A Beginners Guide To Reading All 16 Sarah J. Maas Books

Mar 14, 2024

Sarah J. Maas has taken the world (and BookTok) by storm — I mean who among us isn't waiting for all the A Court Of Thorns And Roses TV show news?! Everyone can't stop chattering about how fantastic her books are, captivating readers into entirely new worlds. For many, Maas is responsible for reigniting a love for reading thanks to her intricate characters and stories. If you've been wanting to indulge in one of her novels, but don't know where to start, have no fear! Here's a breakdown of every one of her books and the best order to read them in.

A Court of Thrones And Roses Series

A Court Of Thrones And Roses

If you've been on BookTok at all in the past few years, you've definitely heard of A Court of Thorns And Roses. It's Maas' most popular book and it's the first novel in what's become known as the "ACOTAR" series. The story follows a nineteen-year-old named Feyre who hunts a creature in the forbidden Fae lands and unknowingly kills a powerful being. Shen then gets taken to the magical realm of Prythian, where she becomes a pawn in a deadly exchange to save her loved ones and break a curse.

A Court Of Mist And Fury

Upon finishing A Court of Thrones & Roses, you'll find yourself desperate to learn more about the fantastical worlds that Maas has crafted. Luckily, there is plenty more to enjoy! A Court of Mist & Fury is the sequel to the novel and has Feyre struggling to find peace under suffocating control. As she tries to navigate that, a looming war forces her to confront her true feelings and fight for a future she had never imagined wanting.

A Court Of Wings And Ruin

The third book in the series, A Court of Wings & Ruin, does not disappoint! In it, Feyre has returned to the Spring Court in order to get information about a king who threatens to bring Prythian down. The stakes are high and one wrong move could mean doom for Feyre and her entire world. Throughout it all, Feyre must figure out who her allies are and who is ready to stab her in the back.

A Court of Frost And Starlight

A Court of Frost & Starlight pushes Feyre and her friends to rebuild the world around them and recover from a situation that turned things completely upside down. At the same time, Winter Solstice is quickly approaching, which promises to bring a sense of reprieve.

A Court Of Silver Flames

A Court of Silver Flames switches gears a little bit, as it focuses on Feyre's fiery sister, Nesta. Nesta is forced to confront the demons within her, as well as her budding feelings for a battle-scarred warrior named Cassian. The two partner up to face a threat unlike any other, which brings them closer than either could have anticipated.

Crescent City Series

House Of Earth And Blood

The Crescent City series is another one of TikTok's favorites! It has many twists and turns that become even more enjoyable to read about when you're aware of the events of A Court of Thorns and Roses. The first in the series, House of Earth and Blood, follows a half-fae named Bryce who is seeking revenge for her murdered friends. She teams up with a brooding fallen angel to uncover a dark power and finds herself in a sizzling romance along the way.

House Of Sky And Breath

A House of Sky and Breath picks up exactly where its predecessor leaves off. It takes place in the aftermath of Bryce trying to navigate her new life, a brewing rebellion, and the choice to stay silent or fight for justice.

House Of Flame And Shadow

A House of Flame and Shadow has particularly wow-ed TikTok and for good reason! It has Bryce stranded in a strange world after a shocking revelation and racing to find her way home. During her journey, she finds herself confronting the tyrannical Asteri and facing a destiny she never envisioned.

Throne of Glass Series

Thorne Of Glass

The Thorne of Glass series is aimed at young adults and is a lot less spicy than her other ones. It has one confirmed tie to ACOTAR, but fans have had a blast finding potential Easter eggs within the work. It is about an assassin named Celaena Sardothien, who after being imprisoned for a year, is offered a chance at freedom. The way to get it is to win a deadly competition to become the King's Champion, but a mysterious evil lurks within the castle wall and threatens not just her freedom, but her life.

Crown Of Midnight

I won't spoil the second book in the series, Crown of Midnight, but it is filled with all of the fantasy and intrigue of the first! Celaena finds herself in a rebellion against cruelty and has to confront the hidden dangers of what lies in front of her.

Heir Of Fire

Heir of Fire has Celaena on yet another mission. This one has her uncovering the truth about her heritage and the magic she has come to know. At the same time, a ruthless witch is faced with learning about her destiny as she defies some of her coven's most longstanding and brutal traditions.

Queen Of Shadows

Queen of Shadows has Celaena taking on a new identity and learning how to face her past at the same time. Through both of these big things, she must also confront a dark power that threatens to take over her world.

Empire Of Storms

Empire of Storms follows Celaena in disguise as she rallies allies for one of her biggest fights to date. Meanwhile, the witch from books past is faced questioning her loyalties and a runaway noblewoman desperately seeks out Celaena's help.

Tower Of Dawn

The second to last book in the series, Tower of Dawn, is a complete page-turner. A new character named Chaol Westfall becomes the focus of this book, and the character is best defined by his loyalty, strength, and role as Captain of the Guard. His world is changed, though, when his glass castle is shattered and his men are slaughtered, leaving him hurt and broken in ways he couldn't have imagined.

Kingdom Of Ash

The stakes in Kingdom of Ash are unlike any other. One character is forced to try with all her might to hold onto her will while her allies race against time to unite and confront a monster in a final, desperate battle for the fate of their entire world.

The Assassin's Blade

If you're a reader who likes to get their hands on everything in a series, you'll want to pick up a copy of The Assassins of Blood as well. It is the prequel to the Throne of Glass series and is a collection of five stories set before the events of the series. It gives you a better look into the early years of one of the main characters and is a worth-while read!

For even more fabulous reading recs, be sure to check out our storefront!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Oprah Winfrey's January Book Club Pick Is The Hopeful Self-Improvement Book You've Been Waiting For

Oprah Winfrey's book club is known for having exquisite reading picks, and the book she's chosen for the first month of 2025 is no different. The first week of January has already been challenging to say the least, ushering in loss and despair for some of us. While it's not a total fix, self-improvementbooks can help us get more in tune with ourselves during times like this — and Oprah Winfrey's January book club pick, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle, is perfect for that.

We think it's an excellent choice since more of us are looking for ways to tap into our inner humanity so we can see a little more patience and empathy.

Here's all the details about Oprah Winfrey's book club pick for January, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose.

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In collaboration with Starbucks, Oprah Winfrey shared her January pick, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose on The Oprah Podcast January 7. She and Eckhart Tolle shared a conversation about the concepts in his book while onstage at the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building. A live audience was in attendance and shared a few laughs as the renowned host and author talked about how we can transform our lives.

You can watch the full podcast episode here!

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A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle is expounding on his teachings in The Power of Now to help us finally stop making "ego-based" decisions. He feels it's time for us to live a life that's not governed by flighty definitions of happiness while also sharing ways we don't have to experience as much as mental or emotional pain.

In a world that feels more divided than ever over every little thing, we think it's a great read for those who are anxious to see a change. As this book proves, the work starts within ourselves.

Looking for more to read? Add Jenna Bush Hager's January book club pick to your TBR list next!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Sorry 'Landman' Fans, [SPOILER] Didn't Make It Out Of The Finale Alive

Landman fans, how we feeling? The first season of Taylor Sheridan's new drama came to a close on January 12 with the season finale, "The Crumbs of Hope," and it provided viewers with plenty of to think about as tensions between the cartel and M-Tex Oil came to a head — and one character suffered a potentially-fatal medical emergency.

Here's everything you need to know about the Landman season finale, including THAT (potential) character death.

What happens in the last episode of Landman?

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The last episode of Landman opens after Monty's (Jon Hamm) ruptured aortic aneurysm in episode 9 lands him in the hospital for a heart transplant...if they can find a new heart in time. (I'm getting flashbacks to Dan's heart transplant catastrophe in One Tree Hill). But based on the fact Monty flatlines and Cami (Demi Moore) and their daughters cry over his bed, things aren't looking hopeful.

Meanwhile, Tommy (Billy Bob Thornton) takes over as M-Tex Oil president, and as he works on smoothing things over between the cartel and the oil company, he gets kidnapped by the cartel, who also blow up an oil tank and drive a nail into Tommy's leg for good measure. But just when it looks like Tommy might meet his end, cartel leader Galino (Andy Garcia) wipes out the other members and helps him escape.

Billy Bob and Andy have actually been friends for awhile, but this is the first time they've acted onscreen together! "Andy is such a great guy and great actor, and when we did those scenes at the end of the last episode, it felt so good, because we kind of had us two old veterans going head to head,” Billy Bob Thornton told Variety. “It was quite an experience, and I have to say every moment of it felt real. Tommy’s dealing with someone now who is really smart. The other guys were hired to work for him, but now Tommy’s talking to the man himself. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. Since he is so smart, who knows what Tommy is going to get tricked into?”

How did Landman end last night?

Landman season 1 ends with Tommy returning home with a proposition (er, more like a friendly demand) from Galino that the oil business and the cartel become allies. After all, the cartel's interested in taking part in the industry — and seeing what it has to offer.

“The cartel and the oil industry are kind of these odd neighbors living side by side in West Texas,” co-creator Christian Wallace tells Variety. “Now Andy’s character is thinking he is going to make a change and utilize that proximity in a way that could benefit him.”

Hopefully Paramount+ greenlights Landman season 2 so we can see just what happens between Galino and Tommy in the future...and if Monty makes it out of the hospital alive.

What did you think about the Landman finale? If you're a Taylor Sheridan fan who's still reeling from those final moments — and the Yellowstone finale — check out 17 TV Shows Yellowstone Fans Should Watch Next.

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Jenna Bush Hager's New Book Club Pick Is A Family Drama That "Will Sweep You Off Your Feet"

What is it about family sagas that seem to make book clubs more interesting? Maybe it's because we know interpersonal relationships can be a little dysfunctional. It could be that we still don't know how to communicate with the people we love the most. Even if we love our parents and siblings, reading about other families' fictional twists and turns gives us a rush of adrenaline.

So it's no wonder Jenna Bush Hager's January book club pick feels like something we can read without putting down. It's full of complicated relationship dynamics, love, and reconciling one's identity with their past. You can say it's the perfect read to kick off your 2025 reading goals!

Learn more about Jenna Bush Hager's 2025 book club pick and fall in love with one character's journey of self-discovery.

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The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight

Penn should be excited about advancing her education at the University of Edinburgh, but she can't stop thinking about the secret her parents have been keeping from her. For some reason, she believes she'll uncover it while she's in Scotland because Lord Lennox — her father's friend — is in the area.

Her hunger for the truth leads her to Lord Lennox's estate where she she starts mingling with his family and even discovers love in this moving novel.

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Jenna Bush Hager's Thoughts About The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus

Jenna Bush Hager thinks readers will love The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus because "it's a rich novel" with themes of "friendship and motherhood" (via Instagram). It's so good, she's sure "it will sweep you off your feet (via Instagram).

We hope you enjoy reading about Penn's journey in The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus and encourage you to check out Reese Witherspoon's January book club pick next!

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'A Simple Favor 2' Director Has The Best Response To Rumors Blake Lively Delayed The Film

It Ends With Us has quickly become the most memorable movie of Blake Lively's career after rumors of drama between her and costar & director Justin Baldonimorphed into a full-on legal battle. And after the feud was uncovered, the internet has spiraled over what Blake Lively's relationships with her other costars are like — and whether what's happening behind the scenes of her movies are going to delay them. Well, A Simple Favor 2 director Paul Feig had the perfect response to rumors that another feud between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick caused Amazon to shelve the movie.

Here's exactly what A Simple Favor 2 director Paul Feig had to say about Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively's relationship.

Paul Feig offers a very promising update on 'A Simple Favor 2'

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- YouTube

When a viral tweet claimed that Amazon had indefinitely delayed A Simple Favor 2 because of a feud between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, director Paul Feig stepped in to clear up the rumors.

"Despite glowing test screenings, Blake Lively’s refusal to promote—amid her messy legal battle with Justin Baldoni—and growing tensions with Anna Kendrick have derailed the sequel," X user Eric B tweeted on January 10. "Anna is furious. Paul Feig is disappointed. Hollywood is in shock. This isn’t just a movie—it’s an implosion."

"This is total BS. Sorry," Feig said in his retweet that same day. "The movie is finished and coming out soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days."

And Anna Kendrick says reuniting with Blake Lively was "lovely."

Anna Kendrick also spilled on reuniting with Blake Lively, claiming that working together felt "a little bit like riding a bike."

"She lives on the East Coast, I live on the West Coast, so we don't get to see each other often," she told PEOPLE. "But it was lovely, and I think that those characters have such weird chemistry that it's so fun to just get the gang back together."

We don't know many details about the plot just yet but we do know it involves a destination wedding — and Blake Lively's Emily in a very fancy wedding dress. Stephanie and Emily "head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman," according to the movie's synopsis (via People). "Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square."

Sign me up!

Check out The Best Blake Lively Movies to get ready for A Simple Favor 2.

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Here's What Hit '90s Show You Should Rewatch Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Are you anxiously waiting for new TV shows to debut this year? Me too, particularly Meghan Markle's series With Love, Megan (January 15). But, we at Brit + Co have the perfect buffer that'll hold you over — revisiting the '90s.

Instead of trying to cram the likes of Dawson's Creek or Sex and the City into one weekend, we have the best show you should watch based on your zodiac! We've already made cozy plans to curl up with a cute blanket from T.J. Maxx so we can watch endless reruns of the shows associated with our signs, and we hope you join us!

Scroll to find the '90s show that perfectly matches your zodiac sign!

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Aries (March 21 - April 19): Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Bold, fearless, and always ready for a fight, Aries will love Buffy's courageous spirit and kick-ass attitude. She's got all the makings of a fire sign who means business.

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Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Friends

Taureans appreciate stability and comfort. Friends offers warm, familiar characters and a cozy, sitcom vibe. If you really want to tap into this vibe, call your besties and have an impromptu watch party!

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Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Felicity

Curious and ever-changing, Geminis will relate to Felicity's journey of self-discovery and her endless quest for knowledge. There's also the inevitable complicated relationship Felicity has with Ben and Noel that's hard to resist.

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Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Moesha

Cancerians are nurturing and empathetic. They'll connect with Moesha's family-oriented values and emotional depth. Though she didn't get everything right, Moesha always tried to remedy things whenever they went wrong — just like a true Cancer.

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Leo (July 23 - August 22): Beverly Hills, 90210

Leos love the spotlight and drama. 90210 delivers glamorous characters, high-stakes situations, and plenty of over-the-top moments.

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Virgo (August 23 - September 22): The X-Files

Virgos are analytical and detail-oriented. The X-Files offers a perfect blend of mystery, science, and a touch of the paranormal. What's not to love?

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Libra (September 23 - October 22): Sex and the City

Libras appreciate beauty, balance, and social connections. Sex and the City explores love, friendship, and fashion in a stylish and sophisticated way.

P.S. We won't be shocked if some of you discover you're more of a 'Charlotte' than a 'Carrie.'

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Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Charmed

Intense and passionate, Scorpios will be drawn to the supernatural world of the Charmed Ones, filled with dark magic and powerful sisterhood.

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Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Adventurous and optimistic, Sagittarians will enjoy the Fresh Prince's witty humor, vibrant personality, and knack for getting into trouble.

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Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Dawson’s Creek

Ambitious and disciplined, Capricorns will appreciate Dawson's intellectual pursuits and the show's exploration of complex relationships and coming-of-age themes.

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Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Daria

Quirky and independent, Aquarians will identify with Daria's unique perspective and her ability to see through societal norms. It's also not surprising that Daria has what some call a 'black cat' personality because Aquarians can have a dry sense of humor that's borderline sarcastic.

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Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

Dreamy and imaginative, Pisces will love Sabrina's magical adventures and her ability to navigate the challenges of adolescence with a touch of magic.

Revisit your weekly horoscope to see if our predictions for your zodiac came true this week!

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