sarah maas books in reading order

Why Reading Order Matters

Sarah Maas doesn’t just write linked stories—she builds multiverses. Reading out of sequence can spoil reveals, confuse timelines, and shortcircuit major character arcs. This is especially true with the Throne of Glass series, which has prequels tucked into later releases, and with Crescent City, which ties into Maas’s other series in surprising ways.

So whether you’re new or rereading, following the correct sequence isn’t just helpful—it turns good storytelling into great storytelling.

Sarah Maas books in reading order: Throne of Glass Series

This was her debut universe. Assassin. Magic. A rebellion against empire. Classic high fantasy, but sharper.

Ideal order, including prequel novellas:

1. The Assassin’s Blade (a set of prequel novellas best read first)
2. Throne of Glass
3. Crown of Midnight
4. Heir of Fire
5. Queen of Shadows
6. Empire of Storms
7. Tower of Dawn (side story that runs parallel to Empire of Storms—read after it)
8. Kingdom of Ash (finale)

Why this order? Maas intended The Assassin’s Blade as a prologue. Reading it first sets emotional stakes early. And Tower of Dawn makes zero sense before Empire of Storms, but sets up the finale perfectly when read directly after it.

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Reading Order

ACOTAR starts off as a BeautyandtheBeast retelling but spins into fae politics, brutal war, and spicy romance. If you’re a fan of morally complex characters and highstakes fantasy relationships, this one’s for you.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses
2. A Court of Mist and Fury
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight (novella; bridge to the next arc)
5. A Court of Silver Flames

Plenty of new readers stumble here and read Frost and Starlight last—not a crisis, but it works best before diving into Silver Flames (which shifts POV to new main characters).

Timing tip: You don’t need to read Throne of Glass first, but if you’re reading both series, do it in their sequences and don’t interleave the two.

Sarah Maas books in reading order: Crescent City Series

This is her newest (and most adult) series. Less fairytale, more urban fantasy—a cocktail of tech, angels, demons, and sarcasm.

Here’s the current order:

1. House of Earth and Blood
2. House of Sky and Breath

Once House of Flame and Shadow releases, it’ll slot right after Book 2. But it’s crucial to avoid Book 2 spoilers—especially if you’ve not finished ACOTAR. They’re not standalone books. Trust us, read ACOTAR first.

Optimal Reading Timeline Across Series

If you’re looking to read all three series in a connected timeline without overlaps or spoilage, here’s a clean option:

1. The Assassin’s Blade
2. Throne of Glass through Kingdom of Ash (all 8 books)
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses through A Court of Silver Flames (all 5 books)
4. House of Earth and Blood
5. House of Sky and Breath

This approach keeps spoilers in check while subtly rewarding longtime readers with Easter eggs in the later books.

Final Tips for Reading Sarah Maas

If you like fastpaced action, start with Throne of Glass. If you’re into lush romance and morally messy characters, go for A Court of Thorns and Roses first. Want something darker and more mature? Try Crescent City—but only after ACOTAR so you don’t get blindsided by crossseries spoilers.

Also: ignore publication dates. They won’t help. The recommended sarah maas books in reading order sequence is heavily based on narrative clarity, not when the books hit shelves.

TL;DR

Don’t wing it. Follow the right order, and every twist hits harder. Whether you’re binging Throne of Glass, devouring ACOTAR, or catching up on Crescent City, reading these series sequentially elevates the whole experience.

So yep—when it comes to sarah maas books in reading order, the path is clear. And trust us: it’s worth following.