sarah j maas order of books

Why the Right Reading Order Matters

Maas writes sprawling, interconnected stories. Reading them in the right order makes a big difference. Characters crossover. Worldbuilding layers up. And key plot twists hit harder when you’ve read the groundwork. So yeah, the sarah j maas order of books isn’t just a checklist—it’s a map.

There are three main series:

1. Throne of Glass – Assassinturnedqueen fantasy with brutal trials and dark magic.
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) – Romantic fantasy with enemiestolovers energy and fae courts galore.
3. Crescent City – Urban fantasy meets celestial politics with high emotional stakes.

The Sarah J Maas Order of Books by Series

Throne of Glass Series

This is where Maas started, and arguably where most fans should, too. It’s a complete arc.

Publication Order (Recommended for New Readers):

1. The Assassin’s Blade (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 (Parallel timeline to Empire—read together)
8. Kingdom of Ash

Pro tip: Most readers recommend reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn in tandem, or at least backtoback, since they overlap in timeline.

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Series

This series leans more romantic and starts off inspired by Beauty and the Beast—but it quickly morphs into something much darker and more complex.

Recommended 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 (Bridge novella)
5. A Court of Silver Flames (Spinoff focus)

Heads up: Some people prefer to jump right into the trilogy and skip the novella. But Frost and Starlight plants emotional setups that matter later.

Crescent City Series

Maas goes modern here—cell phones, cities, tech—but the fae and magic remain very familiar.

Read in Publication Order:

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

This series ties directly into her earlier works in ways we won’t spoil. Let’s just say the payoff for reading her previous series first is worth it.

Best Reading Path for FirstTime Maas Readers

If you’re all in and want the best experience, here’s a clean route:

1. The Assassin’s Blade
2. Rest of Throne of Glass series
3. Entire ACOTAR series
4. Crescent City series

This way, you’re reading in publication order, building your understanding of her universe(s) as she built them.

One Universe, Maybe?

There’s growing evidence—for those who care about easter eggs and deep lore—that Maas’s series exist in a connected multiverse. That makes the right sarah j maas order of books even more important. Characters from one series appear in others, major plot twists change when you know the backstory, and the fan theories? Endless.

TL;DR: The Fast List

Here’s the supercondensed version:

Throne of Glass series → ACOTAR series → Crescent City series Stick to publication order Don’t skip the novellas—they matter Big rewards if you read everything

Choosing the right sarah j maas order of books boosts the drama, the emotional punch, and your overall immersion. Whether you’re here for swords, spice, or celestial wars, there’s a perfect starting point waiting.

Now pick your battleground—and enjoy the ride.