Your Ultimate Guide to the Throne of Glass Journey
If you’ve ever found yourself intrigued by the Throne of Glass series order, you’re in for an unforgettable ride. Whether you picked up the first book on a whim at Barnes and Noble or saw it trending on Bookwork, this ultimate guide is here to help. As a seasoned reader of Sarah J. Mass, I can assure you this series is worth the time.
Congratulations on making the decision to explore this epic world. You’ll love the intricate storytelling, especially if you enjoy thrilling fantasy. The best part? Following the proper order enhances the entire experience. Dive into the books one by one, and soon you’ll see why so many fans can’t stop reading.
Throne of Glass is Sarah J. Mass’s first work and her only complete series. It is a complete adventure, and a must-read for fans of high fantasy.
A Thrilling Adventure in the Throne of Glass Series
The Throne of Glass saga is an epic journey that spans eight books, with Celaena Sardothian, a notorious assassin, who was enslaved in the mines of Andover. Her journey begins when a handsome prince and his royal guard offer her a chance to earn her freedom through a tournament. What follows is a high fantasy adventure that evolves into a story of freedom, and epic battles, all set within a kingdom filled with danger. This series is truly my favorite and a lifetime read for any fan of thrilling fantasy.
If you’re just getting started with Sarah J. Mass, I highly recommend reading ACOTAR first. It’s a great introduction to the Maasverse and will help you dive into the adventure ahead. GOBLIN WARNING: This series will keep you hooked!
If you’re new to the Throne of Glass series, you’ve probably found yourself stumbling into a debate on how to read it. There are many ways to approach this series, but as a self-proclaimed goblin, I believe there’s an ultimate reading order for the most cohesive story. I promise, this way will have the maximum emotional impact, making you feel consumed by the story. You might even get traumatized in a good way, unable to go a day without thinking about these books. Not the bad kind of trauma, but the kind that sticks with you permanently.
Throne of Glass Series Reading Order
TL;DR: The Best Order to Read Throne of Glass
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- The Assassin’s Blade
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire Of Storms/Tower of Dawn tandem read
- Kingdom of Ash
Why This Is the Ultimate Throne of Glass Reading Order, Explained
You might ask why there are different ways to read the series, isn’t it supposed to be linear? The answer is in two questions, which could help guide your journey through the series.
- When is the proper time to read the prequel Blade for the best context and character integration in the story?
- How does the chronology and timing of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn fit into the sequence to ensure the plot flows appropriately?
Best Time to Read The Assassin’s Blade
Timing and Placement in the Series
In the Throne of Glass series order, knowing when to read The Assassin’s Blade is key to fully understanding the plot. The prequel takes place before the events in Throne of Glass, but its placement is best as the third book. This approach maintains the mystery and impact of the series.
Why Not Start with the Prequel?
You might be tempted to read The Assassin’s Blade first, but it’s important to wait. This collection of adventures introduces key characters and side stories, but they make more sense once you’ve spent time with Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight. These books lay the foundation for the entire series.
The Role of Side Characters
The Assassin’s Blade introduces multiple new side characters that you won’t fully appreciate unless you’ve already explored the world of Erilea. Many of these characters have important roles later in the Throne of Glass books, and reading them out of sequence can cause you to miss crucial connections in the story.
Setting the Right Tone
The tone of the series shifts dramatically between the second and third books. Reading The Assassin’s Blade after the first two books allows you to understand the characters’ backstory and experience the change in tone with a clearer perspective. This way, you enter Heir of Fire with a stronger grasp on the narrative.
Plot Development and Mystery
The mystery of Throne of Glass is one of its most compelling features. By reading The Assassin’s Blade at the right time, you preserve the plot’s mystery while deepening your understanding of the characters. Sarah J. Maas herself recommends this order to enhance the impact of the story.
The Critical Importance of the Prequel
While The Assassin’s Blade might seem like an optional read, it is critical for understanding the long-term plot points of the Throne of Glass series. Many events that occur later are set up through the prequel, and skipping it could lead to missing significant plot twists and character development.
Fandom and Community Insights
As a fan, you’ll often see discussions about the importance of The Assassin’s Blade in the fandom. While some might argue to skip it, the official stance from Sarah J. Maas is clear. The prequel is important for understanding the bigger picture and enriching your reading experience of the entire series.
Best Way to Read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn Together
When reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn, many readers prefer to read them at the same time, switching between the two. This method, known as tandem reading, keeps you engaged with both books, as they cover different characters and plot lines but occur in the same timeline of Erilea.
A key benefit of tandem reading is that you experience the story and events from two different perspectives. The timeline events in both books overlap, but they follow different characters and their unique journeys. Switching between them allows you to understand the full scope of what’s happening across the world of Erilea.
One important thing to note is that Empire of Storms should be read first because its ending has a massive impact on the series. The plot twist at the end is so significant that it’s impossible to return to the calmer tone of Tower of Dawn without losing the full impact of the story. If you start with Tower of Dawn, you might accidentally spoil some crucial events from Empire of Storms.
If you’re using physical books, tandem reading can be a bit challenging, but it’s definitely doable. For those with a Kindle or e-book version, it’s easier to switch back and forth between the two books. You can simply tap on chapters from both books and read them as needed.
For audiobooks, tandem reading is more complicated. To make it easier, I recommend setting bookmarks at the start of each chapter. This helps you follow the guide and know exactly when to switch between the two books. Another option is to create a widget on your phone that shows the current chapter in the reading order.
The community has developed a guide that suggests the best reading order. This reading order makes it easier for readers to follow the correct sequence of events. Many fans recommend this method to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the number of characters introduced in both books.
Whether you choose to read both books at once or not, Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn are essential to understanding the full depth of the series. The plot lines in these books add so much richness to the story that skipping them would be a mistake.