Is the ACOTAR Book Series Appropriate for Teens? (2024)

There's no doubt about it: the rise of BookTok is heavily influencing Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s reading habits. But some of the books that your teens are finding on their FYPs aren’t necessarily targeted towards the under-18 audience. In fact, popular BookTok author Sarah J. Maas has written three viral series, but some of these books feature mature content that may be too mature for younger readers.

That said, this doesn't necessarily mean that you should forbid your teen from reading these books. In fact, Erin O’Connor, EdD, professor at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, program leader for Early Childhood at NYU, and chief of education at Cooper, says this might be a good opportunity to have deeper conversations with your adolescent children about certain topics.

“Familiarize yourself with the content of the book, and ask your child about their feelings around the content. This can open up a variety of conversations about how a character’s circ*mstances may relate back to your teen’s own experiences,” O’Connor explains. She notes that many of these BookTok books are a great way for teens to safely explore their own feelings about complicated topics like sexuality, relationships, infidelity, deceit, and more.

“If parents are concerned that what their teen is reading isn’t a good fit, it's crucial to approach the situation with empathy and open communication. Rather than immediately banning the book, parents should engage their teen in a respectful dialogue,” says Tamara Soles, PhD,, psychologist and director of The Secure Child in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Soles recommends sharing your perspectives with each other, making sure to allow your teen to articulate their own views.

O’Connor even suggests parents do a read-along with their kids to help foster communication regarding the novel’s themes and more mature content. “It’s important that you don’t shame or discourage your child from reading these or other books, but that you exercise curiosity around their interest,” she adds. “If you’re going to allow them to read it, you have to be ready to explore themes, pose questions, and respond to questions about the content of the book.”

Here’s what to know about each of Maas’s series and the topics they explore.

Throne of Glass

Like many of Maas’s books, the first books in the Throne of Glass series are relatively tame. They might include some mature content, but it slowly builds over time. This particular series follows a young woman who travels to the king’s castle to compete in a competition to find the greatest assassin. If she survives, her prize is her freedom.

Major topics in this novel surround slavery, misogyny, classism, substance use, violence, gore, death, and mentions of rape and suicide.

“The notion of what constitutes 'inappropriate' reading material for teens varies by age, maturity level, sensitivity, and individual values,” Dr. Soles says. “While certain themes like violence or sexuality may be deemed appropriate for older teens who are better equipped to process and contextualize the material, they may be unsuitable for younger adolescents. Again, parents should also consider how the themes are portrayed and whether there are healthy messages within the themes.”

Recommended age range: 14+

A Court of Thorns and Roses

This fantastical romance series follows the life of Feyre, a human and hunter who is brought to the magical world of the faeries to pay for her crimes. With ancient curses, love triangles, and treachery on almost every page, it’s no wonder this series has captured the hearts of BookTokers everywhere.

This series is particularly beloved for its “spicy” romantic scenes, some of which do contain graphic descriptions. While Dr. Soles says reading books that contain sexual content can offer teens an opportunity to explore complex issues around relationships, identity, and consent in a safe and controlled environment, she recommends parents approach these types of books with caution, making sure they align with their teen’s emotional readiness.

The first novel in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, contains mild violence and sexual descriptions; both of which increase as the series moves along to its most recent installment, A Court of Silver Flames. Content warnings for this novel include abuse, death, gore, and PTSD, torture, and sexual assault. There is also implied drugging within the novel.

Recommended age range: 17+

Crescent City

This ongoing series follows a half-human, half-fae as she attempts to avenge her friends’ murder. The novel is set in a contemporary fantasy world with plenty of high-stakes, magic, war, and romance.

Major topics in this novel surround death, grief, and abuse with trigger warnings for suicide, drugs, neglect, and violence. It should be noted Crescent City is considered to be “less smutty” than ACOTAR, but some readers have noted a lot of swearing.

“Books featuring violence can provide teens with insights into the consequences of actions, the complexities of conflict resolution, and the importance of empathy,” Dr. Soles explains. “However, parents should be mindful of their teen's emotional maturity and ability to process such content. Monitoring their teen's reactions and initiating discussions about the themes of violence presented in the book can help ensure a healthy and responsible reading experience.”

Recommended age range: 16+