If you’re stepping into the worlds created by Sarah J. Maas in 2026, you’re entering something much bigger than three separate fantasy series. What began as distinct stories—A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City—has evolved into a layered, interconnected reading experience.
The challenge now isn’t just what to read—it’s how to read it in a way that maximises emotional impact, avoids confusion, and lets you fully appreciate the expanding multiverse.
This guide walks you through exactly that—no overwhelm, just clarity.
Understanding the Three Series
Each series offers a very different kind of fantasy experience, and knowing that upfront helps shape your reading strategy.
Throne of Glass is classic epic fantasy. It starts relatively small but builds into a sweeping, high-stakes story filled with political intrigue, war, and long-term character development. It’s the most complete and structurally traditional of the three.
A Court of Thorns and Roses leans heavily into romance and character relationships. It’s emotionally intense, faster-paced, and often easier to get hooked on quickly.
Crescent City is the most modern and complex. It blends fantasy with technology, introduces dense world-building early on, and plays a major role in tying the wider universe together.
The Best Reading Orders (2026 Updated)
There isn’t just one “correct” order anymore—it depends on what kind of experience you want.
Beginner-Friendly Order (Recommended)
The smoothest way to experience everything is to start with Throne of Glass, move into A Court of Thorns and Roses, and finish with Crescent City.
This works especially well because Throne of Glass is fully complete, giving you a satisfying, contained story before moving into the more interconnected and evolving narratives. Then ACOTAR eases you into stronger emotional storytelling before Crescent City introduces the most complex lore and crossover elements.
If you want a journey that builds naturally in both scale and complexity, this is the way to go.
Publication Order (For Lore Purists)
Reading in publication order gives you the closest experience to how the fandom originally discovered the world.
You begin with the early Throne of Glass books, then transition into the first ACOTAR instalment, and continue weaving between the series as they were released. Eventually, you finish with Crescent City.
This approach preserves mystery and reveals information gradually. It’s ideal if you care about catching subtle hints and seeing how the universe evolved over time.
Multiverse-Aware Order (Advanced Readers)
By 2026, connections between the series are no longer subtle. If you want to fully appreciate those links, a more strategic order helps.
Start with all of Throne of Glass, then read the first three ACOTAR books. After that, move into the first Crescent City book before returning to later ACOTAR instalments. Finish with the remaining Crescent City books.
This structure aligns major reveals and makes crossover moments feel intentional rather than confusing. It’s especially rewarding for readers who enjoy theory-building and spotting connections.
Tandem Reading Explained (Throne of Glass)
One of the most talked-about parts of reading Throne of Glass is the option to “tandem read” two of its later books: Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn.
These novels take place at the same time but follow different characters in different locations. Reading them together means alternating between the two every few chapters so events unfold in parallel.
A simple way to approach it is to read a handful of chapters from Empire of Storms, then switch to Tower of Dawn, and keep alternating until both are complete. It doesn’t have to be perfectly synchronised—the goal is to maintain a sense of shared timeline rather than exact alignment.
That said, tandem reading isn’t for everyone. If you prefer staying immersed in one storyline without interruption, it’s completely fine to read them separately. You won’t miss anything essential—you’ll just experience the timeline differently.
Here is a helpful guide of how you might read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn in tandem:
- Empire of Storms: Nightfall – Chapter 5
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 1
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 6–8
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 2–3
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 9–10
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 4–6
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 11
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 7
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 12–13
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 8–10
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 14–16
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 11–12
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 17–18
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 13–16
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 19
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 17
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 20–23
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 18–21
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 24–25
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 22–23
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 26
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 24
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 27–29
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 25–28
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 30
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 29–31
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 31
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 32
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 32
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 33–35
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 33–51
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 36–37
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 52
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 38–40
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 53
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 41–42
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 54–56
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 43
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 57–59
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 44–48
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 60–61
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 49–51
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 62–63
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 52–53
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 64–65
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 54–56
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 66–67
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 57
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 68–75
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 58–Fireheart
Choosing Where to Start
Your ideal starting point depends on what you enjoy most in fantasy.
If you love deep world-building, long-term character arcs, and high-stakes storytelling, Throne of Glass is the strongest entry point.
If you’re drawn to romance, emotional tension, and fast-paced character dynamics, A Court of Thorns and Roses will likely hook you faster.
If you’re curious about the bigger universe and don’t mind a heavier, more complex start, Crescent City offers the richest lore—but it’s best appreciated after reading at least one of the other series.
What to Expect Going In
Each series demands something different from the reader.
Throne of Glass requires patience early on but delivers one of the biggest payoffs. It’s the longest and most emotionally intense overall.
ACOTAR is easier to get into and emotionally gripping from the start, but it leans more heavily on relationships than intricate plotting.
Crescent City has the steepest learning curve due to its dense world-building, but it becomes increasingly rewarding as connections to the wider universe unfold.
The Best Overall Strategy for 2026
If you’re unsure, the most balanced approach is simple:
Start with Throne of Glass, continue with A Court of Thorns and Roses, then move into Crescent City. After finishing, consider revisiting parts of ACOTAR or Crescent City.
A re-read might sound like a big commitment—but it’s where everything clicks. Details that seemed minor suddenly carry major significance once you understand the broader world.
Final Thoughts
What makes these series special in 2026 isn’t just their individual stories—it’s how they’re beginning to connect.
This isn’t a race. Take breaks between series, enjoy the different tones, and read in a way that fits your style. Whether you follow a strict order or just dive in where your interest pulls you, the experience will still be worth it.
Because once you enter this world, it’s very hard to leave.