sarah j maas books publication order

Why Publication Order Matters

Some readers prefer chronological timelines, others like to mix things up. But reading in publication order lets you experience the books as readers originally did. You’ll see Maas evolve as a writer, track how her worldbuilding becomes more intricate, and pick up on subtle nods between series.

Her books tend to escalate in complexity, so following the sarah j maas books publication order helps prevent confusion, especially when events or characters subtly connect across series.

Sarah J. Maas Books Publication Order

Let’s break it down by series, but in publication order.

Throne of Glass Series (2012–2018)

Maas’s debut series is gritty YA fantasy with assassins, witches, and a whole lot of rebellion.

1. Throne of Glass (2012)
2. Crown of Midnight (2013)
3. Heir of Fire (2014)
4. Queen of Shadows (2015)
5. Empire of Storms (2016)
6. Tower of Dawn (2017)
7. Kingdom of Ash (2018)

Also important: The Assassin’s Blade (2014), a prequel collection of novellas, is best read before or after Book 1 depending on how much background you want right away.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series (2015–Present)

This series veers into steamy New Adult fantasy with fae courts, twisted politics, and plenty of action.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
2. A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018, novella)
5. A Court of Silver Flames (2021)

There are more books planned, so keep an eye out for announcements.

Crescent City Series (2020–Present)

This adult urban fantasy series blends tech, angels, and demons—think smartphones and sword fights in the same breath.

1. House of Earth and Blood (2020)
2. House of Sky and Breath (2022)
3. House of Flame and Shadow (2024)

These are thick, complex, and packed with lore—definitely not entrylevel Maas.

The Ideal Reading Journey

You could read each series independently. But if you’re going strictly by the sarah j maas books publication order, your path should look like this:

1. Throne of Glass books (2012–2018)
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses books (2015–2021 ongoing)
3. Crescent City books (2020–ongoing)

Stick to that path, and you’ll get the full picture of how Maas builds her characters, themes, and supernatural worlds.

Connected Universes? Maybe.

Without spoiling too much, recent books indicate her series might be more connected than they first appear. Reading in sarah j maas books publication order ensures you’ll catch foreshadowing and crossovers as they happen, not after.

If you’re diving into her later works, especially Crescent City, you’ll appreciate prior emotional beats and subtle references only veteran readers catch.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a newcomer or revisiting her work, following the sarah j maas books publication order is the cleanest way to experience her storytelling arc. It avoids spoilers, captures character growth, and reveals how each book shapes the next.

So, grab your reading stack and start at the beginning. These books are a journey—and the order you take really does make a difference.