The Ultimate Maasverse Reading Order
(From Someone Who’s Read It All)
Confused about where to start with Sarah J. Maas? I’ve got you covered.
By Jessica Jones | Lady Bergamot’s Library
The Ultimate Guide to Reading Sarah J. Maas in the Right Order
Sarah J. Maas didn’t just write books, she created an entire multiverse of heartbreak, healing, and high fantasy. With three iconic series: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City, the question isn’t should you read her work. It’s how.
As someone who’s read every single page, here’s the reading order that worked for me, what I’d recommend to new readers, and a few paths you can choose based on your reading style.
🥀 First: A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
I started my Maas journey with the ACOTAR series, and I stand by it. It’s romantic, dramatic, and an easy entry into the Maasverse. Here’s the reading order (it’s easy - by date of publication):
ACOTAR Reading Order:
A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Wings and Ruin
A Court of Frost and Starlight
A Court of Silver Flames
A Court of..???? Seriously dying waiting for an ACOTAR 6 announcement… but I digress…
🌶️ Spice Alert: Things definitely heat up in A Court of Mist and Fury, but the spice peaks in A Court of Silver Flames. That one pulls no punches, emotionally or otherwise.
📌 Best for: Romance lovers, fae fans, anyone who lives for slow-burns, soul-bonds, and healing arcs.
⚔️ Then: Throne of Glass (My Favorite Series of All Time)
After ACOTAR, I dove into Throne of Glass, and I can say this with my whole chest: this series owns me.
My Throne of Glass Reading Order:
Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight
The Assassin’s Blade | (YES, I read it third).
Heir of Fire
Queen of Shadows
Empire of Storms
Tower of Dawn
Kingdom of Ash
Yes, I read Empire of Storms, and then Tower of Dawn before Kingdom of Ash, as Sarah J. Maas recommends. I didn’t do the “tandem read” (alternating chapters of EoS and ToD), but I never felt like I missed anything. The payoff still crushed me.
💬 “Throne of Glass broke me and rebuilt me. The heroines of this series?
Unmatched. I’d give anything to read it again for the first time.”
- Jessica Jones
🔥 While it’s light on spice, Throne of Glass is heavy on everything else; stakes, emotion, character arcs, political intrigue, magical lore. It’s a masterpiece of pacing and heart.
📌 Best for: Readers who crave epic fantasy, long-haul character growth, multi-POV storytelling, and emotionally devastating moments.
🌃 Finally: Crescent City (The Most Mind Blowing Finale)
I saved Crescent City for last, and I highly recommend you do too. The urban fantasy setting, the tech-meets-magic vibe, and the easter eggs from the other series all come together in ways that left me reeling.
Crescent City Reading Order (again, easy, by date of publication order):
House of Earth and Blood
House of Sky and Breath
House of Flame and Shadow
🚨 Mild tip (no spoilers): Book 3 brings cross-series easter eggs to the surface in jaw-dropping ways. You'll want the ToG and ACOTAR background to fully appreciate it.
📌 Best for: Lovers of urban fantasy, slow-burn mysteries, mythology-meets-magic systems, and emotionally complex heroines.
📖 What’s Sarah J. Maas’s Official Recommendation?
According to SJM’s official reading guide, the recommended order is by publication:
Throne of Glass series
ACOTAR series
Crescent City series
For Throne of Glass, her specific order is:
Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight
Heir of Fire
The Assassin’s Blade
Queen of Shadows
Empire of Storms
Tower of Dawn
Kingdom of Ash
My order only differs slightly (I read The Assassin’s Blade third), but otherwise it’s spot-on. SJM’s structure is intentional and emotionally strategic; especially with how Tower of Dawn runs parallel to Empire of Storms.
💡 Choose Your Reading Path:
🔁 Re-Read Tip: Listen Your Way Through the Maasverse
If you’re planning a re-read, let me share my favorite secret weapon: audiobooks. Specifically the GraphicAudio productions.
🎧 These full-cast, cinematic audio adaptations bring the Maasverse to life in a whole new way.
ACOTAR and Crescent City are already available with immersive sound design and voice acting.
And guess what? GraphicAudio is starting their production of Throne of Glass in 2025 which means this epic series is about to get the treatment it deserves.
It’s the perfect way to revisit your favorite scenes while driving, walking, or just vibing with a cup of tea. (And yes, hearing Rhysand’s voice in surround sound? Elite.)
📌 Best for: Emotional re-readers, multi-tasking bookworms, and anyone who wants to fall in love with the series all over again, this time through your ears.
🖤 Final Thoughts from One Maas Addict to Another
The Maasverse isn’t just fiction, it’s an experience. These stories are brutal, beautiful, and bold. They’ll rip you open and then quietly sew you back together with plot twists, found family, and fire-lit banter.
And if you're about to begin Throne of Glass for the first time?
I’m not jealous.
I'm devastated it's not me.
📚 Join the Conversation! 📚
Are you starting your first Maas book, or rereading them all with annotated tabs and a playlist in the background? I want to hear from you!
Drop a comment below and tell me:
Which series did you start with?
Which Maasverse moment wrecked you the most?
Which reading path would you recommend to a new fan?
Let’s turn the comment section into a book club, shall we?
Or come find me on Instagram @ladybergamotslibrary where I share bookish thoughts, chaotic reactions, and occasionally swoon over Chapter 55.
🔔 Stay Connected! 🔔
Want more literary guides, Violet Letters, and cozy content delivered straight to your inbox?
✨ Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get:
🌹 New blog posts every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
☕ Book reviews, writing musings, and author interviews
📖 A cozy corner of the internet made for readers like you
📬 Click below to sign up! And don’t forget to check your spam folder for the confirmation email!
You bring the tea. I’ll bring the stories.
Happy reading, and may these books bring a little magic into your life!
MY BLOG - BOOK REVIEWS, WRITER WOES, BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS, FAVE BOOKSTORES
Click Here to View my Goodreads Profile!
Please feel free to comment on my blog posts! I would love your feedback on book reviews, writer woes, book recommendations, and bookstore highlights!
Recent Posts
Not sure how to read Sarah J. Maas's books? Here's my ultimate guide to the Maasverse—ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City—with emotional insights, reading paths, and the order I'd follow again.