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How Sarah J. Maas Books Connect: The Maasverse Explained

Yes, Sarah J. Maas's three series—Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), and Crescent City—are connected through a shared multiverse, with explicit crossovers, recurring characters, and a single continuous story arc. The most direct connection occurs in Crescent City, where characters from ACOTAR appear, and Maas has confirmed the books are "meant to be read ideally as one massive, massive story."

This article explains exactly how the books connect, what crossovers exist, and how to approach reading them. Whether you're new to the Maasverse or trying to piece together the timeline, here's what you need to know.

What Is the Maasverse?

The "Maasverse" is the fan-coined term for the fictional universe that encompasses all of Sarah J. Maas's published series. It includes three distinct worlds: Erilea (Throne of Glass), Prythian (ACOTAR), and Midgard (Crescent City). These worlds are not separate universes but rather different planets or planes of existence within the same multiverse, connected by magical portals and shared history.

Maas confirmed the connection in a March 2025 interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, stating that the books form "a single continuous story arc, split into pieces for publication, with a third volume still to come." She added, "It's meant to be read ideally as one massive, massive story. Arcs aren't wrapped up." This statement solidified what fans had long suspected: the series are not standalone but part of a larger narrative. For related context, see our guide to Best Markers for Adult Coloring Books: Top Picks.

Explicit Crossovers Between Series

The most significant crossover occurs in House of Sky and Breath, the second book of the Crescent City series. At the end of that book, Bryce Quinlan is transported to Prythian, the world of ACOTAR, and encounters characters from that series, including Rhysand and the Inner Circle. This crossover continues in House of Flame and Shadow, where the overlap deepens and characters from both worlds interact more extensively.

Throne of Glass also has a subtle crossover: in Kingdom of Ash, Aelin Galathynius falls through a portal and briefly glimpses Crescent City, though she does not interact with its characters. This moment is a direct nod to the shared universe and occurs around the same time as events in A Court of Silver Flames, based on bonus chapters.

These crossovers are not just Easter eggs; they have plot implications. For example, the Dusk Court in ACOTAR and the language Bryce uses in Crescent City are connected to a 15,000-year-old history that also ties to the Asteri's arrival in Midgard. Additionally, Lidia Cervos in Crescent City claims descent from Brannon, a key figure in Throne of Glass, explaining the origin of shifters in that world.

Shared History and Lore

The connections go beyond character appearances. All three series share a common ancient history involving the Asteri, a race of powerful beings who once ruled multiple worlds. The Dusk Court in Prythian, mentioned in ACOTAR, is linked to the Asteri's departure and the founding of Midgard. The language Bryce uses in Crescent City is the same as that of the Dusk Court, indicating a direct lineage.

Magic systems also overlap. The Wyrdmarks in Throne of Glass, the Cauldron in ACOTAR, and the Gates in Crescent City are all manifestations of the same underlying magical force. Characters with similar abilities appear across series: Aelin's fire magic is echoed in Lidia's powers, and both are hinted to be related to Brannon's bloodline.

Maas has not released an official timeline, but fan-created timelines suggest that all three series occur concurrently. The events of Kingdom of Ash align with A Court of Silver Flames, and House of Flame and Shadow takes place after ACOTAR's current timeline, as Nesta already possesses the Dread Trove.

Reading Order: Where to Start and Why

Maas's official website states that you can begin with any of the three series, as each is designed to stand alone initially. However, for the full crossover experience, most readers recommend reading Crescent City last. The ending of House of Sky and Breath relies heavily on knowledge of ACOTAR, and reading it without that context "permanently flattens the moment the whole Maasverse hinges on," according to one guide.

Here are the three main approaches:

Within Throne of Glass, Maas's site places the prequel The Assassin's Blade third in the series order, not first, despite chronological placement. This is the closest thing to an author endorsement in the long-running fan debate.

What to Expect from Future Books

Maas announced two new ACOTAR books: book six on October 27, 2026, and book seven on January 12, 2027. She has not confirmed plot details, but given her statement about a single story arc, readers expect these books to lean heavily on the wider Maasverse, including events from Crescent City's finale. The assumption is that the ACOTAR characters will become more involved in the multiverse conflict.

This means that if you plan to read the new ACOTAR books, you may need to be familiar with Crescent City to fully understand the plot. Maas has not said this explicitly, but the interconnected nature of the series makes it likely.

Do You Need to Read All Series to Understand Each One?

No, you do not need to read all series to enjoy each one individually. Each series has its own complete story arcs and character development. The crossovers are more like "Easter Eggs that make appearances," as one blogger notes, and you can understand the main plot of Crescent City without having read ACOTAR, though you will miss the significance of certain moments.

However, if you want the full Maasverse experience and plan to read future books, reading all series is recommended. The connections are becoming more integral to the overarching plot, and Maas's confirmation of a single story arc suggests that future books will require knowledge of all three worlds.

For a detailed reading guide, Bloomsbury Publishing offers a series reading order on their website, and Maas's own site provides a simple starting point.

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