Sarah J. Maas is a fantasy author whose novels are organized into three primary series: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City. Each series has its own cast and starting point, but later Crescent City books are generally more rewarding if you’ve already read ACOTAR.
This guide separates what’s core, what’s optional, and what’s a separate continuity so you don’t stumble into spoilers or read a prequel at the wrong time.
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Your starting point depends on what you want
Want a finished, epic fantasy journey (completed series)? Start with Throne of Glass.
Want romantasy as the main focus? Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Want modern/urban fantasy vibes? Start with House of Earth and Blood, but consider reading ACOTAR first for the smoothest experience later.
Throne of Glass (complete series)
This is a completed eight-book saga. The main decision is where to place The Assassin’s Blade, a prequel novella collection that can be read early or slotted in once you’re invested.
Publication-first order (the “clean reveal” route)
- Throne of Glass: The series opener introduces Celaena Sardothien and the deadly contest that pulls her into court politics.
- Crown of Midnight: The stakes widen as hidden agendas and personal loyalties begin to fracture.
- The Assassin’s Blade: A set of prequel novellas that fill in key backstory and introduce people who matter later.
- Heir of Fire: The story pivots into larger-scale magic, training, and expanding world lore.
- Queen of Shadows: The series turns toward confrontation and reclamation as alliances solidify.
- Empire of Storms: The warfront accelerates and the plot expands across multiple regions and POVs.
- Tower of Dawn: A parallel-track novel that deepens the world and reframes what’s happening beyond the main group.
- Kingdom of Ash: The final volume resolves the central war and the longest-running character arcs.
Alternate placement option (timeline-first, still safe)
- The Assassin’s Blade: Read first if you want Celaena’s backstory before you meet her in the main narrative.
- Throne of Glass: The opener lands with extra context if you started with the prequels.
- Crown of Midnight: Continue straight into book two while the early cast is still fresh.
(Then continue with Heir of Fire → Queen of Shadows → Empire of Storms → Tower of Dawn → Kingdom of Ash.)
Note on “tandem reading”: Some readers interleave Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn chapter-by-chapter, but the simplest low-spoiler path is publication order.
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ongoing series)
This series has a clear internal order. The first major arc resolves by book three, book four serves as a bridge, and book five shifts focus to a new lead perspective.
- A Court of Thorns and Roses: Feyre’s bargain with the Fae drags her into a dangerous court and an escalating curse.
- A Court of Mist and Fury: The world opens outward as Feyre’s power, politics, and central relationships change direction.
- A Court of Wings and Ruin: The first major arc culminates in open conflict with long-term consequences.
- A Court of Frost and Starlight: A shorter, transitional installment that resets the board and points toward the next era.
- A Court of Silver Flames: A perspective shift that centers Nesta and pushes the story into its next phase.
Crescent City (ongoing series)
Crescent City reads like urban fantasy with heavy world-building, mystery elements, and big reveals. If you are spoiler-averse across series, it’s wise to read ACOTAR before you reach the later Crescent City books.
- House of Earth and Blood: Bryce Quinlan is pulled into an investigation that turns grief and justice into a larger conspiracy.
- House of Sky and Breath: The scope expands and the series leans harder into secrets that ripple beyond Midgard.
- House of Flame and Shadow: The third installment escalates the series-wide stakes and pays off major set-ups from book two.
Separate continuity: other Sarah J. Maas novels
These are not part of the three main series above.
Catwoman: Soulstealer: A DC Icons novel focused on Selina Kyle, written as a standalone within that shared superhero line rather than the Maas fantasy worlds.
Recommended reading order for most readers
If you want the fewest headaches and the best payoff pacing:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (series in order through A Court of Silver Flames)
- Crescent City (series in order)
- Throne of Glass (publication-first order, with The Assassin’s Blade after Crown of Midnight)
- Catwoman: Soulstealer (anytime, since it’s separate)
If you strongly prefer completed stories, swap steps 1 and 3: start with Throne of Glass first.
Latest Releases:
The recent book released by the author is: House of Flame and Shadow (January 30, 2024)
Frank is the editor of BookSeries.blog, focusing on publication order, chronological timelines, and spoiler-free reading guides for book series and fictional universes.