If you’re wondering how many books are in the ACOTAR series, the short answer is that there are currently five main books in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, with additional companion material connected to the same world. Because the series is still active, readers also want to know the best reading order and whether the books should be read in publication order or by internal chronology.
This guide gives you the quick answer first, then breaks down the series structure, reading order, and what to expect from the books without spoiling major plot points.
How many books are in the ACOTAR series?
There are five published main novels in the ACOTAR series so far: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, and A Court of Silver Flames. Sarah J. Maas has also written related companion material set in the same universe, so the total reading list is a little broader than the core novel count.
What books are in the ACOTAR series?
Main series books
- 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
Companion and related material
Readers often include A Court of Frost and Starlight in the main sequence, but it functions more like a bridge or companion novel than a full-length installment in the same way as the first three books. That’s why some fans describe ACOTAR as a five-book series, while others separate the novella-style entry from the core trilogy.
If you’re building a reading list, it helps to think of the series in two parts: the original arc of the first three books, and the later continuation that expands the world and shifts focus to other characters.
What is the correct ACOTAR reading order?
The safest and most straightforward way to read the series is in publication order. That preserves the intended reveals, emotional developments, and worldbuilding progression.
- 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
For most readers, this is the best order because the series changes tone and scope as it goes. Starting with the publication order lets the character arcs unfold naturally and avoids confusion about later references.
What kind of series is ACOTAR?
ACOTAR is a new adult fantasy romance series with strong fairy-tale influences, court politics, magic, and emotional character development. It blends romance, danger, and mythic atmosphere, which is a big part of why it has become so widely read.
The books are often discussed in both fantasy and romance circles because they sit between genres. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy, slow-burn relationships, and high-stakes magical worlds are usually the best fit for the series.
What should readers expect from the series?
1. A fairy-tale beginning that grows darker
The first book begins with a recognizable fairy-tale setup, but the series quickly expands into something more politically complex and emotionally intense. As the story develops, the tone becomes darker and more layered.
2. Strong focus on character arcs
One of the series’ defining features is how much attention it gives to growth, trauma, healing, and shifting loyalties. The plot matters, but the emotional journey of the characters is often what keeps readers invested.
3. Romance as a major engine of the story
Romantic tension is not just a side element in ACOTAR; it is woven into the structure of the series. The books use relationship dynamics to reveal character, deepen conflict, and raise the emotional stakes.
4. Expanding worldbuilding
As the series continues, the magical world becomes more detailed, with new courts, powers, histories, and alliances. Readers who enjoy gradually uncovering a fantasy setting will likely appreciate how the series opens up over time.
Do you need to read all the ACOTAR books?
If you want the full story and the clearest understanding of the characters, yes, it’s best to read the books in order. The later novels depend on earlier emotional and political developments, and skipping ahead can make key relationships and references less meaningful.
That said, some readers are mainly curious about the central romance arc or a particular character. In that case, the series still works best when approached from the beginning, because later books assume you already know the world and its major tensions.
Why do readers ask how many books are in ACOTAR?
People often search this question because the series is easy to miscount. Some lists include only the main novels, while others include the companion book and any related additions in the same universe. Since the series has grown beyond a simple trilogy, the exact number depends on what you count.
For a practical answer: five main books is the clearest current count for the ACOTAR series as most readers discuss it.
How ACOTAR fits into Sarah J. Maas’s larger body of work
Sarah J. Maas is also known for the Throne of Glass series and Crescent City. Readers who finish ACOTAR often move on to those books because they share some broad qualities: epic fantasy scope, emotionally intense character arcs, and a strong emphasis on series-long development.
That said, each series has its own tone and structure. ACOTAR is especially notable for its blend of romance and fantasy, which makes it feel distinct even within Maas’s larger bibliography.
Who might enjoy the ACOTAR series?
- Readers who like fantasy with romance at the center
- Fans of court intrigue, magical politics, and fae mythology
- Readers who enjoy character-driven series with emotional growth
- Book clubs or casual readers looking for a highly discussed modern fantasy series
- Fans of slow-burn tension and evolving relationships
If you prefer tightly contained fantasy with minimal romance, ACOTAR may feel more expansive and emotionally driven than you expect. If you enjoy both genres together, though, that combination is exactly what makes the series appealing.
Quick answer: how many books are in the ACOTAR series?
There are five main books in the ACOTAR series so far. If you’re reading for the first time, start with A Court of Thorns and Roses and continue in publication order for the smoothest experience. That gives you the full arc of the series as it has developed to date.
For more reading guides and series breakdowns, you may also enjoy how many books are in the Throne of Glass series and how many books Sarah J. Maas has written.