ACOTAR is an acronym that stands for A Court of Thorns and Roses, a popular fantasy book series written by Sarah J. Maas. The series is set in a world where humans and faeries coexist, and it follows the story of Feyre, a young human who is taken to the faerie world and becomes entangled in political intrigues and dangerous romances. The series consists of three main books: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin – along with several companion books. In this text, we will explore ACOTAR reading order, considering the entire saga!
Before delving into the saga’s story, I would like to emphasize that the covers of this series are beautiful to see in person; few books have captivated me so much with the beauty of their design.
The book A Court of Thorns and Roses tells the story of the human Feyre, who belongs to a very poor family and, as a result, works hard to support her sisters and father. At a certain moment, during one of her hunts, Feyre ends up killing a wolf. After this event, a beastly creature named Tamlin appears, demanding reparation.
Dragged beyond the wall, Feyre is introduced to the world of Prythian, full of political intrigues, magic, and dangers. As she falls in love with her captor, she discovers the secrets of this unknown realm. The passion between a human and a faerie is not well-received. This relationship develops somewhat like a fairy tale in the style of Beauty and the Beast.
At various moments, we are left in doubt about whether their relationship will succeed or if it will succumb to Tamlin’s authoritarian ways.
Below, let’s delve a bit into the order of A Court of Thorns and Roses books for you to better understand the series. Currently, there are already 5 books published in this saga, with 3 more confirmed to come.
Another interesting fact is that the saga is becoming a fantasy book series adapted for the screen – this time by the Hulu channel (still without a release date).
A Court of Thorns and Roses (Vol. 1)
This is the first volume of ACOTAR reading order.
In an alternate world where humans and faeries are separated by a wall, Feyre lives a difficult life in which she struggles to support her family. At a certain point in the book, she comes across a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf. As she wants the deer for herself, she shoots arrows at the wolf to prevent it from killing her prey.
But the wolf was not what it seemed. The animal was a faerie, more precisely a zoomorphic faerie transformed into a wolf, and this arouses the wrath of Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court.
This kidnapping gradually turns into a passion as she discovers more about this world where magic reigns. However, this world is threatened. After all, a sinister and ancient shadow advances on the faerie world, and Feyre must prove her love to stop it, or Tamlin and his people will be doomed. Our protagonist faces this dilemma after discovering that she is the only person who can break the curse hanging over the realm and save all the faeries.
In this book, the villain is named Amarantha, who is causing a war among the faeries.
A Court of Mist and Fury (Vol. 2)
A Court of Mist and Fury is the second volume of ACOTAR reading order.
Overwhelmed by Tamlin, Feyre struggles with the depression caused by the events of the previous book and learns to be a true warrior. She will navigate through a web of political intrigues and power (and will even fight to free herself from Tamlin’s prisons). SPOILER: In the previous book, Feyre ends up being “made” and becomes a faerie.
In a way, Feyre still seems like a prisoner or puppet in the hands of Tamlin. An obsessive relationship.
Rescuing her from this semi-imprisonment is Rhysand, and we will follow the saga of Feyre and Rhysand as they deal with the consequences of Prythian’s liberation from Amarantha’s reign.
Feyre becomes a resident of the Night Court, where most of the events will unfold.
New characters are introduced: Cassian and Azriel, brothers in arms to Rhys, the always powerful and charming Morrigan, and the mortal and sarcastic Amren are responsible for bringing us skillful plots.
It is a captivating, romantic book, full of action and an intense study of the realms at war, perhaps the best of the initial trilogy. A true classic among the best fantasy books.
A Court of Wings and Ruin (Vol. 3)
A Court of Wings and Ruin is the third volume in the order of A Court of Thorns and Roses books by Sarah Maas. The original idea was for this story to conclude the trilogy, but with the series’ overwhelming success, more books have been confirmed.
Now our main character is the High Lady of the Night Court after marrying Rhysand. To avoid total war, Feyre agrees to become a spy in the Spring Court and begins gathering information in hopes of thwarting the evil plans of Hybern (he would plan to bring down the wall that separates the two worlds and subjugate humans).
Feyre also needs to discover the plans of her former love, Tamlin.
Sarah J. Maas makes it clear in this book that Rhysand and Feyre are companions and are in this fight together. The protagonist has made a complete turnaround and can no longer be seen as a damsel in distress (as she was in the first book) but rather as a strong and determined warrior.
A Court of Frost and Starlight (Spin-off)
This is a spin-off within the order of A Court of Thorns and Roses books (ACOTAR).
Now, Feyre Archon must discover her role while struggling to rebuild a war-torn Velaris. The focus remains on the Night Court.
But with Winter Solstice finally approaching, the characters in the book believe they will have a break from all the challenges faced so far. Our protagonists continue to fight against the horrors they lived, trying to rise again and heal their scars. Gradually, we realize that these scars will impact the peace and Feyre’s court.
A Court of Silver Flames (Vol. 4)
This is the fourth volume of ACOTAR reading order.
The book begins by highlighting Nestha’s addiction to drinks and nights out, one of Feyre’s sisters. An intervention is made, and in this meeting, it is decided that she will be confined inside the House of Wind.
It is not just a prison but also strict control of her life, the time she must exercise, the time she must help in the library, what she should eat, etc.
Since she was named High Fae against her will, she has been struggling to forget the horrors she endured and find a place for herself within the Night Court.
Cassian, the winged warrior, ends up igniting her senses. From the moment they are forced to train together in battle, sparks turn into flames.
A threat of war begins to once again loom in the air. To have a chance of stopping the enemies, this time, Nestha and Cassian must fight against internal and external monsters.
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