Confused about where to start with romantasy's biggest series? Here's the definitive reading order for ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, the Empyrean series, and more — so you never accidentally open book three first.
Contents
Why Reading Order Actually Matters in Romantasy
Romantasy series are built on slow reveals — a bargain struck in book one that detonates in book three, a throwaway line about a court alliance that becomes the entire plot of book four. Read them out of order and you don't just lose plot context, you lose the emotional gut-punches the author spent hundreds of pages setting up. So before you impulse-buy whatever fae-court cover catches your eye at the store, here's exactly where to start (and what order to devour everything in) for the genre's biggest series.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Reading Order
Sarah J. Maas's fae saga is the one readers most often get wrong, because the series pivots hard partway through.
- 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, optional but recommended)
- A Court of Silver Flames
The One Rule That Matters
Do not skip ahead to A Court of Silver Flames without reading the first three. It follows a secondary character whose entire arc is built on context from earlier books, and reading it cold spoils the series' biggest romantic pivot.
Throne of Glass Reading Order
Maas's assassin epic is a longer commitment, and the series builds its world gradually — patience is rewarded here more than in almost any other romantasy series.
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn (can be read alongside Empire of Storms or right after)
- Kingdom of Ash
The Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing) Reading Order
Rebecca Yarros's dragon-rider saga is simpler — a straight, propulsive line, which is part of why it's such an addictive binge.
From Blood and Ash Reading Order
Jennifer L. Armentrout's chosen-one saga has expanded into a full universe, and the companion series is meant to be read alongside, not after.
- From Blood and Ash
- A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
- The Crown of Gilded Bones
- A Shadow in the Ember (companion series — read after book three)
- The Crown of Gilded Bones sequel and beyond
Crescent City Reading Order
Maas's urban fantasy romance world is denser and more adult in tone, with crossover cameos that reward reading in strict order.
Plated Prisoner Series Reading Order
Raven Kennedy's dark fae saga is best read back to back — the cliffhangers are not gentle.
Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet
- Want fae courts and political intrigue? Start ACOTAR at book one, no exceptions.
- Want a long epic you can disappear into for months? Throne of Glass, read in full order, novella included.
- Want fast-paced and can't-put-it-down? Empyrean, straight through, brace yourself for the cliffhangers.
- Want gods, prophecy, and a slow burn that detonates? From Blood and Ash, main series first, companion series after book three.
- Want darker, more explicit fae content? Plated Prisoner, back to back, tissues nearby.
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