Introduction: Acotar Recap and Reading Order
With ACOTAR Book 6 coming in October, now is the perfect time to do a full recap and reread the series before the new book drops.
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Whether you’re a new reader that wants to inmerse into the Sarah J. Maas universe for the first time, or someone who’s read every single book and needs a refresh, this ACOTAR reading order and series guide is exactly what you need before Book 6.
Now, letās get into the guide!!
Acotar Series Guide and Book 6
The Complete ACOTAR Series Guide: Reading Order, Recaps & the SJM Universe Explained
Acotar Reading order
If you are new here, I got you. I know how confusing it can be to start a series when the books don’t have a 1 or a 2 on the cover. What happens if you accidentally start with the third book without realising? Trust me, I have read about people starting with ACOTAR Book 2 and only realising halfway throughĀ
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So the correct order and the names of each book are as follows:
8. ACOTAR Book 8 : TBA
There is no other recommended reading order beyond publication order, BUT if you are planning to read Crescent City as well (and you should), I recommend the following:
- Start Crescent City and finish Book 1
- Begin ACOTAR and read through to Book 3 , ideally all five, but if you don’t want to read the full series you can catch up with the recaps right here in this guid
- Continue with Crescent City Books 2 and 3
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Trust me on this one. The reading order matters MORE than you think once you get to the end of Crescent City Book 2. No spoilers. Just trust.
ACOTAR Series Recaps
Book 1 - A Court of Thorns and Roses
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published: 2015
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 432
Synopsis
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.
At least, he’s not a beast all the time.
As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever.
A Court of Thorn & Roses Review (no spoilers)
My Rating for Acotar ( Book 1 )
A full summary with the most important plot points for This Woven Kingdom. Be aware this summary is full of spoilers!!
The Juggernaut of Fantasy Romance
ACOTAR is THE referent of fantasy romance. The creator of the “romantasy” genre, together with From Blood & Ash.
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A Court of Thorn & Roses is Sarah J. Maas’s debut in adult fantasy romance. And it feels like it. Timid open-door scenes, a protagonist that still feels like she walked out of a young adult novel , and yet, thanks to its story, characters, and Sarah J. Maas’s ability to write glorious third acts, this is what catapulted ACOTAR into a viral phenomenon.
The Premise
A poor family, a girl who hunts to put food on the table for her father and two sisters, who one day finds a wolf in the woods and kills it. That wolf was a fae, and Tamlin, the Lord of the Spring Court, comes to take her as payment for killing one of his kin.
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Simple premise, but there is SO MUCH MORE. And nothing is what it seems when it comes to ACOTAR
Why You Should Read It
A book that reads fast, that keeps you turning pages, a love interest hiding a lot more than he lets on, one of the best villains SJM has ever written, and a mysterious character in the mix who will make Feyre’s life very interesting.
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Is ACOTAR a must read?
YES.
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Unless you want to miss half the conversations in the book community. And YES because a book doesn’t get THIS popular by being bad.
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I came back to fantasy romance with From Blood and Ash, but ACOTAR cemented it. This book and A Court of Mist & Fury are yearly re-reads for me. Comfort food at its best.
A Court of Thorn & Roses Tropes & Themes
A Court of Thorn & Roses Spice level (spoilers)
ACOTAR gets spicier as the series goes on , and this first book is where it all starts, slowly. A 2 out of 5. There is a single scene that could be considered semi open-door, but there are several interactions involving submission without sex that are… chef’s kiss.
ACOTAR Book 1 Recap
The Kidnapping
Feyre Archeron kills a giant wolf to feed her family. Bad idea , it was a faerie. So, theHigh Lord of the Spring Court, Tamlin, kidnaps her and takes her to Prythian as payment for her crime.
The Curse
While in Prythian, Feyre discovers there is a curse surrounding all the faeries , in the Spring Court they all wear masks, and there is a villain (Amarantha) who is scary af. As usual, Feyre ends up falling in love with Tamlin, but he sends her back to the human world to protect her from the villainess.
UTM: Under the Mountain
Feyre, of course, goes back to Prythian to help Tamlin break the curse , and ends up Under the Mountain (UTM like the fandom says).
There, Amarantha subjects Feyre to 3 brutal trials. And we see Rhysand again, this evil lord of the Night Court who makes a bargain with her. In exchange for healing her arm, she has to spend one week per month with him for the rest of her life. (Aaaand this is when I sold my soul to Sarah J. Maas xD)
The Final Trial
In the final trial, she has to stab Tamlin in the heart, but he has a heart of stone. Literally. He survives.
Amarantha is not happy about this development and kills Feyre anyway, because she can. In her final breaths, Feyre solves the riddle to break the curse and return the High Lords’ powers.
The Aftermath
Tamlin kills Amarantha. Feyre is dead and everyone is devastated. The seven High Lords resurrect her and turn her into an immortal High Fae.
Feyre ends the book traumatised, with blood on her hands, immortal, and with a bargain she has to fulfil once a month. Wellā¦ can’t complain about that last one
Books to read whilst we wait for Acotar Book 6
Book 2 ā A Court of Mist & Fury
Author: Sarah J. Mass
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published: 2016
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 641
Spice level:3/5 Steamy
Synopsis
Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she’s now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people.
As her marriage to Tamlin approaches, Feyre’s hollowness and nightmares consume her. She finds herself split into two different people: one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the key to stopping it, but only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future-and the future of a world in turmoil.
A Court of Mist & Fury Review (no spoilers)
My Rating for Acotar ( Book 1 )
The Book That Broke the Internet
If ACOTAR generated curiosity, with A Court of Mist & Fury the fandom directly ex-plo-ded.
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It is a universally acknowledged truth that the second book in a series is generally the worst one, bad pacing, nothing happens relative to the plot. Authors use the second book to set the pieces into motion in preparation for the final development in the third book.
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Guess what : Sarah J. Maas decided to break ALL the rules and gave us one of the best second books ever written in fantasy romance.
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WHAT. A. BOOK.
Fandom Reaction
My favourite part is watching the reactions of readers going into ACOMAF blind and discovering the HUGE plot twist … because that was me, reading ACOTAR for the first time.
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I’m so grateful I had the chance to read the entire ACOTAR series without spoilers. Can’t say the same for Crescent City..:/Ā TikTok spoiled it for me.Ā And if you’ve read it, you KNOW which spoiler I’m talking about.
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I’m very bad at foreseeing plot twists or endgame couples, so with this book I was justā¦ WTF IS HAPPENING HEEERE.
Go read ACOMAF now!!
If you are new to the series, please stop reading HERE and go read this book. You will thank me later.
And for all my lovely ACOTAR fans… may Chapter 55 stay forever in our hearts
A Court of Mist & Fury Tropes & Themes
A Court of Mist & Fury Spicy chapters
3/5 : Steamy
ACOMAF is a solid 3 for me. Whereas ACOTAR was a 2, with SJM timidly doing some sex scenes but mostly fade to black , here she goes all in, but still not into kinky or overly explicit territory. Is it explicit? Yes, but very standard, and you can notice the author is still getting comfortable with sex scenes.
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Stillā¦ we are definitely not here for the explicit scenes. ACOMAF is a slow burn gem built on yearning and tension.
ACOMAF Spicy Chapters
Chapter 55: The one that broke the internet
Feyre and Rhysand’s encounter in the cabin. They destroy each other after 2 books of yearning, slow burn, jealousy, and people getting in the way..
Chapter 56: Illyrian Camp
More explicit encounters … this time in the Illyrian camp.
Chapter 42: My fav. THE tension
The throne scene in the Court of Nightmares. No sex, but A LOT of insinuation and Rhys getting excited af. One of my absolute favourites.
Chapter 48: Only one bed scene
One of the most memorable only one bed scenes in fantasy romance. Illyrian wings are sensitive..ā and Feyre takes full advantage of this hehe. Some very explicit longing and tension. This one and Chapter 42 are by far my favourites.
A Court of Mist & Fury Summary and Recap
Feyre completely Broken
ACOMAF begins with a traumatised and broken Feyre post-UTM. Tamlin, instead of helping her, decides to lock her in. He is trying to protect her the way he thinks is best. Spoiler: that’s not the way xD The house has a magic shield that prevents Feyre from leaving.
The Best Entrance in Fantasy Romance
On her wedding day with Tamlin, Rhys appears and calls in the bargain. One week a month. Best timing ever
The Night Court & The Inner Circle
Rhysand takes her to the Night Court where she meets his Inner Circle: Mor, Cassian, Amren, and Azriel. Feyre discovers she has powers belonging to all 7 High Lords. Yeah, heavy plot armour, but whatever, we love her anyway.
The Book of Breathings
The King of Hybern , the one Amarantha answered to, wants to destroy the Wall dividing humans from fae. To prevent this, the group must reunite the two halves of the Book of Breathings. Feyre uses her ability to steal the first half from a hidden temple in the Summer Court. They get the second half when one of the mortal queens secretly betrays her sisters, believing in a better world.
The Betrayal
Rhysand and co. are betrayed by practically everyone : the human queens who want eternal youth, Tamlin who wants Feyre back, Jurian, and Ianthe, all in exchange for help shattering the Wall.
The Cauldron
Elain and Nesta are thrown into the Cauldron to demonstrate to the mortal queens that it can grant immortality. It is at this moment that Lucien , the High Fae from the Autumn Court who had been helping Tamlin , discovers in the most anticlimactic moment that Elain is his mate. Not even the King of Hybern was sure what would emerge from the Cauldron. And as we’ll see in the books that follow, Nesta took something from it (power) and Elainā¦ well, her powers are still not entirely clear ( she is a seer)
The Ruse Nobody Understood the First Time
Feyre plays a complicated ruse that nobody understood on their first read:
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Tamlin had made a pact with the King , if he could break the bargain bond between Rhys and Feyre and return the girl, Hybern troops could enter Prythian through the Spring Court.
She allows the King to break the bargain bond, knowing the mating bond will still persist , so she can still communicate with Rhys through their minds.
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At the same time, she claims she was mind-controlled by Rhys and wants to go back to Tamlin. All a lie, obviously , to help her friends and sisters escape.
Using her new powers, Feyre simultaneously breaks the defences of the castle, allowing their friends to winnow out.
The King lets Rhysand go, thinking he has no leverage anymore.
The Ending
The book ends with Feyre as a spy in the Spring Court and Tamlin suspects nothing.
Back in the Night Court, Rhysand reveals that Feyre is not only his mate but his equal naming her High Lady of the Night Court. Wellā¦ was it strictly necessary given all the plot armour and powers she already has? Debatable.Ā
Book 3 ā A Court of Wings & Ruin
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published: 2017
Kindle Unlimited:Nope
Pages: 719
Spice level: Solid 3/5
Synopsis
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s actions and learn what she can about the invading king threatening to bring her land to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit. One slip could bring doom not only for Feyre, but for everything-and everyone-she holds dear.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre endeavors to take her place amongst the High Fae of the land, balancing her struggle to master her powers-both magical and political-and her love for her court and family. Amidst these struggles, Feyre and Rhysand must decide whom to trust amongst the cunning and lethal High Lords, and hunt for allies in unexpected places.
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A Court of Wings & Ruin Review (no spoilers)
My Rating for Acotar ( Book 3 )
Where Things Start Going Downhill
Unlike ACOMAF, this book is more plot-driven. I really didn’t mind the plot itself, and the story clearly moves toward a final act. All the pieces are finally together and you can feel the final battle getting closer.
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The problem? All the tension, yearning, and slow burn we loved between Rhys and Feyre in the first two books is gone. Forever.
The Mate Problem
I cannot express how exhausting it was to read the word “mate” on every other page.
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It appears over 100 TIMES in this book. 100 TIMES.
Sometimes we are hooked by books for the journey , and that’s what keeps us reading. Once the journey is finished (aka the MMC and FMC are finally together), it is HARD to keep the relationship meaningful and interesting.
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Sadly, ACOWAR couldn’t meet my expectations on that front.
Rhysand’s personality starts gettingā¦ not to my liking. Still bearable here, but in the next books it’s going to be completely insufferable.
Unpopular Opinion
I know I’m getting into dangerous territory because this is a strongly beloved series , but if not for the series crossover with Crescent City and the vague possibility of Rhysand getting an evil side in this whole epic fantasy story, I would have left ACOTAR here.
Crescent City saved ACOTAR for me. And now I want to see how the journey ends for all the characters.
The Final Battle
A Court of Wings and Ruin more or less ends Feyre and Rhysand’s arc, giving more protagonism to other characters in the next book , and hopefully in ACOTAR Book 6 as well.
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The third act and final fight were well presented. Sarah J. Maas writes action scenes in a very cinematic way ( Crescent City Book 1 was over the top in the best way.) But I felt everyone had plot armour in the fight and the high stakes were only ever for the enemy. I needed moreā¦ consequences.
But hey … that’s just me
A Court of Wings & Ruin Tropes & Themes
A Court of Wings & Ruin Spicy Chapters
Spice level: Solid 3/5
LOTS of chapters with explicit scenes involving Rhys and Feyre, SJM is definitely more comfortable writing sex scenes now. A solid 4.
Chapter 14: The Return
Feyre comes back from the Spring Court. The most extensive and explicit scene in the book
Chapter 19: Morning Scene
Feyre wakes up Rhysand. Say no more.
Chapter 30: The Massage
A massage that turns into something else entirely
Chapter 56: After the Battle
A quick intimate scene after the fighting. Because why not xD
Chapter 82: Red Lingerie:
A sweet and tender scene in Velaris. The last explicit scene in the book , and probably the most romantic of the bunch.
A Court of Wings & Ruin Summary and Recap
Infiltration and Sabotage
We are back at the Spring Court, with Feyre playing spy and doing everything Tamlin tells her.
She successfully makes Tamlin’s alliances crumble, exposes Ianthe’s schemes and the Hybern royals. Feyre and Lucien are forced to kill the King of Hybern’s niece and nephew in self-defence and they flee to the Night Court. They encounter Lucien’s brothers along the way but Cassian and Azriel rescue them.
The High Lords' Gathering
Feyre returns to Velaris and is officially recognised as High Lady of the Night Court.
Rhysand calls a meeting of the seven High Lords to address the coming war and form a unified front. The meeting (the best part of the book ) is TENSE. Tamlin arrives late and is obviously not on great terms with the lord who stole his girl. They form an alliance. Kind of.
The War Begins
Hybern launches an attack on Adriata in the Summer Court. Night Court intervenes and saves the day. Later, the King of Hybern uses the Cauldron to completely shatter the Wall separating the Fae and mortal realms.
Elain is kidnapped. Feyre and Azriel rescue her together with a human girl.
The Final Battle
The real war begins in the human realms, with the seven lords being outmatched by Hybern forces , until Feyre’s father arrives with vessels and more allies.
Nesta and Elain kill the King of Hybern. Yes … unexpected. The Cauldron then begins to start WWIII but make it Fae.
To save the world from being erased by the Cauldron, Amren unleashes her true power, decimates the remaining Hybern army, and transforms into a powerless Fae.
Rhysand Diesā¦
Rhys and Feyre combine their magic to fix the Cauldron but the effort is too much for Rhysand andā¦ he dies.
But because this is not Game of Thrones and in ACOTAR everyone has plot armour, the other High Lords pull the same trick they did with Feyre. VoilĆ , Rhysand is back.
The Aftermath
With everyone alive except Feyre’s father, the group returns to Velaris to rebuild.
Rhys and Feyre’s story is essentially over, they won’t be the main protagonists going forward. But new threats loom on the horizon. The Cauldron is hidden, the Wall is gone, and Nesta and Elain seem to have new powers.
Book 4- A Court of Frost and Starlight
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release date: 2018
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 261
Synopsis
Feyre, Rhysand, and their friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly altered world beyond, recovering from the war that changed everything. But Winter Solstice is finally approaching, and with it, the joy of a hard-earned reprieve.
Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, her concern for those dearest to her deepens. They have more wounds than she anticipated-scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.
Bridging the events ofĀ A Court of Wings and RuinĀ with the later books in the series,Ā A Court of Frost and StarlightĀ explores the far-reaching effects of a devastating war and the fierce love between friends
A Court of Frost and Starlight Review ( no spoilers)
My Rating for Acotar Book 4
A Court of Frost and Starlight : Worth Reading?
A cute novella to please the fandom who wanted to read about the Inner Circle and Prythian in times of peace.
ACOFAS acts as a bridge for the upcoming books.
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Considering Rhys and Feyre’s story as main characters is over, it drops hints about who the protagonists of the next book will be.
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Short, cosy, no major plot , best enjoyed with a cup of coffee and a blanket in front of a snowy window. Pure whimsical winter vibes.Ā
Oh, and … multiPOV for the first time in the series. We finally get to read from Rhysand’s POV. Worth it for that alone
A Court of Frost & Starlight Tropes & Themes
A Court of Frost & Starlight Spicy Chapters
Spice level: š„š„š„š„ Explicit open door scenes
Spicy Chapters
Chapter 2 : Rhys POV:
A recollection of Rhys taking Feyre mid-air using a cloaking shield. Yes. Mid-air.Ā
Chapter 5 : Feyre’s POV:
Feyre teases Rhys about not eating well. Rhys makes it very clear he wants to eat HER. They get interrupted by Mor. Worst timing award goes to Mor.
Chapter 22Ā The Cabin:
The most explicit and lengthy scene in the novella. After the Solstice celebrations, Rhys winnows Feyre back to the cabin from Book 2. Full circle. š„
ACOFAS Recap and Summary
Post-War Velaris
Months after the war. Velaris is being rebuilt but the emotional scars remain. Feyre is still haunted by her father’s death and Rhys’s temporary death. Nesta has isolated herself in a rundown apartment, drinking and gambling. Everyone is worried.
The Winter Solstice
The story centres on the Winter Solstice , the longest night of the year and Feyre’s 21st birthday. The Inner Circle gathers for celebrations: drinking, gift-giving, and a snowball fight at the mountain cabin. Very normal Night Court behaviour.
Nesta's Spiral
Nesta has isolated herself in an apartment in the worst part of the city. Drinking, gambling, pushing everyone away. Feyre tries to get close , pays her rent, invites her to Solstice. Nesta shows up briefly, stays cold, and leaves.
Healing Through Art
Feyre reconnects with painting. She discovers an abandoned studio and decides to found a charity studio for people to process their trauma through art.
Tensions at the Borders
Rhysand visits Tamlin at the Spring Court. Finds the manor in ruins and the borders poorly enforced. He leaves food, issues a warning, and leaves Tamlin to his misery.
The Cabin Chapter
Solstice night at the mountain cabin. Feyre is ready to have children. She lets Rhysand into her mind to show him a blue-eyed, dark-haired boy , the same vision of their future son the Bone Carver once showed her. Rhysand agrees and stops taking his contraceptive tonic. He gifts her a riverfront estate in Velaris to build the home of their dreams.
The Intervention
The novella ends with a full intervention for Nesta. Cut off financially, ordered out of Velaris, shipped to the Illyrian Mountains to train with Cassian.
And a quote that sums it all up , because I used to hate Nesta and now I love her, and this is exactly why:
“Feyre wants you at the house.” (Cassian)
“Which one,” Nesta said flatly, frowning at the foot he’d wedged there. “She has three, after all.”
Book 5- A Court of Silver Flames
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release date: 2021
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 757
Synopsis
Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.
The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.
Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.
A Court of Silver Flames Review( no spoilers)
My Rating for ACOTAR Book 4
I Used to Hate This Book
I gave it 1 star on Goodreads. One. Star.
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With time, I made my peace with it and can now see its beauty , but I won’t pretend my first read wasn’t a struggle. Nesta being insufferable and Cassian following her everywhere was justā¦ a lot.
Why I Changed My Mind
Coming back to it, I understand Cassian so much better now. And honestly? Counting all the books, Cassian ended up having better character development than Rhysand.
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Rhysand was pure perfection in Books 1 and 2 and then stalled. Cassian doesn’t have that problem. He stays interesting, and his relationship with Nesta grew instead of turning into pure lovey-dovey.
Nesta's Arc
ACOSF is Nesta’s book and how she becomes a woman more sure of herself. By the end, her arc isn’t fully closed, and because of how she grows and her sheer fierceness, Nesta’s potential to become a more interesting character than Feyre is obvious.
Should You Read It?
Yes, even if you go in sceptical like I did. It is addictive, it is a binge, and it has important plot points that connect with the entire SJM universe. Especially Crescent City Book 3
A Court of Silver Flames Tropes & Themes
A Court of Silver Flames Spicy Chapters
Spice level: š„š„š„š„
4.5/5 Pages and pages of explicit scenes with vocabulary closer to dark romance than your average romantasy. You have been warned.
Spicy Chapters
Chapter 19: The Lesson
Nesta and Cassian fight. He calls her a “haughty witch”, she calls him an “arrogant bastard” , and then Nesta decides she cannot leave things like that and teaches him a lesson in behaviour. Cassian thinks it’s not fair that he got his release but Nesta didn’t. He has a point.
Chapter 22: The Debt Repaid
Cassian enters Nesta’s room to settle the debt from their previous encounter. A gentleman, truly.
Chapter 26: The Dining Room
A VERY explicit scene in the dining room. Nesta feels like a queen. She is
Chapter 37 : Main Scene
Until now all the scenes were steamy and explicit but they hadn’t properly done it yet. SJM resolves this with a quite long scene: multiple positions, very descriptive, and definitely not for everyone. You’ll know when you get there.
Chapter 41: Every Surface
More sex, creative ideas, very detailed descriptions. Now all over the house xD
Chapter 51: This is getting out of control..
Cassian takes her with clothes on, using a desk for support, in a very savage manner. But make no mistake , Nesta has Cassian completely at her mercy. Watching our queen dominate the strongest Illyrian warrior like he’s her puppy? YES QUEEN
Chapter 58: Solstice Lovemaking
The transition from just sex to something more. Nesta lets down her iron walls. Still very descriptive, but the vibe shifts, from pure physical to something deeper. One of the most important scenes in the book emotionally.
A Court of Silver Flames Summary and Recap
The Intervention
Post-war, Nesta is in full self-destruction mode: alcohol, gambling, casual sex. Anything to numb the darkness and the grief of losing her father. Feyre and Rhysand intervene and send her to the House of Wind to train with Cassian and work in the library under Clotho. She is NOT happy about it.
The Valkyries Are Born
In the library Nesta meets Gwyn , a survivor of a brutal temple attack, and later Emerie, an Illyrian female whose wings were clipped by her own father. The three of them start training together, mixing ancient Valkyrie techniques with Cassian and Azriel’s Illyrian training. Found family arc, and it’s everything. They eventually become the first females to pass the Blood Rite Qualifier.
The Dread Trove
New threat incoming: Queen Briallyn and death-lord Koschei are after the Dread Trove:Ā three ancient artefacts of immense power. The Mask, the Harp, and the Crown. Because Nesta took something from the Cauldron during her transformation, she is the only one who can locate them.
She retrieves the Mask from the Bog of Oorid after a terrifying kelpie encounter. She accidentally Makes three magic weapons at a blacksmith, including a sword she names Ataraxia, meaning Inner Peace. She and Cassian infiltrate the Prison to claim the Harp, and Nesta kills an immortal monster along the way. Casual.
Nesta and Cassian
The tension between these two has been building since ACOMAF and it finally explodes here into an intense, messy, emotionally complicated relationship. During the Winter Solstice they realise they are fated mates. Nesta struggles with it. Of course she does. That’s our girl.
The Blood Rite
Briallyn kidnaps Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie and dumps them into the Blood Rite to break Nesta down and force her to hand over the Trove. Instead, the three of them fight their way to the summit of Ramiel, with Nesta making a final stand so Gwyn and Emerie can win.
The Sacrifice
While the Rite is happening, Feyre goes into life-threatening labour. Baby Nyx has wings, and both mother and child are dying. Nesta uses all three Trove artefacts to stop Time and makes a bargain with the Cauldron: her stolen powers in exchange for saving Feyre, Rhysand, and Nyx.
She gives up everything she took. For her sister.
The Ending
Nesta is finally at peace: with her sisters, with the Inner Circle, with herself. She and Cassian get the House of Wind as their home. .
The SJM Universe: How It All Connects
(ACOTAR / Throne of Glass / Crescent City)
Sarah J. Maas didn’t reveal this at first.
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Some of the fandom had their doubts when the ACOTAR series began because of certain similarities with Throne of Glass , her first and beloved series. Same author, same epic world-building, familiar vibes.
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But it wasn’t until Crescent City Book 2 that the whole internet went screaming when they reached the last page. Yeah. It was THAT big.
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SJM has since confirmed that her series don’t share a strict crossover , they exist in separate worlds but within the same universe. The fandom has named this the MassverseĀ a play on “mega universe” and the author’s last name. Think of it like Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere: different worlds, different stories, but all connected under the same bigger narrative. You don’t need to read everything to enjoy each series , but if you do, the easter eggs and connections will absolutely send you.
Throne of Glass : The Easter Egg
In Kingdom of Ash, the final book in the Throne of Glass series, Aelin travels between worlds during a pivotal scene. In one of those worlds, she briefly witnesses a winged male Fae and a pregnant, red-haired female Fae.
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The fandom immediately lost it. Because that sounds a lot like Rhysand and Feyre. SJM has never explicitly confirmed it, but it’s too specific to be a coincidence.
ACOTAR & Crescent City: The Big One
(Spoilers under a toggle, trust me on this one)
Crescent City connection to Acotar
At the end of Crescent City Book 2, Bryce falls through a portal and lands in Prythian , the world of ACOTAR. That was the moment that broke the internet. In Crescent City Book 3 the crossover goes even deeper, with direct interactions between characters from both series. Koschei, the death-lord villain from ACOSF , also appears in Crescent City.
For the full breakdown of every connection reference and summary Read my Crescent City 3 In Depth Guide
ACOTAR Book 6, 7 & 8: What We Know So Far
ACOTAR Book 6 officially releases on October 27, 2026. And yes , you read that right, there are now THREE more books coming, not one.
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Sarah J. Maas confirmed that her manuscript grew to over 1,000 pages, so she split the story into multiple parts. Book 7 follows on January 12, 2027, and Book 8 is currently being written with no official timeline yet.
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So buckle up. We are in this for the long run.
Release Dates
ACOTAR Book 6 (Part 1): October 27, 2026
ACOTAR Book 7 (Parts 2 & 3): January 12, 2027
ACOTAR Book 8 (Part 4): In progress ā no date yet
What to Expect
SJM has confirmed that this multi-part story will explore the wider Prythian world beyond a single couple’s perspective,Ā multiple POVs, bigger stakes, bigger world. Elain’s powers and the Koschei conflict are expected to be central to the plot.
Fan Theories for Acotar 6 & What We Want to See
Who Gets Elain?
This is the nuclear option of the fandom. Everyone agrees Elain is the main focus , but who is she sharing those spicy chapters with?
Team Lucien: Elain finally gives Lucien a chance. Theory is they travel to the Continent together to heal or break the mating bond.
Team Azriel: The crowd favourite. Fans are obsessed with the bonus chapter tension, Azriel and Elain reject their respective bonds to choose each other, causing a massive political mess in the Night Court.
The Plot Twist: Elain rejects everyone, becomes an independent seer queen, and chooses no one.
The Koschei Threat
The deathless ancient god trapped in the lake is ready to break his chains , and fans think he has been the puppet master all along.
Theories include Azriel’s shadows being connected to Koschei’s magic, a massive Autumn Court coup where Eris finally takes Beron out, and the Night Court getting involved in ways that will complicate everything.
The Multiverse Crossover
After the events of House of Flame and Shadow, the rules have changed. Fans are convinced the split books exist because characters from Throne of Glass, Aelin, RowanĀ are going to officially cross over to help fight Koschei.
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The Dusk Court revival theory is also huge right now, with Nesta or Azriel potentially ruling it.
My Personal Favourite Theory: Evil Rhysand
OK I need to talk about this one because it lives in my head rent free.
The Evil Rhysand theory is one of the most polarising in the entire fandom. Half of us would defend him with our lives. The other half is convinced SJM has been dropping villain crumbs for years.
Here is why it makes sense for me:
The Daemati Theory:
Rhysand is an incredibly powerful Daemati , he can enter minds, alter memories, control what people perceive. We see him almost entirely through Feyre’s perspective for four books.
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In ACOSF, when Nesta finally gives us an outside POV, Rhys is harsh, controlling, and borderline cruel. Fans ask: is Nesta the only one seeing the real Rhysand? (this is the theory that resonates the most to me)
The High King Theory:
His entire “I serve my people” routine might be a front.
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The theory is that his true endgame is becoming High King of Prythian , that he intentionally destabilised the Spring Court to eliminate Tamlin, and isolated Nesta because her death-power was the only thing capable of stopping him.
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My personal conclusion? I want him to go full villain for two books and then either:
Die saying something like “it was all so you and Nyx could have a better world, Feyre”Ā
Or find his way back to himself
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Either way I need the drama. SJM, please.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are currently 4 books in the ACOTAR series plus one novella (A Court of Frost and Starlight). SJM has confirmed three more books are coming: Book 6 (October 27, 2026), Book 7 (January 12, 2027), and Book 8 currently being written.
The recommended reading order is: A Court of Thorns and Roses ā A Court of Mist and Fury ā A Court of Wings and Ruin ā A Court of Frost and Starlight ā A Court of Silver Flames. Read them in publication order for the best experience.
ACOTAR Book 6 releases on October 27, 2026. Book 7 follows on January 12, 2027, and Book 8 is currently being written with no official release date yet.
No. Each SJM series can be read independently. However, if you want to fully appreciate the Massverse connections, reading Throne of Glass adds an extra layer, especially given the crossover theories for the upcoming books.
Yes , and in a very big way. The connection is revealed at the end of Crescent City Book 2. I strongly recommend reading both series or a summary before Crescent City Book 3.
ACOTAR starts relatively mild (spice level 2) but gets significantly more explicit as the series progresses. A Court of Silver Flames reads closer to dark romance. Recommended for readers 18+.
Book 1 centres on Feyre and Tamlin. From Book 2 onwards, the main couple is Feyre and Rhysand. A Court of Silver Flames follows Nesta and Cassian. Books 6, 7, and 8 are expected to focus on Elain.
A Court of Silver Flames is by far the spiciest: a 4.5 out of 5, with scenes closer to dark romance than standard romantasy.
Elain Archeron is widely expected to be the main protagonist of the upcoming books, with multiple POVs exploring the wider Prythian world.
Technically yes, as it follows Nesta and Cassian. However, you will miss a LOT of context. We recommend reading at least ACOMAF and ACOWAR first.
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