Sarah J. Maas Books in Order
By the Ember team · Updated July 2026
Sarah J. Maas has written three major fantasy romance series: Throne of Glass (8 books, complete), A Court of Thorns and Roses (5 books with 3 more coming), and Crescent City (3 books). Each series can be read independently, but there are multiverse connections that reward reading all three.
Start with ACOTAR if you want spicy fae romance. Start with Throne of Glass if you want epic fantasy with assassins. Start with Crescent City if you want urban fantasy with fae in a modern city. ACOTAR Book 6 releases October 27, 2026, with Book 7 following January 12, 2027.
Short answer
Sarah J. Maas has written three series: Throne of Glass (8 books), A Court of Thorns and Roses (5 books with 3 more coming), and Crescent City (3 books). Each series can be read independently. Start with ACOTAR if you want spicy fae romance, Throne of Glass for epic fantasy, or Crescent City for urban fantasy. ACOTAR Book 6 releases October 27, 2026.
Where to start with Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
Start here if you want spicy fae romance with mature themes, high heat, and morally gray characters. The first book has a Beauty and the Beast retelling vibe, but the series evolves into something darker and more complex. Three more books are coming starting October 2026.
Throne of Glass
Start here if you want epic fantasy with assassins, political intrigue, and a slower-burn romance. The first book follows a younger protagonist, but the series matures significantly as it progresses. Complete at 8 books.
Crescent City
Start here if you want urban fantasy with fae in a modern city, found family dynamics, and high-stakes action. The romance is slower to develop, but the world-building is intricate and the crossover moments with ACOTAR are satisfying for existing Maas fans.
Throne of Glass series (8 books)
Epic fantasy following Celaena Sardothien, an assassin competing for her freedom. The series spans kingdoms, wars, and ancient magic. Read in publication order.
Throne of Glass
2012Crown of Midnight
2013Heir of Fire
2014The Assassin's Blade
2014Queen of Shadows
2015Empire of Storms
2016Tower of Dawn
2017Kingdom of Ash
2018A Court of Thorns and Roses series (5 books + 3 coming)
Fae romance with mature themes and high heat. Feyre gets pulled into the fae world and discovers her own power. Three more books are coming starting October 2026. See the full ACOTAR reading order guide for detailed breakdown.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
2015A Court of Mist and Fury
2016A Court of Wings and Ruin
2017A Court of Frost and Starlight
2018A Court of Silver Flames
2021Upcoming ACOTAR Books
Crescent City series (3 books)
Urban fantasy with fae, angels, and shifters in a modern city. Bryce Quinlan investigates a murder and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens her world. Book 3 includes direct crossover moments with ACOTAR.
House of Earth and Blood
2020House of Sky and Breath
2022House of Flame and Shadow
2024Common reading order questions
Should I read The Assassin's Blade before Throne of Glass?
The Assassin's Blade is a prequel collection of novellas. Most readers recommend reading it after Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight (books 1 and 2) for maximum emotional impact. Reading it first spoils certain reveals. Publication order works best.
Should I do the Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn tandem read?
Some readers alternate chapters between Empire of Storms (book 6) and Tower of Dawn (book 7) because they happen simultaneously with different characters. This is optional. Reading them in publication order is perfectly fine and less complicated.
Do I need to read A Court of Frost and Starlight?
A Court of Frost and Starlight is a short novella between ACOWAR and ACOSF. It is mostly fluff and holiday vibes. You can skip it and still understand A Court of Silver Flames, but it does set up character dynamics for the next book.
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read Sarah J. Maas books?
Sarah J. Maas has written three series: Throne of Glass (8 books), A Court of Thorns and Roses (5 books with 3 more coming), and Crescent City (3 books). Each series can be read independently. Start with ACOTAR if you want spicy fae romance, Throne of Glass for epic fantasy, or Crescent City for urban fantasy. ACOTAR Book 6 releases October 27, 2026.
Which Sarah J. Maas series should I start with?
Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses if you want spicy fae romance with mature content and higher heat. Start with Throne of Glass if you want epic fantasy with assassins, slower-burn romance, and a younger protagonist at the beginning. Start with Crescent City if you want urban fantasy with fae in a modern city setting. Each series can be read independently.
When does ACOTAR Book 6 come out?
ACOTAR Book 6 releases on October 27, 2026. ACOTAR Book 7 follows on January 12, 2027, and ACOTAR Book 8 is currently being written with no release date yet. Sarah J. Maas confirmed the story grew to over 1,000 pages, so she split it into multiple parts.
Do I need to read Throne of Glass before ACOTAR?
No. Each Sarah J. Maas series can be read independently. However, the series share subtle multiverse connections, especially in Crescent City Book 3. Reading all three series adds an extra layer of Easter eggs and crossover theories, but it is not required to enjoy any single series.
Is ACOTAR connected to Crescent City?
Yes. House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City Book 3) includes direct crossover moments with the ACOTAR universe. For the full impact, read at least the first three ACOTAR books before starting Crescent City Book 2. The connections are intentional and expand the Maasverse multiverse.
Sources
Series order and release dates verified as of July 2026.
- Sarah J. Maas Official SiteUsed for official series information and release dates.
- Goodreads Sarah J. MaasUsed for publication dates and series context.
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