ACOTAR vs. TOG
What each series does right and wrong.
Sarah J. Maas currently has three major book series that fit within the fantasy genre. Since one of them (The Cresent City series) is more or less an extension of ACOTAR, I have chosen to compare Maas’ Thorne of Glass series to A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
Although I would like to add a DISCLAIMER, I started TOG with book one, Throne of Glass and not its prequel, The Assassins Blade. To some this is not a big deal but to others (I am talking directly to the Mass snobs that have taken over my TikTok fyp) it might be a problem. I am well aware that many people believe there is a ‘correct’ reading order. So, before anyone comes after me, I read the ACOTAR series very first. It was my gateway into the fantasy genre therefore I had no clue what I was signing up for or that the internet is in a constant battle to find the correct reading order of not only each series but also the books within them.
Here are the facts that I do know:
TOG was written first. ACOTAR is considered a lighter fantasy. TOG could be read in multiple orders including a very daunting tandem read.
With all this considered, I present to you my personal break down of what each series does right and wrong.
What TOG does right:
A Fantasy Reader’s Dream
TOG is the bible for great storytelling. This book series includes many layers of fantastical action, magic and betrayals, all written by an author who is not scared to kill off your favorite character. To say TOG is a thriller, is an understatement. The main character, Aelin, is a sassy assailant that is driven to give us a heart attack with the choices she makes but somehow keeps us all rooting for her to end up on top.
Aelin is Unforgettable
What I admire most about the main character is that she was not written for us to like her, Aelin is kind of a bad person. I mean her line of work isn’t exactly something you want to hear on a blind date. Aelin is in survival mode a majority of the series and therefore is put into spots, like becoming the king’s hitman, she might not want to be in but has to get through. Her character is an interesting one and that is what keeps the reader engaged.
What TOG LACKS:
An Act of Love and Labor to Read
TOG is very long. It consists of eight books. EIGHT. One of which is a prequel that came out later than the first book in the series. This is partly what causes the great war of reading order. But wait there’s more! Not only is there eight of them, including a prequel, but two of the books are a tandem read. Yep, a tandem, meaning you read both books at the same time! It has gone so far that people sell bookmarks with the chapter numbers and order in which to read them in.
Lacking Romance
TOG lacks something the romance reader in me needs, a solid love interest. Before you all go running to the comments, yes, I know she eventually does get one but key word being eventually. It takes our poor girl, Aelin the first four-ish books (depends on reading order) to even meet her future husband. I will acknowledge it is more relatable for Aelin to have failed relationships but when I am reading, I do not want to be reminded of the real world at all, it’s my escapism after all.
And They Were Cousins
Not only does it take us at least 2,000 pages of buildup to meet Aelin’s end all be all, it just so happens to be her cousin. Yes, I am well aware it is sooooo distant. But still, I couldn’t get over it. I’m sorry.
What ACOTAR does right:
Bridges Romance and Fantasy
First, I must thank Maas for giving us the ultimate bridge between a full-on romance book and a fantasy book. What ACOTAR does best is help transition a romance reader into the realm of fantasy. That is exactly what happened to me, and I give all the credit to ACOTAR.
Not so Heavy on World Building + Lore
ACOTAR does not throw the reader into an all-out fae world with crazy laws and overly descriptive world building. What it does is use its main character, Feyre, as a guide into the world. Feyre comes with little understanding into the fae world and even has to learn what is fact vs. folklore passed down from scared humans. By learning with Feyre, us readers can stomach all the new information, rather than being spoon-fed centuries of lore within the first ten chapters.
What ACOTAR lacks:
Not for the Heavy Fantasy Reader
What ACOTAR does best, could also be its downfall. For people who loved Maas’ previous work like TOG, I can see why ACOTAR could be a letdown. Though, ACOTAR is in the fantasy genre, it is HEAVILY focused on character development and romance, which is not something most fantasy series do. Usually, it is all about the fantasy elements, the magic, the world building, and the epic wars. Although ACOTAR does have all of that, it is muted by the characters interpersonal relationships. If you’re looking for the heavy details, ACOTAR will be a letdown.
Tone and POV Changes
ACOTAR was originally meant to only be three books and it is obvious while reading. The books sort of take a breath in the fourth book, of which, I would almost consider a novella rather than a whole book. It is the shortest book in the series by far with a total of 233 pages.
The series picks back up again in book five with Feyre’s sister, Nesta’s story. You still get the past character’s POVs, but it does not read the same as the first three books. This is something that has put many people off the rest of the series. For me, it took some adjusting. I tend to lean on the side of liking the added books verses wishing she had stopped after book three, but it would be wrong of me not to acknowledge the obvious tone shift.
