If you’re a reader who enjoys the romantasy genre, you’re arguably familiar with two of the biggest series to ever grace the genre category – Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series, as well as her Throne of Glass (TOG) series. I’ve read and then reread all five of the ACOTAR books, although there are more coming, and I’m nearing the end of Kingdom of Ash, which is the eighth and final installment in her TOG series.
I’ve had discussions with quite a few people who have read both series, and have asked if they preferred one to the other. The results have been relatively even, but, personally, I have to say I enjoyed ACOTAR more.
I guess if I had to put into words the biggest difference between the two series, it would be that, to me, ACOTAR seems lighter, whereas TOG is extremely heavy at times. I think ACOTAR offers better world-building in general, although my opinions could change in the future once the entire ACOTAR series is complete.
There are more characters in TOG than there are in ACOTAR (again, this could change with future books), but surprisingly, the protagonist in TOG, Aelin, is not my favourite character in the series. Manon Blackbeak is, and if you know, you know. I think I prefer Feyre and her sisters to most of the female characters in TOG, but, contrastingly, I would say my preference for the male characters between the two series is just about even. This speaks volumes to Rowan’s character in TOG, because I would say he is the sole male protagonist, and he’s competing with Rhysand, Cassian and Azriel from ACOTAR.
Both of these series have changed my life, because ACOTAR is what reignited my passion for reading, and TOG came quickly after. If you’ve read both, which is your preference?
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