The Ultimate Guide to Reading Sarah J. Maas Books in Order

Your complete roadmap to ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, Crescent City, and beyond

If you’re even remotely into fantasy fiction, chances are you’ve already heard of Sarah J. Maas—or at least stumbled across a swoon-worthy TikTok edit of Rhysand or Aelin in action. Her stories are filled with fae courts, fierce heroines, slow-burn romances, epic wars, and magical worlds that pull you in and never let go. But if you’re standing at the edge of this universe asking:

“What order should I read Sarah J. Maas books in?”
“How do I read the ACOTAR series order-wise?”
“Which Sarah J. Maas series should I read first?”

Don’t worry—you are not alone.

This guide is here to help you figure out exactly how to read Sarah J. Maas books, understand the timeline, and decide which series suits your current reading mood. Whether you’re starting with ACOTAR, diving into the Throne of Glass madness, or craving the chaos of Crescent City—I’ve got you covered.

Let’s break down the Sarah J. Maas reading order, series by series, and explore the best order to read Sarah J. Maas books based on your preferences.

✨ Who Is Sarah J. Maas?

Let’s begin with a quick primer. Sarah J. Maas is the reigning queen of romantasy (romantic fantasy) and one of the most beloved fantasy authors in the world. She’s the mastermind behind three mega-popular series:

• Throne of Glass (her first published series)

• A Court of Thorns and Roses (often called ACOTAR)

• Crescent City (her adult fantasy debut)

What makes Sarah J. Maas stand out is her ability to weave intense character arcs with jaw-dropping plot twists, intricate world-building, and deeply emotional romantic relationships.

But here’s the twist—some of her series may be connected, and with new books being released, fans often ask:

What order should I read Sarah J. Maas books in?

📚 The Three Sarah J. Maas Series: A Quick Overview

Before we jump into the Sarah J. Maas book order, let’s break down her three universes.

1. Throne of Glass Series

Genre: YA Fantasy
Books: 8
Think: Assassin turned queen, epic world-building, war, and power struggles.

This is where it all began. If you’re wondering which Sarah J. Maas series to read first, many fans recommend starting with Throne of Glass for the full OG experience.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)

Genre: New Adult / Fantasy Romance
Books: 5 (so far)
Think: Beauty and the Beast retelling turned high-fantasy saga.

ACOTAR is arguably Sarah’s most famous series. If you’re into fae courts, steamy romance, and morally grey characters, this might be your perfect entry point.

3. Crescent City Series

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Books: 3 (ongoing)
Think: Fae + tech + murder mystery + heartbreak.

Crescent City is heavier, more complex, and set in a world blending magic with modernity. The plot deepens across books and also connects to her other universes in mind-blowing ways. (Spoiler-free here, promise!)

🔢 Sarah J. Maas Books in Order (By Series)

Let’s now list the Sarah J. Maas books in order, starting with each series separately. This will help if you want to read each one all the way through before switching to another.

📘 Throne of Glass Series Order (Published + Recommended)

Throne of Glass series order is a little tricky—here’s the best reading order.

1. The Assassin’s Blade (Prequel novellas—recommended to read first or after Book 3)

2. Throne of Glass

3. Crown of Midnight

4. Heir of Fire

5. Queen of Shadows

6. Empire of Storms

7. Tower of Dawn

8. Kingdom of Ash

Important Tip:
Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn take place simultaneously. Some fans actually read them interleaved chapter-by-chapter, but you can also read one after the other.

If you’re wondering about sarah maas books in order, this is the most recommended sequence to avoid spoilers and experience the story arcs as intended.

🦋 A Court of Thorns and Roses Book Series Order (ACOTAR Book Order)

Welcome to the fae realm where love and war dance hand in hand.

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

If you’re looking for the acotar reading order, this is your go-to list. Keep in mind that A Court of Frost and Starlight is a holiday-themed novella that bridges the original trilogy and Nesta’s spinoff (Silver Flames).

The acotar series order continues to expand, and Sarah J. Maas has confirmed there are more books to come in this universe. So if you’re asking what to read after ACOTAR, Crescent City might just blow your mind!

🌙 Crescent City Series Order

Modern magic meets celestial chaos.

1. House of Earth and Blood

2. House of Sky and Breath

3. House of Flame and Shadow

This series is more intense, grittier, and emotionally devastating in all the best ways. If you’re already familiar with Sarah’s style and crave a deeper dive into adult fantasy, this is it.

🧭 What Order Should You Read Sarah J. Maas Books?

Ah, the ultimate question:
“What order should I read Sarah J. Maas books?”

There are two main ways to go about it:

✅ Publication Order (Recommended for First-Time Readers)

1. Throne of Glass series (2012–2018)

2. ACOTAR series (2015–ongoing)

3. Crescent City series (2020–ongoing)

This gives you a smooth progression from YA to New Adult to Adult Fantasy, mirroring Sarah’s own writing evolution. It also helps you fully appreciate the surprises in the newest books without confusion.

✅ By Universe (If You Want to Binge One World at a Time)

If you’re someone who likes to binge entire series without interruption, then pick one series and go all the way through. Start with ACOTAR if you love fantasy romance. Go with Throne of Glass if you’re craving political intrigue and character growth. Or start with Crescent City if you love urban fantasy and murder mysteries.

💫 What to Read After ACOTAR?

If you’ve just finished A Court of Silver Flames and you’re in a post-book hangover, here are some next best steps:

• Dive into Throne of Glass if you haven’t already.

• Start Crescent City for an intense, interconnected experience.

• Explore books similar to ACOTAR, like:
  • The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

  • An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

  • From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

These books scratch that same itch: fantasy worlds, forbidden romance, and unputdownable action.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Sarah J. Maas Books

1. What order should I read Sarah J. Maas books in if I want the full multiverse experience?

If you’re the type of reader who lives for Easter eggs, cameos, and universe crossovers, then you’ll want to read her books in publication order. This way, when you eventually reach House of Flame and Shadow, you’ll fully understand the references, especially when characters from ACOTAR and Throne of Glass start to show up. (Yep—it’s happening.)

So the best order to read Sarah J. Maas books for the full multiverse thrill is:

Throne of Glass (complete series)
A Court of Thorns and Roses (in order)
Crescent City (in order)

2. What’s the difference between ACOTAR and Throne of Glass?

Both are filled with magic, romance, and strong female leads—but they feel different.

• ACOTAR is more romantic, emotional, and leans heavily into character relationships. It’s sexy, swoony, and dramatic.

• Throne of Glass, on the other hand, is more plot-heavy, with intense world-building and character transformation that spans years.

If you’re deciding which Sarah J. Maas series to read first, ask yourself:
Do I want romance and magic first (ACOTAR)?
Or battle and rebellion first (Throne of Glass)?

There’s no wrong answer. Just vibes.

🔥 The Best of Each Series – Why You’ll Love Them

Let’s talk about why each series has its own fandom and what makes them unique.

🌹 A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)

If you’re someone who reads for romantic tension, fae courts, and emotional growth, then ACOTAR is where you belong.

This is not your average fairytale. What begins as a Beauty and the Beast retelling quickly spirals into a war for the fate of the fae realms, with betrayals, heartbreak, and one of the most iconic slow-burn romances in modern fantasy (hello, Rhysand).

ACOTAR book order is easy to follow, and if you’re wondering acotar series order or acotar reading order—the key is not to skip Frost and Starlight. It may be a novella, but it’s important for character development.

You’ll love this series if:

• You’re a sucker for enemies-to-lovers

• You enjoy books that balance romance with high-stakes action

• You love messy, flawed, but powerful female leads

⚔️ Throne of Glass

Now, let’s talk about Throne of Glass, the series that put Sarah J. Maas on the map.

This series begins with Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin with secrets that run deeper than anyone knows. What starts off as a Hunger Games-meets-assassins fantasy grows into a high fantasy epic with gods, wars, magical bloodlines, and dragon riders.

A key part of the Throne of Glass series order is understanding when to read The Assassin’s Blade. Many people ask, “Should I read the prequel first?”—and the answer is yes, if you want the full emotional punch early on. But if you want to avoid spoilers, it also works well after Book 3.

You’ll love this series if:

• You love badass female warriors

• You want long-term character growth (Celaena to Aelin is a wild ride)

• You’re ready for intense battles, magical secrets, and many emotional deaths

🌃 Crescent City

And now we enter the world of Crescent City, the most adult of Sarah J. Maas’s series, in every way.

Bryce Quinlan is a party girl with a secret past. But when tragedy strikes, she’s thrown into a murder mystery that reveals hidden truths about the entire city—and herself.

This series blends urban fantasy with celestial mythology, detective thriller with epic love story. It’s also the most “modern” of her series—think phones, tech, and nightclubs—but still drenched in magic and emotion.

If you’re wondering what to read after ACOTAR, Crescent City is the perfect next stop. And if you’re asking “Are the Sarah J. Maas books connected?”—well, let’s just say House of Flame and Shadow might blow your mind.

You’ll love this series if:

• You enjoy complex world-building and adult themes

• You want a mix of murder mystery, mythology, and romance

• You’re ready to cry, rage, and fall in love again

📖 What If I’ve Already Read Everything?

If you’ve gone through all of sarah j maas books in order, and you’re desperately googling books similar to ACOTAR—you’re not alone.

Here are some books like ACOTAR to fill that void:

• The Plated Prisoner Series by Raven Kennedy – Fantasy + romance + trauma healing.

• The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen – Enemies to lovers + royalty.

• From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout – Fae, forbidden love, twists galore.

• The Folk of the Air by Holly Black – If you loved the court politics of ACOTAR.

• The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller – Dark romance meets power play.

💬 Final Words from Riya’s Blogs

At the end of the day, deciding what order to read Sarah J. Maas books comes down to your vibe. If you’re here for the romance, the drama, the heartbreak, and the badass characters—there’s no wrong way to dive in.

But if you want the full Sarah J. Maas experience—the growth, the clues, the cameos, and the beautiful chaos—then follow this guide, revisit the reading orders, and let the stories sweep you off your feet.

And hey, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, just start with Chapter One. That’s always how the best adventures begin.

Happy reading, fantasy soul.
See you in Velaris. 🖤

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