5 Sarah J. Maas Books New Readers Should Start With

Sarah J. Maas has become one of the biggest names in fantasy over the last decade and it honestly feels impossible to talk about modern fantasy without mentioning her. Whether you discovered her through BookTok, saw endless fan art online, or had friends constantly telling you to read A Court of Thorns and Roses, there is a good chance you have at least heard her name before.

And while her books are massively popular, getting started with Sarah J. Maas can actually feel a little overwhelming for new readers. She has multiple large fantasy series, interconnected worlds, long books, and passionate fanbases that make everything sound intimidating. I completely understand why some readers hesitate before jumping in.

But the truth is that Sarah J. Maas writes incredibly addictive fantasy stories that are surprisingly easy to get pulled into. Once you connect with one of her worlds, it becomes very difficult to stop reading. Her books combine fantasy, romance, action, political drama, emotional character arcs, and just enough mystery to keep readers turning pages late into the night.

Some series are definitely stronger starting points than others though. Not every Sarah J. Maas book feels equally beginner friendly, especially if you are still getting into fantasy as a genre.

So if you have been wondering where to begin, here are the Sarah J. Maas books I think new readers should start with.

5 Sarah J. Maas Books New Readers Should Start With

• A Court of Thorns and Roses
• Throne of Glass
• House of Earth and Blood
• A Court of Mist and Fury
• The Assassin’s Blade

A Court of Thorns and Roses

If there is one Sarah J. Maas book that completely took over the internet, it is A Court of Thorns and Roses. This is easily the best entry point for most new readers and honestly the book that turned Sarah J. Maas into a global phenomenon.

The story follows Feyre, a young woman struggling to survive who is pulled into the dangerous and magical world of the fae after killing a wolf in the woods. What starts as a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling slowly evolves into something much larger filled with political tension, deadly magic, romance, and war.

What makes this series such a strong starting point is how readable it is. The writing feels accessible, the pacing moves quickly, and the worldbuilding never becomes too overwhelming. Even readers who normally avoid fantasy often end up loving this series because the emotional relationships and character dynamics are front and center.

And while the first book is good, most fans will tell you the series truly explodes with A Court of Mist and Fury. That second book is what completely hooked me into the world and made me understand why readers obsess over these characters.

This series is perfect for readers who want:

• Romance-heavy fantasy
• Emotional character relationships
• Fast-paced storytelling
• Easy-to-follow fantasy worlds
• Addictive series with major cliffhangers

If you only read one Sarah J. Maas series as a new reader, this is probably the safest choice.

Throne of Glass

Before ACOTAR became massive, Throne of Glass was the series that introduced many readers to Sarah J. Maas. It remains one of her most beloved works and honestly feels more like a traditional fantasy adventure compared to her newer books.

The story follows Celaena Sardothien, an infamous assassin who is offered freedom if she competes in a deadly tournament to become the king’s champion.

At first, the series feels fairly straightforward, but it slowly transforms into a much larger epic fantasy story with massive stakes, complex politics, magic, kingdoms at war, and one of the most satisfying character journeys Sarah J. Maas has written.

One thing I always tell new readers is that this series gets significantly better as it goes on. The early books are enjoyable, but once the story expands beyond the castle setting, the series becomes something special.

Celaena is also one of Sarah J. Maas’s strongest protagonists. She is confident, flawed, emotional, dangerous, and surprisingly vulnerable beneath all of her arrogance. Watching her grow throughout the series is one of the biggest reasons people become attached to these books.

This series is best for readers who want:

• Epic fantasy adventures
• Strong female protagonists
• Less romance-focused storytelling
• Large-scale worldbuilding
• Long character development arcs

It is definitely a commitment since the series is long, but for fantasy fans, it is absolutely worth it.

House of Earth and Blood

Crescent City is probably Sarah J. Maas’s most divisive series, but I still think House of Earth and Blood deserves a spot on this list because of how ambitious and emotional it is.

Unlike her other series, this one leans heavily into urban fantasy. The world is modern, filled with magical creatures, technology, political corruption, and layered mysteries. The story follows Bryce Quinlan after a brutal tragedy changes her life forever.

I will admit this book has a rougher start for some readers. The opening chapters throw a massive amount of information at you and the worldbuilding can feel overwhelming initially. But once the story settles in, it becomes incredibly addictive.

What surprised me most about this book was how emotional it became. Beneath all the fantasy politics and supernatural mysteries is a story about grief, friendship, trauma, and healing. Sarah J. Maas writes emotional payoff extremely well and this book might contain some of her strongest emotional moments overall.

I would not necessarily recommend starting here unless you already enjoy fantasy, but readers who want something more mature and modern may absolutely love it.

This series works best for readers who enjoy:

• Urban fantasy settings
• More mature characters
• Emotional storytelling
• Mystery-focused plots
• Modern fantasy worlds

A Court of Mist and Fury

Technically this is the second ACOTAR book, but I genuinely think it deserves its own section because this is the novel that transformed the series from popular fantasy romance into a cultural phenomenon.

I know recommending the second book in a series sounds strange, but almost everyone I know who loves Sarah J. Maas points to this book as the moment they became obsessed.

Without spoiling anything, this story expands the world dramatically while completely reshaping relationships, character motivations, and emotional stakes. The romance becomes far stronger, the characters gain more depth, and the story evolves into something much more emotionally satisfying.

It is one of those rare sequels that improves almost every aspect of the first book.

Honestly, if you finish A Court of Thorns and Roses and feel only mildly interested, keep going. There is a very good chance A Court of Mist and Fury will completely change your opinion of the series.

The Assassin’s Blade

I know some readers debate when this book should be read, but I think The Assassin’s Blade is actually a fantastic introduction to Sarah J. Maas for readers who are unsure about committing to a huge fantasy series immediately.

This collection of prequel novellas explores Celaena’s life before Throne of Glass and gives readers a deeper understanding of her character, relationships, and emotional scars.

What I like most about this book is that it allows readers to experience Sarah J. Maas’s storytelling style in smaller pieces before jumping into an enormous series commitment. Some of the stories are emotional, some action-heavy, and others surprisingly heartbreaking.

It also makes later events in Throne of Glass hit significantly harder emotionally.

For new readers who want a smaller starting point before diving into an eight-book fantasy series, this is honestly a great option.

Why Sarah J. Maas Works So Well for New Fantasy Readers

One reason Sarah J. Maas has become so successful is because her books act as gateway fantasy for many readers. People who normally never touch fantasy somehow end up devouring entire 700-page books in a matter of days.

A huge part of that comes from how character-driven her stories are. Even when the plots become massive and world-ending, the emotional core always revolves around relationships, trauma, love, friendship, loyalty, and personal growth.

Her books are also incredibly readable. The prose is accessible, the pacing is designed to keep readers hooked, and there is almost always some emotional or dramatic reveal waiting around the corner.

That does not mean every book is perfect. Some readers dislike her repetitive phrases, certain pacing choices, or heavy romance elements. But there is no denying how effective her storytelling is when it comes to creating addictive reading experiences.

And honestly, sometimes you just want books that completely pull you into another world and refuse to let go. Sarah J. Maas is very good at delivering exactly that.

Final Thoughts

Sarah J. Maas may feel intimidating at first because of how massive her fanbase and series have become, but her books are actually some of the easiest fantasy novels to get invested in emotionally.

For most new readers, A Court of Thorns and Roses is probably the best place to start. If you prefer more traditional fantasy, go with Throne of Glass. And if you already love urban fantasy and want something more mature, try House of Earth and Blood.

No matter where you begin, there is a good chance you will quickly understand why Sarah J. Maas has become one of the defining fantasy authors of this generation.

Her books are emotional, dramatic, immersive, addictive, and nearly impossible to stop reading once they finally click with you. Until next time, happy reading!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook