ACOTAR Reading Order & A Guide to Sarah J. Maas’ World (2026 Update!)
Regular readers of the blog will known that A Court of Thorn and Roses was my “gateway” book back into fantasy as a grown up, as it was for many of us! I picked up the books a couple of years ago, and I was obsessed.
Like everyone else,from Sarah J Maas’ first book in the ACOTAR series, I was immediately straight into reading the next one! Luckily, unlike the Throne of Glass series reading order which can be debated, the ACOTAR reading order is pretty straight forward. At least, that was until the 2026 update that came from Sarah J. Maas on the Call Her Daddy podcast on 4th March!
Read on to find out more about the ACOTAR reading order, and where ACOTAR 6 and 7 will fit into this.
What is the ACOTAR series about?
The ACOTAR series is a high-stakes fantasy novel collection that begins with the story of nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre Archeron. After killing a wolf to feed her family, she’s claimed by a High Fae, Tamlin, and taken to the Spring Court.
What starts as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast (it took me a little while to catch on to this somehow!) quickly evolves into an epic fantasy featuring the High Lord of the Night Court, ancient wars, and incredible world building. It has become a global phenomenon for its blend of romance, political intrigue, and “found family” vibes.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series Reading Order
While there is much debate about publishing order vs chronological order in author Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series, here is the best way to tackle the ACOTAR books to ensure you catch every bit of foreshadowing – including from the rest of the “Maasverse”. The first three books all focus on Feyre, the fourth shifts the focus slightly towards Nesta and sets up for her story in the fifth book. We now have more confirmation on where ACOTAR 6 and 7 will focus too, read on!
Read more:
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- His Dark Materials & The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman Guide & Reading Order
- The Best Novellas & Books Under 250 Words to Hit Your Reading Challenge
- Rediscovering Fantasy Fiction: A Review of the ACOTAR Series
- Fifty Shades of Grey Series Guide & Reading Order
ACOTAR Book Summaries
A Court of Thorns and Roses
This is the debut novel that introduces the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. This is where we meet Feyre and Tamlin, as he whisks her off to the fae realm to live in the Spring Court as something of a prisoner. She learns of a “blight” that curses the court and becomes entangled with it. By the end of the first book, the stakes have escalated into something much darker.
A Court of Mist and Fury
The second ACOTAR book is a fan-favourite. It expands the world into different locations and focuses in on main characters that define the first trilogy. Honestly, it really flips things on its head as Feyre tries to make sense of the new world that she’s found herself in.
A Court of Wings and Ruin
The third book is the final one in Feyre’s arc and brings the initial war story to head. It is a massive epic fantasy conclusion that leaves you feeling completely drained, but in the best way, I promise!
A Court of Frost and Starlight
This is a “bridge” novella between the first trilogy and moving into Feyre’s sister’s story. It’s a little bit shorter and is considered something of a cosy holiday special before we dive into the drama of Nesta’s story!
A Court of Silver Flames
This is the most recent book currently available and focuses on Nesta’s story as she adjusts to life in the fae world. This one is significantly spicier than the first few books and is a harrowing story of fighting for what you believe in.
A Court of [Title TBA] (The Sixth ACOTAR Book)
Releasing October 2026!
Sarah confirmed that ACOTAR 6 is the first part of the story in a new multi-book arc. Many fans believe this will finally focus on the last remaining archeron sister, Elain, as the author hinted that she’d been working on her character while writing the fifth book.
A Court of [Title TBA] (The Seventh ACOTAR Book)
Releasing January 2027!
Sarah mentioned a new naming-convention change on the podcast, explaining that this and the sixth acotar book are part of one large story that simply couldn’t fit in one binding!
Where do the other series fit in?
If you want the “full” Maasverse experience, you eventually need to look at the Throne of Glass series and the Crescent City series. In recent years, Sarah has confirmed these worlds are connected.
The Best Throne of Glass (ToG Series) Reading Order:
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Assassin’s Blade (The collection of novellas featuring assassin celaena sardothien)
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn (The famous “tandem read”!)
- Kingdom of Ash
Find out more about the Throne of Glass reading orders here so you can decide which one to pick!
The Crescent City Books Reading Order:
- House of Earth and Blood
- House of Sky and Breath
- House of Flame and Shadow
ACOTAR 6 & 7 Update & Breakdown
If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you know the “Maasverse” has officially reached a fever pitch. It’s kind of like the Superbowl for BookTok out there!
After what felt like a long time in her little writing cave, our queen author Sarah J. Maas finally emerged! In a rare interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Sarah dropped the bombshell news we’ve all been waiting for: the release date for the next ACOTAR book.
Actually, she didn’t just give us one new book; she gave us two! ACOTAR 6 is set to drop on October 27, 2026, with ACOTAR 7 following shortly after on January 12, 2027.
Whether you are one of the new readers just falling down the rabbit hole or a long-time fan looking for the recommended reading order before the sixth ACOTAR book arrives, I’ve got you covered. This is the only guide you’ll need to navigate the worlds of dark magic, powerful female heroines, and the SJM universe at large.
The slower publishing rate of the last few years is officially over, and with two books arriving so close together, it’s the perfect time to grab a coffee and get started.
Why the ACOTAR Series is a Global Phenomenon
It’s hard to believe that the ACOTAR series started as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. What began in the Spring Court with a nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre has evolved into an epic fantasy spanning multiple realms.
The first trilogy, consisting of A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin, introduced us to the High Lord of the Night Court and changed the catalog of romantasy books forever. But as we moved into Nesta’s story in A Court of Silver Flames, the stakes grew even higher.
The Big News: ACOTAR 6 & 7
During her interview, Sarah explained that the highly anticipated sixth book actually grew into a large story—so large that Bloomsbury Publishing couldn’t fit it into a single spine!
- ACOTAR 6 (Oct 2026): Represents the first part of the story.
- ACOTAR 7 (Jan 2027): Contains parts two and three.
- ACOTAR 8: Sarah also gave confirmation of a subsequent book that will serve as the fourth and final part of this specific arc.
Sarah mentioned a new naming-convention change might be coming to reflect this “parts” structure, and there has been much debate online about whose POV we will follow. Many signs point to the last remaining Archeron sister, Elain, finally getting her moment in the sun.
The “Maasverse” Reading Order: Where to Start?
There is a little bit of a struggle when choosing between publication order and chronological order. Personally, I always suggest starting where Sarah did: with the assassin Celaena Sardothien.
1. The Throne of Glass Series (The OG)
The ToG series is Sarah’s debut novel (written when she was just a teenager!). While some people skip it for the “spicier” ACOTAR books, you’d be missing out on some of the best world building in fantasy history.
- The Assassin’s Blade: This is a collection of novellas that takes place before the first ToG novel. While some suggest reading it later, reading it first makes the emotional payoff of Queen of Shadows so much stronger.
- Throne of Glass: The first tog novel where we meet our favorite assassin.
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire: This is the third book where the series shifts from a murder mystery vibe into high epic fantasy.
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn: These happen at the same time in different locations. I highly recommend the “Tandem Read”—it’s a rite of passage for reading buddies!
- Kingdom of Ash: The soul-shattering conclusion.
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
Next, you’ll want to dive into the roses series. This is where the main characters like Rhysand and Feyre Archeron become your entire personality.
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
- A Court of Mist and Fury (The fan-favorite!)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
- A Court of Frost and Starlight: A “bridging” novella that sets the stage for the rest of the series.
- A Court of Silver Flames: This is the most recent book currently out, focusing on Nesta and Cassian.
3. The Crescent City Series (The Modern Twist)
This is Sarah’s fantasy novel set in a world with cell phones, coffee shops, and dark magic. It follows Bryce Quinlan and is essential for anyone wanting to find all the easter eggs hidden in the SJM universe.
- House of Earth and Blood
- House of Sky and Breath
- House of Flame and Shadow
FAQs about Sarah J. Maas’ Books
Do I need to read Crescent City to understand ACOTAR 6?
This is the question asked the most! In recent years, the lines between Sarah’s worlds have blurred. After the events of House of Flame and Shadow, the Crescent City books are no longer just “spin-offs.”
To have the best Crescent City reading experience, you really should read them after A Court of Silver Flames. There are direct connections that will make the next novel in the ACOTAR series make much more sense. If you go into ACOTAR 6 without knowing who Bryce Quinlan is, you might feel like you’ve missed a major right story beat.
What is the best Sarah J. Maas reading order for new readers?
Most of my reading buddies suggest starting with the ACOTAR series first, then the tog series, and finally the crescent city books.
Is there an eight-book series coming?
Sarah gave confirmation of a subsequent book after ACOTAR 7, which would likely bring that specific series to at least eight installments.
Are there cell phones in these books?!
Only in the Crescent City series! It’s a more modern urban fantasy, whereas ACOTAR and ToG are traditional high fantasy settings.
What is the ACOTAR 6 release date?
We’re expecting the sixth ACOTAR book to be released on 27th October 2026.
What is the ACOTAR 7 release date?
We’re expecting the seventh ACOTAR book to be released on 12th January 2027.
Tips for New Readers
Entering the world of Maas’ books can feel overwhelming. With an eight-book series like Throne of Glass and the slower publishing rate of the next book, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
- Avoid spoilers: Stay off the ACOTAR hashtags on social media until you’ve finished at least the first trilogy! There are some major things that happen and even fan art will give this away!
- The “SJM Hangover” is real: Keep some light contemporary reads nearby for when you finish Kingdom of Ash.
- Order matters: Stick to the publishing order if you want to experience the growth of Sarah’s writing style, or explore my reading guides to find the best reading order for you.
What’s Next?
We have a bit of a wait until October, but that gives you plenty of time to catch up! But it’s been FIVE YEARS since the final book in the series released, so I think we can manage to wait just that little bit longer!
I’ll be over here re-reading Silver Flames and theorizing about the sixth ACOTAR book until my brain melts! I also have to complete the Throne of Glass series (I know!!) and read Crescent City!