Sarah J. Maas reading guide: Which books to read if you're new to the beloved author
The popular romantasy author Sarah J. Maas has created a universe of 16 books and counting. For first-time Mass readers trying to figure out where to start, we are breaking down a reading guide.
Fantasy author Sarah J. Maas has created her own “Maasverse” with her 16 romantasy novels, selling over 70 million copies of her popular book series.
Everyone probably has one person in their friend group who has become completely entranced by the Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City series written by the #1 New York Times bestselling author. These books have gained an international fanbase through social media. It is a TikTok phenomenon, with the A Court of Thorns and Roses series hashtag accruing several billion views.
It is no exaggeration to say that these books have hooked readership worldwide. Maas’s name is widely associated with the romantasy genre, as she has built intricate fantasy worlds effortlessly blended with elements of spice and romance.
Most of the conversations you will see online involve readers debating which books and series to read first. With three growing series, there is a lot of nuance that goes into picking which book to read first.
There are multiple reading journeys you can take because there is crossover appeal between the series, with some characters making appearances outside of their original series.
“I had planted seeds in all my series about the possibility of it being a multiverse,” Maas said in an interview confirming the universe crossovers. “The worlds exist, but they’re planets and light-years away.”
Here is an explainer on ways to tackle reading the Sarah J. Maas universe:
To enter the Sarah J. Maas literary world, you may panic when you enter the bookstore, realizing there are three series consisting of 16 books, with more books in the works.
This year is actually the 10th anniversary of the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series, so there has been a decade of conversations surrounding these books.
Sarah J. Maas’ website directs readers to Bloomsbury Publishing’s reading guide for information on where to start with her books.
If you like romance
The guide says that readers who love romance should start with the Court of Thorns and Roses. This series is described as the “ultimate romantasy series,” following Feyre Archeron when she is dragged into a magical world by an immortal faery. This story is largely debated as an enemies-to-lovers arc.
If you like epic journeys
“If you love an epic fantasy series with beautiful world-building, self-discovery, found family, romance, and rogue assassins,” then you should check out Throne of Glass, the guide recommended.
This is a completed series about a land without magic ruled by a king. The assassin Celaena Sardothien is summoned to the castle, and she has to compete against killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to win her freedom.
If you like murder mysteries
For readers who enjoy a modern urban fantasy and murder mystery, the guide recommends the Crescent City series.
The guide also states, “You can read these three series in any order, but you may find the Crescent City reading experience more rewarding if you pick up the Court of Thorns and Roses series first.”
However, many fans disagree on the order of reading the books. A lot of readers recommend starting with ACOTAR, then Crescent City, and finishing off with Throne of Glass.
The opinions vary, and some books can even be read in tandem. Once you get hooked on the series and understand the plots and characters, it will be easier to navigate your reading trajectory.