sarah j maas books in reading order

Why Reading Order Actually Matters

Maas doesn’t just write standalone series. Her books layer characters, histories, and even timelines across different titles. Some minor characters in one book become central in another. Events ripple backward and forward. Reading out of order can spoil those reveals and muddy the emotional impact. That’s why sarah j maas books in reading order isn’t just a suggestion—it’s your map through her empire.

The Three Core Series

Maas has three major series under her belt, each with their own ecosystems:

1. Throne of Glass (TOG) – Classic high fantasy mixed with assassins, empires, and warcraft.
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) – Sexy, emotionally rich fae drama with romance and court politics.
3. Crescent City – Urban fantasy meets highstakes mystery in a modern magical world.

Let’s break down how to tackle each series without getting lost—or spoiled.

Throne of Glass: Read This Pattern, Not Release Order

Throne of Glass kicks off Maas’s career and expands into an eightbook epic. But to really appreciate the main arc (and key reveals), here’s the best order:

1. The Assassin’s Blade – Start here. It’s a collection of prequel stories that flesh out Celaena a.k.a. the main protagonist in all her broken, badass glory.
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 happens in parallel with Empire of Storms, so some readers alternate chapters between the two, Marvelstyle.
8. Kingdom of Ash

Don’t skip The Assassin’s Blade—those stories set up emotional weight that comes back bigtime later.

sarah j maas books in reading order: ACOTAR Edition

This is Maas’s most wellknown series, thanks in part to its hardcore fanbase and soontobe Hulu adaptation. It blends Beauty and the Beast inspiration with an escalating world that grows far beyond fairy tale retellings.

Here’s the best reading flow:

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 novella serving as the bridge.
5. A Court of Silver Flames – More brutal, more adult, and a spotlight on Nesta’s story.

Some fans debate whether newcomers should start here or with TOG. If you prefer deep character arcs and romanceheavy plots, ACOTAR is your starting point.

Crescent City: Keep This One in Publication Order

This series is still unfolding, and it’s tightly plotted with loads of mystery and slowburn tension. For now, the reading order is simple:

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

Hot tip: Don’t jump into Crescent City before finishing ACOTAR—book 2 has crossseries connections that hit harder with more context.

Recommended Full Series Reading Timeline

Want to go fullmaestro mode and experience All the crossovers with maximum payoff? Follow this order:

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

This path respects her universebuilding and delivers reveals and crossovers at their peak.

Where to Begin If You’re New

Overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Here’s a shortcut decision tree:

Want political thriller meets epic fantasy? Start with Throne of Glass. Prefer romance, magic, and court intrigue? Go with A Court of Thorns and Roses. Minimal tolerance for YA tropes and want a more adult tone? Begin with Crescent City—but be warned: spoilers for ACOTAR are embedded by book 2.

Final Thoughts

Tracking sarah j maas books in reading order isn’t gatekeeping—it’s strategy. These aren’t books you power through in any random sequence; they’re layered stories loaded with threads that pay off over time. Whether you’re just cracking open your first Maas novel or prepping for a complete reread before the next release, knowing your path makes the entire ride smoother—and way more satisfying.

Just pace yourself. You’re entering a universe where emotions run high and plot twists hit hard. And seriously, read The Assassin’s Blade.