Sarah J. Maas Books in Order: The Complete Guide to ACOTAR, Throne of Glass & Crescent City
Hi friends!
If you've recently found yourself on BookTok, Bookstagram, or wandering through the fantasy section at your local bookstore, or honestly read any bookish blog posts from me, you have probably heard someone talking about Sarah J. Maas. As someone who never considered myself a huge fantasy reader before, the Sarah J. Maas universe is actually what got me into reading seriously. Once I picked up my first Sarah J. Maas book, I couldn't stop. Dustin has also read all of the books in each series as well, we both love it so much! If you're new to fantasy and wondering where to start, you're definitely not alone! One of the biggest questions I hear when I tell someone new to read this series is what order they should read the books in. Since Sarah J. Maas has published three different series that are connected through a larger universe, it can feel a little overwhelming at first so I get it! I feel like if you have you ever picked up a book just to "see what it’s all about," and then suddenly it’s 2 AM, you’re emotionally invested in fictional lives, you’ve already ordered the next in the series and you’re okay without sleeping until the whole thing is over? That is how I feel about this series! This guide covers every book in the Sarah J. Maas universe and my recommended reading order for the best experience!
Happy Reading!
What Is the Sarah J. Maas Universe?
The Sarah J. Maas universe consists of three fantasy series:
Each of these series follows different characters and takes place in different worlds. They can all be read independently but readers have discovered connections, Easter eggs, and crossover elements that tie the books together into a larger multiverse! Without giving away any spoilers, the connections become more apparent as you read through the series, which in my opinion makes it more fun to read all of them!
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series Order
The A Court of Thorns and Roses series is usually the most recommended starting point for new fantasy readers. The story follows Feyre Archeron as she is pulled into the magical world of Prythian and discovers that things are not always what they seem. The first book can be a little slow at first but I would say once you get to chapter 15ish you will start to get hooked. I also think that it is only slow at first because she is setting up the whole world which can take time! I would say that most readers consider A Court of Mist and Fury to be one of the most beloved books in the series but I also love love love A Court of Wings and Ruin!
Books in publication order:
A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
Throne of Glass Series Reading Order
Throne of Glass was Sarah J. Maas's first published series and remains a favorite among fantasy readers. It follows assassin Celaena Sardothien as she navigates political intrigue, ancient magic, and a growing threat to her world.
This series literally altered my brain chemistry, I can’t even explain how much I love this book series! It is 8 books and from what I understand it is a complete series! I completely think this series should be listened to beucase I got so much more from it than I think I would if I had just read it on my own.
This is the order that I read the series in, but some people switch book one Throne of Glass and The Assassin’s Blade and read The Assassin’s Blade first, I really enjoyed the order that I read it though with reading Throne of Glass first and The Assassin’s Blade third.
I also recommend doing the tandem read for Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn!
Books in publication order:
Throne of Glass (2012)
Crown of Midnight (2013)
Heir of Fire (2014)
The Assassin's Blade (2014)
Queen of Shadows (2015)
Empire of Storms (2016)
Tower of Dawn (2017)
Kingdom of Ash (2018)
Crescent City Series Order
The Crescent City series blends fantasy, mystery, romance, and urban fantasy into one addictive story. The books follow Bryce Quinlan as she uncovers secrets about her city and the powerful forces operating behind the scenes. In my opinion this series is the most complex of the three and includes some of the biggest connections to the larger Sarah J. Maas universe.
This series was my least favorite of the three but I am glad that I read them because like I said, there is a connection to the other books in this series and as she writes more books I think it will only get more and more connected!
Books in publication order:
House of Earth and Blood (2020)
House of Sky and Breath (2022)
House of Flame and Shadow (2024)
My Recommendation Sarah J. Maas Reading Order
I recommend this order because ACOTAR is often the easiest entry point for readers who are new to fantasy. The series is incredibly engaging and tends to hook readers quickly. After finishing ACOTAR, you'll already be invested in Sarah J. Maas's writing style before diving into the larger and more expansive Throne of Glass series. Saving Crescent City for last also allows you to fully appreciate some of the crossover elements and connections that appear later. This is the reading order I recommend for most new readers:
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarah J. Maas Books
Do I Need to Read All Three Series?
No, each of the series can be read by themselves but as I mentioned, people who have completed all three series will notice that there are connections and references throughout the universe in each series!
Which Sarah J. Maas Series Is the Best?
This depends on your reading preferences. I would say ACOTAR for the romance, Throne of Glass for the epic fantasy storyline, and Crescent City for its modern urban fantasy setting. My favorite was Throne of Glass!
Is Sarah J. Maas Still Writing More Books?
Yes! Sarah J. Maas is still writing and has indicated that additional books are planned for her universe! Book six in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series comes out October 27, 2026 and then book seven in A Court of Thorns and Roses series comes out January 12th, 2027! So there is a lot to look forward to!
Should You Read Throne of Glass or ACOTAR First?
I feel like this is probably the most common question new readers ask. In my opinion, I would start with ACOTAR because the books are easier to get into, have a strong romance storyline, and it was the series that turned me onto reading fantasy books! After reading ACOTAR I would then go into Throne of Glass! There really isn't a wrong choice, but ACOTAR tends to be the most beginner friendly introduction to the Sarah J. Maas universe!
So really if you are just beginning your fantasy reading journey or finally giving in to all of the BookTok recommendations, Sarah J. Maas's books are a fantastic place to start. Like I mentioned, A Court of Thorns and Roses is the book that really started my reading journey. Her stories just have really well done world building, characters that I still think about years later, romance, action, and so many plot twists that make you read until 3am haha! If you're brand new to fantasy, I'd personally recommend starting with A Court of Thorns and Roses before working your way through Throne of Glass and Crescent City. And if you’ve got a series that made you cancel plans juuuuust to read a few more chapters, drop it in the comments, I’m always on the hunt for my next obsession, especially with reading! If you have any questions I would love to answer them! You can let me know in the comments below or you can always send me an email at hello@emmatarynjones.com!
Cheers!
Emma XO