Sarah J Maas Books in Order: The Complete Reading Guide

Published on October 30, 2026

Finding Sarah J Maas books in order should be simpler than choosing between an assassin, a Fae court, and a city full of magical suspects. Yet one search brings up competing reading lists, arguments about a prequel, and instructions to alternate between two hefty novels. Do you really need that much planning before opening a book?

Start with two decisions: which series appeals to you, and which book comes next within it. Everything else can wait.

This guide brings the Sarah J Maas books together with clear reading sequences, publication years, and spoiler-free advice. It explains where The Assassin’s Blade fits, whether tandem reading is worth trying, and how the latest A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) releases affect your checklist.

Want romance at the centre of the story? Prefer a completed fantasy adventure? Looking for magic in a modern city? Choose your starting point below, then follow the books without worrying about missing a step.

Which Sarah J. Maas Series Should You Read First?

The best Sarah J Maas book order depends on what you want from your first read. Are you here for complicated relationships, a sprawling fantasy adventure, or magic mixed with city life?

Use this comparison to narrow your choice:

Maas’s official guide says you can begin with any of her three main series. Bloomsbury nevertheless suggests reading ACOTAR before Crescent City for a more rewarding experience. That makes ACOTAR, then Throne of Glass, then Crescent City a practical recommendation for readers who want a suggested route. It is not a compulsory sequence.

When planning your Sarah J Maas reading order, consider your appetite for commitment, too. Would you rather finish a complete fantasy saga or follow a series with more books ahead?

Reading Sarah J Maas books in order should help you enjoy the stories without turning your reading time into homework. You do not need a chart of character connections before opening chapter one.

The Sarah J Maas books offer different starting experiences. Choose whichever interests you most, then follow that series consistently.

Below, you will find each Sarah J Maas series in order. Think of this Sarah J Maas books in order guide as a reference you can return to whenever you finish a book.

Sarah J Maas Books in Order: The Complete List

The easiest way to organize the Sarah J Maas bibliography is by series. A single timeline of every release would repeatedly move you between different series, which is rarely helpful on a first read.

This Sarah J Maas books in order list follows publication order within each series. The dates for these Sarah J Maas books refer to their original publication, not later editions. Forthcoming titles are marked separately.

Throne of Glass Books in Order

Start here if you want a completed fantasy adventure. The series begins with Celaena Sardothien, an imprisoned assassin offered a chance to compete for her freedom. Its scope grows well beyond that opening contest.

1. Throne of Glass (2012)
   Celaena enters a competition to become the king’s champion. Winning could give her a route out of captivity, but life inside the castle brings dangers beyond the other competitors. This is the starting point for the publication-order route.
2. Crown of Midnight (2013)
   The second novel follows the consequences of Celaena’s new position. Her responsibilities, loyalties, and private choices become increasingly difficult to reconcile. Continue here before returning to her earlier experiences in the prequel collection.
3. The Assassin’s Blade (2014)
   This collection contains five connected prequel novellas exploring Celaena’s life before the opening novel. Although the events happen earlier, Bloomsbury recommends reading the collection after Crown of Midnight. Reading it first is also an accepted alternative.
4. Heir of Fire (2014)
   The story expands into new settings and introduces important characters. Celaena faces challenges that demand more than the skills that previously kept her alive. By this point, the series is developing into a broader fantasy saga.
5. Queen of Shadows (2015)
   Earlier relationships and unfinished conflicts become increasingly important. This fourth main novel builds on the groundwork of the preceding books, including the prequel stories, so it is best approached after those foundations are in place.
6. Empire of Storms (2016)
   The widening conflict brings different characters and storylines into closer contact. Alliances matter more, the risks grow, and the series moves toward its final stages. Read this before Tower of Dawn if following publication order.
7. Tower of Dawn (2017)
   This novel shifts attention to Chaol Westfall and a different part of the world. Its events overlap with Empire of Storms, but it contributes to the larger story. Keep it in your reading plan before the finale.
8. Kingdom of Ash (2018)
   The concluding volume brings the series’ major conflicts and character journeys together. Save it until you have read both Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. This is the destination the preceding books have been building toward.

The sequence above matches the order displayed in Maas’s official reading guide.

For readers following Sarah J Maas books in order, the main decision here is where to place the prequel collection. We will look more closely at that choice in the next section.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Books in Order

Looking for Sarah J Maas books in order because you want a romance-led fantasy? ACOTAR is a sensible starting place. Begin with Feyre’s first book and continue through the sequence below.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
   Feyre, a human huntress, is drawn into the world of the Fae. Start here for the relationships, setting, and central tensions that shape the books that follow.
2. A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
   Feyre’s journey continues as the consequences of the first novel unfold. Avoid detailed descriptions before finishing book one, since even a brief summary can reveal significant developments.
3. A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
   The third book develops the wider conflict and the relationships established earlier. Read it after A Court of Mist and Fury to follow the unfolding events without jumping ahead.
4. A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018)
   This shorter novella bridges the earlier books and the next stage of the series. Its quieter focus gives space to the characters while preparing the ground for what follows.
5. A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
   The focus moves to Nesta Archeron. Although the central perspective changes, this remains part of the continuing series and draws on events and relationships established in the preceding books.
6. A Court of Splintered Harmony: The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I (2026)
   Published on 27 October 2026, the sixth instalment continues the series after A Court of Silver Flames. It is already available as of this guide’s October update.
7. A Court of Forgotten Melody: The Valkyrie Cycle, Movements II & III (forthcoming, 2027)
   The seventh instalment is scheduled for 12 January 2027. Treat it as the next announced release rather than a book already available to read.

If you are checking each Sarah J Maas series in order against a box set, check its contents carefully. A set containing the first five ACOTAR books does not include the October 2026 release.

Crescent City Books in Order

This part of the Sarah J Maas reading order moves into urban fantasy. Bryce Quinlan’s world combines magical beings with recognizably modern city life.

1. House of Earth and Blood (2020)
   Bryce’s search for answers following a devastating crime introduces the city, its inhabitants, and its power structures. Give yourself time to learn the setting rather than expecting every unfamiliar term to make immediate sense.
2. House of Sky and Breath (2022)
   The second novel continues Bryce’s story and expands the conflicts introduced in the first. Read it next, and be careful with online character searches if you want to avoid spoilers.
3. House of Flame and Shadow (2024)
   Published on 30 January 2024, the third book follows House of Sky and Breath. Keep these three novels in sequence; later-book summaries can reveal major developments from the earlier instalments.

Beyond the Three Main Series

The Sarah J Maas bibliography also includes Catwoman: Soulstealer (2018), her contribution to the DC Icons collection. It follows Selina Kyle in Gotham City and can be read independently of her fantasy series. The publisher also states that the DC Icons novels can be enjoyed in any order.

This list treats collected novellas as one volume and excludes duplicate formats, coloring books, and special editions. That keeps the Sarah J Maas book order focused on the stories themselves.

You now have each Sarah J Maas series in order without having to switch worlds whenever the publication calendar changes. Keep this Sarah J Maas books in order checklist nearby, and choose one series to begin.

Where Does The Assassin’s Blade Fit in the Reading Order?

You have two reasonable options: read The Assassin’s Blade first, or read it after Crown of Midnight. The difference comes down to when you want to discover Celaena’s past.

For a first read, this Sarah J Maas books in order guide follows Bloomsbury’s recommendation:

Throne of Glass → Crown of Midnight → The Assassin’s Blade → Heir of Fire

This route introduces Celaena through her present circumstances before taking you back to the experiences that helped shape her. You meet someone with a history, spend time wondering about it, and then return to that history with some understanding of who she becomes. A prequel tells an earlier story in a separate work; for a look at how writers revisit the past within a story, explore these flashback examples.

Prefer to follow events from the beginning? Put The Assassin’s Blade first, then continue with Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight. Bloomsbury explicitly allows this alternative, too.

That chronological approach may suit you if moving backward interrupts your enjoyment of a story. You will recognize earlier relationships and references as you encounter them in the main novels.

The practical Sarah J Maas book order advice is to choose one route and stop worrying about whether another reader chose differently. Neither option requires splitting the collection into individual novellas or following an elaborate switching schedule.

For your Sarah J Maas reading order, publication order is a useful default. Reading Sarah J Maas books in order should leave you curious about the next chapter, rather than anxious about making the wrong choice.

Do You Need a Tandem Read or a Maasverse Reading Plan?

A tandem read means alternating between Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn, following a chapter-by-chapter schedule created by readers. The appeal is straightforward: the books cover overlapping periods, so switching between them lets you follow events across both locations.

But is it necessary? No. Bloomsbury recommends publication order to avoid spoilers and describes tandem reading as an alternative some readers enjoy.

Choose a tandem read if you enjoy juggling several storylines and do not mind checking a schedule. Read the books separately if you prefer staying with one setting and cast for longer. Either way, read both before Kingdom of Ash.

Following Sarah J Maas books in order does not require turning two novels into a chapter-management project.

The same principle applies to the “Maasverse,” the reader-used name for the broader discussion of connections across her fantasy worlds. You can enjoy the stories without researching those connections beforehand. Detailed explanations can reveal things you would rather discover yourself.

If you want a straightforward Sarah J Maas reading order across series, begin with ACOTAR, continue with Throne of Glass, and leave Crescent City until afterward. That is this guide’s suggested route; the author allows readers to start with any main series.

Keep each Sarah J Maas series in order internally, and let your interest guide the bigger choice.

The Latest Releases and What to Read Next

Updated 30 October 2026: A Court of Splintered Harmony is the latest published ACOTAR instalment, released on 27 October 2026. Its subtitle is The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I. Readers who have finished A Court of Silver Flames can continue with this sixth book.

The next announced instalment, A Court of Forgotten Melody: The Valkyrie Cycle, Movements II & III, is scheduled for 12 January 2027. It belongs on your future reading list, with its forthcoming status clearly marked.

For anyone checking Sarah J Maas books in order against an older article or bookshelf checklist, those additions matter. A guide ending ACOTAR at A Court of Silver Flames no longer includes every published instalment.

Your next step depends on where you are now:

• New to Maas? Pick the opening book that matches your reading preferences.
• Partway through a series? Continue with its next listed volume.
• Caught up with ACOTAR? Explore another series while awaiting January’s release.

When revisiting the Sarah J Maas bibliography, check the guide’s update date and distinguish new stories from new editions. A different cover or format does not automatically mean another book has joined the sequence.

America Publishers Author Spotlight covers books, authors, and reading topics, including guides that help readers explore an author’s work.

Conclusion

Finding Sarah J Maas books in order starts with a simple choice: which story interests you most? Begin with ACOTAR for romance-led fantasy, Throne of Glass for a completed epic, or Crescent City for a modern magical setting.

From there, follow your chosen series in sequence. Decide where to place The Assassin’s Blade, treat tandem reading as optional, and keep forthcoming titles separate from published books. You can explore connections between worlds as you go.

Which will you open first: a huntress’s journey, an assassin’s fight for freedom, or Bryce Quinlan’s search for answers?

Frequently Asked Question

1. What is the best Sarah J Maas book order for beginners?

There is no compulsory starting sequence across the three main series. For a straightforward route, this guide suggests ACOTAR, then Throne of Glass, followed by Crescent City. When following Sarah J Maas books in order, keep each individual series in sequence rather than switching between worlds by publication year.

2. How many Sarah J Maas books are currently published?

As of 30 October 2026, this guide counts 18 published story volumes: eight in Throne of Glass, six in ACOTAR, three in Crescent City, and Catwoman: Soulstealer. That includes the collected prequel novellas and A Court of Frost and Starlight, but excludes forthcoming titles and duplicate editions.

3. Should I read The Assassin’s Blade first?

You can. Its stories take place before Throne of Glass, making it the chronological starting point. However, Bloomsbury recommends reading it after Crown of Midnight and before Heir of Fire. Choose the first option for timeline order or the second for the publisher’s recommended experience.

4. Can I read Crescent City before ACOTAR?

Yes. Maas’s official guide allows readers to begin with any main series. Bloomsbury nevertheless suggests that reading ACOTAR first may make Crescent City more rewarding. That distinction matters when choosing Sarah J Maas books in order: a suggested route across series is different from a prerequisite.

5. Do I need to tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn?

No. Reading Empire of Storms followed by Tower of Dawn is Bloomsbury’s recommended publication-order approach. Tandem reading is an optional way to follow their overlapping timelines. Choose it if alternating between books sounds enjoyable; otherwise, read them separately before moving on to Kingdom of Ash.

6. Does the Sarah J Maas bibliography include books outside the three main series?

Yes. Catwoman: Soulstealer, originally published in 2018, belongs to the DC Icons collection. It follows Selina Kyle in Gotham City and can be read independently of Maas’s fantasy worlds. You do not need to finish ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, or Crescent City before picking it up.