Secrets to Reading the SJM Universe
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One thing is for sure SJM is one of the most talked about authors across social media. Book fanatics have strong opinions about what she writes. Seriously A Court of Thorns and Roses is at the top of everyone’s list and the hashtag #ACOTAR has over 5 billion uses. Suffice it to say that it has piqued your interest. Whether it was Bryce from Crescent City. “the Bat Boys” or the reference to their wingspans, Calaena Sardothien the world’s best assassin. Or the sweet sound of Rhysand’s words to Feyre that every woman swoons over. You are likely to have come across SJM at some point.
But the maas (pun intended) of the multiverse may have led to some confusion. And if you are new to SJM and her work, you may be wondering where you should start. Is the way to go Throne of Glass since that was her debut series? Or maybe A Court of Thorns and Roses? Maybe you’ve only read Crescent City?
Here’s Where to Start in the SJM Multiverse!
Many would say start with Throne of Glass. In my opinion, the best way to start the SJM megaverse is the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. This series first published in 2015, begins with the Norwegian fairie tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon. 19-year-old Feyre Acheron kills a faerie disguised as a wolf to help feed and clothe her destitute family. That is until she is whisked away to Prythian to pay her debt for killing the beast. Feyre quickly realizes that all of the stories she’s heard growing up of the fae’s nature aren’t quite what they were told to be.
The series features four books and a novella in total. The first three books in the series do not feature any overlap with any other storylines. A Court of Silver Flames does feature minor details from Throne of Glass‘ final installment Kingdom of Ash. There are set to be later books in the ACOTAR series that will crossover to the timeline in the Crescent City series.
“Don’t feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.”
Here is the reading order for the A Court of Thorns and Roses series:
- “A Court of Thorns and Roses”
- “A Court of Mist and Fury”
- “A Court of Wings and Ruin”
- “A Court of Frost and Starlight” (novella)
- “A Court of Silver Flames”
A Court of Frost and Starlight is a novella some say that you can skip it, but I say DON’T. You will regret it. A Court of Frost and Starlight is sweet and romantic and will have you teary and swooning over love. It was so magical and vibes just vibes. You can read it in one sitting practically. You have to read about Starfall. Read it.
Why We Say Start Here
While the Throne of Glass series is the debut series, we understand why other creators say to start with Throne of Glass. But, A Court of Thorns and Roses was much more digestible than TOG. ACOTAR is incredibly immersive and epic. Setting the scene and giving you picturesque worlds. The romances are lyrical and intense. The adventures are thrilling and agonizing and all of it is held together through excellent planning and foresight, thus the multiverse.
Contrastly, and, speaking strictly from a literary standpoint while TOG is a strong series in its own right; you can tell that it is a debut. And, that It was written while the author was in their teens. Currently, we are reading Throne of Glass and at times the writing feels lazy. Names (although written before the ACOTAR series) feel repetitive and too close to names used in that series confusing us and making us want to say the previously used name Example Nesta and Nesyrn. But we digress.
A Court of Thorns and Roses is currently being adapted for television by Hulu.
Next Move on to the Throne of Glass series
Then you’ll want to move on to TOG. Published in 2012, The Throne of Glass series marked the beginning of Sarah J. Maas’s authorial debut. Throne of Glass was an instant and immediate success. Being nominated for the Goodreads Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction award that year. The Throne of Glass series consists of eight books with the final edition, Kingdom of Ash, being published in 2018.
Throne of Glass follows the journey of Celaena Sardothien deemed the world’s best assassin. After spending a year in a prison in Endovier, she accepts the Crown Prince’s offer to compete against other assassins and thieves for a chance to become the King’s champion and gain her freedom. Celaena can’t escape the ghosts of her past but begins to form bonds that will forever change the face of her world.
As mentioned before, Kingdom of Ash has a slight crossover with SJM’s final book (for the time being) in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, but it can ultimately be read as a standalone series.
“Libraries were full of ideas—perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.”
Here is the order I would read the Throne of Glass series:
- “Throne of Glass”
- “Crown of Midnight”
- “The Assassin’s Blade” ( a prequel book)
- “Heir of Fire”
- “Queen of Shadows”
- “Empire of Storms” and “Tower of Dawn” in tandem
- “Kingdom of Ash”
If you noticed that the prequel The Assassin’s Blade is not first. AND, there is a tandem of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. This is on purpose. The Assassin’s Blade (while some purists think it should be read first) should be read after Crown of Midnight. BUT BEFORE Heir of Fire. If you read it before you read the initial Throne of Glass story it just won’t make sense. The Assassin’s Blade is a collection of novellas. Most take place before the Throne of Glass events BUT some introduce characters that don’t arrive in the books until later points in the series. TRUST ME READ IT IN THIS ORDER!
Now, let’s talk about the tandem read. Now, sure you could read Empire of Storms and THEN Tower of Dawn BUT I should make the point that the events of these two books happen at the same time, and intertwine. SO, it makes more sense to read them in tandem. If you would like a chart of the order you should read these two books let me know either on one of my socials (link at the top of the page) or in the comments and I will be sure to create it for you. Or to be honest search SJM TANDEM READ and you can find loads of results save yourself some trouble.
Finally, End with Crescent City!
Lastly, end with The Crescent City series. Beginning with House of Earth and Blood, the first book in the Crescent City series, published in 2020. The sequel in the series is House of Sky and Breath, which was released in 2022. Crescent City follows half-fae Bryce Quinlan. Two years after the death of her best friend, Bryce finds herself investigating a string of murders across Crescent City.
The first book alludes to a wider Sarah J. Maas multiverse. Characters come across books that have also appeared in other series. In the lore of the series, all the different species on the planet of Midgard appear from another world. Some of those people are fae, which has many fans assuming that they came either from the Throne of Glass or ACOTAR worlds.
In the climax of House of Breath and Sky, one of the characters meets one of the characters from ACOTAR. With both series set to continue, it’s clear that this crossover will develop in future books. Additionally, the third book in the Crescent City series has just been announced. It is titled House of Flame and Shadow. It is set to release in January 2024.
“Loyal unto death and beyond”
Controversy Surrounding SJM
Now we will not gloss over the fact that there has been controversy surrounding Sarah J. Maas. If you want an in-depth view on it I recommend the Spectator News Blog.
In general, there are problematic themes in her novels, especially the Throne of Glass series. More than anything as readers we are disappointed in Maas’s silence as a public figure. The most obvious way to handle controversy around an author you don’t like is TO READ OTHER DIVERSE AUTHORS!!!
Do we read Sarah J. Maas? Yes, but at the forefront of our list are authors like Akwaeke Emezi, NK Jemisin, Shayla Faulkner, RF Kuang, Sabaa Tahir, Roseanne A. Brown, and so many more. Please don’t limit yourself to popular authors when there are so many diverse, interesting, and incredibly talented authors in the book community. Because despite what Bookstagram thinks SJM does not have a monopoly on romantasy, honestly, no author does. We the readers hold that power.
YOU HOLD THAT POWER!
In the end, no matter which series you start with the decision is yours to make. Each series includes an element of epic adventure and whether you choose the stylings of the Throne of Glass series, the heart-pounding swooning romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses, or the mystery of Crescent City you can’t go wrong!
Which books did you decide to start with? Let us know in the comments.
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