Feyre and Rhysand's story, the later ones read more like spinoffs than direct sequels. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it does result in variations in storytelling quality.
Of course, Maas' first three Court of Thorns & Roses books also rise and fall in certain places. While the entirety of the author's ACOTAR series proves entertaining and fun, some storytelling elements are more impressive than others. Maas' writing has also improved with time. With that in mind, the next ACOTAR book could sur all current ones. For now, though, it's clear how each of the books compares to the others in the series.
Books In The Court Of Thorns & Roses Series In Order |
Release Year |
A Court of Thorns & Roses |
2015 |
A Court of Mist & Fury |
2016 |
A Court of Wings & Ruin |
2017 |
A Court of Frost & Starlight |
2018 |
A Court of Silver Flames |
2021 |
6 A Court Of Frost & Starlight (2018)
The Novella's Thin Plot & Feyre Decision Hurt It
A Court of Frost & Starlight is a novella that bridges the gap between the first three ACOTAR books and the spinoff novels, so it's inevitable that it doesn't compare to Maas' full-length stories. ACOFAS is meant to depict the aftermath of the war from the prior books, and it does this successfully. Unfortunately, that leaves it with a very thin plot — if one can consider it a plot at all. While it's always nice to catch up with Maas' characters, not much of value actually happens in A Court of Frost and Starlight.
Compared to Maas' Throne of Glass novellas, which explore the events leading up to the series brilliantly, ACOFAS feels much less climactic. There's barely any action, no real plot, and only one part of the story impacts future Court of Thorns & Roses books. This, of course, is Feyre deciding that she wants to have a baby with Rhysand. Even this choice feels disappointing after her declaration that they would wait during A Court of Mist & Fury. There's nothing wrong with Feyre changing her mind, but it feels somewhat inconsistent.
Feyre's choice to explore the world and her potential before settling down also felt like a powerful statement — one that isn't made by many fantasy heroines. Seeing Maas go back on it so quickly eliminates its impact. Feyre and Rhysand's steamier scenes are well done in ACOFAS, but that's the only positive that can be said about its approach to their relationship. The novella's exploration of the characters is also commendable, but one has to wonder why it couldn't have a stronger story while examining their response to the war.
While it's always nice to catch up with Maas' characters, not much of value actually happens in A Court of Frost and Starlight.
With all of A Court of Frost & Starlight's flaws, it's no wonder it has the lowest average Goodreads rating of the ACOTAR series. The novella holds a 3.77 score, which isn't terrible by any stretch. However, compared to the other Court of Thorns & Roses books — all of which land above a four — it's obvious it wasn't as well received.
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5 A Court Of Thorns & Roses (2015)
The First Book Is Still Finding Its Footing (& Hard To Re-Read)
2015's A Court of Thorns & Roses started Maas' beloved fantasy series, but like any first book, it spends a lot of time finding its footing. The opening of the first ACOTAR book is a strong one, and the fairytale vibes it weaves throughout its narrative are compelling. Feyre's character is likable from the start, though her early portrayal has nothing on her characterization in the sequels. The fast pacing makes it easy to fall into ACOTAR's narrative and stay there, but there are some issues with the initial story that keep it at the bottom of a series ranking.
The fast pacing makes it easy to fall into ACOTAR's narrative and stay there, but there are some issues with the initial story that keep it at the bottom of a series ranking.
For one, Feyre's journey throughout A Court of Thorns & Roses feels too convenient at times. Although Tamlin's fair treatment of his "prisoner" makes sense by the end of the book, Feyre also handles Amarantha's trials fairly well considering how ill-equipped she is to take them on.
It's only the last test that does her in, but conveniently placed help and luck are on her side for much of the first book — and they even save her from the consequences of the final trial. The world-building throughout the first ACOTAR is also lacking at times, something later books improve on.
A Court of Thorns & Roses is also one of the hardest books in the series to return to, as Feyre and Tamlin's relationship does a 180 in the later installments. Tamlin becomes a despicable character, and it makes it difficult to pick up the series' opening. The scenes Under the Mountain are still gripping, and their relationship is intriguing enough to keep readers invested. Maas' story gets much better in the later books though, so it's no surprise ACOTAR has the second-lowest average Goodreads score of the series at 4.19.
4 A Court Of Wings & Ruin (2017)
ACOWAR Sticks The Landing But Could Have Done More
A Court of Wings & Ruin brings Feyre and Rhysand's initial narrative to a close, delivering an epic finale to the conflict from the first three ACOTAR books. ACOWAR sticks the landing with its ending, and its 4.48 average Goodreads rating and Goodreads Choice Awards win prove as much.
The 2017 sequel gives a satisfying ending to Feyre, Rhysand, and several other characters from the original story — and it leaves things open-ended enough to explore other ing players later on. Feyre's return to the Spring Court and the later action sequences are also highlights that will keep readers on edge.
However, while A Court of Wings & Ruin doesn't disappoint with its ending, there's a feeling the third book could have done more before closing out its narrative. Despite its high Goodreads score, ACOWAR is a divisive chapter in Maas' fantasy series, as some readers hoped for more politics and action before the final battle. With the various courts and High Fae introduced throughout the series, it's true that ACOWAR could have explored more of the world. The failure to do so also makes the war feel like it unfolds and ends way too quickly.
A Court of Wings & Ruin also features several notable flaws that are persistent throughout Maas' books. Feyre's father has a bizarre ending that raises questions about his role in the story and conveniently helps the good guys win the final battle. And Lucien gets sidelined despite Feyre's return to the Spring Court, leaving readers wanting far more of his character. These are areas where A Court of Wings & Ruin does drop the ball, and they prevent it from breaking into the top two books in the series.
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3 A Court Of Silver Flames (2021)
Nesta's Journey Is Well-Written & Emotional
A Court of Silver Flames is the first full-length spinoff in Maas' ACOTAR series, and it does a solid job of shifting the story's focus to another couple. The 2021 novel follows Nesta and Cassian, though Feyre and Rhysand still hold prominent roles within the narrative. Nesta is a divisive character among Court of Thorns & Roses fans, and one's opinion of her will likely determine whether they enjoy this story. However, Nesta's journey in A Court of Silver Flames is masterfully written, with Maas capturing her trauma and the less-than-ideal ways she copes with it impressively.
Although Nesta is the least-explored of Maas' fantasy heroines, the author does a lot with her character in just one book. She also manages to weave a compelling plot while digging into Nesta's circumstances, and she does a decent job getting readers behind Nesta and Cassian as a couple. Those looking for spicy scenes will also be pleased with A Court of Silver Flames, as it's the steamiest book of the series so far. All these strengths make it the second-best installment in A Court of Thorns & Roses.
A Court of Silver Flames' 4.47 average Goodreads rating speaks volumes, even if readers put it just behind ACOWAR. And the book won the Goodreads Choice Award in the Best Fantasy Book category in 2021. It obviously earns its place on the higher end of an ACOTAR ranking, but there are a couple of weak aspects of ACOSF. Feyre and Rhysand's pregnancy storyline feels a bit unnecessary, and the fact that Maas teases a similar progression for Nesta and Cassian's relationship feels questionable. Nesta's worst moments may also turn readers off, which is why one book sures this one.
2 A Court Of Mist & Fury (2016)
The Second Book Is ACOTAR At Its Best
A Court of Silver Flames is a strong contender for the best Court of Thorns & Roses book, but A Court of Mist & Fury deserves that title the most. The second ACOTAR book was all over the internet when it first came out — and for good reason.
One might argue that Maas' series became massively popular because of ACOMAF, as its viral status drew more readers to the fantasy series. Not surprisingly, ACOMAF holds the highest average Goodreads rating at 4.65. It also won the Goodreads Choice Award in the Young Adult Fantasy and Science-Fiction category in 2016.
A Court of Mist & Fury is a surprising installment on first read, as the second book flips the narrative and sees Tamlin and Feye's relationship becoming abusive. It also sees Feyre being swept away to the Night Court, where she learns more about Rhysand and falls in love with him. The relationship dynamics are well done — even if Tamlin's turn feels a bit sudden — and the depiction of Feyre's PTSD after leaving the Spring Court is a strong one. ACOMAF knows how to pull at readers' heartstrings, and that's precisely why it's so popular.
ACOMAF also does an impressive job of expanding the series' cast, world, and stakes, adding to its strengths. It introduces the greater threat of the series, and that makes it feel more gripping than A Court of Thorns & Roses. Its main faults are sending characters off on missions and having important developments occur off the page. But this is a hallmark of the Court of Thorns & Roses books, and it isn't noticeable enough to stop A Court of Mist & Fury from ranking at the top.
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1 What The Future Of Court Of Thorns & Roses Looks Like
There Are More Stories On The Way
Author Sarah J. Maas has confirmed multiple times that she is working on a sixth book in her A Court of Thorns and Roses series. In 2024, the next book in her Crescent City series was released, making Book 6 her next writing project. It’s expected to be published in either 2025 or 2026, barring any delays. There haven’t been too many details released about the next ACOTAR book just yet though.
There is also a television show inspired by the series in development. Hulu holds the screen rights to the series, and the show has been in development since 2021. There have been rumors that Hulu has scrapped any work on the show, but those rumors have never been confirmed by anyone associated with the streamer or the specific show.
That means A Court Of Thorn And Roses fans likely have at least one more series and a television show to look forward to in the future, but it could still be years before they get to see either of them come to fruition.
Source: Goodreads
A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Showrunner
- Ronald D. Moore
- Writers
- Ronald D. Moore
Based on the A Court of Thorns and Roses fantasy novel series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a television adaptation that follows Feyre Archeron, a young woman dragged into the world of faeries after slaying one of their kind. The series will follow her journey through the lands of Prythian and her relationship with one of its lords, Tamlin.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
