents looking for fantasy books for younger readers should review individual book descriptions and content guidance before choosing a title.
What Did Sarah J. Maas and Bloomsbury Announce?
Sarah J. Maas’s official reading guide lists the five earlier ACOTAR titles and now includes pre-order listings for the sixth and seventh installments. Bloomsbury’s official series page also identifies the two upcoming books and their scheduled release dates.
The publisher’s announcement is important because book-release rumors often circulate on social media before titles, dates or plot details are confirmed. For readers deciding when to pre-order, official author and publisher pages provide a more reliable reference than unofficial posts.
As of October 26, 2026, the two announced dates are:
- A Court of Splintered Harmony — October 27, 2026.
- A Court of Forgotten Melody — January 12, 2027.
The official announcements confirm the publication schedule. They do not, by themselves, establish every fan theory about the plot, the final outcomes for individual characters or the publication date of any additional installment.
Readers can follow announcements through the official Sarah J. Maas website and Bloomsbury’s ACOTAR series page.
Why the ACOTAR Books Matter to Fantasy Readers
The continued popularity of ACOTAR reflects a broader interest in fantasy stories that give relationships as much importance as magical conflicts.
For some readers, the appeal lies in the romance. Others enjoy the political structures, supernatural mythology, character development or the way the story shifts its attention across a wider cast.
The series also provides an accessible entry point into Sarah J. Maas’s larger body of work. Her other major series include Throne of Glass, an epic fantasy following Celaena Sardothien, and Crescent City, an urban fantasy series following Bryce Quinlan. Her official reading guide treats these as separate series that readers can begin independently.
That means new readers do not need to finish every book by Maas before starting ACOTAR. They can begin with Prythian and explore the author’s other worlds afterward.
For established fans, the upcoming books provide an opportunity to revisit the earlier installments, refresh their understanding of the characters and prepare for the next stage of the story.
What Happens Next for the ACOTAR Series?
The next scheduled release is A Court of Splintered Harmony on October 27, 2026, followed by A Court of Forgotten Melody on January 12, 2027. These dates are listed on the author’s official website and Bloomsbury’s series page.
Readers can prepare by completing the first five books and following the publisher for updates about editions, formats and availability.
The future beyond the seventh book should be treated separately from the confirmed schedule. Unless the author or publisher announces additional titles and dates, readers should not assume that a particular release date, final book title or series-ending plan is definite.
For readers in India, Bloomsbury’s India listings are especially useful for checking local editions and prices. The official Indian series page lists the ACOTAR titles and upcoming releases, although prices and availability may vary by format and retailer.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACOTAR Books
1. How many ACOTAR books are there?
Five ACOTAR books had been published before the upcoming sixth installment. Two more titles, A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Forgotten Melody, are scheduled for October 2026 and January 2027, respectively.
2. What is the correct order to read ACOTAR books?
The recommended order is:
- 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
- A Court of Splintered Harmony — scheduled for October 27, 2026
- A Court of Forgotten Melody — scheduled for January 12, 2027
This follows the official series order, with the last two entries being forthcoming installments as of October 26, 2026.
3. Is A Court of Frost and Starlight necessary to read?
It is recommended. The fourth installment is a novella that bridges the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Silver Flames. It provides additional character and relationship context, even though it is shorter than the main novels.
4. Is ACOTAR a romance or a fantasy series?
It is both. ACOTAR is commonly described as romantasy because it combines a fantasy world, supernatural powers and political conflict with significant romantic storylines.
5. What is the newest ACOTAR book?
As of October 26, 2026, A Court of Splintered Harmony is the next scheduled release, with publication set for October 27. It is followed by A Court of Forgotten Melody, scheduled for January 12, 2027.
6. When was the first ACOTAR book published?
A Court of Thorns and Roses was first published in 2015. It introduces Feyre Archeron and the magical realm of Prythian.
7. Can I read ACOTAR without reading Throne of Glass?
Yes. A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass are separate series, so you can start ACOTAR without reading Throne of Glass first. Sarah J. Maas’s official reading guide presents the three series as independent starting points.
8. Where can I buy ACOTAR books in India?
You can check Bloomsbury India’s official ACOTAR series page for available editions, listed prices and upcoming releases. Availability varies by title, format and retailer.
