Sarah J. Maas Reading Order: How to Prep for the New ACOTAR Novels

Author Sarah J. Maas is releasing two new “A Court of Thorns and Roses” novels, titled “A Court of Splintered Harmony” on October 27, 2026, and “A Court of Forgotten Melody” on January 12, 2027, according to announcements from the author. The upcoming books will form a single story arc alongside a third unnamed book, shaping an interconnected literary universe known to fans as the Maasiverse.

The first of the upcoming releases, “A Court of Splintered Harmony,” will contain “Movement I,” while “A Court of Forgotten Melody” will feature “Movements II and III,” as revealed by the book covers. A third unnamed book will conclude the arc with “Movement IV,” following details shared by Maas on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in March 2026. The bestselling author told host Alex Cooper that the books are meant to be read as one massive story rather than a traditional trilogy.

Reading Order Strategy for the Maasiverse

With 16 published books across the “ACOTAR,” “Throne of Glass,” and “Crescent City” series, navigating the catalog requires a structured approach. The events of the third “Crescent City” book, “House of Flame and Shadow,” created drastic changes in Prythian after its release in January 2024. Consequently, readers should familiarize themselves with all previous “ACOTAR” and “Crescent City” titles to fully understand the backdrop of the new installments.

To prepare for the sixth and seventh “A Court of Thorns and Roses” books, readers should start with the first three installments focused on Feyre Archeron. These include “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” “A Court of Mist and Fury,” and “A Court of Wings and Ruin.” These early volumes introduce the faerie world of Prythian and establish Maas’ world-building style before the narrative shifts perspectives.

Integrating Throne of Glass and Crescent City

Following the initial “ACOTAR” trilogy, readers can transition to the “Throne of Glass” series, which follows the imprisoned assassin Celaena Sardothien. The recommended reading order for this series places “The Assassin’s Blade” after “Heir of Fire” to preserve narrative suspense, followed by “Queen of Shadows,” “Empire of Storms,” “Tower of Dawn,” and “Kingdom of Ash.”

After completing “Throne of Glass,” readers should return to the “ACOTAR” series with “A Court of Frost and Starlight” and “A Court of Silver Flames.” These titles shift the focus to Nesta Archeron, bridging the narrative directly into the “Crescent City” books. The complete “Crescent City” trilogy—consisting of “House of Earth and Blood,” “House of Sky and Breath,” and “House of Flame and Shadow”—lays the groundwork for the state of Prythian when “A Court of Splintered Harmony” begins.