Fourth Wing vs ACOTAR: Which Romantasy to Read First
Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses are the two biggest romantasy series right now. Both deliver enemies-to-lovers romance, dangerous worlds, and powerful heroines. But the tone, setting, and heat level differ more than you might expect.
Side by side
| The Empyrean (Fourth Wing) | ACOTAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Military dragon-rider academy | Fae courts and political intrigue |
| Romance | Enemies to lovers, builds fast | Slow burn that explodes in book 2 |
| Spice level | Explicit but not frequent | Moderate in book 1, explicit from book 2 |
| Series status | 3 of 5 books published | 5 books published, more planned |
| Tone | Military tension, survival stakes | Political intrigue, emotional depth |
| Pacing | Fast. Action-driven. | Slower build. Character-driven. |
| Best book | Fourth Wing (book 1) | A Court of Mist and Fury (book 2) |
| Author catalog | Yarros has 20+ romance novels | Maas has 3 major fantasy series |
Start with ACOTAR if you want a completed story arc (books 1-3 wrap up cleanly) and the slow burn that defined modern romantasy. Start with Fourth Wing if you want faster pacing, a military academy setting, and dragons. Most romantasy readers end up reading both.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
ACOTAR if you want the genre-defining series with a complete first arc. Fourth Wing if you want faster pacing and dragons. Both are essential romantasy.
ACOTAR from book 2 onward. Fourth Wing has explicit scenes but less frequently. From Blood and Ash and Zodiac Academy are spicier than both.
No. Completely separate series by different authors. They share a genre and an audience, nothing more.