The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas follows Celaena Sardothien, a skilled assassin whose journey grows into something far greater as she becomes entangled in ancient royal intrigue, hidden magic, and a rising threat that spans the entire kingdom. What begins as a fight for freedom evolves into an expansive, high-stakes epic filled with shifting alliances and emotional growth. Although the first few books start off as a more traditional young adult series, the later books become more mature, especially with the last 4 novels containing more adult themes. One of the series’ unique aspects is its flexible reading order, particularly with the prequel novel and the later parallel timelines, allowing readers to experience the world in slightly different ways. I would say that generally the series starts a bit slow with the first 3 books, The Assassin’s Blade, Throne of Glass, and Crown of Midnight, but really picks up beginning in Heir of Fire and continues strong all the way until the end. I cried multiple times and wish I had paced myself more to let myself enjoy it, but I literally could not put it down at times and literally read some of the books in 2-3 days. It is the kind of series that sticks with you for years afterwards and definitely had a chokehold on me and I loved every second of it.
Throne of Glass Series
How many books are there in Throne of Glass?
Throne of Glass is currently complete with a total of 8 books in the series. A unique feature of the series is that there are multiple possible reading orders. To learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each reading order check out my Sarah J. Maas page for the Throne of Glass reading orders. For simplicity’s sake, I have chosen to describe the books chronologically here.
What is the reading order for Throne of Glass?
Throne of Glass is unique in that it has three reading orders, each offering a unique way to experience the series. Sarah J. Maas wrote 5 prequels in the middle of the series, which were later compiled into their own prequel novel, The Assassin’s Blade. Each reading order has its own merit and varies based on when it recommends reading the prequel novel.
Throne of Glass: Publication Order (Emotional Impact)
Bloomsbury recommends first-time readers follow the original Publication Order, which is the way Sarah J. Maas wrote the books and how she initially intended them to be read. This reading order is also referred to as the Emotional Order, focusing on the emotional impact of the story, prioritizing character development, friendships, and the overall arc of the protagonist’s growth. Hardcore fans recommend this order because you get to meet and fall in love with the characters in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight and then reading the prequel in the 3rd spot is a fun dive into the past with a lot of hidden easter eggs. This is generally regarded as the default reading order and places The Assassin’s Blade in the 3rd spot.
The first time I read the series, I followed the publication order and I personally did not like having the prequel as the 3rd book. It felt too disruptive to go into the protagonist’s backstory at that point in the series and I also dreaded reading the prequel knowing where the protagonist already ended up. The main benefit of this sequence is at least there is no sense of false hope because the reader already knows the ending to The Assassin’s Blade from the first two books in the series.
Throne of Glass: Purist Order (Chronological Timeline)
The second reading order is referred to as the Purist Order, which follows the series chronologically and places the prequel at the start of the series. This method offers a more logical understanding of Celaena’s motives and background as we learn about her traumatic past from the start. Later when you encounter characters in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight you know her backstory and the importance of certain figures from her past. I personally prefer this order and discuss the books following this order. This method has a strong logical flow and is good for those who do not want to read a prequel randomly in the middle of the series. This places The Assassin’s Blade in the 1st spot.
This is my preferred reading order because I like going into a book without knowing how it ends. This way when you start The Assassin’s Blade you don’t have any preconceived ideas about any of the characters’ fates. If I know beforehand that a character will have a sad ending, I just find myself dreading reading through the entire book until we get to the end, I would rather not know and instead have that suspense and feeling of hope. I think the downside to this sequence is that it is more emotionally devastating, which some readers may prefer. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I don’t mind getting my heart broken when I read.
Throne of Glass: Romantic Order (Romantic Impact)
The third and last reading order is the Romantic Order, which some readers say prioritizes the development of the romantic relationships in the series and gives more attention to the progression of the protagonist’s personal life. It’s a compelling option for readers who love a well-timed romantic payoff. This is similar to the Publication Order where readers fall in love with the characters in the first few books and then get a throwback that deep dives into the protagonist’s past and learn more about her history. This places The Assassin’s Blade in the 4th spot.
What is The Assassin's Blade about?
The Assassin’s Blade is a collection of 5 prequel stories that follow Celaena Sardothien during her time as a young assassin, revealing her origins and a few key moments from her past that continue to shape her story. Readers can choose when to read the prequel, as either the 1st, 3rd, or 4th book in the series.
What is Throne of Glass about?
In the novel Throne of Glass, we see Celaena Sardothien take part in a deadly royal competition that could change her life, but while the kingdom is focused on the competition, something dark begins to stir beneath the Glass Palace.
What is Crown of Midnight about?
In Crown of Midnight, Celaena Sardothien must navigate through duty, secrets, and her own moral compass as a hidden rebel plot begins to surface, making her role become far more dangerous than expected.
What is Heir of Fire about?
In Heir of Fire, Celaena Sardothien is forced onto a journey of self-discovery, confronting her long buried past. She must unlock her inner strength in order to face the new threats rising from the past.
What is Queen of Shadows about?
In Queen of Shadows, Celaena Sardothien returns to the main empire with a stronger sense of her true identity and purpose, seeking justice for the past and nearly ready to reclaim her birthright.
What is Empire of Storms about?
In Empire of Storms, Celaena Sardothien has embraced her true identity and works tirelessly to unite allies across the land as war looms ahead. The stakes rise dramatically as forces gather for an inevitable clash.
What is Tower of Dawn about?
Tower of Dawn is set in a distant land and is a parallel storyline that follows a different set of characters on the same timeline as Empire of Storms. Avid fans have created a tandem reading schedule where they recommend alternating between chapters in both books for a more immersive experience.
What is Kingdom of Ash about?
Kingdom of Ash is the final installment in the series, where Celaena Sardothien must face her greatest enemies as the fate of her world hangs in the balance. Every sacrifice and alliance leads to an epic conclusion.
Does Throne of Glass have any bonus chapters?
Yes! Sarah J. Maas has written special bonus chapters and deleted scenes over the years that she has released through retail partnerships or through her own publisher, Bloomsbury. There are 6 total Bonus Chapters for Throne of Glass.
The Captain and the Prince
The Captain and the Prince is a conversation between Chaol and Prince Dorian discussing who will be chosen as the Prince’s champion. Read this between The Assassin’s Blade and Throne of Glass.
The Assassin and the Princess
The Assassin and the Princess is a quick shopping trip and bonding experience between Celaena and Nehemia. Read this between Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight.
The Assassin and the Captain
The Assassin and the Captain sees Celaena returning to the capital city after completing her first mission for the King. Captain Chaol questions her tardiness and they discuss her mission and their relationship. Read this between Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight.
Aelin and Rowan
Aelin trains with Rowan in Wendlyn, where their friendship deepens. When three Fae nobles arrive at Mistward, one with past ties to Rowan, Aelin learns more about his past and causes some sparks to fly. Read after Heir of Fire.
Aelin and Company
After a long journey, Aelin returns to Terrasen, only to find it scarred by Adarlan’s destruction. As her court travels through Oakwald Forest to Orynth, they remain hidden but are forced to risk entering a devastated village for supplies. What they find there is far more valuable than they expected. Read before Empire of Storms.
Chaol and Nesryn
Chaol Westfall travels to Antica to seek healing from the Torre Cesme. With war looming, he and Nesryn work to gain the support of Antica’s rulers for their allies back home. Their journey begins an effort that could change the course of the conflict. Read before Tower of Dawn.
Where to buy the Throne of Glass series
Erosophony is a passion project celebrating books and stories. I do not own any characters or books mentioned here. The links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!