So you want to read every Sarah J. Maas book.
Unless you’ve been living under the world’s largest rock, you’ve probably heard of Sarah J. Maas (affectionately, SJM) and if you haven’t heard of her, you’ve probably heard of at least one of her books (you know, those fairy books). But with 3 series, A Court of Thorns & Roses (ongoing), Throne of Glass (completed), & Crescent City (ongoing) comprised of 15 books, figuring out where to start, can be daunting. Not to mention there is a lot of debate over what the correct reading order is for one of the series. Yikes. But don’t worry, I am here to be your faithful guide, I read all 15 books in under 3 months and I wish I could do it all again. So without further ado, here are two options for how you should read every Sarah J. Maas book.
The Series
A Court of Thorns & Roses (ACOTAR)
ACOTAR started way back in 2015 but Booktok has taken this series to complete internet stardom (and for good reason). Currently there are 5 books published from this series and SJM is contracted for more. If you’re new to reading, just getting back into reading, new to fantasy, this is the PERFECT intro. This series completely rekindled my love of reading and it is one I re-read often. It’s more romance heavy, and while the world building is amazing, it’s simple enough that you’re not gonna be feeling like that one meme guy with all the red string trying to figure it out.
This series completely rekindled my love of reading and it is one I re-read often.
It is somewhat broken into 2 parts with books 1-3 (A Court of Thorns & Roses, A Court of Mist & Fury, and A Court of Wings & Ruin) following Feyre Archeron’s story. Book 4 (A Court of Frost and Starlight) starts to focus on other characters, book 5 (A Court of Silver Flames) focuses on Feyre’s eldest sister’s story and word on the street is that book 6 which comes out hopefully beginning of 2025 is going to focus on her other sister.
*This focus shift between books 3 and 4 is the basis of our option 2 reading order, so if you’re ok with breaking up the reading order then option 2 is what I recommend and how I do my re-reads.
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Throne of Glass (TOG)
Technically SJM’s first series, TOG is heavier on the fantasy and a bit lighter on the romance. She started writing this series while she was still in highschool so the first books read a bit more like YA which I do not mind in the slightest. Throne of Glass is one of my all time favorite series and I hold it in the same esteem that I do Harry Potter, yes, after all this time. There are 8 books total (Assassin’s Blade, Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawn, Kingdom of Ash) and 3 different reading orders depending on your vibe. I know. Let me explain.
SJM released a prequel midway through the series which contains 5 mini novellas (Assassin’s Blade.) I personally loved these little stories but because it was published in between book 2 & 3 there is a little bit of debate as to which order to read these in. The 3 popular reading orders are the “publication order” or reading the books exactly as they were published with the prequel coming out after book 2 (this is how I read it and recommend and this just in, this is also the order SJM herself recommends). The “romantic order” which has you read the prequel after book 3. And the “purist order” which follows the chronological timeline, having you read the prequel first.
You can also read books 5 & 6 at the same time in what is called a “tandem read” as they take place at the same time, following separate groups of characters in different locations, which I also highly recommend. If all that seems super confusing, T.L Branson, has made this amazing printable which we are referring to as the definitive Throne of Glass Reading Guide and it has little check boxes so you can stay organized.
Crescent City (CC)
The latest series in the Maasverse, Crescent city is fantasy, romance, mystery and paranormal all meshed together. These characters are fun, we’ve got some slow burn forbidden love and the story is just *insert explosion sound* mind blowing. Like broke the internet and had the whole of BookTok in a collective meltdown that lasted for a month kind of mindblowing.
So far two books are published, House of Earth & Blood (this is the book where the world building might have you feeling a little bit like that meme guy with all the red string.) The first 100 pages are gonna throw a lot of info at you, but I pinky promise, just keep going, don’t worry about trying to be an expert in Lunathion politics and government structure, it’ll all come together. Book two, House of Sky & Breath really delves into the story and the ending is just, again, broke Booktok mindblowing.
And lucky you, Book three, House of Flame & Shadow drops January 30, so you’ll get to roll right through while the rest of us wait in agony.
How To read Every Sarah J. Maas Book
So which order should you read these in? I’ve laid out two options for how to read every Sarah J. Maas book depending on your reading style. Option 1, goes series by series for those that cannot imagine leaving a series halfway through, Option 2, does a bit of mix and matching (my fave.)
Option 1 – Series by Series
If you’re someone that needs to finish a series before moving on (ie- the idea of mix and matching series gives you the chills) this is the order you’re going to want to follow.
1- A Court of Thorns and Roses 1-5 (ACOTAR)
If you’re going full series to full series, ACOTAR is the first one you should pick up. Its the perfect intro to SJM’s writing style and the perfect blend of fantasy and romance. Five books are currently published and two more are on the way so don’t worry, you’ll get more of these amazing characters soon.
2 – Throne of Glass (TOG)
Now that you’re a fantasy pro (or on your way to becoming one) Throne of Glass is one of my all time favorite series and I hold it in the same esteem that I do Harry Potter (yes, after all this time.) Little less focused on the romance, this series starts leaning a little bit more into the fantasy and adventure side of things and I devoured it. Whichever order you decide to read it in (published, romantic, or purist, see here, but romantic is my fave) I have no doubt you will love this series.
3 – Crescent City (CC)
We’re on to the most recent series in the Maasverse. So far two books are published, House of Earth & Blood and House of Sky & Breath, And lucky you, the next book in this series drops at the end of January 2024, so you can just roll on through while the rest of us wait in agony.
These characters are fun, its got some slow burn forbidden love and the story is just *insert explosion sound* mind blowing. Like broke the internet and had the whole of BookTok in a collective meltdown that lasted for a month kind of mindblowing.
Option 2 – Mix & Match Order
If you’re ok with jumping between series, or if you love to pick up on foreshadowing, this is how I do my re-reads and how I wish I had read the series.
1 – ACOTAR Books 1-3
This particular series is unofficially broken up into separate parts. Book 1 -3 (A Court of Thorns & Roses, A Court of Mist & Fury, and A Court of Wings & Ruin) follow our female main character, Feyre Archeron and her story. Book 4 (A Court of Frost & Starlight) is somewhat of a novella/interlude and book 5 (A Court of Silver Flames) is about Feyre’s eldest sister. So for this reading order, read the first three books and then we’re going to move on to the next series and come back to books 4 & 5 later.
2 – Throne of Glass Series
Now that you’ve got a little taste of SJM’s writing and storytelling style, you’re gonna want to read all of Throne of Glass. This is one of my all time favorite series and I make no apologies for the emotional turmoil that is about to be inflicted on you from this series. Whichever order you decide to read it in (published, romantic, or purist, see here) you’re bound to love this story.
3 – ACOTAR Books 4 & 5
Now that you’ve had your heart torn out and stomped all over, its time to return to A Court of Thorns & Roses. Book 4, A Court of Frost & Starlight, is technically a novella, or as I like to call it, a fantasy Hallmark Christmas movie, and it is a stepping stone between books 1-3 and the next phase of the series. It will also soothe your Throne of Glass heartbreak.
Next up, book 5. A Court of Silver Flames. This book follows Feyre’s eldest sister, Nesta in the aftermath of a war. This is by far the spiciest of the books in the series, so for my romance girlies, you’re gonna loooooove this.
4 – Crescent City
Lastly, Crescent City, so far two books are published, House of Earth & Blood and House of Sky & Breath, And lucky you, the next book in this series drops at the end of January 2024, so you can just roll on through while the rest of us wait in agony. UPDATE – Book 3, House of Flame & Shadow is out now.
These characters are fun, we’ve got some slow burn forbidden love and the story is just *insert explosion sound* mind blowing. Like broke the internet and had the whole of BookTok in a collective meltdown that lasted for a month kind of mindblowing. It is also set in a more “modern” setting so it feels like you’re just hanging out with your friends, but you know in a bad*ss saving the world kinda way.
There you have it, two options ways to read every Sarah J. Maas book. Whichever reading order you choose, these three series have completely rekindled my love of reading, and I wish I could be in your shoes and read them all for the first time again.
Happy Reading!
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