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ACOTAR vs Throne of Glass
Updated June 2026
The most common Sarah J. Maas debate: which series to read first? Both are romantasy. Both are beloved. But they are very different experiences.
Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses
✦
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas · 5 books
Maas
Throne of Glass
✦
Throne of Glass
Sarah J. Maas · 8 books
Side by side
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Throne of Glass | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5 books | 8 books |
| Romance weight | Central. Drives the plot. | Present but secondary to the war story. |
| Best book | A Court of Mist and Fury (book 2) | Empire of Storms / Kingdom of Ash (books 5-7) |
| Slow start? | Book 1 is setup. Book 2 transforms. | Books 1-2 are slow. Book 3 picks up. |
| Heroine | Feyre: artist, survivor, grows into power | Celaena/Aelin: assassin, warrior, born powerful |
| Best for | Readers who want romance first | Readers who want epic fantasy first |
The verdict
ACOTAR is shorter, more romance-focused, and has the genre's most iconic love interest. Throne of Glass is longer, more epic, and has the better overall story by the end. Start with ACOTAR if you want to fall in love. Start with ToG if you want an epic journey.
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Frequently asked questions
ACOTAR is the most popular starting point. It is shorter and the romance hook is immediate. Throne of Glass is better overall but requires more patience.
Yes. Crescent City (SJM's third series) has crossover events with both. Read ACOTAR and ToG before Crescent City.
Updated June 2026