With three bestselling fantasy series, more than 20 books, and an interconnected multiverse, figuring out the best Sarah J. Maas reading order can be surprisingly confusing. Should you start with Throne of Glass because it was published first, or jump into A Court of Thorns and Roses like most readers do today?
In this guide, you’ll find the recommended reading order for every Sarah J. Maas series, learn why this order offers the best reading experience, and discover how ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City fit together.
Contents
What Is the Best Sarah J. Maas Reading Order?
For first-time readers, the best Sarah J. Maas reading order is:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Throne of Glass
- Crescent City
This order offers the best overall reading experience. It introduces Sarah J. Maas’s writing style gradually, avoids unnecessary confusion, and preserves the biggest emotional payoffs and Maasverse connections for later in your journey.
Although Throne of Glass was Sarah J. Maas’s first published series, many readers today start with A Court of Thorns and Roses. Its accessible worldbuilding, compelling characters, and romantic focus make it the perfect introduction to her books.
After finishing ACOTAR, continue with Throne of Glass. The series expands into a sweeping epic fantasy with a much larger cast, deeper mythology, and higher stakes, making it the natural next step once you’re familiar with Maas’s storytelling.
Finally, read Crescent City. As Sarah J. Maas’s newest series, it features her most complex worldbuilding and contains the strongest connections between her fictional universes. Reading it last allows those moments to have the greatest impact.
Sarah J. Maas Reading Order at a Glance
| Order | Series | Why Read It Here? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Court of Thorns and Roses | The easiest introduction to Sarah J. Maas and romantasy. |
| 2 | Throne of Glass | Builds on Maas’s storytelling with a larger, epic fantasy world. |
| 3 | Crescent City | Best experienced after the other series because of its Maasverse connections. |
Why This Reading Order Works
There isn’t one official Sarah J. Maas reading order. Some readers prefer publication order, while others recommend starting with Throne of Glass because it was the first series Sarah J. Maas published.
While those approaches certainly work, the reading order recommended in this guide is designed to give new readers the most enjoyable overall experience.
Beginning with A Court of Thorns and Roses offers the smoothest introduction to Sarah J. Maas’s writing. The series is easy to follow, emotionally engaging, and gradually introduces the themes that appear throughout her later books without overwhelming new readers.
From there, Throne of Glass expands everything on a much larger scale. The world becomes richer, the cast grows significantly, and the story develops into an epic fantasy filled with political intrigue, unforgettable character arcs, and some of Sarah J. Maas’s most ambitious storytelling.
Finally, Crescent City is best saved for last. Without revealing spoilers, it contains the strongest connections between Sarah J. Maas’s fictional worlds. Reading it after both ACOTAR and Throne of Glass allows those moments to have their full emotional impact.
If you simply want the reading order that flows most naturally and lets each series build on the previous one, this is the path we recommend.
Read A Court of Thorns and Roses First
A Court of Thorns and Roses is the best place for most readers to begin their Sarah J. Maas journey. While it isn’t her first published series, it offers the most accessible introduction to her writing style and the world of romantasy.
The story follows Feyre Archeron, a young huntress whose life changes forever after she kills a wolf in the woods. As punishment, she is taken across the wall into the magical land of Prythian, where she discovers powerful fae courts, ancient magic, dangerous enemies, and a conflict that threatens the entire realm.
Although the first novel begins as a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling, the series quickly evolves into one of the most popular romantasy sagas ever published. Each book expands the world, introduces unforgettable new characters, and raises the stakes far beyond the original story.
For new readers, ACOTAR strikes the perfect balance between romance, fantasy, action, and worldbuilding. It introduces Sarah J. Maas’s storytelling without the larger cast and complex mythology found in her later series, making it the easiest and most rewarding place to start.
ACOTAR Reading Order
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
- A Court of Mist and Fury
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
- A Court of Frost and Starlight
- A Court of Silver Flames
Read the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series
Start your Sarah J. Maas journey with the five currently published ACOTAR books.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
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A Court of Mist and Fury
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A Court of Wings and Ruin
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A Court of Frost and Starlight
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A Court of Silver Flames
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New to ACOTAR?
Our complete ACOTAR guide includes:
- the full reading order
- bonus chapters
- FAQs
- reading tips for first-time readers
→ Read the Complete ACOTAR Reading Order
Read Throne of Glass Second
Throne of Glass is the natural second step in a Sarah J. Maas reading journey. Compared with ACOTAR, the series has a larger cast, more complex worldbuilding, and a much broader epic-fantasy scope.
The story begins with Celaena Sardothien, a notorious assassin who is taken from a prison camp and entered into a deadly competition at the king’s castle. What starts as a relatively focused fantasy story gradually expands into a continent-spanning saga involving lost magic, ancient powers, rebellion, war, and some of Sarah J. Maas’s most ambitious character arcs.
The first books are lighter and more contained, but the series changes significantly as it progresses. New characters, kingdoms, and storylines are introduced, and the stakes become much larger. This gradual expansion makes Throne of Glass a good follow-up to ACOTAR: readers are already familiar with Maas’s emotional storytelling, but are now ready for a denser and more demanding fantasy world.
For readers who love large casts, long-term character development, political conflict, found family, and epic finales, Throne of Glass is often the most rewarding of Sarah J. Maas’s three series.
Throne of Glass Reading Order
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- The Assassin’s Blade
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
Read the Throne of Glass Series
Continue your Sarah J. Maas journey with all eight books in the Throne of Glass series.
Throne of Glass
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Crown of Midnight
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The Assassin’s Blade
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Heir of Fire
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Queen of Shadows
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Empire of Storms
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Tower of Dawn
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Kingdom of Ash
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Need help with the Throne of Glass reading order?
Our complete guide explains:
- when to read The Assassin’s Blade
- the tandem read
- publication vs. recommended order
- frequently asked questions
→ Read the Complete Throne of Glass Reading Order
Read Crescent City Last
Crescent City is the final step in the recommended Sarah J. Maas reading order. While it can technically be read on its own, most readers will have the best experience after finishing both A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass.
The series follows Bryce Quinlan, a half-Fae woman living in the bustling city of Crescent City. After a devastating tragedy turns her life upside down, Bryce is drawn into a dangerous investigation that uncovers ancient secrets, powerful magic, and a conspiracy that reaches far beyond her own world.
Compared with Sarah J. Maas’s earlier series, Crescent City features the most modern setting and her most ambitious worldbuilding. The books blend urban fantasy, romance, mystery, politics, and action while introducing a large cast of characters and multiple storylines.
Most importantly, Crescent City contains the strongest connections between Sarah J. Maas’s fictional universes. Reading it after ACOTAR and Throne of Glass allows those moments to have the greatest impact and makes it easier to appreciate the wider Maasverse without encountering unnecessary spoilers.
Crescent City Reading Order
- House of Earth and Blood
- House of Sky and Breath
- House of Flame and Shadow
Read the Crescent City Series
Complete your Sarah J. Maas journey with the Crescent City trilogy.
House of Earth and Blood
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House of Sky and Breath
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House of Flame and Shadow
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Looking for more?
Our complete Crescent City guide covers:
- the full reading order
- bonus content
- FAQs
- everything you need before you start
→ Read the Complete Crescent City Reading Order
Sarah J. Maas Books in Publication Order
Some readers prefer to experience Sarah J. Maas’s books in the order they were originally released. While this isn’t the reading order we recommend for first-time readers, it’s an interesting way to see how her writing evolved over time.
If you choose publication order, you’ll begin with the early Throne of Glass novels before moving on to A Court of Thorns and Roses and finally Crescent City.
| Year | Book | Series |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Throne of Glass | Throne of Glass |
| 2013 | Crown of Midnight | Throne of Glass |
| 2014 | The Assassin’s Blade | Throne of Glass |
| 2014 | Heir of Fire | Throne of Glass |
| 2015 | A Court of Thorns and Roses | ACOTAR |
| 2015 | Queen of Shadows | Throne of Glass |
| 2016 | A Court of Mist and Fury | ACOTAR |
| 2016 | Empire of Storms | Throne of Glass |
| 2017 | A Court of Wings and Ruin | ACOTAR |
| 2017 | Tower of Dawn | Throne of Glass |
| 2018 | A Court of Frost and Starlight | ACOTAR |
| 2018 | Kingdom of Ash | Throne of Glass |
| 2020 | House of Earth and Blood | Crescent City |
| 2021 | A Court of Silver Flames | ACOTAR |
| 2022 | House of Sky and Breath | Crescent City |
| 2024 | House of Flame and Shadow | Crescent City |
How Are the Sarah J. Maas Books Connected?
One of the most common questions new readers ask is whether A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City are connected.
The short answer is yes—but each series tells its own complete story and can be enjoyed independently. Following the recommended reading order simply ensures you’ll experience any connections naturally as Sarah J. Maas intended.
Want to avoid spoilers? Follow the reading order above and save Maasverse theories and discussions until you’ve finished all three series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I read Throne of Glass or ACOTAR first?
For most readers, A Court of Thorns and Roses is the best starting point. Its accessible worldbuilding and romantic focus make it easier to get into Sarah J. Maas’s writing before tackling the larger scope of Throne of Glass.
Should I read The Assassin’s Blade first?
We recommend reading The Assassin’s Blade after Crown of Midnight, as this preserves several emotional reveals later in the series.
Can I read Crescent City first?
Yes—but we don’t recommend it.
While the story stands on its own, reading Crescent City after ACOTAR and Throne of Glass provides the best overall experience.
Are all Sarah J. Maas books connected?
Yes, but each series can be enjoyed independently. Following the reading order above allows you to discover any connections naturally.
Is Sarah J. Maas writing another ACOTAR book?
Yes. Sarah J. Maas’s next A Court of Thorns and Roses novel is currently scheduled for release in October 2026.
It’s almost like you didn’t go to her website and see the order in which she lists her books 😂 she literally puts TOG first (AB listed third), then ACOTAR then CC. Why would this be the best reading order when it’s out of order chronological and publication order 🤦🏻♀️
Of course she says you can start with whatever series calls to you but why are you suggesting someone read out of the order she wrote and released things when the works are connected. 🙄