Sarah J. Maas Series Order: Your Ultimate Reading Guide

If you’ve stumbled upon Sarah J. Maas’s books (thanks, BookTok!) and are wondering where to start, buckle up. Whether you’re here for the addictive romance, jaw-dropping betrayals, or the sprawling fantasy worlds with more twists than a reality TV finale, we’ve got you covered. This guide will help you untangle the web of Maas’s series and questions like, "Do I start with Throne of Glass? Or is ACOTAR better for me?" and "Wait, there’s an order to these books?!"

We’re about to answer all of that. From her badass female assassins to sassy fae warriors and celestial secrets, Sarah J. Maas’s books are an experience, and reading them in the right order makes it even better. Whether you’re a first-time reader or a hardcore Maas fan looking for a refresher, this guide will make sure you’re reading in the perfect sequence. Grab your bookmark; it’s time to dork out over one of the biggest names in fantasy.

Why Read Sarah J. Maas’ Series in Order?

Sarah J. Maas isn’t just writing books. She’s crafting universes, and trust us when we say everything (and we mean everything) is interconnected. Reading her books in order means you pick up on the little breadcrumbs she sprinkles throughout her series—Easter eggs, subtle hints, and even cameos that hardcore fans love to geek out over.

Stories That Interconnect Like Puzzle Pieces

Think of Maas’s works as the Marvel Cinematic Universe but make it fantasy. The more you read, the clearer the connections between her stories become. Certain characters, places, and bits of lore show up across her series. For fans, these “aha!” moments are half the fun.

Publication vs. Chronological Order

Here’s where things can get a little tricky. Should you read in the order the books were published? Or should you go for chronological flow within a series? That depends on your vibe:

• Publication Order: This is Maas’s preferred order for newcomers. It ensures you experience everything as she intended—surprises, twists, and those can’t-believe-I-didn’t-see-that-coming moments.
• Chronological Order: Perfect for a re-read if you want to deeply understand how each story fits together.

Choosing Based on Your Genre Favs

Are you a sucker for court intrigue and morally gray characters (Game of Thrones fans)? Start with Throne of Glass. Prefer steamy romances and impossibly attractive fae (A Court of Thorns and Roses)? Go there first. Love a mix of modern city vibes and celestial drama? Crescent City is your jam. We’ll break it all down for you.

Reading these books in order isn’t just about spoiling yourself with fantastic fantasy. It’s about immersing yourself in Maas’s brilliant world-building the way it’s meant to be experienced.

Sarah J. Maas: Order of Books at a Glance

If you’re strapped for time (or your TBR pile is threatening to crush you), here’s the cheat sheet. We’ll go deeper into each series later, but for now, get to know the main players:

1. Throne of Glass Series

This is where it all started. Sarah J. Maas entered the scene with this epic about an assassin, a couple of swoon-worthy love interests, and a political playing field that’ll leave you spinning. Think deadly tournaments, ancient secrets, and enough plot twists to keep you reading way past your bedtime.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Series

Fae creatures, forbidden love, and war. Oh, and did we mention the steam factor? ACOTAR takes everything you love about traditional fantasy and cranks up the romance. This one skyrocketed Maas to worldwide fame and for good reason.

3. Crescent City Series

If urban fantasy filled with angels, demons, and a side of celestial murder mysteries is your thing, this series will be your new obsession. Tackling heavier emotional themes, it’s Maas’s most modern take yet, and it’s utterly addictive.

4. Standalones and Upcoming Releases

While Maas is all about epic sagas, there are whispers of standalone works and upcoming additions to her universe. Stay tuned—we’ll keep you posted on those tantalizing mysteries (and don’t we all secretly hope for a connected mega-story someday?).

Do You Read by Publication Order or Chronological Order?

Ah, the age-old debate among readers—should you stick with the order these books hit the shelves, or shake it up and read them as the story unfolds chronologically? With Sarah J. Maas, this choice can genuinely alter your reading experience. Don't worry, we've got your back with the pros, cons, and some tips to help you decide.

Publication Order Pros and Cons

Pros

• Maas wrote the books in this order, meaning the twists, reveals, and character growth play out exactly as she intended.
• If you're new to Maas, this ensures all her universe-building and Easter eggs land perfectly, without the risk of tripping over spoilers.

Cons

• The timelines between some books (especially when novellas come into play) can feel a little scattered.
• It may leave some gaps in narrative flow because prequels (The Assassin’s Blade, looking at you) weren’t published until later.

Chronological Order Pros and Cons

Pros

• Everything clicks in a smooth, linear fashion. The storylines and timelines make perfect sense. No more scrambling to figure out where a prequel fits!
• If you're a re-reader, this approach can enhance your understanding of how all pieces fit together.

Cons

• You might stumble upon spoilers meant to be unravelled later.
• You lose the experience of reading as Maas developed as a writer—some of her earlier works differ in tone from the later epic conclusions.

Tips to Help You Decide

• First-time reader? Go for publication order to enjoy Maas’s masterfully crafted surprises.
• Big on details? Chronological order might suit you if the completionist in you can’t bear starting mid-timeline.
• Skip the stress: Start with publication order and circle back to re-read chronologically once you’re a full-blown Maas fan. Both are fun in their own way!

Now that you’ve sorted your approach, it’s time to tackle the first epic saga of Throne of Glass.

Throne of Glass Series Order

What is Throne of Glass About?

Think Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones, but with more magic, assassins, and utter chaos. At its heart, Throne of Glass follows Celaena Sardothien, a deadly assassin with a dark past, who’s forced to fight for her freedom in a deadly competition. Along the way, she uncovers ancient powers, menacing forces, and her own destiny as something far larger than a killer. Intrigue, betrayal, and jaw-dropping twists abound.

This series is where Maas’s career began, and it launches readers headfirst into her knack for world-building, strong female leads, and the occasional soul-crushing moment. Spoiler-free promise here, but we can confirm you’ll finish this series questioning everything (and loving every second of it).

Throne of Glass Books in Order

1. The Assassin’s Blade (2014) – Optional, but recommended. This prequel novella collection gives insight into Celaena's life before her adventures in Throne of Glass. If you’re a details junkie, start here!
2. Throne of Glass (2012) – The main event where it all begins. Celaena is dragged from a labor camp to compete to become the King’s Champion (and no, it’s not as cheery as it sounds).
3. Crown of Midnight (2013) – Decisions, alliances, and major heartbreak in this second gripping installment.
4. Heir of Fire (2014) – Celaena starts to learn who she really is. Get ready for new lands, new characters, and a wild new direction.
5. Queen of Shadows (2015) – The stakes are higher, the game deadlier. There are reunions, there’s revenge, and there might be gasping.
6. Empire of Storms (2016) – Politics, drama, and one of the wildest endings in Maas’s bibliography.
7. Tower of Dawn (2017) – A side quest with huge significance. Focused on Chaol Westfall, it fills in key gaps while Empire’s events rage on.
8. Kingdom of Ash (2018) – The grand finale. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful and ties this entire epic saga together in a massive, satisfying conclusion.

Must-Know Tips for New Readers

• Do you need to read The Assassin’s Blade first? Not necessarily, but it offers great backstory. If you’re new, you can skip it (for now) and come back after Crown of Midnight.
• What about Tower of Dawn? Not skippable! It’s critical to understanding key parts of Kingdom of Ash, so don’t dismiss it as a “side novel.”

If you're looking to deep dive into the TOG reading order click here.

Now that you’re thoroughly prepped, it’s time to move on to the series that launched a Fae frenzy.

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Series Order

What Makes ACOTAR a Fan Favorite?

Imagine being thrown into a world of mythological Fae, dangerous bargains, sizzling romances, and court intrigue. That’s A Court of Thorns and Roses in a nutshell. What starts as a Beauty and the Beast retelling transforms into an action-packed, deeply emotional saga full of betrayal, friendship, and a Fae realm you won’t want to leave.

And unlike Throne of Glass, this series leans heavily into romance—expect to blush, swoon, and gasp your way through.

ACOTAR Books in Order

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015) – Meet Feyre Archeron, a human painter dragged into the magical (and dangerous) world of the Fae.
2. A Court of Mist and Fury (2016) – The most-loved book of the series by fans, this one offers heartbreak and redemption. Feyre’s story truly begins here.
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017) – The stakes reach a fever pitch as war looms and alliances are tested.
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018) – A novella with major threads for future books. Do not skip.
5. A Court of Silver Flames (2021) – Nesta and Cassian’s fiery (and sometimes heartbreaking) story. This one takes the romance and the heartbreak to new levels.

Where to Start and What to Expect

• If you love steamy romance, start here over Throne of Glass.
• The evolving love triangle and character dynamics ignite fandom debates (don’t say we didn’t warn you).

For an in depth breakdown of ACOTAR's reading order click here.

Now, bring on the angels and city lights with Crescent City…

Crescent City Series Order

What to Know Before Starting Crescent City

Sarah J. Maas takes a bold leap into urban fantasy with this series, blending her signature world-building with a modern, gritty edge. The story follows Bryce Quinlan, a party girl dealing with some very dark secrets, as she’s pulled into a murder investigation involving angels, demons, and celestial secrets galore. Fair warning—it’s emotional and sometimes heavier than Maas’s other works, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Crescent City Books in Order

1. House of Earth and Blood (2020) – Bryce’s world is shattered as she’s forced to team up with the brooding (and very swoon-worthy) angel Hunt Athalar to solve a mystery.
2. House of Sky and Breath (2022) – The action explodes in this follow-up, with higher stakes, deeper mysteries, and shocking twists.
3. House of Flame and Shadow (2024) – The third book in the series, with a 4th supposedly on the way!

Looking for all the details on Crescent City's reading order, click here.

Themes and Content Warnings

While Crescent City carries Maas’s signature flare for emotional depth, action, and romance, it dives into themes like grief, trauma, and resilience. New readers should be prepared for a darker tone compared to her earlier works.

Standalone and Upcoming Sarah J. Maas Books

Sarah J. Maas might be known for her big, sprawling series, but fans have often speculated (and begged) for standalone novels. While there aren’t any confirmed standalone books yet, that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. Imagine an epic Fae heist story, a cosmic love tale, or even a slice-of-life novella featuring your favorite characters on vacation? Someone send her these ideas!

Upcoming Works to Keep an Eye On

The bigger buzz, of course, is around future series installments. Here’s what we do know:

• Crescent City’s Next Book – Yep, it’s happening. While an official release date hasn’t been announced, Maas has hinted that big things are coming for the gang in Crescent City. Expect more chaos, heartbreak, and shocking twists.
• ACOTAR spin-offs – Following A Court of Silver Flames, there’s been chatter about more books in Feyre’s universe, focusing on other characters. Could we see Azriel or Elain take center stage? Be still, our ACOTAR-obsessed hearts.

Sarah J. Maas has built a habit of dropping surprises and keeping fans hooked, so it’s safe to say her storytelling days are far from over. Get your TBR list ready because her next big announcement is bound to break the internet.

How the Sarah J. Maas Series Connect to Each Other

Is There a Shared Maas Universe?

Oh, you betcha. While Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, and Crescent City are technically separate series, eagle-eyed readers know better. Sarah J. Maas has a not-so-secret talent for weaving hints, motifs, and connections through her books that drive avid fans absolutely wild.

Easter Eggs, Hidden Nods, and Fan Theories

• The Wyrdmarks Mystery – These ancient symbols from Throne of Glass seem to bear some... uncanny resemblance to the gates and lore found in Crescent City. Coincidence? We think not.
• The “That Scene in House of Sky and Breath” Moment – If you know, you know. Without spoiling anything, this particular twist hinted that Maas’s universes may be closer connected than we originally thought.
• Recurring Themes and Archetypes – Look closely, and you’ll notice shared thematic threads across her books—male and female duos fighting side-by-side, ancient powers rising, and seriously stubborn heroines who crush tropes (and people’s skulls).

Fan theory forums are a goldmine of speculation. Is Maas building toward an interconnected mega-story where characters from all series team up? We can only hope. The clues are there, but only time will tell how it all fits together.

For readers, hunting down these hints adds another layer of enjoyment. It’s like Sarah J. Maas designed her own treasure hunt, and you get to play.

Final Thoughts on Sarah J. Maas’s Reading Order

Reading is always an adventure, but in the case of Sarah J. Maas, it’s an epic quest. Choosing the right reading order can make all the difference between enjoying her books and being absolutely floored by them. With their intricate plotlines, memorable characters, and interconnected worlds, Maas’s books aren’t just stories—they’re experiences.

Whether you're here for the assassins, the fae, the forbidden love, or the plot twists that leave you questioning everything, reading in order unlocks the full impact of her work. And if you’re a newcomer, welcome! You’re in for a ride filled with betrayals, tears, and triumphant moments you won't soon forget.

Now, it’s your turn. Pick your first series, grab a cozy spot, and lose yourself in the legendary worlds of Sarah J. Maas. Happy reading—and may you survive the heartache in one piece.