So, You Want to Read the Maasverse? Here's Where to Start.

By now, almost everyone in the book world has heard the acronym ACOTAR. Whether you've read the books, spotted them all over the internet, or simply wondered what on earth everyone is talking about, it's hard to escape the phenomenon that is Sarah J. Maas.

But for those who haven't yet ventured into the Maasverse, knowing where to begin can feel a little daunting. Between Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City, there are a lot of books and some of them are very long. To make matters even more confusing, everyone seems to have a different opinion about which order you should read them in.

Having read the entire Sarah J. Maas catalogue this year, I think there are two ways to approach the Maasverse, depending on what kind of reader you are.

Fantasy Readers

If you love epic fantasy, intricate world-building, complex characters and stories that gradually build into something extraordinary, this is where I'd recommend beginning. Throne of Glass was Sarah J. Maas's first series, with its earliest draft written when she was just sixteen years old. The series begins with a young assassin who was enslaved in the Endovier salt mines. She is later allowed to compete for her freedom to become the champion of the King of Adarlan. The story develops into a multitude of layers, connections, world building and character development. There is no part of this story that isn't there for a reason. If you decide to start with Throne of Glass, buckle up.

Both options start out with entering the Maasverse with Throne of Glass. This completed series is epic and will leave you reeling for more. After that, it just depends if you want to enter a world of urban fantasy or go straight to Prythian in ACOTAR. If you think you'd enjoy piecing together the different worlds, I would go the second route with Crescent City House of Flame and Shadow after A Court of Silver Flames. The main thing to remember is that need to read the first five ACOTAR books before Crescent City 3. Trust me on this one.

Romance Readers

If you're drawn to romance, chemistry, tension, complicated relationships and a healthy dose of magic, ACOTAR is probably your perfect introduction. There's a reason this series has developed such a cult-like following. It combines an immersive fantasy world with the kind of romantic storytelling that makes you want to cancel all your plans and keep reading.

Without giving away any spoilers, don't choose to start with ACOTAR just because it's shorter than Throne of Glass. There is an overlap between Crescent City and the world of ACOTAR, and it would be a shame if you finished reading ACOTAR without giving Crescent City a chance. Not only will you be confused by the time you get to A Court of Splintered Harmony, but you would get major spoilers from Crescent City House of Flame and Shadow.

This reading order will let you immerse yourself in the more romance-driven side of Maas's series first, before tackling the epic fantasy adventure of Throne of Glass. While Throne of Glass is a masterpiece on its own; there is a theory it could overlap into A Court of Forgotten Melody. The cover looks a lot like what I imagined a Stygian spider to look like from Throne of Glass. In this reading order, I put that just before ACOFM, as we still have nine weeks to wait until it is published which should be plenty of time to finish the epic Throne of Glass series.

So, Does Reading Order Really Matter?

I believe that you can begin your Maasverse journey with either Throne of Glass or A Court of Thorns and Roses OR Crescent City. All are wonderful introductions, and your personal reading preferences should determine which one you pick up first. As the Maasverse continues to expand, the connections between the different series are becoming increasingly intertwined, hence why we call it The Maasverse. The main thing is to read ACOTAR books 1-5 before the third Crescent City novel, followed by A Court of Splintered Harmony. Beyond that, there's room to make the journey your own.

Lastly, if you're wondering whether all those books are worth the commitment? Having spent a considerable portion of my reading year immersed in the Maasverse, I can confidently say that they are.

Ready to enter the Maasverse? Shop the complete Sarah J. Maas collection at The Bookmonger here!