So you've heard about Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series and want to dive in, but now you're staring at eight books plus novellas wondering where to start? Been there. When I first tried figuring out the throne of glass book order, I almost gave up because everyone said something different. Some websites forgot the novellas, others argued about reading sequence, and spoilers lurked everywhere. Not cool.
Why Getting the Throne of Glass Book Order Right Actually Matters
Look, this isn't like those standalone novels where sequence doesn't matter. Get the throne of glass book order wrong and you'll either miss crucial backstory or spoil major twists. Remember when I accidentally read Heir of Fire before The Assassin's Blade? Total facepalm moment. Suddenly characters were referencing events I knew nothing about. Sarah J. Maas builds this world gradually, and the emotional payoff requires following the intended journey.
You basically have two main paths:
Option 1: Publication Order (The Way Most Fans First Experienced It)
This is the safest bet for new readers. You experience the story unfolding exactly as the author released it. The downside? You'll meet Celaena Sardothien knowing she's a legendary assassin before seeing how she earned that reputation.
| Book Title | Release Year | Reading Time* |
|---|---|---|
| Throne of Glass | 2012 | 10-12 hours |
| Crown of Midnight | 2013 | 12-14 hours |
| Heir of Fire | 2014 | 14-16 hours |
| The Assassin's Blade (novellas) | 2014 | 8-10 hours |
| Queen of Shadows | 2015 | 18-20 hours |
| Empire of Storms | 2016 | 20-22 hours |
| Tower of Dawn | 2017 | 16-18 hours |
| Kingdom of Ash | 2018 | 30-35 hours |
*Based on average reading speed of 300 words/minute
Personal take: I read this way first and still loved it, but I wish someone had told me to squeeze the novellas in earlier. Seeing younger Celaena's mistakes hits differently when you've already seen her growth.
Option 2: Chronological Order (For Hardcore Purists)
This sequence follows the internal timeline of events. The big debate here is where to place The Assassin's Blade.
- The Assassin's Blade (prequel novellas)
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
Why this throne of glass book order works: You understand Celaena's trauma from the jump. That scene in Throne of Glass where she reacts violently to someone touching her shoulder? Hits like a truck when you've just finished The Assassin's Blade. Downside: The writing quality jumps around since the novellas were Maas' earliest work.
Confession time: I preferred chronological order on my reread. Knowing Sam's fate from the start made Celaena's arrogance in ToG feel less annoying and more like armor. But hey, some fans think it ruins the mystery.
The Tower of Dawn Dilemma: Why It Causes Headaches
Here's where the throne of glass book order gets messy. Tower of Dawn runs parallel to Empire of Storms but follows Chaol's journey across the sea. Sarah J. Maas originally meant it as a novella, then it ballooned into a full novel. Problem is, Empire of Storms ends on a brutal cliffhanger while Tower of Dawn feels like a detour.
What readers hate:
- Being forced to pause a high-stakes storyline for 700+ pages
- Minimal crossover between the two books until the end
- Chaol's unpopularity after previous books (let's be real)
My advice? If you're binge-reading, do the tandem read. If you take breaks between books, publication order hurts less.
How to Tandem Read Without Losing Your Mind
This throne of glass book order hack lets you experience both stories simultaneously. You'll need both physical books or two devices. Here's the chapter swap sequence fans developed:
| Start With | Then Read | Stop At |
|---|---|---|
| Empire of Storms (EoS) Ch 1-5 | Tower of Dawn (ToD) Ch 1-7 | EoS Ch 5 / ToD Ch 7 |
| ToD Ch 8-14 | EoS Ch 6-15 | ToD Ch 14 / EoS Ch 15 |
| EoS Ch 16-28 | ToD Ch 15-26 | EoS Ch 28 / ToD Ch 26 |
| ToD Ch 27-36 | EoS Ch 29-47 | ToD Ch 36 / EoS Ch 47 |
| EoS Ch 48-END | ToD Ch 37-END |
Tried this last year and wow. The pacing actually improves because you cut Tower of Dawn's slow start with EoS action. When Nesryn's subplot drags, bam - you jump back to Aelin's chaos. Took me three weeks instead of my usual one-book-per-week, but zero regrets.
Warning: Don't attempt tandem reading on a library deadline. You'll renew books six times like I did and get death stares from librarians.
Where Those Extra Stories Fit In
Beyond the core throne of glass book order, there's bonus content that enriches the experience:
- The Assassin's Blade: Essential prequel collection. Read either first (chronological) or after Heir of Fire (publication). Never skip it.
- A Court of Thorns and Roses series: Separate universe but same author style. Read after ToG to avoid burnout.
- Short stories (e.g., The Stolen Heir): Available online. Fun but not required.
Your Personal Throne of Glass Checklist
Use this whether you're buying physical copies or ebooks:
| Book | ISBN-13 | Pages | Best Price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Assassin's Blade | 978-1619633638 | 448 | $9.79 (paperback) |
| Throne of Glass | 978-1619630347 | 416 | $7.99 (paperback) |
| Crown of Midnight | 978-1619630620 | 418 | $8.49 (paperback) |
| Heir of Fire | 978-1619630651 | 565 | $9.99 (paperback) |
| Queen of Shadows | 978-1619636073 | 648 | $11.89 (paperback) |
| Empire of Storms | 978-1619636103 | 704 | $12.99 (paperback) |
| Tower of Dawn | 978-1681195773 | 720 | $14.99 (paperback) |
| Kingdom of Ash | 978-1619636101 | 992 | $14.49 (hardcover) |
*Amazon US prices as of 2023 - always check BookBub for deals
Throne of Glass Book Order FAQs
Can I skip Tower of Dawn entirely?
Technically yes, but you'll regret it. Important lore about the Valg emerges, and Chaol's healing arc actually makes him bearable again. Plus, new characters introduced here become vital in Kingdom of Ash.
Why do people argue about The Assassin's Blade placement?
It's about spoilers vs emotional payoff. Reading it first reveals secrets Maas meant to unfold later, but waiting until book 4 makes early references confusing. Personally? I vote for reading it after Crown of Midnight as a compromise.
How bad is the Empire of Storms cliffhanger?
Imagine your favorite character hanging off a cliff during a hurricane while holding your childhood pet. That level of brutal. If you have low tolerance for unresolved tension, tandem read with Tower of Dawn.
Are the Crescent City books connected?
Different universe, but Maas loves Easter eggs. One throne of glass character makes a multiverse appearance in House of Sky and Breath. Read ToG first to catch it.
What's the cheapest way to buy the whole series?
Box set hunting. The 8-book collection retails around $80 but often drops to $55 during Barnes & Noble sales. Or go digital: ebook bundle prices fluctuate wildly—set CamelCamelCamel alerts.
Is Kingdom of Ash worth the emotional damage?
Yes, but stock up on tissues and comfort food. That 992-page finale destroyed me for a week. Still haunts my book hangover hall of fame.
Final Thoughts on Figuring Out Your Throne of Glass Journey
After helping dozens of readers navigate the throne of glass book order mess, here's my cheat sheet:
- New to YA fantasy? Publication order minimizes confusion
- Character-driven reader? Chronological order deepens connections
- Impatient with cliffhangers? Tandem read Empire of Storms/Tower of Dawn
- Short on time? Skip the shorts but never The Assassin's Blade
Remember that time I lent my friend the series in the wrong order? Yeah, she still brings it up at parties. Don't be like me. Use this throne of glass book order guide, grab some chocolate (you'll need it), and dive into one of fantasy's most addictive worlds. Just clear your schedule first - blaming me when you call in sick to finish Empire of Storms won't work.
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