If you’re wondering how many books Sarah J. Maas has written, the short answer is that she has published more than a dozen novels, plus companion works and novellas. The exact total can vary depending on whether you count boxed sets, bind-ups, and short-form extras, but her core bibliography is built around three major fantasy series.
For readers trying to start, the more useful question is often not just how many books she has, but which ones belong to which series and what reading order makes the most sense. Here’s a clear guide to her published books and the best way to approach them.
How many books does Sarah J. Maas have in total?
Sarah J. Maas has written three major fantasy series—Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City—along with novellas and related companion material. If you count only the main novels, the total is currently 16 books; if you include novellas and extras, the number is higher.
What books has Sarah J. Maas written?
1. Throne of Glass series
This is Maas’s longest completed series and the one that launched her career. It follows Celaena Sardothien, an assassin drawn into court intrigue, magic, and a widening conflict that grows far beyond the first book’s competition setup.
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses series
This series blends fantasy romance, faerie lore, political conflict, and emotional transformation. It begins with a loose Beauty-and-the-Beast structure and expands into a larger world of courts, war, and shifting alliances.
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
- A Court of Mist and Fury
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
- A Court of Frost and Starlight
- A Court of Silver Flames
3. Crescent City series
This is Maas’s more contemporary-feeling fantasy series, set in a city filled with magic, technology, and supernatural factions. It combines mystery, romance, and worldbuilding in a more urban setting than her earlier series.
- House of Earth and Blood
- House of Sky and Breath
- House of Flame and Shadow
Novellas and companion works
Maas has also published shorter works connected to her series. These are not always essential for every reader, but they can deepen character backstory and fill in gaps between major installments.
- The Assassin’s Blade — a collection of prequel novellas in the Throne of Glass world
- A Court of Frost and Starlight — a shorter bridge-style installment in the ACOTAR series
What is the best Sarah J. Maas reading order?
The best reading order depends on whether you want publication order, chronological order, or the smoothest entry point. For most new readers, publication order is the safest choice, especially because Maas’s series build on one another in scope and style.
Recommended order by series
- Throne of Glass — best if you want a long, completed epic fantasy arc.
- A Court of Thorns and Roses — best if you want romance-forward fantasy with strong emotional stakes.
- Crescent City — best if you prefer an adult urban-fantasy feel and don’t mind a denser start.
Where should you start?
If you are new to Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses is often the easiest entry point for adult fantasy readers, while Throne of Glass is a strong choice for readers who want a classic series progression with a larger cast and longer payoff. Crescent City tends to work best once you already know you enjoy Maas’s style.
Why do readers ask how many books Sarah J. Maas has?
The question usually comes up because Maas’s bibliography can look confusing at first glance. Some readers want to know whether they are dealing with a single series, while others want to understand how many books they need to buy, borrow, or read before reaching the newest release.
Her books are easy to miscount
That happens because her catalog includes both full-length novels and shorter companion pieces. A reader who counts only the main novels may get a different number from someone who includes novellas, bind-ups, or special editions.
Her series are interconnected in style, not always in plot
Maas’s books are not one continuous storyline from beginning to end. Instead, each series stands on its own, even though they share some broad hallmarks: powerful heroines, romantic tension, magical systems, court politics, and escalating stakes.
What themes appear across Sarah J. Maas’s books?
Although each series has its own world and cast, Maas returns to several recurring themes. These help explain why her books appeal to readers who like character growth alongside fantasy adventure.
- Identity and self-reinvention — many protagonists begin in constrained or painful circumstances and gradually reshape who they are.
- Power and responsibility — magical ability often comes with moral and political consequences.
- Trauma and healing — characters frequently carry emotional wounds that affect their choices and relationships.
- Loyalty and found family — bonds between friends, allies, and chosen family matter as much as blood ties.
- Desire and partnership — romance is often woven into the larger arc of survival, trust, and agency.
What kind of reader tends to enjoy Sarah J. Maas?
Maas is a good fit for readers who enjoy immersive fantasy worlds, strong emotional arcs, and series that reward long-term investment. Her books often appeal to fans of romantic fantasy, court intrigue, and character-centered storytelling.
You may especially like her books if you enjoy:
- long fantasy series with evolving relationships
- high-stakes magic and political conflict
- romance blended with adventure
- protagonists who grow through hardship
- lush worldbuilding and dramatic reveals
You may want to know before starting
Her novels can include mature themes, violence, grief, and intense romantic content. The tone also shifts by series, so a reader who loves one Maas book may not respond the same way to another.
How her series differ from one another
Throne of Glass: epic fantasy first
This series begins with a premise centered on an assassin and gradually expands into a sweeping fantasy saga. It is often the most straightforward choice for readers who want a classic epic structure.
A Court of Thorns and Roses: romance and fantasy together
This series is more openly shaped by romantic tension and emotional intensity. Its later books lean into larger political and mythic conflicts, but the relationship dynamics remain central.
Crescent City: urban fantasy with a mystery edge
This series uses a modern-feeling setting and a more layered opening, with worldbuilding that unfolds gradually. Readers often find it denser at first, but rewarding if they enjoy a slower reveal.
Quick answer for readers who just want the number
Sarah J. Maas has 16 main novels across three series, plus additional novellas and companion pieces. If you count everything she has published in her major fantasy worlds, the total is higher than 16, but the exact number depends on what you include.
Final takeaway
If you came here asking how many books Sarah J. Maas has, the simplest answer is that she has three major series and 16 main novels, with a few shorter companion works added on top. For most readers, the best next step is to choose the series that matches your preferred mix of fantasy, romance, and worldbuilding.
For a closer look at her interconnected worlds, you may also want to read how Sarah J. Maas books connect and how many books are in the Throne of Glass series.