Throne Of Glass Book Order: Your Ultimate Guide To Reading The Series

Lafayette Rau 25 Aug 2025

A throne, you know, is the special chair that a king or queen sits on, often set on a dais and surmounted by a canopy, pretty much representing the power of the dignitary who sits on it. It’s a symbol of rule, of destiny, and, well, sometimes, a heavy burden. This idea of a powerful seat, a position of ultimate authority, is actually central to many stories, especially those in the fantasy world, and it’s a concept that truly comes alive in Sarah J. Maas’s incredibly popular “Throne of Glass” series. The very name of the series, as a matter of fact, hints at the grand, sometimes fragile, nature of power.

For those just discovering the world of Celaena Sardothien, a young assassin with a mysterious past and a fierce spirit, figuring out where to begin can feel a little bit confusing. With prequels, main novels, and various recommendations floating around, you might be wondering, "What's the right throne of glass book order?" It's a common question, actually, for new readers and even for those looking to revisit the saga.

This guide aims to clear up any confusion, providing you with the best ways to read through this epic tale of magic, war, and romance. We'll explore the different reading orders, talk about why each one might be a good choice, and help you decide which path feels right for your adventure into this truly captivating world. So, let’s get into how you can best experience this story, you know, as of October 2023.

Understanding the Throne of Glass Series
- Why Reading Order Matters
The Official Publication Order
The Chronological Reading Order
The Recommended Hybrid Reading Order
- Why the Hybrid Order is Popular
What About the Tandem Read for Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Throne of Glass Order
Starting Your Throne of Glass Adventure

Understanding the Throne of Glass Series

The "Throne of Glass" series, you know, tells the story of Celaena Sardothien, a skilled assassin who finds herself thrust into a royal competition. It's a tale that quickly grows far beyond simple court intrigue, becoming a sprawling epic filled with magic, ancient prophecies, powerful creatures, and, well, a fight for the very survival of a world. The books are known for their strong characters, intricate plots, and truly emotional moments.

Why Reading Order Matters

For a series this complex, the order in which you read the books can actually change your experience quite a bit. Some readers prefer to follow the story exactly as it was released, which is the publication order. Others like to read events in the sequence they happen in the story, which is the chronological order. Then, there’s a popular hybrid approach, which many fans feel offers the best balance of plot reveals and character development, you know, especially with the prequel novellas.

The Official Publication Order

Reading the books in the order they were published is, arguably, the most straightforward approach. It's how most original fans experienced the story, and it reflects the author's initial release strategy. This order allows you to discover information and character backstories just as they were revealed to the wider audience. Here's how it goes, pretty much.

Throne of Glass (Book 1)

This is where it all begins. We meet Celaena, a convicted assassin, offered a chance at freedom if she wins a deadly competition. It’s a good starting point, setting up the main character and the initial world, you know. You get a feel for the stakes and the main players.

Crown of Midnight (Book 2)

Following the first book, this one deepens the plot, exploring more of the court's secrets and Celaena's growing responsibilities. The relationships become more complicated, and the threats, well, they certainly become more real, actually. It really builds on the foundation laid in the first book.

Heir of Fire (Book 3)

Many fans consider this book a significant turning point in the series. Celaena travels to a new land, encountering new allies and, you know, facing some very personal demons. The scope of the story expands dramatically here, revealing much more about the world's magic and history. It's a pretty intense read, in a good way.

Queen of Shadows (Book 4)

This book is, arguably, where Celaena truly embraces her destiny. The stakes are incredibly high, and the action is constant. It brings together many threads from earlier books, setting the stage for the massive conflicts to come. It’s a very satisfying read after the build-up of the previous books.

The Assassin's Blade (Prequel Novellas)

This collection of five novellas tells Celaena's story before the events of "Throne of Glass." It was published after "Heir of Fire," which is why it appears here in the publication order. Reading it at this point, you know, gives you a lot of context for her past after you've already gotten to know her quite well. It's almost like a flashback, really.

Empire of Storms (Book 5)

The war truly begins in this installment. Alliances are tested, and sacrifices are made. This book is packed with action and major plot developments. It’s a huge, pivotal moment for all the characters, you know, really pushing them to their limits.

Tower of Dawn (Book 6)

This book runs concurrently with "Empire of Storms," following a different character's journey in a faraway land. It was published after "Empire of Storms." Some readers find its placement here, after such an intense book, a little bit jarring, but it’s definitely important for the overall story, as a matter of fact. It adds a lot of depth to another part of the world.

Kingdom of Ash (Book 7)

The epic conclusion to the entire series. All the storylines converge in a truly grand finale. This book is massive, tying up loose ends and delivering an emotional, powerful ending to Celaena's journey. It’s a very satisfying end to such a long adventure.

The Chronological Reading Order

This order puts "The Assassin's Blade" first, as its events happen before "Throne of Glass." For some, this makes perfect sense, offering a complete picture of Celaena's past right from the start. You get to see her origins and understand her motivations before she even enters the competition, you know. It's a pretty logical way to go, if you like stories told in a straight line.

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

The main argument for this approach is that it provides all the backstory upfront. You understand Celaena’s pain, her losses, and her skills from the very beginning. However, some readers feel that starting with "The Assassin's Blade" can be a little bit slow, or that it spoils some reveals that are more impactful when discovered later in the main series. It kind of depends on your reading style, you know.

The Recommended Hybrid Reading Order

This is, arguably, the most popular and frequently recommended throne of glass book order among fans, especially for new readers. It aims to combine the best aspects of both publication and chronological orders, giving you a strong introduction to Celaena while also providing crucial backstory at a point where it enhances the main narrative without overwhelming it. It’s a really good balance, actually.

Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight
The Assassin's Blade
Heir of Fire
Queen of Shadows
Empire of Storms
Tower of Dawn
Kingdom of Ash

Why the Hybrid Order is Popular

Starting with "Throne of Glass" and "Crown of Midnight" allows you to get hooked on Celaena's current story and the immediate mystery surrounding her. You fall for her, you know, before you learn the full, heartbreaking details of her past. Then, reading "The Assassin's Blade" *before* "Heir of Fire" is often seen as the sweet spot. "Heir of Fire" is a very emotional book, and having the context from the novellas makes Celaena's journey and her reactions in "Heir of Fire" so much more impactful, as a matter of fact. It really deepens your connection to her character. It gives you a lot more insight into her feelings, you know, and her motivations.

What About the Tandem Read for Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn?

Now, this is a special consideration for "Empire of Storms" (Book 5) and "Tower of Dawn" (Book 6). These two books, actually, happen at the same time but follow different sets of characters in different locations. In the standard orders, you read one completely then the other. However, some dedicated fans created a "tandem read" where you alternate chapters between the two books. This can be a really cool way to experience both storylines simultaneously, you know, keeping all the plot threads fresh in your mind.

A tandem read is, arguably, a more advanced way to read, and it requires a bit of planning, like having both books open or using a guide that tells you which chapters to read next. It’s not for everyone, but many readers say it makes the experience of these two books, which are rather long, more engaging and keeps the momentum going for the entire series. You can find detailed tandem reading guides online if you're feeling adventurous, so it's definitely an option to consider, you know, if you're up for it. Learn more about fantasy reading strategies on our site.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Throne of Glass Order

Here are some common questions people ask when figuring out their throne of glass book order, you know, pretty much.

Should I read The Assassin's Blade first?

Many fans actually recommend reading "The Assassin's Blade" after "Crown of Midnight" but before "Heir of Fire." This hybrid approach gives you enough time to get to know Celaena in her current story before diving deep into her past, which, you know, makes her emotional journey in "Heir of Fire" much more powerful. Starting with it first is an option, but it can feel a little bit slow to some readers.

What is the best way to read the Throne of Glass series?

The "best" way really depends on your personal preference, but the most popular recommendation, as a matter of fact, is the hybrid order: "Throne of Glass," "Crown of Midnight," "The Assassin's Blade," "Heir of Fire," "Queen of Shadows," "Empire of Storms," "Tower of Dawn," and then "Kingdom of Ash." This order is generally thought to provide the most impactful emotional experience and plot reveals, you know.

Are there any Throne of Glass books I can skip?

No, definitely not! Every book in the "Throne of Glass" series, including "The Assassin's Blade" and "Tower of Dawn," is essential to the overall story. Skipping any of them would mean missing crucial plot points, character development, and world-building that are, you know, absolutely necessary for understanding the full scope of the saga. Each one adds important layers to the narrative.

Starting Your Throne of Glass Adventure

No matter which throne of glass book order you choose, you are in for a truly epic adventure. Sarah J. Maas has crafted a world that is, you know, incredibly rich, with characters that feel so real and a story that will keep you guessing until the very end. The journey of Celaena Sardothien, from a feared assassin to a queen fighting for her people, is one that has captivated millions of readers around the globe. It's a pretty intense ride, so be prepared for some late nights, actually.

So, pick your preferred reading order, grab the first book, and prepare to be swept away. Whether you go for publication, chronological, or the popular hybrid method, you're about to discover why this series remains a beloved favorite in the fantasy genre. You might even find yourself wanting to reread it to catch all the details you missed the first time, you know, because there are so many layers to uncover. For more details on the author's other works, check out Sarah J. Maas's official website. You can also explore more about fantasy book recommendations right here.

Throne - definition and meaning with pictures | Picture Dictionary & Books

Premium Photo | Golden filigree throne room in a medieval castle king

Medieval Royal Blue King Lion Throne Accent High Back Medieval Chair

Celeflash News