sarah j maas books series in order

Why Reading the sarah j maas books series in order Matters

Sarah J. Maas doesn’t just write standalone stories. Her books often plant story seeds in earlier volumes that only bloom later in the series—or across series. Reading them out of order might spoil key reveals or dull emotional payoff.

For example, Crescent City hints at connections to her other works, and readers tracking the timeline will pick up on significant crossuniverse revelations. So yeah, order matters.

sarah j maas books series in order: The Breakdown

She’s got three big series under her belt right now:

1. Throne of Glass Series

This is where it all started.

Reading Order:

1. The Assassin’s Blade (collection of prequel novellas)
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

Optional but recommended: Read “Empire of Storms” and “Tower of Dawn” in tandem, as both happen at the same time from different character POVs.

Why start here: This series tracks the evolution of Celaena Sardothien from assassin to queen. It’s a slow burn with epic payoff.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)

Fairy politics, steamy romance, and quests that threaten worlds. This one made Maas a household name.

Reading 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 (novella)
5. A Court of Silver Flames

Note: More books are coming in this series, so the story isn’t done yet.

Why this matters: The events in A Court of Silver Flames shift major dynamics and world politics. Skipping outoforder means missing the ripple effects.

3. Crescent City Series (Midnight/Urban Fantasy)

Maas’s first stab at adult contemporary fantasy—with skyscrapers, cell phones, and angels.

Reading Order (so far):

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

Why this one’s important: Without giving spoilers, by House of Sky and Breath, it’s obvious that something big is brewing that touches her other series. Reading the sarah j maas books series in order becomes vital here.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

You could read by publication date, but we recommend the below order for firsttimers:

1. Throne of Glass series
2. ACOTAR series
3. Crescent City series

This sequence builds the emotional weight up properly and keeps the surprises surprising.

Pro Tips for Starting the Journey

Skim the first half of Throne of Glass if it feels slow. It picks up fast. A Court of Mist and Fury is a series gamechanger—hang in until then. Crescent City books are longer and built for a more mature audience—coffee recommended.

Also, don’t assume the “romance” label means soft storytelling. These books get dark, political, and actionpacked—often all on the same page.

Final Thoughts on the sarah j maas books series in order

Following the sarah j maas books series in order isn’t gatekeeping—it’s guidance. Whether you’re drawn to assassins overthrowing empires, fae courts exploding with drama, or angel detectives solving murders in magicfilled cities, there’s something here for every fantasy lover. You just need to enter the world in the right sequence.

Start with Throne of Glass, fall deep into ACOTAR, and by the time you hit Crescent City, you’ll see just how brilliantly Maas connects it all.

Pick a book, start reading—and don’t look back.