ACOTAR 6 and 7: Reading Order and What to Read While You Wait

Five years. Five very long years of theories, rereads, and wondering what on earth Sarah J. Maas has planned for us next.

Well, the wait is finally over. Sort of.

A Court of Splintered Harmony (ACOTAR 6) officially hit shelves on 27 October 2026, and A Court of Forgotten Melody (ACOTAR 7) is following on 12 January 2027.

Whether you've already devoured the latest release, you're planning a full series reread, or you've somehow managed to avoid falling down the Prythian rabbit hole until now (impressive, honestly), we've got you covered.

Here's your guide to the ACOTAR reading order, the new releases, and what to read when you're inevitably left staring at the wall after finishing your latest Sarah J. Maas book.

Don't worry, we'll keep this one spoiler-free.

The Complete ACOTAR Reading Order

If you're new to A Court of Thorns and Roses, welcome. Prepare to become emotionally attached to fictional characters, develop strong opinions about certain High Lords, and potentially lose an unreasonable amount of sleep.

The good news? The ACOTAR reading order is pretty straightforward.

Here's how to read the series in order:

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015) – Where it all begins. Feyre Archeron, a mysterious faerie world, and a bargain that changes everything.

2. A Court of Mist and Fury (2016) – We'll just say there's a reason this one has a very dedicated fan club.

3. A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017) – Bigger stakes, shifting alliances, and plenty of reasons to keep turning pages.

4. A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018) – A shorter novella that bridges the original trilogy and the next chapter of the story. Yes, you should read it.

5. A Court of Silver Flames (2021) – Nesta Archeron takes centre stage in a story of healing, friendship, and a certain Illyrian warrior.

6. A Court of Splintered Harmony (2026) – The long-awaited sixth instalment, released 27 October 2026.

7. A Court of Forgotten Melody (2027) – The seventh instalment, releasing 12 January 2027.

Our advice? Read them in publication order, especially if it's your first time visiting Prythian. The relationships, character development, and little details all build on each other.

And please don't skip A Court of Frost and Starlight just because it's shorter. We know it's tempting.

ACOTAR 6: A Court of Splintered Harmony

After the release of A Court of Silver Flames in 2021, ACOTAR readers have had a lot of time to speculate about where the story could go next.

And we mean a lot.

Between the unanswered questions, complicated relationships, and endless BookTok theories, it's safe to say expectations for ACOTAR 6 have been sky-high.

A Court of Splintered Harmony was released on 27 October 2026, officially bringing readers back to the world of Prythian.

The publisher has teased a story filled with romance, danger, and intrigue, with the promise that what has been broken will be remade.

Vague? Absolutely.

Enough to get us excited? Also absolutely.

If you've been waiting to catch up on the series before diving into the newest book, now is the perfect excuse to revisit those earlier instalments. You know, just to refresh your memory. Definitely not because you want to reread your favourite scenes for the fifth time.

ACOTAR 7: A Court of Forgotten Melody Release Date

The good news is that we aren't facing another five-year wait.

A Court of Forgotten Melody is officially scheduled for release on 12 January 2027, less than three months after ACOTAR 6.

The seventh book continues the story, with its official description teasing that what was lost will be reclaimed.

Naturally, the theories are already flying.

Will we finally get answers to some of the series' biggest unanswered questions? Which characters will take centre stage? And how many times will Sarah J. Maas emotionally destroy us before she's finished?

We'll have to keep reading to find out.

One thing's certain: January can't come soon enough.

What to Read While You Wait for ACOTAR 7

So, you've finished ACOTAR 6. You've checked the release date for book seven approximately twelve times. You've scrolled through every fan theory you can find.

Now what?

Luckily, there's an entire world of romantasy waiting to ruin your sleep schedule.

Whether you're chasing the slow-burn romance, morally grey love interests, found family, or the kind of fantasy world you can completely disappear into, here are our picks for what to read after ACOTAR.

1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

For readers who loved: Powerful female characters, found family, and high-stakes fantasy.

If ACOTAR was your introduction to Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.

The series follows Celaena Sardothien, a deadly assassin navigating a world of dangerous politics, magic, and secrets.

It's more fantasy-heavy than ACOTAR, particularly as the series progresses, but the emotional payoff is absolutely worth it.

And if you thought you were attached to the Inner Circle, just wait.

Start with: Throne of Glass.

2. Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas

For readers who loved: Intricate world-building, mystery, and interconnected fantasy universes.

Still not ready to leave Sarah J. Maas behind? Fair enough.

Crescent City follows Bryce Quinlan through a modern fantasy world filled with magic, dangerous creatures, murder mysteries, and complicated relationships.

Think fantasy, but with phones, nightlife, and a very different atmosphere from Prythian.

There's a lot to take in at the beginning, but stick with it. And if you're already deep into ACOTAR lore, this series is particularly worth adding to your reading list.

Start with: House of Earth and Blood.

3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

For readers who loved: Dangerous love interests, fierce heroines, and romance with serious stakes.

Dragons. A deadly military college. A heroine who has absolutely no business surviving the things she's put through.

Need we say more?

Fourth Wing follows Violet Sorrengail as she's forced into an elite dragon-rider training programme where making it through the day is far from guaranteed.

Add a brooding love interest, intense chemistry, betrayals, and the kind of cliffhangers that should probably be illegal, and you've got yourself a new obsession.

Start with: Fourth Wing.

4. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

For readers who loved: Deadly competitions, forbidden romance, and morally complicated characters.

If you loved the danger and romantic tension in ACOTAR, this one's for you.

Oraya is a human living among vampires, and her best chance at survival is entering a brutal tournament where almost everyone wants her dead.

Naturally, things get complicated when she forms an alliance with a rival.

Expect a dark atmosphere, slow-burn tension, and more than a few moments where you'll need to put the book down and process what just happened.

Start with: The Serpent and the Wings of Night.

5. Quicksilver by Callie Hart

For readers who loved: Fae worlds, sharp banter, and mysterious love interests.

If the fae were your favourite part of ACOTAR, Quicksilver might be exactly what you're looking for.

The story follows Saeris Fane, who finds herself pulled into a dangerous world of Fae, ancient magic, and a warrior with plenty of secrets.

There's tension, there's banter, and there's a whole lot of chemistry.

Basically, don't expect to get much done once you start.

Start with: Quicksilver.

6. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

For readers who loved: Fae politics, enemies-to-lovers tension, and characters who aren't always particularly nice.

Want more scheming, dangerous faeries, and complicated relationships?

The Cruel Prince follows Jude Duarte, a mortal girl determined to earn her place in the treacherous High Court of Faerie.

It's less spicy than ACOTAR and leans more into political intrigue, but the tension and character dynamics are delicious.

Especially if you're a fan of characters who make questionable decisions for very understandable reasons.

Start with: The Cruel Prince.

Should You Read Throne of Glass or Crescent City Before ACOTAR 7?

This is one of the biggest questions among Sarah J. Maas readers, and there's no single perfect answer.

If you're primarily interested in emotional character arcs, epic battles, and found family, we'd recommend Throne of Glass.

If you're fascinated by the wider Sarah J. Maas universe, hidden connections, and theories about how her fictional worlds fit together, Crescent City is particularly worth exploring.

You don't need to read every Sarah J. Maas book to start ACOTAR. Each series begins with its own story.

However, for anyone wanting to catch as many connections and Easter eggs as possible, reading Crescent City before continuing deeper into the newer ACOTAR books is a worthwhile choice.

Our recommendation? If you've already finished the original five ACOTAR books, read Crescent City next, then tackle Throne of Glass when you're ready for a longer fantasy commitment.

Your TBR might not thank us, but we think you will.

Frequently Asked Questions About ACOTAR 6 and 7

Is ACOTAR 6 out yet?

Yes! A Court of Splintered Harmony, the sixth book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, was released on 27 October 2026.

When is ACOTAR 7 coming out?

A Court of Forgotten Melody is scheduled for release on 12 January 2027.

Do I need to read A Court of Frost and Starlight?

We recommend it! Although it's a novella rather than a full-length novel, A Court of Frost and Starlight helps bridge the gap between A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Silver Flames.

Can I read ACOTAR 6 without reading the previous books?

Technically, nobody can stop you. But we'd strongly recommend reading the previous five books first. There's a lot of character history, world-building, and relationship development that you'll appreciate far more with the full context.

What books are similar to ACOTAR?

If you're looking for books like A Court of Thorns and Roses, try Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Quicksilver by Callie Hart, The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent, or The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.

Your Next Bookish Obsession Awaits

Whether you're finally diving into ACOTAR 6, counting down the days until book seven, or looking for another fantasy romance to fill the void, there's always another story waiting to completely take over your life.

And that's exactly how we like it.

At The Forbidden Chapter, we're all about the books you can't stop thinking about. The ones that keep you up until 2 am, make you fall for fictional people, and leave you desperately searching for what to read next.

Explore our collection of fantasy and romantasy books online, or visit us in Brunswick West, Melbourne, to find your next obsession.

Because finishing a good book shouldn't mean the end of the obsession.