If you're dipping your toes into the romantasy genre, chances are you've heard of Sarah J. Maas. Known for her lush world building, unforgettable characters, and romances that will make your heart race, Maas is a must read for any romantasy fan. But with three epic series under her belt, it can be hard to know where to start. Don't worry. I've got you covered.

Here's the ultimate guide to diving into the world of Sarah J. Maas, complete with the perfect reading order to maximize your experience.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

front cover of a court of thorns and roses

Start with ACOTAR. This series is the gateway to all things Sarah J. Maas and a favorite for a reason.

What it's about: Feyre Archeron's life takes a sharp turn when she's forced into the mysterious and dangerous world of the Fae. What starts as a Beauty and the Beast retelling transforms into a story packed with court intrigue, magic, and swoony romance.

Why start here: ACOTAR is the perfect introduction to Maas' storytelling. It's immersive, emotional, and packed with tropes romantasy readers adore. Plus, it has some of the most iconic characters in the genre. Whether you're team Rhysand or someone else, you're in for a wild ride.

What to expect:
  • Tropes like enemies to lovers, found family, and badass FMCs.
  • A mix of action, romance, and a touch of steam.
  • Flawed characters you can't help but root for.
Reading order:
  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 (novella)
  5. A Court of Silver Flames (spin off focusing on Nesta)

Throne of Glass

front cover of throne of glass

Next up is Throne of Glass, Maas' first series and a YA fantasy classic.

What it's about: Follow Celaena Sardothien, a notorious assassin with a secret, as she navigates a world filled with magic, danger, and a fight for freedom. What begins as a story about an assassin in a deadly competition evolves into an epic fantasy saga filled with twists, betrayals, and powerful alliances.

Why read next: Throne of Glass shows how Maas' writing has evolved. It's a sprawling, addictive series with deep lore and a massive cast of characters. Starting here after ACOTAR lets you appreciate how her style and storytelling have grown.


What to expect:
  • Tropes like assassin turned queen, hidden magic, and found family.
  • A slow build into a high stakes fantasy adventure.
  • More ships than you'll know what to do with.
Reading order:

There are several different ways to read the Throne of Glass series, depending on your preferences. The order listed here is the one I most recommend for new readers. I will dive into the pros and cons of the different reading orders in a future post, so stay tuned for that!

  1. The Assassin's Blade (contains 5 prequel novellas)
  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

Crescent City

front cover of crescent city

Finally, save Crescent City for last. This series is Maas' most mature work, blending urban fantasy with her signature romantasy vibes.

What it's about: Bryce Quinlan's life is turned upside down after a personal tragedy leaves her shattered. Teaming up with the brooding and mysterious Hunt Athalar, Bryce embarks on a journey to uncover dangerous secrets and heal from her past.

Why save this for last: Crescent City is packed with Easter eggs for long-time Maas fans. The world building is intricate, and the storytelling is layered, making it even more rewarding when you're already familiar with her style.



What to expect:
  • Tropes like unlikely partnerships, hidden magic, and high stakes quests.
  • A blend of mystery, action, and romance.
  • A series that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Reading order:
  1. House of Earth and Blood
  2. House of Sky and Breath
  3. House of Flame and Shadow

Series crossovers: what you need to know

One of the great things about Sarah J. Maas' books is that each series can be read independently. You do not need to read Throne of Glass to enjoy ACOTAR, and you do not need to read ACOTAR to dive into Crescent City. Each series stands on its own with unique characters, worlds, and storylines.

That being said, fans of Sarah J. Maas will love spotting easter eggs and connections between the series. In the newest Crescent City book, House of Flame and Shadow, there is some character crossover with the ACOTAR series. While these moments are exciting for long-time readers, you do not need to have read ACOTAR to fully understand and enjoy House of Flame and Shadow.

Where to go from here

Once you've devoured Sarah J. Maas' books, you'll probably want more. Some great next reads include works by Jennifer L. Armentrout (From Blood and Ash), Danielle L. Jensen (The Bridge Kingdom), and Raven Kennedy (The Plated Prisoner series).

Quick reference

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)

  • Audience: New Adult
  • Series completed? No. The primary story with Feyre & Rhysand was completed by A Court of Wings and Ruin. However, more books are being published in the series that focus on side characters from the first 3 books.
  • Spice level: Moderate; gets progressively more spicy as the series goes on
  • Books in series:
    • 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
  • Tropes: Enemies to lovers, found family, fated mates, shadow daddy, forced proximity, one bed, grumpy x sunshine
  • Vibes: Darkly romantic, magical, emotional
  • Perfect for fans of: A Court So Cruel and Lovely by Stacia Stark, Gild by Raven Kennedy, Kingdom of the Wicked series by Keri Maniscalco, A Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Throne of Glass

  • Audience: Young Adult
  • Series completed? Yes, this is the only series of hers that is completely finished.
  • Spice level: Lowest of her series
  • Books in series:
    • The Assassin's Blade
    • Throne of Glass
    • Crown of Midnight
    • Heir of Fire
    • Queen of Shadows
    • Empire of Storms
    • Tower of Dawn
    • Kingdom of Ash
  • Tropes: Assassins, found family, fated mates, hidden identity, forbidden romance, who did this to you, forced proximity, love triangle
  • Vibes: Gritty, epic, action-packed
  • Perfect for fans of: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Crescent City

  • Audience: Adult
  • Series completed? No. The primary story with Bryce & Hunt is resolved in House of Flame and Shadow, but more books are planned to be published focusing on side characters from the first 3 books.
  • Spice level: Highest of her series
  • Books in series:
    • House of Earth and Blood
    • House of Sky and Breath
    • House of Flame and Shadow
  • Tropes: Hidden magic, urban fantasy, fated mates, found family, slowburn, tortured hero, alpha male, magical creatures
  • Vibes: Urban fantasy, intense, mysterious
  • Perfect for fans of: City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole

Ready to dive in?

Whether you are completely new to Sarah J. Maas or revisiting her books after some time away, there is a perfect entry point for every reader. ACOTAR introduces you to her romantic and magical storytelling, Throne of Glass immerses you in epic YA fantasy, and Crescent City delivers her most complex and mature work yet.

The best part? You can enjoy each series on its own or dive into the crossovers as a bonus treat. Now it is your turn to explore these incredible worlds and find your favorite series.

What is your go-to Sarah J. Maas series? Are you team Rhysand, team Rowan, or team Hunt?

Posted 
January 2, 2025
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