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Want to read Sarah J. Maas’s books in order without getting lost between assassins, fae courts, and modern fantasy cities? This guide explains the best reading order for the Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), and Crescent City series, including where to place the Throne of Glass prequel novellas. The simplest approach is to read each series separately, in publication order; there is no required order across all three.
There is no single correct starting point. Choose based on the story you want: Throne of Glass begins with an assassin competing for her freedom, ACOTAR follows a mortal drawn into the world of the Fae, and Crescent City blends urban fantasy, mystery, and romance.
New to Maas? Publication order is a straightforward choice because it follows how the books appeared and avoids moving between different fictional worlds. Already know which premise appeals to you? Start with that series instead. You will not need to read the other two first to understand its opening book.
Throne of Glass has the most debated reading order because its prequel stories are collected in The Assassin’s Blade. For a first read, two common approaches work: read the prequel collection first for chronological context, or begin with Throne of Glass and read The Assassin’s Blade later in the series.
If you want the books in publication order, follow this sequence:
The Assassin’s Blade brings together stories about Celaena Sardothien’s earlier life. Reading it first gives you that background upfront; placing it after Crown of Midnight lets you meet her in the main series before looking back. If you prefer strict story chronology, put the prequel collection before Throne of Glass. Keep Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn in mind as paired entries in the later storyline; readers often choose to read them consecutively or use a spoiler-aware tandem guide.
For ACOTAR, read the main books in publication order:
The first three novels form a major arc, while A Court of Frost and Starlight is a shorter bridge into the later story. It is worth reading before A Court of Silver Flames if you want the relationship and character developments to unfold in sequence. Don’t skip it just because it is shorter than the novels.
Read Crescent City in publication order: House of Earth and Blood, House of Sky and Breath, then House of Flame and Shadow. The books follow Bryce Quinlan in a contemporary fantasy setting filled with supernatural factions, city politics, and a central mystery.
Read the first two books before the third; later developments rely on knowledge established earlier. If you plan to read ACOTAR as well, finishing that series before continuing through Crescent City can help you catch connections and references. It is an optional reading strategy, not a prerequisite for starting House of Earth and Blood.
The three series differ in setting and format, but their reading logic is similar: begin with the first main installment and follow publication order. Throne of Glass is a completed eight-book sequence when the prequel collection is included; ACOTAR and Crescent City have their own distinct entry points and ongoing publication histories. Check the publisher’s current catalog for the latest editions and audiobook or ebook options.
For bibliographic details, editions, and publication information, consult the publisher’s official Sarah J. Maas author page. This is especially useful if you are choosing between a collected edition, an individual novella collection, or a particular format.
Pick Throne of Glass if you want an action-led fantasy about an assassin, competition, and a widening world. Choose A Court of Thorns and Roses for romantic fantasy built around Fae realms and court intrigue. Start House of Earth and Blood if you prefer an urban setting, an investigative plot, and a larger ensemble cast.
Want the least complicated plan? Choose one series, start with its first main book, and keep going in publication order. If you are beginning Throne of Glass, decide whether you want the prequel stories before the main novel or after Crown of Midnight; then settle in for the journey.
No. The three series are separate reading journeys, and you do not need to alternate between them. Choose the series whose premise appeals to you, then read its books in publication order. Reading ACOTAR before Crescent City is an optional way to catch certain connections, not a requirement for understanding either series.
Either order works, depending on what you prefer. Reading The Assassin’s Blade first gives you Celaena’s backstory before the main series begins. For publication order, start with Throne of Glass, read Crown of Midnight, and then read The Assassin’s Blade. The collection is also a good choice for readers who want the story in chronological order.
You can, but it serves as a bridge between A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Silver Flames. Reading it helps character and relationship developments unfold in sequence. If you want the fullest context before starting Silver Flames, keep it in the publication-order sequence rather than treating it as an unrelated extra.
No. You can begin Crescent City with House of Earth and Blood without reading ACOTAR first. However, finishing ACOTAR before continuing through Crescent City can help you recognize connections and references in the later books. This is an optional reading strategy; the opening Crescent City book does not require prior knowledge of Maas’s other series.
They are paired entries in the later Throne of Glass storyline, and many readers read them consecutively in publication order: Empire of Storms followed by Tower of Dawn. Some readers instead use a spoiler-aware tandem guide to alternate chapters between them. The article recommends considering them together but does not make tandem reading necessary.
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