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Quick answer: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is best for ages 17 or 18 and up. Although it was first shelved as young adult, the series includes explicit sex scenes, strong language and graphic violence, and it’s now marketed as adult fantasy.
Quick facts
Recommended age: 17+ (18+ for the full series)
Reading level: Older teen to adult
Genre: Romantasy (romance and fantasy)
Published: 2015, first of five books
Main concerns: Explicit sex, violence, abuse in relationships
Shelving: Moved from YA to adult in many stores
A Court of Thorns and Roses, often called ACOTAR, is one of the most talked-about books on BookTok, and lots of teens want to read it. The first book was originally published as young adult, which confuses many parents. Since then, the publisher has moved the series to adult shelves. This guide explains what’s in the books and offers great alternatives for younger teens who love fairy-tale fantasy.
Table of Contents
What Is A Court of Thorns and Roses About?
Nineteen-year-old Feyre is a huntress who keeps her poor family alive. When she kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying faerie creature demands payment and takes her across the wall to Prythian, the land of the fae, where she must live in exchange for the life she took.
Her captor, Tamlin, turns out to be a fae lord under a curse, and the story becomes a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Later books shift Feyre’s story toward the brooding Rhysand, a war among the courts and a much more mature romance.
Check price of A Court of Thorns and Roses on Amazon
Content Guide for Parents
| Content | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Sex | Explicit | Book one has a few explicit scenes; the sequels, especially A Court of Mist and Fury, have many more. |
| Language | Strong | Frequent swearing, including the f-word. |
| Violence | High | Brutal fights, torture, murder and a cruel captivity under the Mountain. |
| Abuse themes | Significant | Controlling and abusive relationships, trauma and PTSD are major themes. |
| Drinking | Moderate | Fae revels with drinking and a drugged party scene. |
| Positive messages | Some | Healing from trauma, female friendship and choosing your own path. |
Age-by-Age Breakdown
| Age | Is A Court of Thorns and Roses a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| Under 14 | Not appropriate. Try Beauty by Robin McKinley or Caraval. |
| 14 to 15 | Most parents say not yet. The sex scenes are explicit, especially in later books. |
| 16 to 17 | A family decision; some parents allow book one after a conversation. |
| 18 and up | The intended audience, especially for the sequels. |
Is ACOTAR Okay for a 13-, 14- or 15-Year-Old?
Most parents say no. Even in book one, the sex scenes are on the page, and the series becomes more explicit as it goes. The violence and abuse themes are also intense.
Some older teens read it with their parents’ permission, and that’s a family decision. If your younger teen is drawn to faeries and fairy-tale romance, there are excellent YA books that deliver the same magic without the explicit content.
What Parents Should Know
- It’s now adult fiction. The covers were redesigned and the series moved to adult shelves.
- The sequels are more explicit. A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Silver Flames are especially steamy.
- Throne of Glass is similar. Maas’s other series starts milder but also becomes mature.
- It’s a chance to talk. The books explore consent, control and recovery from abuse.
- Teens may feel left out. Offering great alternatives helps them join the fantasy conversation.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of A Court of Thorns and Roses.
- Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
- Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
- Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
- Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.
Questions to Talk About With Your Child
- How does Feyre change from the first book to the end of the story?
- What makes a relationship healthy or controlling?
- Why do you think fairy-tale retellings are so popular?
- How does the story show the effects of trauma?
- What would you do if you were taken to a magical land you couldn’t leave?
Better Choices for Younger Teens: Fairy-Tale Fantasy Without the Explicit Content
These picks offer faeries, magic and romance in books written for younger readers.
Beauty by Robin McKinley: ages 12 and up. A lovely, gentle retelling of Beauty and the Beast that has charmed readers for decades.
Check price of Beauty on Amazon
Caraval by Stephanie Garber: ages 13 and up. Two sisters enter a magical, dangerous game. It’s romantic, dreamy and clean.
Check price of Caraval on Amazon
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: ages 14 and up. A mortal girl schemes for power in a cruel faerie court. It’s dark and gripping but much milder.
Check price of The Cruel Prince on Amazon
Related: Sarah J. Maas books in order and best fantasy books for book clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is A Court of Thorns and Roses appropriate for?
ACOTAR is best for ages 17 or 18 and up because of explicit sex scenes, strong language and graphic violence.
Is ACOTAR YA or adult?
It was first published as young adult, but it’s now marketed and shelved as adult fiction.
Is A Court of Thorns and Roses spicy?
Yes. Book one has a few explicit scenes, and the sequels have many more.
Is ACOTAR okay for a 14-year-old?
Most parents and educators say no. Better choices for 14-year-olds include The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and Caraval by Stephanie Garber.
What should my teen read instead of ACOTAR?
Beauty by Robin McKinley, Caraval by Stephanie Garber and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black are great fantasy romances for younger teens.