book order of a court of thorns and roses

Why the book order of a court of thorns and roses isn’t straightforward

Unlike straightforward trilogies, this series branches out. It’s not just a linear journey. The first trilogy sets the stage, but later books shift tone, change protagonists, and lay groundwork for more expansions.

Between war, romance, political intrigue, and deep worldbuilding, each book builds on character arcs and plot developments in the last. Skipping around could leave you with spoilers or gaps—think missed character motivations or crucial alliances that reshape the later books.

Core reading order (no spoilers)

To make sense of it, here’s the basic chronological book order of a court of thorns and roses:

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses – The beginning. Meet Feyre, Tamlin, and the mysterious lands of Prythian.
2. A Court of Mist and Fury – Considered by many to be the emotional and narrative pivot of the series.
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin – Climactic, complex, and actionpacked. Ends the original trilogy arc.
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight – A teaser novella serving as a bridge. Some treat it as optional, but it’s short and adds emotional context.
5. A Court of Silver Flames – A fulllength novel, but major shift in POV. It dives deep into Nesta’s story, evolving the tone and expanding the world’s emotional depth.

That’s the official sequence so far. And according to the author, more books set in this universe are on the way.

Spinoffs and future titles

While the announced books mainly follow core characters, Sarah J. Maas has confirmed the roadmap includes additional stories that might shift perspectives again. These aren’t just filler—they’re intended to expand the ACOTAR universe, deepen familiar alliances, and reinvent the stakes.

Worth noting: The series crosses over with another Maas universe (Throne of Glass, Crescent City), tying into a larger multiverse. If that’s your style, there’s a bigger puzzle to follow later.

Should you read in publication order or chronological order?

Good news—they’re the same. So unless a new prequel comes out down the line, stick to the releasebased order for the most natural character build.

Avoid the urge to start with A Court of Silver Flames, even if someone tells you it can stand alone. It technically can—but without context, you’ll miss the weight behind the characters and their histories.

Ideal audience for this reading journey

This series blends new adult romance, high fantasy, and slowburn character transformation. If you’re looking for:

Deep emotional arcs Romantic tension with high payoff Series that evolve in tone and complexity Epic stakes balanced against personal trauma

Then this series is right for you.

But! It also leans into mature themes, so younger YA readers might find parts too intense. Make sure it matches your reading vibe.

How to track the book order of a court of thorns and roses on your shelf

The easiest method? Use a reading app like Goodreads or StoryGraph. Both maintain the official series page, including publication dates, summaries, and formats (some books are novellas or bonus content).

If you’re going physical, the design for A Court of Frost and Starlight and A Court of Silver Flames differs from the original trilogy’s covers—headsup if shelf aesthetic matters to you.

Final tips

Don’t skip the novella (A Court of Frost and Starlight). It’s short, yes—but emotionally rich and a key bridge. Expect evolution. The tone and structure change midway through the series. Save character deep dives or fan content until you’ve finished Book 3—you’ll avoid spoilers that way.

If you’ve been holding off because the titles or timeline looked messy, now’s the time to jump in. Just follow the book order of a court of thorns and roses, and you’ll be set for a highemotion, highstakes fantasy escapade that only gets better with each installment.