Sarah J. Maas Books in Order of How to Read Them: An Opinionated Editor’s Guide

Fans like to deliberate Sarah J. Maas books in order of how to read them almost as much as they debate Elucien versus Elzriel. While I’m not invested in the great shipping wars—team neither, honestly—I do have strong opinions about how to experience SJM’s three series: Throne of Glass (TOG), A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), and Crescent City (CC).

Every time I revisit the SJM extended universe, which is more often than I’ll admit here, I try a different method. I’ve read the Throne of Glass series according to the official timeline of events and completed a Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn tandem read that broke my brain. I’ve followed Maas’s own recommendation to read everything in publication order. And last week I completed my latest reread—the best reading order I've done yet.

With the upcoming release of A Court of Splintered Harmony, all the buzz over ACOTAR book 6 has both existing fans and curious newcomers revisiting the series. At Libby, I’m told, checkouts are significantly up on all five previous ACOTAR books compared with last October. So I’m ready to share the Sarah J. Maas books in order of how to read them. Ahead, you’l find my (very opinionated) guide.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series Order, Part 1

Some people will tell you to start with the Throne of Glass series, and they’d be right if you tend to prefer action over romance. But if you’re new to Sarah J. Maas, I think A Court of Thorns and Roses is the one most likely to get you hooked. The world building is easier to understand and less dense than Crescent City, and the tone is also the most indicative of SJM’s writing on the whole; Throne of Glass started as a YA series, then becomes more adult over time.

That said, I would break ACOTAR up into two parts for the most impact. After you finish A Court of Wings and Ruin, consider digging into the entire Throne of Glass series before returning to A Court of Frost and Starlight and A Court of Silver Flames. Oh, and you probably should be caught up on the Crescent City series before starting the newest ACOTAR books. But I’m getting ahead of myself: Here’s the Sarah J. Maas ACOTAR books in order of how I’d read them.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

The first in the ACOTAR series, the romantasy novel introduces us to Feyre Archeron, a human woman who agrees to go live in the fairie realm of Prythian in order to save her family. It’s a good SJM entry point, easing you into all the lore and world building through the familiar framework of a Beauty and the Beast romance.

A Court of Mist and Fury

The second book in the Court of Thorns and Roses books borrows from the myth of Hades and Persephone as Feyre makes good on a bargain she made with Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court, in the previous book.

A Court of Wings and Ruin

A Court of Wings and Ruin is the third in the ACOTAR series and the last with Feyre as the main character. While it doesn’t totally end Feyre’s story, it’s tied up enough that you have room to go explore other SJM series for a bit before returning to Frost and Starlight. This is when I’d jump into Throne of Glass…

Throne of Glass Series Order

Do you need to read Throne of Glass to understand A Court of Thrones and Roses, or vice versa? Technically no, though there is a brief ACOTAR Easter egg in Kingdom of Ash. However, the mythology and history established in this high-fantasy informs almost every fan theory about the SJM universe as a whole. As a completed series, TOG holds the most clues about how all the worlds might be interconnected.

The Throne of Glass series order also has the most debate among the fandom. There are eight books total, but one is a collection of five prequel novellas. Some people like to start there so they read in order of the timeline of events, but I am not one of them. There’s also an option to tandem-read Empire of Storms and Kingdom of Ash—you can find guides online on how to do it—but I found that to be too chaotic and jarring. Just pick one! Here’s the Throne of Glass series order as I would do it…

Throne of Glass

Don’t listen to anyone on BookTok who tells you to start with The Assassin’s Blade. Meet Celaena Sardothien, the main character of the Throne of Glass series, as SJM intended: a young assassin with a mysterious backstory who is given the chance to compete in a deadly tournament.

Crown of Midnight

Spoiler: Celaena won the tournament and is now working for the king as his main assassin. But as she grows closer to Prince Dorian and Chaol, the handsome captain of the guard, secrets are uncovered.

The Assassin’s Blade

These five prequel novellas take place before the events of Throne of Glass, but they’ll carry greater emotional weight if you read them after knowing more of Celaena’s story.

Heir of Fire

This picks up right where Crown of Midnight left off and sees Celaena traveling to a distant land, where she learns to embrace her true heritage and the magic within her. This is when the mythology of the series really starts to expand.

Queen of Shadows

Sorry for the spoiler, but there’s no way around it: Aelin, the artist previously known as Celaena, is back and ready to reclaim her throne.

Empire of Storms

If you want to read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn in tandem, more power to you. Personally, I think it takes away from the experience to constantly be shuffling between books and double-checking the chapter order. Empire of Storms came first, so start there. Notably, this is the first book in the TOG series to drop the YA approach for more adult themes. So yes, that means there is ~spice~.

Tower of Dawn

Take a break from Aelin to check in with Chaol Westfall in the Southern Continent. Depending on your opinion of him (the fandom is divided), this one might not be your favorite. Still, there’s important lore you’ll need to know for Kingdom of Ash.

Kingdom of Ash

An epic finale, full of high-stakes drama and emotional scenes. This is the last novel in the Throne of Glass line, as SJM has said she doesn’t have plans to write more. For now.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series Order, Part 2

I know this sounds confusing and chaotic, but it’s worth quickly checking back in with Feyre and co. before starting the Crescent City series. It’ll make sense why once you read.

A Court of Frost and Starlight

A short novella that takes place over the Winter Solstice, this is sort of like a Christmas-special episode in a TV series. The plotlines here don’t have much bearing on the ACOTAR series as a whole, but it’s a nice reset and a way to familiarize yourself again with all the major players after so much time away.

A Court of Silver Flames

ACOTAR book five centers entirely on Nesta Archeron, Feyre’s sister, and her mate (no spoilers here). FYI, it’s the spiciest Sarah J. Maas book. So be careful who’s around when you play that audiobook.

Crescent City Series Order

There are three books in the Crescent City series so far, and I’d start it last for several reasons. One, there is a major reveal in the second book, House of Sky and Breath, that wouldn’t have the same impact if you read it before ACOTAR. Also, this is not a complete series: SJM has confirmed that a fourth is in the works and will come after ACOTAR books six and seven.

Also, the world building in Crescent City is dense. This is a fun, sexy, action-packed read, but it takes a lot of time and investment to understand all the dynamics at play. You’ll have an easier time of it if you’re already keyed into SJM’s writing style and her use of multiple character POVs.

House of Earth and Blood

The first book in the Crescent City series, House of Earth and Blood has a cool noir, mystery vibe to it and follows half-fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan as she investigates the murder of her best friend.

House of Sky and Breath

Bryce just want a normal life after saving Crescent City. Yeah, that’s not happening. No spoilers, but this one has a surprise twist so good, I threw my book across the room when it happened.

House of Flame and Shadow

Bryce has found herself in a strange place with no clear way to get back home. Also, the fate of the world(s) in her hands. No big deal.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series Order, Part 3

Alright, you’re all caught up! Now all that’s left in the Sarah J. Maas reading order are the latest ACOTAR books…

A Court of Splintered Harmony

A Court of Splintered Harmony: The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I, or ACOTAR book six, will be released on October 27, 2026. You can preorder it now!

A Court of Forgotten Melody

On January 12, ACOTAR book seven, which is titled A Court of Forgotten Melody: The Valkyrie Cycle, Movements II & III, will be published.