sarah j maas books in chronological order

Why Chronological Order Matters

Sarah J. Maas has built not only series but entire ecosystems. Her stories often feature complex character growth, hidden foreshadowing, and connective threads that reward readers who move through the books in order of events—not just publication.

Reading sarah j maas books in chronological order helps you track character development, understand key twists, and experience the emotional payoffs as intended within her fictional timeline. It removes confusion and enhances the worldbuilding details that can get fuzzy if you jump back and forth.

A Throne of GlassCentric Starting Point

The earliest events in Maas’s universe happen in the Throne of Glass series. Here’s the breakdown if you’re reading these books from a storychronology perspective:

1. The Assassin’s Blade – This is a prequel collection of novellas. Start here to get introduced to Celaena Sardothien and how she becomes the infamous assassin we meet later.
2. Throne of Glass
3. Crown of Midnight
4. Heir of Fire
5. Queen of Shadows
6. Empire of Storms
7. Tower of Dawn – This takes place parallel to Empire of Storms, so many readers jump between the two or read this directly after.
8. Kingdom of Ash

Chronologically, The Assassin’s Blade sets the stage. The rest rolls out in event order, though Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn technically occur at the same time from different perspectives.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Timeline

Next up in sarah j maas books in chronological order is the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series. This world is separate from Throne of Glass, though advanced fans speculate about multiverse connections.

Here’s the ACOTAR order:

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 – A transitional novella setting the stage for future arcs.
5. A Court of Silver Flames – Focuses on Nesta and Cassian, but events happen after the previous books.

Chronologically, it’s straightforward—just follow the list. While Frost and Starlight feels more like a long epilogue, it bridges important character arcs.

The Crescent City Layer

Newer readers often ask where Crescent City fits in. Right now, it’s the most modernworldadjacent universe Maas has written. But after the third book, House of Flame and Shadow, it becomes clear this series is linking more than just its own characters.

Here’s the current chronological order for the Crescent City world:

1. House of Earth and Blood
2. House of Sky and Breath
3. House of Flame and Shadow

At this point, without spoilers, we’ll just say the timeline overlaps in surprising ways with ACOTAR. Reading Crescent City after ACOTAR is advised—it helps the final twist in House of Sky and Breath land harder.

Recommended Reading Map

To cover all sarah j maas books in chronological order, here’s how to tackle them:

Complete Chronological Timeline:

1. The Assassin’s Blade
2. Throne of Glass
3. Crown of Midnight
4. Heir of Fire
5. Queen of Shadows
6. Empire of Storms
7. Tower of Dawn
8. Kingdom of Ash
9. A Court of Thorns and Roses
10. A Court of Mist and Fury
11. A Court of Wings and Ruin
12. A Court of Frost and Starlight
13. A Court of Silver Flames
14. House of Earth and Blood
15. House of Sky and Breath
16. House of Flame and Shadow

This list takes into account storyline progression and not just release dates. If you’re doing a fulltime deep dive, this order ensures you won’t miss a beat.

Navigating Universe Crossovers

With recent plot developments confirming crossover interactions between the ACOTAR and Crescent City characters, there’s growing momentum for a multiverseread strategy. Following sarah j maas books in chronological order will not only ground you in each storyline but help you parse these interdimensional links as they emerge.

There’s also speculation that Throne of Glass connections may surface more clearly in future installments. So even if you’ve finished one trilogy or series, think of the Maas Universe as one long game. The payoff comes when you recognize the shared motifs, lore, and maybe even characters.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to read sarah j maas books in chronological order, but if you do, you’ll catch all the hints, avoid timeline confusion, and experience the narratives with the depth and stakes they deserve. For both new readers and longtime fans, it’s the clearest path through these emotionallypacked, genrebending worlds.

In short: if you want the full ride with no gaps, chronological is the way to go.