Understanding the Maasverse: How the Series Interconnect
Sarah J. Maas writes three main fantasy series: A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), Throne of Glass, and Crescent City. Many readers talk about the connections between these stories, often calling the combined world the "Maasverse." While each series has its own story and characters, there are hints that these worlds connect in big and small ways.
These series do not follow the same timeline. Throne of Glass came first, with a world and magic system different from ACOTAR and Crescent City. ACOTAR introduces its own fae courts and characters, who do not directly meet anyone from Throne of Glass. Crescent City stands out because Maas drops more clues about the existence of her other worlds. This happens through little details in the writing, shared symbols, and hints in the magic systems (ScreenRant).
In recent Crescent City books, there are direct hints at crossover. Characters mention worlds that look a lot like those in the other series, and you can spot similar patterns in the history told across all three. Still, so far, no main character from one series has crossed over in a major way in another book. Fans keep guessing about what will happen next, especially after recent events in Crescent City.
This makes Maas's worlds feel bigger, as if any character could meet another someday. Even now, readers spot connections that add to the thrill of each new book.
Throne of Glass Timeline Explained
The Throne of Glass timeline is mostly straightforward, but there are a few points that often raise questions for readers. The story starts with Celaena Sardothien’s journey as an assassin in the kingdom of Adarlan. The series follows her through many years, tracking her growth and the rise and fall of kingdoms.
Throne of Glass begins before both A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City, making it the earliest of the three series in the Maasverse timeline (ScreenRant). Most stand-alone timelines place Throne of Glass entirely on its own, happening thousands of years before the events in ACOTAR or Crescent City. The series covers several years, from Celaena’s time in prison to her role as a queen. Each book usually covers a few months or up to a year, with some time jumps between key stories.
Some fans note a big time gap between the worlds. In fact, references in Crescent City suggest Throne of Glass takes place so far in the past that its characters and magic have faded into legend for the other worlds (Reddit, ScreenRant). This means there is little to no direct interaction between characters from Throne of Glass and those in the other books, at least so far. As a result, Throne of Glass stands as the foundation of the Maasverse’s larger history.
Major Milestones in Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass tracks the journey of Celaena Sardothien, starting with her time as a prisoner and her selection as Adarlan’s champion. She faces deadly trials and uncovers the secret magic hidden in the world. Over several books, she reclaims her true name, Aelin, and gathers allies. The story includes her fight to free her people, battles against dark forces, and her rise to rule as queen.
Along the way, major events include Celaena surviving the competition in the first book, discovering magical gateways, and learning about her royal heritage. The series also covers the fall of corrupt rulers, the rise of new nations, and the defeat of the major villains shaping the world’s fate. Some milestones stand out even more because they shape the rest of the Maasverse, as Throne of Glass is set thousands of years before the other series, marking important moments in its own timeline (ScreenRant).
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Timeline Overview
The ACOTAR series unfolds mostly after the events in Throne of Glass, but it sits separately from both Throne of Glass and Crescent City in terms of time and place (ScreenRant). ACOTAR begins with Feyre living near the wall that separates the mortal world from Prythian, a fae kingdom. The story quickly pulls readers into Prythian’s seasonal courts and follows Feyre through several years of war, magic, and change.
The main events in ACOTAR happen one after another with only a few months or up to a year between each book. For example:
- The first book covers just a few months, starting in winter and ending in spring. - The second and third books pick up right after the last, with very little time skipped. - Later books, like A Court of Frost and Starlight, take place about a year after the main war ends.
Most of the timeline feels tight and direct, with characters continuing their arcs in a clear order. While there might be some small gaps between the books, there is no major jump ahead in time. The events of ACOTAR do not directly overlap with Crescent City, but fans notice hints that both worlds exist at the same time. There are references in Crescent City that suggest ACOTAR’s world is running on a parallel track.
Overall, ACOTAR’s timeline keeps things clear. It follows Feyre and her friends a few years at a time, with strong links from book to book. The series gives enough clues for readers to piece together when things happen without making it confusing.
Key Timeline Events in ACOTAR
The ACOTAR series follows a clear order across its books, with most major actions happening one after the other. The timeline starts with Feyre living near the Prythian border. She is taken across the wall in winter, marking the opening months of the first book. Spring Court events happen soon after, leading straight into the challenges Under the Mountain. These trials and the fight with Amarantha last only a few months.
After Feyre’s return, the second and third books follow each other with barely any time in between. The war against Hybern arrives, pulling everyone into a fast series of fights and alliances. A year passes after the war, leading into A Court of Frost and Starlight, which focuses on rebuilding and quieter moments (ScreenRant).
Most gaps between books last a few weeks up to one year at most. References in Crescent City suggest ACOTAR runs on a similar timeline as that series, although they do not directly meet. This makes it easy for readers to track when and where everything happens.
Crescent City’s Place in the Maasverse Timeline
Crescent City takes place after the events of Throne of Glass and seems to overlap with the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) timeline. Most fans and sources agree that Crescent City is the most “modern” world in the Maasverse. The setting itself has cars, phones, and city skyscrapers, making it stand out when compared to the older fantasy worlds seen in the other series (ScreenRant).
Unlike Throne of Glass, which is set thousands of years in the past, Crescent City’s story happens in a time when rumors about other worlds and ancient magic sometimes pop up. In the books, some details—like symbols, names, and stories—match those in ACOTAR, giving the sense that these stories exist side by side and could even cross over. Crescent City’s second book, House of Sky and Breath, offers the clearest clues. Characters mention realms and powers that line up with the fae courts in ACOTAR.
Even though there are hints, there is no perfect map that locks in the timelines, since the stories all use different calendars and measures of time. What is clear: Crescent City sits at the furthest point in time, sharing the “now” with ACOTAR. This spot in the Maasverse makes Crescent City both a bridge and a jumping-off point for major crossovers in future books. Fans remain excited about what these clues might mean if characters ever meet for real.
Key Crossover Moments
Sarah J. Maas weaves in small but important crossover moments between her series, especially between Crescent City and ACOTAR. Most clues come from shared symbols, similar names, and hints in the magic seen across the different worlds. The most talked-about crossover happens near the end of Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath, when a main character suddenly lands in a world that matches the fae courts seen in ACOTAR. This moment marks the first time anyone from one series appears in another in a direct way.
Besides this, Crescent City mentions other worlds and lost magic, which sound a lot like places and people in ACOTAR and even Throne of Glass. For example, some characters in Crescent City talk about ancient stories and “gates” between worlds, fueling fan theories about future meetings. Although no main ACOTAR characters have crossed over in full, readers keep their eyes open for new connections. Each series adds clues piece by piece, letting fans imagine what it would look like if favorite characters finally meet or work together. These moments keep readers returning for more, searching for every hidden reference.
How the Timelines of Throne of Glass and ACOTAR Compare
The timelines for Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses do not run side by side. Throne of Glass happens far earlier than ACOTAR, setting up a long history that stretches across the Maasverse (ScreenRant). The events in Throne of Glass unfold over several years and end long before Feyre’s story begins in ACOTAR.
Throne of Glass starts with Celaena and tells her journey through wars, magic, and lost kingdoms. The world in these books is older—full of ancient magic and legends that are mostly forgotten in the later series. Once Throne of Glass ends, thousands of years pass before anything in ACOTAR takes place. By the time Feyre’s story begins, any trace of Celaena’s time has faded into story or myth.
ACOTAR steps into a new world. This is a place shaped by different wars, courts, and powers. Its story does not meet Throne of Glass at any point, not even in flashbacks. The fae in ACOTAR know little to nothing about the Adarlan or Erilea from Throne of Glass (Reddit).
Some clues in recent Maas books tease that the worlds might have once touched or shared magic. Still, there is no timeline where Feyre and Celaena could meet. ACOTAR’s events run thousands of years after the main action in Throne of Glass. The only real connection is the way magic and legend echo from one series into hints in another. Readers spotting links are following small details, but the timelines always keep each series apart for now (ScreenRant).
Frequently Asked Timeline Questions (No Spoilers)
Curious readers have plenty of questions about how the timelines work across the Sarah J. Maas series. Here are answers to the most common, kept spoiler free:
Do the three series happen at the same time? No. Throne of Glass comes first, set thousands of years before the other two series. ACOTAR and Crescent City happen later, and they seem to overlap a bit in time (ScreenRant). Crescent City is the most modern, but ACOTAR and Crescent City may be running parallel.
Can you read the series in any order? Yes, but reading based on the timeline gives a better sense of how the worlds might connect. Throne of Glass follows first, then ACOTAR, and finally Crescent City (ScreenRant).
Are the main characters ever together? Right now, no main character from ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, or Crescent City has joined up in a major way in another book. There are hints and small clues, but no direct crossovers yet.
Will future books bring the worlds closer? No one can say for sure. Recent books dropped more clues about connections, so fans keep guessing what might happen next. Until then, each series stands alone, while clues and easter eggs link them together.
The Future of the Maasverse: Crossovers and Possibilities
Readers keep waiting for the day when the biggest crossover in the Maasverse finally happens. The latest Crescent City book hints that travel between these worlds is possible. There are scenes where people talk about other realms, sharing stories and magic that feel out of place unless you know the other books. This has led many fans to guess that future books might bring favorite characters together in one story.
Some small clues feed these hopes. In House of Sky and Breath, signs and powers pop up that look just like those in A Court of Thorns and Roses (ScreenRant). For example, places with names that match the seasonal courts from ACOTAR show up, even if just for a brief mention. Now, every time a new book is announced, readers look for teasers about who might meet next.
These chances for crossovers make each series more exciting to reread. There is a sense that every detail could be important later if the worlds finally connect. At this stage, no one knows for sure if a crossover is coming, but all the clues scattered in recent books say it is not out of reach. This possibility pushes many readers to keep sharing theories online, ready for the moment when the Maasverse gets even bigger.