Sarah J. Maas Books in Order: The Ultimate Maasverse Reading Guide (2026)

Sarah J. Maas (SJM) is undeniably the reigning queen of modern commercial fantasy. With over 40 million books sold worldwide, her gripping blend of complex fae politics, high-stakes battles, morally grey characters, and intense romantic tension has created a worldwide reading phenomenon known as the Maasverse.

However, diving into her expansive catalog can be intimidating for new readers. Sarah J. Maas has written three distinct series:

1. Throne of Glass (TOG) — An 8-book high epic fantasy saga.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) — A 5-book romantic fae fantasy series.

3. Crescent City (CC) — A 3-book adult urban fantasy trilogy.

While these series began in seemingly separate worlds, they are now officially confirmed to be interconnected across a shared multiverse. Reading them out of order can spoil massive plot twists, character reveals, and multiverse crossovers.

In this definitive guide, we outline the best order to read Sarah J. Maas books in 2026, break down the famous Throne of Glass tandem read, explain the crossover timeline, and provide a full maturity rating guide for readers and parents.

Quick Answer: What Is the Best Order to Read Sarah J. Maas Books?

There are three popular ways to tackle the Maasverse depending on what you value most as a reader:

Why We Recommend Starting with ACOTAR

A Court of Thorns and Roses is the most accessible entry point into Sarah J. Maas’s storytelling. It has fewer points of view, an addictive romantic arc, and immediately introduces the core concepts of High Fae courts, mating bonds, and magical wards that appear across all three universes.

To see how the reading level and complexity of these fantasy works compare against other popular series, explore our reading level comparison chart and our guide on Lexile level by grade.

Throne of Glass Reading Order: The Prequel & Tandem Read Guide

Throne of Glass is Maas’s magnum opus—an eight-book high-fantasy masterpiece following assassin Celaena Sardothien as she battles corrupt kings, ancient demons, and her own hidden destiny in the kingdom of Adarlan.

Unlike ACOTAR, Throne of Glass is a true epic fantasy with multiple POV characters, military strategy, and sweeping world maps.

The 8 Books in Order:

1. ***The Assassin’s Blade* (Prequel Novellas)**

2. ***Throne of Glass* (Book 1)**

3. ***Crown of Midnight* (Book 2)**

4. ***Heir of Fire* (Book 3)**

5. ***Queen of Shadows* (Book 4)**

6. ***Empire of Storms* (Book 5)**

7. ***Tower of Dawn* (Book 6)**

8. ***Kingdom of Ash* (Book 7 – Series Finale)**

Where Should You Read The Assassin’s Blade?

The Assassin’s Blade is a collection of five prequel novellas set before Book 1. The fandom is passionately divided into two camps:

1. **Option A: The Romantic / Emotional Impact Order (Read Third, after Crown of Midnight):**

• Recommended by most readers. Reading it after Book 2 allows you to get hooked on the main plot first. The events of the prequel hit with devastating emotional weight right before characters and storylines from the novellas reappear in Book 4 (Queen of Shadows).

2. **Option B: Pure Chronological Order (Read First, before Throne of Glass):**

• Ideal for readers who hate reading backward in time. You will know Celaena’s full backstory from page one of Book 1.

The Famous “Tandem Read”: Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn

Empire of Storms (Book 5) and Tower of Dawn (Book 6) occur at the exact same time in the storyline on opposite sides of the world.

• Empire of Storms ends on a monumental, heart-stopping cliffhanger.
• Tower of Dawn shifts focus entirely to Chaol Westfall’s journey in the southern continent.

Because reading Tower of Dawn after Book 5’s massive cliffhanger can feel frustrating, many readers choose to read both books simultaneously in a “tandem read” using chapter-by-chapter guides available on book forums. While entirely optional, the tandem read creates a panoramic, cinematic experience leading into the 980-page finale, Kingdom of Ash.

ACOTAR and Crescent City: The Modern Romantasy Reading Path

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Reading Order

Loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast, Greek mythology, and Scottish folklore, ACOTAR follows mortal huntress Feyre Archeron after she kills a faerie wolf and is dragged across the wall into the magical, perilous lands of Prythian.

1. ***A Court of Thorns and Roses* (Book 1)** — The mortal trial under the mountain.

2. ***A Court of Mist and Fury* (Book 2)** — The fan-favorite exploration of the Night Court.

3. ***A Court of Wings and Ruin* (Book 3)** — The all-out war for Prythian’s survival.

4. ***A Court of Frost and Starlight* (Novella 3.5)** — A cozy holiday transition bridge.

5. ***A Court of Silver Flames* (Book 4)** — Shifts perspective to Nesta Archeron and Cassian with mature adult themes.

Crescent City Reading Order

Set in the futuristic, bustling metropolis of Lunathion (Crescent City), this adult urban fantasy follows half-Fae, half-human party girl Bryce Quinlan and fallen angel Hunt Athalar as they investigate demonic murders and corrupt planetary rulers.

1. ***House of Earth and Blood* (Book 1)**

2. ***House of Sky and Breath* (Book 2)**

3. ***House of Flame and Shadow* (Book 3)**

If you enjoy high-stakes romantic fantasy with dragons, military academies, and fierce heroines, be sure to read our detailed guide on Fourth Wing reading level & age range.

The Maasverse Multiverse: How the Series Connect

Sarah J. Maas has woven intricate, subtle threads connecting her three universes:

• The Fae Migration & Wyrdgates: Ancient lore in Throne of Glass explains how magical rifts allowed ancient fae to travel between distinct dimensions.
• The Language and Stars: The language spoken in Prythian (ACOTAR) and the star lore in Crescent City share ancient origins.
• The Monumental Crossover: The ending of Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath (Book 2) directly collides with the world of A Court of Thorns and Roses.

> Crucial Warning: Do NOT read House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City 3) without finishing A Court of Silver Flames (ACOTAR 5) first, or you will encounter massive spoilers for the ACOTAR universe.

Master Maasverse Chronological & Publication Checklist

Here is the complete, master reference list of all 16 Sarah J. Maas novels:

For younger teens seeking clean, action-packed fantasy adventures, explore our reading guides for Shadow and Bone (ages 12–16) and Six of Crows (ages 14+).

Age Recommendations and Content Ratings

Because Sarah J. Maas’s writing evolved over a decade, the content ratings vary dramatically across her series:

1. Throne of Glass (Recommended for Ages 13–14+)

• Tone: Classic high-fantasy adventure that grows progressively darker.
• Romance / Spice: Mild to moderate. Intimacy is mostly closed-door or fade-to-black in early books, with mild open-door scenes in books 5–7.
• Violence: High battlefield gore, torture, and wartime brutality in later volumes.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (Recommended for Ages 17–18+)

• Tone: Romantic fae drama with high emotional stakes.
• Romance / Spice: Highly explicit. Books 2, 3, and especially Silver Flames contain detailed open-door sexual encounters written for adult audiences.
• Violence: Decapitations, dark fae trials, and wartime dismemberment.

3. Crescent City (Strictly Ages 18+)

• Tone: Gritty modern detective fantasy with nightclub culture.
• Romance / Spice: Explicit adult sexuality and dark sensual themes.
• Language & Drugs: Heavy profanity (pervasive F-bombs) and recreational drug trade depictions.

For independent parent ratings and reviews, consult Common Sense Media and the official publisher portal at Bloomsbury.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The most popular order is ACOTAR first, followed by the Throne of Glass series, and ending with the Crescent City series. This builds your understanding of fae lore before introducing the complex multiverse crossover.

Is ACOTAR connected to Crescent City?

Yes. Sarah J. Maas has officially connected the worlds of ACOTAR and Crescent City. Characters and magical relics from Prythian play a pivotal role in the third Crescent City novel, House of Flame and Shadow.

Can I read Crescent City without reading ACOTAR?

You can read House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City 1) independently. However, you will miss critical context, character reveals, and massive spoilers in House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City 3) if you have not finished the ACOTAR series first.

Is Throne of Glass finished?

Yes. The Throne of Glass series is complete at eight books, concluding with the epic 980-page finale Kingdom of Ash.

Should I do the Throne of Glass tandem read?

Yes! The tandem read of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn is highly recommended because both books occur at the exact same chronological time, allowing you to avoid the massive cliffhanger delay at the end of Book 5.

Summary & Next Steps

Navigating the Maasverse is one of the most thrilling journeys in modern fantasy literature. From the assassin’s blades of Adarlan to the starlit courts of Prythian and the neon streets of Lunathion, each series offers unforgettable worldbuilding and emotional depth.

Pick up A Court of Thorns and Roses or Throne of Glass, follow our master roadmap, and immerse yourself in the magic.

For more reading orders, leveled book lists, and fantasy guides, explore Advance Book Readers.