So you've heard about this Throne of Glass thing and wanna dive in? Smart move. But figuring out the throne of glass series in order can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. I remember when I first tried – clicked through fifteen forums and still got confused about where The Assassin's Blade fits.
Who Created This World?
Sarah J. Maas started writing this beast when she was just sixteen. Yeah, let that sink in. While we were stressing about algebra homework, she was building continents. She's that fantasy author who makes you cancel plans because "one more chapter" turns into sunrise. Her worldbuilding? Insanely detailed. Her characters? They'll move into your head rent-free.
The Complete Throne of Glass Series Order
Here's the throne of glass books in order the way most fans recommend reading them. This blends chronological flow with publishing sequence – trust me, it saves major headaches later.
| # | Title | Why This Order Works |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Assassin's Blade | Prequel novellas. Reading first gives crucial backstory on Celaena's past (though published later). Miss this and her actions in book 1 won't hit the same. |
| 2 | Throne of Glass | Where the main story kicks off. You'll meet Celaena Sardothien as she enters the deadly competition. |
| 3 | Crown of Midnight | Direct sequel. The competition's over but darker threats emerge. Betrayals galore. |
| 4 | Heir of Fire | Game-changer. New continents, magic systems, and key characters like Rowan enter the fray. |
| 5 | Queen of Shadows | Celaena returns to Adarlan with vengeance on her mind. Major power shifts happen here. |
| 6 | Empire of Storms | War preparations intensify. Multiple character arcs converge in explosive ways. |
| 7 | Tower of Dawn | Follows Chaol's journey (yes, an entire book). Controversial but vital for the finale's context. |
| 8 | Kingdom of Ash | The 1000-page finale. Pack tissues and clear your schedule. |
Publication Order vs Chronological
Big debate here. Publication order starts with Throne of Glass (2012), then Crown of Midnight (2013), with The Assassin's Blade dropping third in 2014. Personally? Reading Assassin's Blade first makes Celaena's attitude in book 1 make way more sense. You understand WHY she snaps at people polishing their shoes too loudly. That said, some argue publication order preserves surprises better. Honestly? Try both ways and see what sticks.
Every Book Broken Down
Let's get into the meat of each installment – without spoiling the good stuff.
The Assassin's Blade (Prequel)
- Format: Five interconnected novellas
- Page count: 448 pages (Bloomsbury edition)
- Key characters introduced: Celaena Sardothien, Sam Cortland, Arobynn Hamel
Shows Celaena's life before Endovier prison. These stories reveal why she's distrustful, who broke her heart, and how she became Adarlan's most feared assassin. The Sam storyline? Gut-wrenching. Downside: Feels slightly disjointed since it's stitched-together tales.
Throne of Glass (Book 1)
- Original publication: August 2012
- Main setting: Rifthold's Glass Castle
- Key relationships: Celaena-Dorian, Celaena-Chaol
Celaena competes to become the King's Champion against thieves and warriors. Think Hunger Games meets high fantasy. The love triangle gets noticeable here – not my favorite aspect, feels a bit YA-formulaic. But Celaena's wit? Chef's kiss. Maas's descriptions of the castle gardens will make you wanna book a vacation.
Crown of Midnight (Book 2)
- Major twist: Chaol discovers Celaena's true heritage
- Page count: 418 pages
- Fan nickname: "The Bridge Book"
Celaena serves as Champion while secretly undermining the king. The Nehemia plotline? Destroyed me for days. Action scenes are brutal and cinematic – Maas writes knives like Mozart wrote concertos. Warning: The middle drags slightly with court politics before the explosive finale.
Heir of Fire (Book 3)
This is where the series pivots hard. Celaena trains with fae warrior Rowan in Wendlyn while magic returns to Erilea. New characters:
- Manon Blackbeak (everyone's favorite witch)
- Aedion Ashryver (Celaena's loyal cousin)
- Sorscha (healer with heartbreaking arc)
Worldbuilding expands massively. Some readers struggle with slower pacing initially, but stick with it – the last 150 pages are pure fire.
Queen of Shadows (Book 4)
Celaena returns to Rifthold under her true name: Aelin Galathynius. Payoffs from Books 1-3 explode here. What works:
- Aelin's vengeance against Arobynn (deeply satisfying)
- Lysandra's redemption arc (unexpectedly moving)
- Dorian's possession storyline (chilling)
What doesn't: Chaol's characterization feels inconsistent. Still, the battle scenes in the sewers? Unforgettable.
Empire of Storms (Book 5)
Alliances form against Erawan. Features:
- Epic sea voyages
- Ancient gods awakening
- The infamous "fire breathing bitch-queen" scene
Rowan and Aelin's relationship matures beautifully. Lorcan and Elide's slow-burn romance steals the show for many. Be warned: Ends on a brutal cliffhanger that'll make you throw the book (gently please).
Tower of Dawn (Book 6)
Follows Chaol and Nesryn's journey to the southern continent. Controversial because:
- No Aelin/Rowan/Manon POVs
- Completely separate setting (Antica)
- Requires 660-page investment
BUT it introduces vital healers, the khaganate's armies, and Yrene Towers – who becomes crucial in Book 7. Pro-tip: Read tandem with Empire of Storms using the online chapter guide if impatient.
Kingdom of Ash (Book 7)
The finale clocks in at 984 pages. Resolutions for:
- The Thirteen's sacrifice (tearjerker alert)
- Dorian's magic vs Erawan
- Maeve's centuries-long scheming
- Aelin's fire vs iron coffin
Pacing suffers slightly from too many POVs, but the emotional payoffs? Worth every page. Bring snacks.
Spinoffs and Bonus Materials
Beyond the core throne of glass novels in order, there's extra content:
| Title | Type | Connection to Main Series |
|---|---|---|
| Crescent City Series | Separate trilogy | Multiverse crossover in House of Sky and Breath (minor spoilers) |
| The World of Throne of Glass | Illustrated companion | Character art/maps by Charlie Bowater |
| Empire of Storms/Tower of Dawn tandem read | Fan-created guide | Synchronizes overlapping timelines |
Common Throne of Glass Reading Questions
Should I read Tower of Dawn or skip it?
Don't skip. Yes, it's Chaol-centric (post-breakup with Celaena) but introduces game-changing lore about Valg demons and healers. Nesryn's aerial adventures with the ruk riders alone make it worthwhile. Skipping = missing Kingdom of Ash context.
Is there romance throughout?
Heavily. Early books have love triangles (Dorian/Chaol/Celaena), later books feature epic slow-burns like Manon/Dorian and Lorcan/Elide. Rowan and Aelin's bond develops intensely from Heir of Fire onward. Romance drives many character motivations.
How explicit are the later books?
Characters age throughout the series. Books 1-3: PG-13. Book 4 onward: detailed violence and moderate sexual content (nothing as explicit as ACOTAR though). Kingdom of Ash has war atrocities that might disturb sensitive readers.
Why do people dislike Crown of Midnight?
Three common complaints: Nehemia's fate feels manipulative, Celaena's constant swooning over Chaol gets repetitive, and the middle section drags before the spectacular finale. Still essential for plot development.
Does this connect to ACOTAR?
Not directly. Different universes... until Crescent City. Minor multiverse elements appear in CC2 that link all Maas series. Read throne of glass books in order first to avoid spoilers.
Why This Order Matters
Mess up the throne of glass series order and you'll be like:
- Starting with Tower of Dawn? Total confusion – characters reference events you haven't seen
- Skipping Assassin's Blade? Celaena's trauma responses seem melodramatic
- Reading Empire of Storms before Heir of Fire? Magic systems make zero sense
The journey of throne of glass in order transforms how you perceive characters. Take Manon – introduced as a villain in Heir of Fire. By Kingdom of Ash? I'd die for her. That arc only lands if you've witnessed every step.
Pro Tip: Buy the box sets! Bloomsbury released multiple throne of glass collections in order bundles saving 30% versus individual purchases. Check ISBNs to ensure you're getting latest editions with bonus content.
Adaptations and Merchandise
No TV show yet (rights bounced between studios). But the fandom thrives through:
- LitJoy Crate exclusive editions (sprayed edges, character art)
- Official Funko Pops (Celaena, Rowan, Manon)
- Fan art on Reddit (r/throneofglassseries has 150k members)
Fun fact: Sarah J. Maas's Pinterest boards show her visual inspiration for characters. Rowan's tattoos? Based on Celtic knotwork.
Final Thoughts
Nailing the throne of glass series in order makes all difference between enjoying a good fantasy and living in Erilea for months. It's commitment – 4,352 pages total! But watching Celaena evolve from arrogant assassin to fire-wielding queen? Priceless. Just pace yourself. I binged Heir of Fire through Kingdom of Ash in two weeks and needed emotional recovery time.
What surprised me most? How Tower of Dawn became a favorite despite initial reluctance. Chaol's healing journey hit harder than expected. Moral of the story: trust the throne of glass reading order, even when unconventional.
Ready to start? Grab The Assassin's Blade and clear your weekend. You've been warned.
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