Is A Court of Thorns and Roses for Kids?

With its eye-catching cover and viral popularity on BookTok, it’s no surprise that A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) has caught your child’s attention. Written by Sarah J. Mass, this romantic fantasy (romantasy) novel follows 19-year-old Feyre, a human who is pulled into the magical faerie world. But is A Court of Thorns and Roses for kids? Here’s what parents need to know before letting their child read ACOTAR.

A Court of Thorns and Roses age rating

• Age rating: Recommended for mature readers (16+)
• Content warnings: Explicit sexual content, graphic violence, and themes of consent, coercion, and enslavement 

Is ACOTAR for kids? Not exactly. The book is rated 16+ due to gore, violence, and mature romance. 

This novel belongs to the romantic fantasy genre (also known as “romantacy”), and it leans heavily into both: the story’s world is filled with darker elements, such as torture and complex issues surrounding consent. 

ACOTAR is sometimes shelved in the Young Adult section, but it’s better suited for older teens and adults. Additionally, the series becomes more explicit as it progresses. If the first book is too intense for your child, the rest of the series will be, too. 

Language in A Court of Thorns and Roses

Parents who are concerned about language should know that ACOTAR contains:

• Frequent swearing
• Sexually explicit language
• Vulgar gestures

There are also multiple mentions of Feyre’s “watery bowels,” which isn’t necessarily crude, but it happens often enough that it raises questions about her gut health.

Is there sex and nudity in A Court of Thorns and Roses?

Yes. ACOTAR is well-known for its “spicy” scenes, a term used to describe books with sexual content. Spice is denoted on social media with the hot pepper emoji: 🌶️

• Feyre has multiple sex scenes with the male main character and faerie High Lord, Tamlin. 
• A significant plot point revolves around a fertility rite that involves ritual sex. 
• Significant sexual touching and coercion occur, with varying levels of consent. 

Parents should be aware that ACOTAR contains mature romance and explicit sexual themes not typically found in traditional YA books.

Heads up: If you’re worried about the content your child finds online, monitor their activity with BrightCanary.

Is there violence in A Court of Thorns and Roses?

Yes. Violence is a major element of the ACOTAR series. Later books deal with the brutality of war, death, and serious injury.

• The fae world is gory and violent. 
• Characters are beaten, mutilated, killed, and coerced into sexual relationships. 
• A key character is forced to kill against their will. The novel also introduces a key character who is enslaved and coerced into sex with the villain. 

While these actions are integral to the story’s plot, violence in various forms is a significant element of ACOTAR’s narrative. While these elements contribute to the novel’s atmosphere, they may not be appropriate for younger teens.

Other considerations for parents about ACOTAR

If your child wants to read A Court of Thorns and Roses and you feel they can handle its mature content, consider:

• Reading it together to discuss themes like autonomy, consent, and healthy relationships.
• Talking about the differences between fiction and real-life relationships.
• Monitoring their exposure to ACOTAR-related fan content. BookTok and social media fandoms often promote discussions about the series.

It's also worthwhile to know what the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is about. ACOTAR follows Feyre's journey through the fae world, but it also deals with war, deceit, and trauma.

The first book focuses largely on Feyre and Tamlin's love story and battle against Amarantha's influence, while the second and third books put Feyre and her found family against the invading forces that want to seize control of the fae land, Prythian. The fourth book focuses on Feyre's sister, Nesta, and her journey on a path of healing, but it's arguably one of the most explicit books in the series so far.

ACOTAR alternatives for young adult readers

If your child likes fantasy books, romance, and stories about female protagonists who learn how to battle against all odds, they might enjoy ACOTAR — but you'll need to weigh that against the series' adult content. If you'd rather keep things more age-appropriate for younger readers, we recommend checking out these popular YA selections:

• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (this one is also a TV show)
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
• The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten
• Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
• The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (this series gets more explicit as it progresses, but the first book is appropriate for YA)

Final thoughts

So, is A Court of Thorns and Roses for kids? Not really. While it features strong themes of self-discovery, perseverance, and personal growth, the novel also includes graphic violence, explicit sexual content, and mature themes that make it better suited for older teens and adults.

There’s plenty of fan-made content around A Court of Thorns and Roses, so if your child shows any interest in this series, they’ll likely encounter related material on their social media accounts and online searches. If you’re concerned about explicit and violent content, a child safety app like BrightCanary can help you monitor your child’s digital activity — so you can talk about any concerning topics together.