Current Status of the ACOTAR Series
The ACOTAR series, which began with A Court of Thorns and Roses, has seen steady growth since its debut. As of now, the core series includes several published main volumes and related projects that expand the world. Fans often ask how many books will ultimately be part of ACOTAR, and the answer depends on whether you are referring to the main narrative arc or the broader franchise. The following sections clarify the current releases, announced plans, and how the series fits into Sarah J. Maas’s larger publishing roadmap.
What ACOTAR Stands For
ACOTAR is an acronym for A Court of Thorns and Roses, the flagship fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas. It is important to distinguish this from AMPR, or A Malefic Reindeer, which is a holiday novella set in the same world but is not part of the main numbering. The series centers on Feyre Archeron and her evolving roles across the faerie realms. Understanding this structure helps set expectations for book count and format, including novellas, companion books, and point-of-view shifts that may appear in the overall count.
Key Series Milestones
| Milestone | Detail | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Series Launch | A Court of Thorns and Roses published in 2015 | Established the main trio framework and worldbuilding |
| Core Series Conclusion | Kingdom of Ash released in 2018 as Book 5 | Completed the original Main Court arc |
| Spinoff Announcement | Tower of Dawn and subsequent spinoff series announced | Shift to new timelines and protagonists while expanding the universe |
| Continued Expansions | Additional novellas, companion shorts, and point-of-view releases | Extended the series beyond the initial five books |
Main Series and Novel Count
The core ACOTAR series, sometimes called the Main Court saga, consists of five numbered novels. This includes A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, and Kingdom of Ash. Although later spinoffs share the same world, they are generally published under separate series banners or as companion material. Therefore, when people ask how many books will be in ACOTAR, the foundational answer for the main narrative is five completed novels.
Beyond the Core: Related Releases
Several releases extend the ACOTAR ecosystem but are not always counted within the main five. These include novellas told from alternate characters’ perspectives, holiday shorts, and companion novels such as A Court of Silver Flames. While these add depth to the world, they do not increase the main novel count. Understanding this distinction helps avoid confusion when discussing total book numbers and reading plans.
- Main series novels: 5 core books
- Standalone spinoffs: Separate series such as Witchlands and Throne of Glass, not part of ACOTAR numbering
- Novellas and shorts: Provide backstory and side stories without altering the main arc count
Future Plans and Author Announcements
As of current public communication from the author and publishers, there are no announced plans for additional main narrative books in the core ACOTAR series beyond the five released. Sarah J. Maas has occasionally referenced ongoing worldbuilding and potential future projects, but these remain exploratory and do not confirm new numbered novels. Fans should rely on official statements from the author or her publicist for any changes to the planned book count, as speculation can easily misrepresent unpublished intentions.
Understanding the Structure
Think of ACOTAR as a tree with a central trunk and several branches. The trunk is the Main Court series, composed of five books that follow Feyre, Rhysand, and their descendants through key generations. The branches include spinoff perspectives, such as Nesta and Cassian’s story in A Court of Frost and Starlight extended material, and A Court of Silver Flames, which focuses on other characters. These branches enrich the world but do not extend the main trunk’s length in terms of numbered novels.
Comparison with Related Series
To avoid confusion, it helps to distinguish ACOTAR from other series by Sarah J. Maas. The Throne of Glass series concluded with its eighth book, while the Witchlands series currently has two published volumes with a third planned. These are separate storylines with distinct numbering and world rules. ACOTAR remains bounded by its five-book core, even as the broader fictional universe continues to grow through companion material and adjacent series.
Summary of Book Count
In summary, the core ACOTAR series consists of five published novels that form the primary narrative arc. No additional main books have been officially announced or scheduled. Supporting novellas and companion stories add depth but are not counted as part of the main five. For readers asking how many books will be in ACOTAR, the reliable answer is five core novels, with potential for related content that exists alongside rather than within that core structure.