The time has come for us to return to Prythian, in anticipation of A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Court of Fractured Melody. Whether you're on Team Rhysand since day one, or still reeling from how things ended in House of Flame and Shadow, now is the perfect time to explore the Maasverse.
Brand new to SJM? If you’ve just stumbled upon ACOTAR on BookTok or from a friend’s recommendation and want to know what the hype is about, hello and welcome! We’ve got you covered!
Below is your ultimate guide to everything Maasverse: reading order, a glossary so you know who’s who and what’s what in Prythian (and also Lunathion!). We’ve also compiled bonus chapters for you from over the years.
ICYMI: Sarah J. Maas revealed the titles and covers of the upcoming ACOTAR books which are part of The Valkyrie Cycle. What are your thoughts? 👀
- A Court of Splintered Harmony (26 Oct 2026)
- A Court of Forgotten Melody (12 Jan 2027)
(Light spoiler warning: series-level descriptions ahead, no major plot twists! Let’s jump right into the Maasverse.)
Let’s Discuss! Join the conversation with other readers and fans in our dedicated Maasverse chat in the Saucy Books Clubhouse (here).
💃🏻 In celebration of the release of A Court of Splintered Harmony, we are hosting a fan experience, the Saucy Starlight Ball on the night before its official release. Secure your spot here 🪩
📖 The Reading Guide - Full Chapter Breakdown is Here!
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
The series that defined romantasy and made us fall for a certain winged fae High Lord. Start here, darlings:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses — A huntress. A curse. A very broody High Lord. You know the drill.
- A Court of Mist and Fury — The one that changes everything. Buckle up.
- A Court of Wings and Ruin — War is coming to Prythian, and nobody is safe.
- A Court of Frost and Starlight — A cozy, festive novella to catch your breath (and recover from ACOWAR).
- A Court of Silver Flames — Nessian is finally happening. Bring on the feels and get your tissues ready.
Crescent City (CC)
Fast-paced urban fantasy, and dripping with Easter eggs for ACOTAR fans, IYKYK.
- House of Earth and Blood — Half-Fae bartender. Fallen angel. A murder mystery that turns Crescent City upside down.
- House of Sky and Breath — The stakes are higher, the romance gets deeper (and hotter), the plot gets messier but in the best kind of way.
- House of Flame and Shadow — One word: Maasverse.
💫 New to the Maasverse and wondering if you need to read Crescent City before A Court of Splintered Harmony? Yes, you should. Read both series to catch every crossover moment (we won't spoil how) and Easter eggs.
Throne of Glass (ToG)
High fantasy with faeries, witches, shapeshifters and wyverns. Here’s our recommended reading order:
- Throne of Glass — An assassin, a deadly competition, and a kingdom that guards more secrets than she does.
- Crown of Midnight — Celaena's playing double agent, and every choice she makes drags her closer to a truth she can't outrun.
- Heir of Fire — Celaena crosses the sea to master a power she barely understands — and the story goes from "assassin thriller" to full-blown epic fantasy with ✨magic✨.
- Assassins Blade — A collection of short stories about Celaena’s adventures before the events of Throne of Glass (Get your tissues ready, you’ve been warned!).
- Queen of Shadows — The reunion (and reckoning) fans had been waiting for — old allies, old enemies, and a queen finally stepping into who she really is.
- Empire of Storms — The fight for a kingdom becomes a fight for a continent, and the body count starts climbing fast.
- Tower of Dawn — Chaol's journey in a new land — often overlooked, but you really shouldn't!
- Kingdom of Ash — The finale. The inevitable war looms before everyone. Every alliance is tested, and nobody comes out unscathed. Clear your schedule to mentally recover from the ending we’ve been waiting for.
✨ We recommend catching up with the Throne of Glass series before the release of A Court of Fractured Harmony in January 2027.
🗺️ Glossary & Character Guide
Let's be honest — between Courts, bloodlines, and the entire Maasverse found family, there’s a lot going on. Even the most devoted readers find themselves googling "wait, who is Jurian again?"
We’ve found some really helpful guides prepared by the biggest SJM fans that are perfect for:
- First-time readers who want a cheat sheet
- Rereaders brushing up before ACOSH comes out
- Anyone who has ever confused a "mate bond" with a "mating bond" (it's okay, we've all been there)
👉 Explore the Glossary & Character Guide created by Yaz the Bookish:
ACOTAR and Crescent City
🎁 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 @saucybooks in your reading journey — we want to know: Who’s your favourite Fae? 🦇🌙
Got questions and theories of what’s happening next? Drop by the store or join us in the Clubhouse— we're always up for a good Maasverse chat.
