Sarah J. Maas is a New York Times and international bestselling author whose works have become modern cornerstones of the romantasy genre. From a young age she developed a love for storytelling, often drawing inspiration from fairy tales, epic fantasies, and musical soundtracks. She began writing her debut novel, Queen of Glass, at just 16, initially sharing chapters on FictionPress.com, where it gained a passionate online following. The novel was eventually acquired by Bloomsbury and published in 2012 under the title Throne of Glass. Maas’ second major series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, blends Beauty and the Beast–inspired romance with sweeping high fantasy and has become a cultural phenomenon with a loyal fanbase. Her newest series, Crescent City, marks her first foray into adult urban fantasy, combining modern settings with magical realms. All her series feature strong female protagonists and avid fans have noted similarities between the worlds in her series with the third book of Crescent City introducing the first official crossover with A Court of Thorns and Roses. Her works have sold millions of copies worldwide, been translated into over 30 languages, and although there have been multiple attempts to adapt her work for TV, so far none of her works have made it to the big screen.
Throne of Glass
What is Throne of Glass about?
Throne of Glass is a spellbinding young adult fantasy series set in a richly woven world of magic, power, and destiny. Spanning eight full-length novels and including a prelude of five novellas, this bestselling fantasy epic introduces readers to Celaena Sardothien, a skilled assassin with a mysterious past and a fate intertwined with the survival of her world. Set in the vivid, dangerous realm of Erilea, the series delves into court intrigue, ancient magic, brewing rebellions, and a centuries-old evil seeking to return.
Throne of Glass is unique in that it has three reading orders, each offering a unique way to experience the series. Sarah J. Maas wrote 5 prequels in the middle of the series, which were later compiled into their own prequel novel, The Assassin’s Blade. Each reading order has its own merit and varies based on when it recommends reading the prequel novel.
Throne of Glass: Publication Order (Emotional Impact)
Bloomsbury recommends first-time readers follow the original Publication Order, which is the way Sarah J. Maas wrote the books and how she initially intended them to be read. This reading order is also referred to as the Emotional Order, focusing on the emotional impact of the story, prioritizing character development, friendships, and the overall arc of the protagonist’s growth. Hardcore fans recommend this order because you get to meet and fall in love with the characters in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight and then reading the prequel in the 3rd spot is a fun dive into the past with a lot of hidden easter eggs. This is generally regarded as the default reading order and places The Assassin’s Blade in the 3rd spot.
Throne of Glass: Purist Order (Chronological Timeline)
The second reading order is referred to as the Purist Order, which follows the series chronologically and places the prequel at the start of the series. This method offers a more logical understanding of Celaena’s motives and background as we learn about her traumatic past from the start. Later when you encounter characters in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight you know her backstory and the importance of certain figures from her past. I personally prefer this order and discuss the books following this order. This method has a strong logical flow and is good for those who do not want to read a prequel randomly in the middle of the series. This places The Assassin’s Blade in the 1st spot.
Throne of Glass: Romantic Order (Romantic Impact)
The third and last reading order is the Romantic Order, which prioritizes the development of the romantic relationships in the series and gives more attention to the progression of the protagonist’s personal life. It’s a compelling option for readers who love a well-timed romantic payoff. This is similar to the Publication Order where readers fall in love with the characters in the first few books and then get a throwback that deep dives into the protagonist’s past and learn more about her history. This places The Assassin’s Blade in the 4th spot.
Throne of Glass: Tandem Read
Another fun quirk of the Throne of Glass series is the tandem read. Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn take place concurrently with each book covering different characters’ point of views for the same events. This has led dedicated fans to creating a tandem reading schedule, where readers alternate between different chapters in each book. This is highly recommended by dedicated fans for a more immersive experience.
What is A Court of Thorns and Roses about?
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) introduces readers to a lush, magical world where humans and faeries exist in a fragile balance. The story follows Feyre, a young human huntress, who unwittingly sets off a chain of events that forces her into the mysterious and perilous Fae realms of Prythian. As she navigates this new world, Feyre must confront ancient magic, uncover hidden truths, and discover the strength to save both the mortal and Fae worlds.
The ACOTAR series has become a cultural phenomenon, with a massive following on BookTok, a community of book lovers on TikTok. This series single handedly got me back into reading after a 3-year hiatus from school and work burn out. It’s fun, it’s spicy, it’s the perfect pick me up series!
What are all the books in A Court of Thorns and Roses?
There are currently 5 released ACOTAR books with 3 more planned books. Book 6 is set to be released on October 27, 2026 and book 7 is set to be released on January 12, 2027. No release date for book 8 yet.
Check out my post for a live countdown for ACOTAR 6!
Check out my post for a live countdown for ACOTAR 7!
What is Crescent City about?
Crescent City is a captivating series that blends urban fantasy with high-stakes mystery adventure, set in the world of Midgard, where modern technology coexists with ancient magic. This sprawling realm is populated by Fae, angels, shifters, witches, and demons. At the heart of the story is Bryce Quinlan, a half-human, half-Fae party girl who hides her immense grief and resilience behind sharp wit and a carefree facade. Her life takes a dark turn after the brutal murder of her closest friend, an event that shatters her world and plunges her into a harrowing quest for justice. Joining her is Hunt Athalar, a brooding and powerful fallen angel enslaved as an assassin, whose own tortured past makes him a reluctant but formidable ally. Together, the unlikely pair is tasked with unraveling a conspiracy that reaches deep into the city’s corrupt underbelly and reveals sinister forces that threaten not only Crescent City but the entire realm.
What are all the books in Crescent City?
There are currently 3 released books with a 4th book in the works, no release date has been announced yet. Crescent City will be coming soon to Erosophony!
What are all the Sarah J. Maas' Bonus Chapters?
Bonus Chapters! Can’t live with them and can’t live without them. Over the years, Sarah J. Maas has released several bonus chapters as special releases or as promotional events with retail partners. They’re not essential to the plot but are fun sneak peeks into the characters’ lives. Go here to see the Sarah J. Maas Bonus Chapters.