Okay, let's be real. When I first saw that massive stack of Sarah J. Maas books at my local bookstore, I almost gave up before starting. Eight novels? Plus novellas? Where do you even begin with the order to read Throne of Glass? My friend Dana made it worse when she said "You HAVE to read the prequels first," while my cousin Mark insisted "Start with book one or you'll ruin everything." Thanks guys.
After three complete read-throughs (yes, I might have a problem), and helping eleven confused readers navigate this maze, I've realized nobody agrees on the single best path. But here's what I can tell you: picking the right sequence changes everything. Get it wrong and you'll miss crucial backstories; get it right and the emotional payoffs hit like a truck.
Every Book in the Throne of Glass Universe Explained
Before we dive into reading orders, let's catalog what we're dealing with. I remember buying Tower of Dawn thinking it was book five – big mistake. Here's the full lineup:
| Title | Type | Original Release | Page Count (avg) | Key Characters Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Assassin's Blade | Novella Collection | 2014 | 448 | Young Celaena, Sam Cortland |
| Throne of Glass | Novel | 2012 | 404 | Dorian, Chaol, Nehemia |
| Crown of Midnight | Novel | 2013 | 418 | Archer Finn, Mort (the door knocker) |
| Heir of Fire | Novel | 2014 | 562 | Rowan Whitethorn, Manon Blackbeak |
| Queen of Shadows | Novel | 2015 | 648 | Aedion Ashryver, Lysandra |
| Empire of Storms | Novel | 2016 | 693 | Elide Lochan, Lorcan Salvaterre |
| Tower of Dawn | Novel | 2017 | 664 | Yrene Towers, Chaol's healing arc |
| Kingdom of Ash | Novel | 2018 | 984 | Final battle participants |
Fun story: I skipped The Assassin's Blade on my first read because "prequels never matter." Huge regret. That collection contains Sam Cortland's story, and if you don't know who that is by book two, emotional moments lose 70% of their impact. Seriously, don't be like past me.
Battle-Tested Reading Orders Compared
Through trial and error (and many book club arguments), I've tested these three approaches. Your personality actually determines which will work best:
Option 1: Publication Order (The Purist Route)
- Throne of Glass (2012)
- Crown of Midnight (2013)
- Heir of Fire (2014)
- The Assassin's Blade (2014) ← This placement feels awkward
- Queen of Shadows (2015)
- Empire of Storms (2016)
- Tower of Dawn (2017)
- Kingdom of Ash (2018)
Why it works: You experience the story exactly as original readers did. The mystery around Celaena's past stays intact.
Why it frustrates: Getting flashbacks in book four feels disruptive. Also, Tower of Dawn completely halts the EoS cliffhanger.
My college roommate tried this method and quit after Heir of Fire. Why? Because she couldn't connect with Celaena's trauma without seeing Sam's story first. It matters.
Option 2: Chronological Order (For Completionists)
- The Assassin's Blade
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
Why it works: Events unfold linearly. Early Celaena development makes sense immediately.
Why it frustrates: The writing quality jumps are jarring. Maas grew tremendously between Assassin's Blade and later books.
Chronological seems logical until you hit the quality whiplash. The Assassin's Blade has rookie pacing issues while Kingdom of Ash reads like a seasoned pro. Might turn off new readers.
Option 3: Hybrid Order (My Personal Recommendation)
After seeing 8 friends attempt this series, here's the sequence with the lowest abandonment rate:
- The Assassin's Blade (read first despite later publication)
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Tandem read: Empire of Storms + Tower of Dawn (explained below)
- Kingdom of Ash
This order to read Throne of Glass fixes two major pain points: early emotional investment and the infamous Tower of Dawn pacing problem.
The Tandem Read Solution: Empire of Storms + Tower of Dawn
Look, Tower of Dawn isn't bad. But when you're dying to know what happens after THAT Empire of Storms ending? Being forced into 600+ pages of Chaol's physical therapy journey (sorry Chaol fans) feels like cruel punishment. My solution:
| Empire of Storms Chapter | Tower of Dawn Chapter | Why It Syncs |
|---|---|---|
| Read EoS Chapters 1-58 | – | Establish EoS core storyline |
| – | Read ToD Chapters 1-26 | Introduce Chaol's Southern Continent arc |
| Read EoS Chapters 59-68 | – | Build momentum toward climax |
| – | Read ToD Chapters 27-58 | Develop Southern Continent subplots |
| Read EoS Chapters 69-End | Read ToD Chapters 59-End | Simultaneous climaxes and revelations |
When I tried this during my third reread? Game-changer. The tonal shifts feel intentional rather than disruptive. Plus, certain reveals in Tower of Dawn actually enhance Empire of Storms moments when read concurrently.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid in Your Reading Order
Based on reader horror stories:
Skipping The Assassin's Blade
My biggest regret. Without it:
- Celaena's trauma responses seem melodramatic
- Arobynn Hamel feels like a cartoon villain
- The "Sam" references carry zero weight
Reading Tower of Dawn After Kingdom of Ash
Imagine watching Avengers: Endgame then seeing Captain Marvel's origin story. Chronologically incoherent and spoiler-filled. Just don't.
Starting With Throne of Glass (Without Context)
Book one Celaena divides readers. Knowing her backstory makes her arrogance more sympathetic. Otherwise she comes across as insufferable (I initially hated her).
Your Throne of Glass Reading Order FAQs Solved
Do I really need the novellas for the order to read Throne of Glass?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: The Assassin's Blade isn't optional if you want emotional payoff in Crown of Midnight and Queen of Shadows. That said, if you absolutely hate novellas, read at least "The Assassin and the Desert" and "The Assassin and the Underworld" for key lore.
Can I skip Tower of Dawn?
Technically? Maybe. Should you? Absolutely not. Three reasons: 1) It introduces critical magical lore for KoA's ending 2) Heals Chaol's character arc beautifully 3) Introduces Yrene Towers who becomes massively important. Skipping it leaves plot holes.
What about the tandem read - isn't that complicated?
Less than you'd think. Use two bookmarks or the audiobook/print combo. The chapter guide above makes it manageable. And trust me, it beats the frustration of leaving EoS on a cliffhanger for 700 pages.
Are there different editions that change the reading order?
Watch out for: The 2017 box set places Assassin's Blade after Heir of Fire. Barnes & Noble exclusives sometimes rearrange novellas. When in doubt, check original publication dates.
Personal Journey: How My Reading Order Evolved
First attempt (2015): I started with Throne of Glass on a flight to Chicago. Finished it confused about why everyone loved Celaena. Nearly quit until a bookstore clerk insisted I try Assassin's Blade.
Second attempt (2017): Did chronological order including Tower of Dawn after Empire of Storms. Hated the pacing whiplash so much I took a 4-month break before Kingdom of Ash.
Third attempt (2020): Hybrid order with tandem read. Finally understood why people obsess over this series. The emotional beats landed perfectly when the backstory foundation existed.
The Ultimate Hybrid Reading Order Cheatsheet
Print this table and stick it in your first book:
| Reading Sequence | Book Title | Why This Placement Works | Estimated Reading Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | The Assassin's Blade | Establishes Celaena's trauma & motivations | 12-15 hours |
| Phase 2 | Throne of Glass | Introduces core cast & primary conflict | 10-12 hours |
| Phase 3 | Crown of Midnight | Deepens mysteries & character bonds | 11-14 hours |
| Phase 4 | Heir of Fire | Expands worldbuilding & magic system | 15-18 hours |
| Phase 5 | Queen of Shadows | Pays off early plot threads | 18-22 hours |
| Phase 6 | Empire of Storms + Tower of Dawn (tandem) | Maintains momentum while developing critical subplots | 35-45 hours |
| Phase 7 | Kingdom of Ash | Final convergence of all storylines | 25-30 hours |
Tailoring Your Experience: Pick Your Own Path
Still unsure? Answer these:
- Do you love slow-burn character studies? → Chronological order
- Hate cliffhangers? → Tandem read EoS/ToD is non-negotiable
- Prefer mystery? → Publication order preserves reveals
- Short on time? → Hybrid order maximizes payoff efficiency
At the end of the day, the perfect order to read Throne of Glass depends entirely on your tolerance for flashbacks, cliffhangers, and character-focused detours. My hybrid order balances these elements, but your mileage may vary.
One last tip: If you start Throne of Glass and dislike Celaena? Push through to Heir of Fire. That's where the series transforms from decent YA to epic fantasy. I almost quit during book two, and that would've been my biggest reading regret.
Leave a Comments