Sarah J. Maas has three interconnected series, multiple novellas, and a prequel novella collection that many readers read in the wrong order. Getting the placement of The Assassin's Blade and A Court of Frost and Starlight wrong creates significant spoilers. This guide gives you the definitive order for all three series.
Quick Reference: Sarah J. Maas Reading Order
Recommended order for new readers (ACOTAR first):
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
- A Court of Mist and Fury (2016)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017)
- A Court of Frost and Starlight (novella, 2018) — read here, between ACOTAR 3 and 5
- A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
- Throne of Glass (2012) — then begin this series
- The Assassin's Blade (novellas, 2014) — read after Throne of Glass Book 2
- Crown of Midnight (2013)
- Heir of Fire (2014)
- Queen of Shadows (2015)
- Empire of Storms (2016)
- Tower of Dawn (2017)
- Kingdom of the Golden Cage (2017)
- Kingdom of Ash (2018)
- House of Earth and Blood (2020) — Crescent City begins
- House of Sky and Breath (2022)
- House of Flame and Shadow (2024)
ACOTAR Reading Order
The A Court of Thorns and Roses series begins as a Beauty and the Beast retelling set in the world of the Fae. Start with Book 1 and continue in publication order.
Where does A Court of Frost and Starlight fit? This novella (115 pages) is set immediately after the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin (Book 3) and serves as a bridge to A Court of Silver Flames (Book 5). Read it between Books 3 and 5 — not at the end of the series, and not before Book 3.
View our complete ACOTAR reading order and Sarah J. Maas author page.
Throne of Glass Reading Order
The Throne of Glass series follows assassin Celaena Sardothien across seven books. This is a longer series (7 novels + a prequel novella collection) with strong continuity throughout.
Where does The Assassin's Blade fit? The Assassin's Blade is a collection of five prequel novellas set before Throne of Glass Book 1. Two reading options:
- Option A (recommended): Read The Assassin's Blade after Crown of Midnight (Book 2). You will have enough context to understand the prequel's emotional weight, and several reveals in Book 2 make the prequel novellas significantly more impactful.
- Option B: Read it before Book 1. You'll understand the world but miss some emotional context. Not wrong, just slightly lesser experience.
Tower of Dawn and Kingdom of the Golden Cage: These two books cover concurrent events. Read them in publication order (Tower of Dawn first, then Kingdom of the Golden Cage) — or read them simultaneously by alternating chapters if you prefer (some editions provide a combined chapter guide). View our complete Throne of Glass reading order.
Crescent City Reading Order
Crescent City is an urban fantasy set in a world of supernatural politics and modern technology. It is the most tonally different of the three series — grittier and more explicit. Read after completing both ACOTAR and Throne of Glass for the best experience with crossover characters:
- House of Earth and Blood (2020)
- House of Sky and Breath (2022)
- House of Flame and Shadow (2024)
Which Series Should You Start With?
The debate in every Maas fan community: ACOTAR first or Throne of Glass first?
- Start with ACOTAR if: You prefer an immersive fae world with romance as a central element. Faster entry, more immediately accessible first book.
- Start with Throne of Glass if: You prefer a longer traditional fantasy arc with a non-romance primary focus. More books, more world-building over time.
- Both lead to the same place — the Crescent City crossovers require both series' context.
The Verdict
Start with ACOTAR. A Court of Mist and Fury (Book 2) is widely considered the best single book Maas has written, and it is reachable in one book from a standing start. Then continue to Throne of Glass and finally explore more fantasy series.