Inside the world of Sarah J. Maas

Dissecting the author’s fantasy crossover series

Jessica Mills / Arts & Culture Editor / The USD Vista

This article contains spoilers for each of Sarah J. Mass’ series publications. For many readers, including myself, Sarah J. Maas has become a favorite author. With millions of copies sold worldwide in 38 different languages, Maas has taken hold of the fantasy genre as the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author. Known for her world building and character development, Maas is the author of the series “Throne of Glass,” “A Court of Thorns and Roses” and “Crescent City,” as well as the standalone, “Catwoman: Soulstealer.”  

Published in August 2012, “Throne of Glass” (TOG) follows Celaena Sardothien, also known as Aelin Galathynius, an assassin with quite the reputation in the corrupt kingdom of Adarlan. While trapped in the slave camp of Endovier, crown Prince Dorian offers Celaena something too good to pass — her freedom. However, in order to obtain her freedom she must participate in a competition with other killers, thieves and warriors and upon defeating them all, she will be crowned as the King’s champion, the new royal assassin. But, when contestants begin to turn up dead, Celaena quickly discovers that she must act before she becomes the next victim. 

With eight books following her brutal journey with friends, lovers and many enemies along the way, there’s plot points geared toward every fantasy reader. There’s action-packed fight scenes, kidnappings, magic systems, romance, witches, pirates, faeries and much more. As the series progresses, Celaena reveals her true identity as the lost Princess, the Queen of Terrasen, who survived the massacre of her parents. Aelin takes on the responsibility of keeping her friends, loved ones, kingdom and people safe from outside forces — sacrificing much in the process. 

While labels such as Queen are fitting for Aelin, her other titles — Adarlan’s Assassin, Witch Slayer, Fireheart and (my personal favorite) Fire-breathing b***h-queen, portray her loyal, unhinged and ruthless nature. 

Equally, if not more popular, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) presents Feyre Archeron, a mortal huntress who provides and protects her family after falling on hard times, despite being the youngest daughter. 

While hunting in the woods, Feyre unknowingly kills a faerie and finds herself plunged into the world of fae — a species she wholy detests. Not long after, a beast comes to demand payment for the murdered fae and Feyre unwillingly agrees to live out her days with him in Prythian, one of the faerie realms. The beast, Tamlin, is High Lord of the Spring Court and lives in a beautiful manor, covered in lush flowers and greenery. 

All of Tamlin’s household wear masks, unable to remove them due to a plight affecting their magic. Feyre ultimately becomes the key to unlocking the curse, standing against the self-proclaimed Queen of Prythian, Amarantha. 

While the series is unfinished, five publications currently exist for readers to discover the truly magical world.

USD senior Audrey Dixon is currently starting Maas’ TOG series and has read all of ACOTAR. 

“I loved [ACOTAR], I think I underestimated the series when I read the first book and thought it’d be a mindless read that’s just full of a bunch of cliché tropes,” Dixon explained. “But the series is full of Easter eggs and clues to a way more interesting and complex plot.”

One of the Easter eggs takes place when we’re introduced to Rhysand, the morally gray character who is revealed to be both selfless and Feyre’s mate — a rare and special bond given between a pair of individuals. When first meeting Rhysand, Feyre is dangerously cornered by two fae males. In an attempt to save her, Rhysand’s statement, “There you are. I’ve been looking for you,” goes beyond their initial interaction and reflects the deeper bond and fate between the two. 

Maas is well known for her dedication to character development and complexity. For example, we meet Nesta, Feyre’s oldest sister who doesn’t take well to their family’s fall from riches and grace. Despite being the most senior of the sisters, Nesta allows Feyre to go on dangerous treks, risking her life as their sole provider. 

I spent books one through four passionately hating Nesta. She’s rude, uncompromising and everything an older sister does not usually represent. But, by the fifth book, “A Court of Silver Flames,” I realized how much I identified with her character. After being forced to become and live as a fae, readers see Nesta’s gaping, unhealed wounds. She struggles with depression, suicidality, the war that’s thrust upon them and subsequent death of family and friends. 

Rather than painting a happy, shiny picture after winning the war, Maas allows readers to face the harsh reality of a post-war world. Nesta’s struggle to allow people to love her and with loving herself made her into an incredibly layered character. 

Maas shows the entanglement that is Nesta Archeron in the fourth book, “A Court of Frost and Starlight.” Saying, “[Nesta] hadn’t felt anything in months. Had days when she didn’t really know where she was or what she’d done. They passed swiftly and yet dripped by. So did the months. She’d blinked, and winter had fallen. Blinked, and her body had turned too thin. As hollow as she felt.”

USD junior Viviana Moiso has read all of ACOTAR and TOG and believes that Maas’ unwavering fandom is due to her popularized genre of “fairy porn” and capability as a writer. 

“People love ‘smut’ and people love fantasy/faerie/fae stories and SJM made a beautiful combination of the two,” Moiso said. “I think the depth and detail she manages to write is truly a feat of her skills as a writer and a world builder. Every detail [is] so well planned which is so compelling to me.” 

Many well-planned details take place in Maas’ newest fantasy series “Crescent City,” an urban fantasy depicting Bryce Quinlan, a half-human, half-fae that seeks retribution for her murdered friends. 

Quinlan finds herself dragged into the murder investigation, paired with Hunt Athalar, a notorious Fallen angel, enslaved to the Archangels he once sought to overthrow. The first two books are filled with slow-burn tension between the pair, dangerous adventures, plot twists, villains and everything in between. 

Ending on a cliffhanger, the second book “House of Sky and Breath,” ends with Bryce falling through a Gate, depositing her in an unknown land she believes to be Hel. 

Instead, in a shocking turn of events, she ends up in Prythian, beside Feyre and her family, practically making me throw my copy across the room when reading the book’s last sentence — “Hello, Bryce Quinlan. My name is Rhysand.” 

Maas illustrated a similar scene in TOG as well, when Aelin falls through multiple faerie realms. Which just proves that this multiple series crossover has been in the works for years. 

Revealed last week on the Bloomsbury website, the third “Crescent City” book will be available January 2024. Across social media platforms, especially TikTok, fans have concocted their own theories about what will happen in the newest addition.

Some readers however, took issue with some of Maas’ included concepts. For example, TOG centers slavery as a major topic. ACOTAR also depicts conversations and scenes of sexual assault, abuse and nonconsensual drug use. 

“But that’s part of why I think SJM has such an interesting following — because there is such a difference in people who support or critique her,” Moiso said. 

Many fans, myself included, were thrilled with the news of ACOTAR’s Hulu adaptation, which Maas is working as one of the screenwriters. A release date and additional information regarding the show have yet to be released. 

Whether you’re new to Sarah J. Maas’ books or a veteran, there’s a story here for everyone.