In the Correct, Non-Negotiable Order - only kidding, reading is subjective - and whatever makes you happy.
Some authors write books. Sarah J. Maas built a whole world, then two more, and then quietly stitched them all together so you'd need a corkboard and red string to fully appreciate it. If you've been eyeing her shelf at Ink & Ember (online or in store) and wondering where on earth to begin, pull up a chair. We've read it all, argued about it amongst ourselves, and we're ready to hand you a map.
First Stop: A Court of Thorns and Roses
This is where most of us started, the gateway drug, and we'd still point a new reader here first. It's romantic, it's dramatic, and it eases you into the wider world without throwing you straight into the deep end.
The order (mercifully, this is just publication order):
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (buy it here)
- A Court of Mist and Fury (buy it here)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin (buy it here)
- A Court of Frost and Starlight (buy it here)
- A Court of Silver Flames (buy it here)
- A Court of Splintered Harmony: Publishing on October 27th 2026 (pre-order here)
- A Court of Forgotten Melody: Publishing on January 12th 2027 (pre-order here)
You can pre-order book 6 and 7 together for a special 10% off!
Plus want to get a full matching set of the first 5 in paperback or hardback? We got you!
Heat check: things warm up considerably by book two, and book five turns the temperature up further still. Consider yourself gently warned, or gently delighted, depending on your disposition.
Best suited to: romance readers, fae enthusiasts, and anyone with a weakness for slow burns, soul bonds, and hard-won healing.
Second Stop: Throne of Glass
Once ACOTAR has its hooks in you, this is where things get serious. If we had to pick a single favourite series to hand-sell, this would be it, and we'd probably get a little emotional doing so.
Our recommended order:
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- The Assassin's Blade (yes, third — this is a constant point of debate with Maas fans)
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
You can buy the whole box set from us or book by book!
Reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn back to back rather than alternating chapter by chapter works perfectly well — nothing is lost, and the ending still lands with its full weight. Do not stress yourself out over 'tandem reads'.
Lighter on spice than ACOTAR, but heavier on nearly everything else: stakes, political intrigue, magic systems, and character arcs that unfold over thousands of pages. It's a masterclass in patience rewarded.
Best suited to: epic fantasy devotees, multi-POV lovers, and readers who want to watch a character grow across an entire series rather than a single book.
Last Stop: Crescent City
Save this one for the end, seriously. The urban fantasy setting and the cross-series references reward the reader who's already spent time in the other two worlds — book three in particular pulls threads from everywhere, and it's far more satisfying if you've earned it.
The order:
- House of Earth and Blood (buy it here)
- House of Sky and Breath (buy it here)
- House of Flame and Shadow (buy it here)
Best suited to: urban fantasy fans, slow-burn mystery lovers, and anyone who enjoys a magic system with a bit of tech woven through it.
For the Purists: SJM's Own Recommended Order
Straight from the source, the official reading order runs by series in publication order — Throne of Glass, then ACOTAR, then Crescent City — with Throne of Glass read in this specific sequence: 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. The only real point of departure from our own path above is where The Assassin's Blade lands, and either placement works.
A Rereading Tip, From Us to You
If a reread is on the cards, consider giving your eyes a rest and letting your ears take over. Full-cast audio productions of ACOTAR and Crescent City already exist with proper cinematic sound design, and Throne of Glass is due to join them. It's a lovely way to revisit a favourite chapter on a walk, a train journey, or curled up with a pot of tea.
And you can listen to this entire collection over on our favourite audiobook app of choice: LibroFM. We've got a special offer for you here too!
Best suited to: anyone who wants to fall back in love with a series they thought they already knew by heart.
A very special BONUS GIFT from us to you
Bonus Chapters
Yes, there's more. Sarah J. Maas has compiled bonus chapters and extra scenes for readers who want a little something extra — think alternate POVs, deleted scenes, and moments that didn't make the final cut but are too good to skip.
Consider this your reward for making it this far into the blogpost. 😉
👉 Get the Bonus Chapters curated by our friend Kimberley at The Booknook here
Ready to Dive In?
Whether you're starting your first reread or finally picking up book one, we've got you covered. Shop our full ACOTAR and Crescent City collection in-store and online — exclusive bookish merch included.
📍 Shop the Maasverse Collection here
And don't forget to tag us @Inkandemberbookseller in your reading journey — we want to know: Who’s your favourite Fae? 🦇🌙
Whichever door into the Maasverse you choose, we'll have the kettle on and a shelf waiting. Come find us.
— Ink & Ember