Sarah J. Maas Books in Order: Complete Reading Guide
Sarah J. Maas has written three fantasy series plus standalone novellas. The publication order and recommended reading order differ — this guide covers both. ACOTAR is the best starting point for most readers, particularly those drawn to spicy romantasy. Throne of Glass is the longer commitment and leans more epic fantasy than romance. Crescent City ties into both and is best read last — it contains major spoilers for the other two series and its crossover events only land with full context.
Quick Stats
Author
Sarah J. Maas
Total Books
16 (across 3 series)
Status
All three series complete
Genre
Romantasy / Epic Fantasy
Best Start
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Where to Start
There are two valid entry points depending on what kind of fantasy reader you are. Crescent City contains spoilers for both — always read it last.
Path A — Recommended
Start with ACOTAR
Best for readers who want romance-forward fantasy, fae worlds, and a shorter initial commitment. A Court of Thorns and Roses is the most accessible book Maas has written and the most popular entry point globally.
Path B
Start with Throne of Glass
Best for readers who prefer epic fantasy over romantasy — longer arcs, larger casts, and a slower burn toward the central romance. Be aware this is an 8-book commitment before Crescent City.
Note: Crescent City contains spoilers for both ACOTAR and Throne of Glass. Always read it last.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series (Reading Order)
5 books — the complete ACOTAR reading order. Also see: books like ACOTAR and what to read after ACOTAR.
- 1
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Book 1 — Best starting point
A young huntress is taken to the faerie land of Prythian after killing a wolf in the woods. A Beauty and the Beast retelling that quickly becomes something darker and more dangerous. The entry point for the entire Maasverse.
Note: Best starting point for new Maas readers. Sets up characters and world that echo across all three series.
- 2
A Court of Mist and Fury
Book 2
Widely considered the best book in the series. Feyre escapes one court and discovers another — darker, more complex, and far more dangerous. The character and romance dynamics shift dramatically.
Note: Consistently rated the strongest book in the ACOTAR series. Do not read out of order.
- 3
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Book 3
The war against Hybern reaches its climax. Long-running threads across both previous books converge in a conclusion that reshapes the entire world of Prythian.
- 4
A Court of Frost and Starlight
Novella — Book 3.5
A novella set after the war, following Feyre, Rhysand, and the Inner Circle as they rebuild. Short but sets up the story threads that pay off in A Court of Silver Flames.
Note: Short novella — do not skip. Contains important setup for Silver Flames.
- 5
A Court of Silver Flames
Book 4
Shifts focus to Nesta Archeron and Cassian. The most explicitly romantic and one of the spiciest books in the series. Stands somewhat independently but rewards readers who've read books 1–3.
A Court of War and Ruin is forthcoming — no release date confirmed.
Throne of Glass Series (Reading Order)
8 books — listed in recommended reading order, not publication order. Also see: books like Throne of Glass and what to read after Throne of Glass.
- 1
The Assassin's Blade
Prequel novellas — read first or after Book 2
Five novellas following Celaena Sardothien before the events of Throne of Glass. Provides backstory for her most important relationships and the choices that shaped her. Emotionally devastating if read before Book 3.
Note: Can be read first or after Crown of Midnight. Reading it before Heir of Fire adds significant emotional weight.
- 2
Throne of Glass
Book 1
Celaena Sardothien — the most feared assassin in Adarlan — is sent to compete in a tournament for the king's champion. Introduces the world, the politics, and a cast of characters Maas develops over seven more books.
- 3
Crown of Midnight
Book 2
The series expands dramatically as Celaena's true nature and origins begin to surface. The ending of this book reframes everything that came before it.
- 4
Heir of Fire
Book 3
Celaena travels to a new land to master her powers. Introduces major new characters and begins the larger epic fantasy arc. The book where the series fully transforms from YA adventure into high fantasy.
- 5
Queen of Shadows
Book 4
Aelin returns to Rifthold to dismantle the king's empire from within. The longest book in the first half of the series and the one where the full scope of the story becomes clear.
- 6
Empire of Storms
Book 5
Aelin assembles her court and moves toward open war. Multiple storylines and characters from across the series converge. The ending sets up the final two books with significant consequences.
- 7
Tower of Dawn
Book 6 — read before Kingdom of Ash
Follows Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq in the Southern Continent while the events of Empire of Storms unfold. Runs parallel to Empire of Storms but is best read before Kingdom of Ash.
Note: This book runs parallel to Empire of Storms in timeline. Most readers prefer reading it before Kingdom of Ash rather than simultaneously.
- 8
Kingdom of Ash
Book 7 — series conclusion
The final battle. Every character, every thread, every sacrifice across seven books comes together in a 900-page conclusion. Maas's most ambitious and emotionally demanding book.
Note: Read Tower of Dawn before starting this. The payoff requires the full context of both books.
Crescent City Series (Reading Order)
3 books — read ACOTAR and Throne of Glass first to avoid spoilers.
- 1
House of Earth and Blood
Book 1
Half-fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan investigates the murder of her best friend in a contemporary urban fantasy setting. The Crescent City books are grittier and more adult than Maas's earlier series — Bryce's world bleeds directly into the Maasverse.
Note: Read ACOTAR and Throne of Glass first. Crescent City contains major crossover spoilers for both.
- 2
House of Sky and Breath
Book 2
The scope expands into other worlds. Book 2 is where the Maasverse connections become explicit — characters and events from ACOTAR and Throne of Glass cross over in ways that reframe the entire shared universe.
Note: Contains significant spoilers for both ACOTAR and Throne of Glass series.
- 3
House of Flame and Shadow
Book 3
The Maasverse crossover reaches its peak. All three series converge as the stakes expand beyond any single world. The most ambitious book in Crescent City and a culmination of threads planted across all of Maas's work.
Note: This series connects directly to the Maasverse — read ACOTAR and Throne of Glass first to avoid spoilers.
Do the Series Connect?
Yes — Maas has confirmed that all three series exist in a shared universe called the Maasverse. The connections were hinted at throughout ACOTAR and Throne of Glass, but they become impossible to ignore starting in House of Sky and Breath. Major crossover events occur in both Crescent City book 2 and book 3, involving characters from the other two series in ways that reframe the entire shared mythology.
To read in spoiler-safe order: complete ACOTAR (all 5 books) → complete Throne of Glass (all 8 books) → then begin Crescent City. Jumping into Crescent City early will spoil major character arcs and endings from both other series. The Maasverse rewards patience — by the time House of Flame and Shadow lands its crossover moments, having full context from both other series makes the payoff significantly more powerful.