A Court of Thorns and Roses Book Series Order
Few fantasy series have taken over BookTok like A Court of Thorns and Roses. Sarah J. Maas started the story in 2015 with a young huntress, a faerie curse, and a dangerous deal. Ten years later, the series is a global hit with millions of copies sold, and it just grew again.
On October 27, 2026, book 6, A Court of Splintered Harmony, hit shelves. Book 7 follows in January 2027. So if you’re new or catching up, now is the perfect time to learn the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series order.
This guide to the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series order covers every book, the best way to read them, how many books are out, and what comes next.
Quick Answer: ACOTAR in Order
Here is ACOTAR in order by publication date. This is also the best reading order.
| # | Title | Short Name | Release Date | Narrator or Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Court of Thorns and Roses | ACOTAR | May 5, 2015 | Feyre |
| 2 | A Court of Mist and Fury | ACOMAF | May 3, 2016 | Feyre |
| 3 | A Court of Wings and Ruin | ACOWAR | May 2, 2017 | Feyre |
| 4 | A Court of Frost and Starlight (novella) | ACOFAS | May 1, 2018 | Feyre and others |
| 5 | A Court of Silver Flames | ACOSF | February 16, 2021 | Nesta and Cassian |
| 6 | A Court of Splintered Harmony | ACOTAR 6 | October 27, 2026 | The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I |
| 7 | A Court of Forgotten Melody | ACOTAR 7 | January 12, 2027 | The Valkyrie Cycle, Movements II and III |
| 8 | Movement IV (title not announced) | TBA | Not announced | Final part of the new arc |
The A Court of Thorns and Roses book series order is simple: read the books in the order they came out. Each one builds directly on the last, so skipping around will spoil big twists.
Book by Book Guide
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
Feyre Archeron is a 19 year old huntress who keeps her poor family alive. When she kills a wolf in the woods, a beast like faerie comes to claim a life for a life. He takes her to Prythian, the magical land of the High Fae. There, Feyre learns her captor is Tamlin, High Lord of the Spring Court, and that a dark curse hangs over his lands.
The first book is loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Some readers find it slower than the later books, but it sets up everything that follows. Stick with it.
2. A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
Most fans call this the best book in the series. Feyre is back in Prythian, but she is struggling after the events of book 1. A bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court, pulls her into a new world of politics, power, and friendship. This is where the Inner Circle, a fan favorite group, comes into focus.
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
War is coming. Feyre goes back to the Spring Court as a spy while the threat from the king of Hybern grows. The book closes the first big story arc with huge battles and hard choices. If you only wanted Feyre’s main story, this is where it wraps up. But the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series order keeps going from here.
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018)
This shorter novella is set during the Winter Solstice after the war. It is a quieter, cozy story about healing and holidays. Many readers say it is skippable, but it sets up key threads for book 5. We recommend reading it.
5. A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
The focus moves to Feyre’s sister Nesta. She is angry, hurting, and spiraling, so she is sent to train with Cassian, a fierce warrior. The book is about recovery, found family, and slow burn romance. It is also the spiciest book in the series, so it is best for adult readers.
6. A Court of Splintered Harmony (2026)
After a five year wait, book 6 arrived on October 27, 2026. Maas calls the new story The Valkyrie Cycle. It is told in four “movements,” and this book is Movement I. The synopsis describes a Prythian where old alliances are crumbling, peace is fragile, and the Night Court’s Inner Circle is drifting apart. Old enemies, including the threat of Koschei the Deathless, return.
Maas has said the new story is “meant to be read as one massive, massive story.” She also said it grew so long during drafting that part one alone reached about 400 pages before she was done.
7. A Court of Forgotten Melody (January 12, 2027)
Book 7 will hold Movements II and III of The Valkyrie Cycle. It is coming less than three months after book 6, so readers won’t wait long for the next chapter.
8. Movement IV (Not Yet Announced)
The fourth and final movement is expected to come as an eighth book. It has no title or date yet. On the Call Her Daddy podcast, Maas said part four “has yet to be written.”
Upcoming ACOTAR Books
Here is everything announced so far for the next stage of the series.
| Book | Title | Release Date | Pages (Hardcover) | Tagline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACOTAR 6 | A Court of Splintered Harmony (Movement I) | October 27, 2026 (out now) | 352 | “What was broken will be remade.” |
| ACOTAR 7 | A Court of Forgotten Melody (Movements II and III) | January 12, 2027 | 896 | “What was lost will be reclaimed.” |
| ACOTAR 8 | Untitled (Movement IV) | Not announced | Not announced | Not announced |
A Court of Forgotten Melody is the next ACOTAR book. At 896 pages, it will be by far the longest book in the series, more than double the length of book 6. Maas and her publisher, Bloomsbury, set the release less than three months after book 6 so readers would not wait a year between parts. Preorders are already open.
ACOTAR 8 will hold Movement IV, the final part of The Valkyrie Cycle. Maas said in March 2026 that this part was not written yet, so do not expect it before late 2027 at the earliest. No title, cover, or date has been shared.
Because the three books tell one story, plotlines will not wrap up neatly between volumes. Some readers may choose to wait and read books 6, 7, and 8 back to back.
Other Upcoming Sarah J. Maas Books
- Crescent City book 4: Maas has confirmed a fourth Crescent City book is planned. In 2024 she said it was “on the airport taxiing line,” but there is still no title or date.
- Throne of Glass: This series is complete. Its final book, Kingdom of Ash, came out in 2018, and no new books are announced.
- ACOTAR TV show: Hulu’s adaptation was scrapped, and the rights have reportedly gone back to Maas. For now she is focused on the books.
How Many Books in ACOTAR?
So, how many books in ACOTAR are out right now? As of late October 2026, there are six published books:
- Five full length novels
- One novella (A Court of Frost and Starlight)
That number rises to seven when A Court of Forgotten Melody comes out on January 12, 2027.
If someone asks how many books in ACOTAR you need to read before book 6, the answer is all five earlier books. Book 6 picks up threads from the whole series, including the novella.
How Many ACOTAR Books Will There Be?
This is the big question for fans. How many ACOTAR books will there be in total? Here is what we know:
- Book 6 covers Movement I of The Valkyrie Cycle.
- Book 7 covers Movements II and III.
- Movement IV is still to be written.
Movement IV is expected to arrive as its own volume, which would bring the series to eight books. Maas has not given a final number, and she has also not said the series will end after The Valkyrie Cycle. So the honest answer to how many ACOTAR books will there be is “at least eight, maybe more.”
Years ago, Maas’s original publishing deal covered five ACOTAR books. She has since moved well past that, which shows the series keeps growing as long as readers want more.
Should You Read the Novella?
Yes. A Court of Frost and Starlight is short, but it bridges book 3 and book 5. It also gives fans sweet moments with the Inner Circle. Skipping it won’t ruin the story, but the order of books Court of Thorns and Roses fans recommend always includes it.
Publication Order vs Chronological Order
For many series, publication order and chronological order differ. For ACOTAR, they are the same. The order of books Court of Thorns and Roses readers should follow is the same order the books were released. That makes the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series order very easy to follow.
How ACOTAR Connects to Crescent City
Sarah J. Maas has three main series: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City. In 2024, House of Flame and Shadow, the third Crescent City book, revealed a crossover with the ACOTAR world. Some ACOTAR characters appear in it.
You don’t need Crescent City to follow ACOTAR in order. But if you want every detail before reading book 6, many fans read House of Flame and Shadow after A Court of Silver Flames.
Is ACOTAR Right for You?
Before you dive into the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series order, know what kind of story it is. ACOTAR is a romantasy series, a mix of romance and fantasy. It features:
- Fae courts and magic
- Enemies to lovers and slow burn romance
- Found family
- Big battles and political intrigue
- Explicit adult scenes, especially in books 2, 3, and 5
The books are often shelved with young adult titles, but they are written for adult readers. Parents may want to check the content before handing the series to a teen.
Is There an ACOTAR TV Show?
Hulu announced a TV adaptation years ago, but the project was scrapped and the rights reportedly returned to Maas. No new TV or film version has been confirmed. For now, the books are the only way to visit Prythian.
Best Reading Tips
Keep the order of books Court of Thorns and Roses fans swear by close at hand, and use these tips as you read.
- Push through book 1. Many readers say the series truly takes off with book 2.
- Don’t skip the novella. It sets up major plotlines.
- Plan for a binge. Book 7 is only weeks away, so you can read book 6 and 7 close together.
If you’re looking for more great reads once you finish, check out our list of New Book Releases 2026 Fiction Bestsellers for the year’s top novels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series 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, A Court of Splintered Harmony, and A Court of Forgotten Melody.
Is ACOTAR finished? No. Book 6 is out, book 7 arrives January 12, 2027, and part four of the new story is still to be written.
Who narrates book 6? Maas kept the narrators quiet before release. Fans have long expected Elain, Feyre’s other sister, to get a story, but check the book itself to avoid spoilers.
What age is ACOTAR for? It is generally recommended for readers 18 and older because of its mature content.
Final Thoughts
The A Court of Thorns and Roses book series order is easy to follow: just read the books in release order, novella included. With A Court of Splintered Harmony out now and A Court of Forgotten Melody close behind, there has never been a better time to start or reread. Grab book 1, settle in, and get ready to fall for Prythian.
Key Takeaways
- The A Court of Thorns and Roses book series order is the same as the publication order.
- Read ACOTAR in order: Thorns and Roses, Mist and Fury, Wings and Ruin, Frost and Starlight, Silver Flames, then Splintered Harmony.
- There are six published books right now, including one novella.
- Book 6, A Court of Splintered Harmony, came out on October 27, 2026.
- Book 7, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is set for January 12, 2027.
- Book 7 will be the longest in the series at 896 pages.
- A fourth and final movement of The Valkyrie Cycle is planned as an eighth book, with no title or date yet.
- A fourth Crescent City book is also planned, but has no date.
- The series is written for adult readers and includes mature content.
