So, you finally decided to dive into the Maasverse. Honestly, it’s about time. But looking at that massive wall of books—fifteen and counting—is enough to make anyone want to just close their Kindle and go back to scrolling TikTok. You’ve got a girl who’s an assassin, a girl who gets kidnapped by a faerie, and a girl in a modern city with a cell phone and a bad attitude.
Where do you even start? If you ask ten different fans for the order to read Sarah Maas books, you’re gonna get twelve different answers and at least one heated argument about a "tandem read."
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Let's keep it real: there isn't one "perfect" way that everyone agrees on. Sarah J. Maas herself has a preferred order, but her fans have spent a decade inventing "romantic" paths and "purist" routes.
It’s a lot. I get it.
The truth is, the stakes have never been higher. With the crossover events in House of Flame and Shadow and the looming release of the next A Court of Thorns and Roses book (which, by the way, Bloomsbury’s 2026 catalogs are still being weirdly quiet about), reading these in the wrong order can actually spoil the biggest "holy crap" moments in the entire multiverse.
The "I Want the Most Vibes" Strategy: Start with ACOTAR
If you’re coming from the world of BookTok or you just really like romance with your high stakes, start with A Court of Thorns and Roses. Most people just call it ACOTAR. It’s basically a Beauty and the Beast retelling that goes off the rails in the best way possible.
The first book is okay. It’s a bit of a slow burn. But book two? A Court of Mist and Fury? That is the book that turns casual readers into people who buy $400 special edition sprayed-edge hardbacks.
Here is the thing: ACOTAR is the "gateway drug." The world-building is light enough that you won’t get a headache, but the characters are sticky. They stay with you.
- 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 (2018) – This is a novella. Don't skip it. It's like a Christmas special that sets up the next book.
- A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
Currently, we are all collectively losing our minds waiting for Book 6. Sarah confirmed she finished a draft back in July 2025, but the 2026 publishing schedule from Bloomsbury didn't list it for the first half of the year. We're looking at a late 2026 release at the earliest.
The Epic Fantasy Path: Why Throne of Glass is the GOAT
Some people will tell you to save this for last. They are wrong.
Throne of Glass (ToG) is Sarah’s first series. She started writing it when she was a teenager on FictionPress. You can actually see her grow as a writer as you flip the pages. It starts as a "girl in a competition to be the King's assassin" story and ends as an earth-shattering epic war saga.
The big debate here is The Assassin’s Blade. It’s a collection of five novellas that happen before the first book.
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If you read it first, you’ll understand the emotional weight of certain characters later. If you read it third (after Crown of Midnight), which is what Sarah J. Maas herself recommends, the "emotional damage" hits way harder. Personally? I’m a "read it third" truer.
The Throne of Glass Order:
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- The Assassin’s Blade (The Prequel – read it here for maximum tears)
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms AND Tower of Dawn (The Tandem Read)
- Kingdom of Ash
Wait, what is a tandem read?
Basically, Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn happen at the exact same time on different continents. Empire ends on a cliffhanger so big it’ll make you want to scream. If you read them one after the other, you have to wait 600 pages to find out what happened. If you read them together (swapping chapters), it’s a much more immersive, albeit chunky, experience.
Why the Order to Read Sarah Maas Books Actually Matters Now
It used to be that you could just read whatever series you liked and call it a day. That's over. The "Maasverse" is officially a thing.
When Crescent City (the urban fantasy series) hit the scene, it changed everything. Without giving away spoilers, let’s just say that by the end of House of Sky and Breath, you will be very, very confused if you haven't read the ACOTAR series.
Crescent City is dense. It’s got phones, computers, coffee shops, and about 4,000 years of history dumped on you in the first fifty pages. It’s a lot to take in.
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The Crescent City List:
- House of Earth and Blood (2020)
- House of Sky and Breath (2022)
- House of Flame and Shadow (2024)
If you haven't finished ACOTAR, do NOT touch House of Flame and Shadow. Just don't. You’ll ruin the biggest crossover in modern fantasy history.
The Final Verdict for 2026
If I were starting today, with the knowledge that more books are coming in 2026 and 2027, here is exactly how I would do it.
Start with ACOTAR. Get through all five books. It builds your stamina and gets you used to Sarah's "voice" and her favorite tropes (if she mentions "invisible lint" or "watery bowels," just drink).
Next, go to Throne of Glass. This is the meat of the meal. It’s a long journey, but by the time you reach Kingdom of Ash, you’ll be a different person. Do the tandem read for books 5 and 6. It’s worth the effort of carrying two books in your bag.
Finally, tackle Crescent City. Since these are the most recent, they tie everything together.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your library's Libby app. These books have massive waitlists, especially with the 2026 hype building for the next release.
- Download a Tandem Read guide. If you're doing Throne of Glass, you'll need a chapter-by-chapter list to know when to switch between Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn.
- Stay off the Wiki. Seriously. One accidental search for a character's name will tell you if they died or who they ended up with. The Maasverse is a spoiler minefield.
- Prepare for the "SJM Hangover." Buy a light, fluffy contemporary romance to read after you finish Kingdom of Ash. You’re going to need a palate cleanser after that emotional wreckage.