If you’re a fan of fantasy novels with fierce heroines, slow burn romance and rich world-building, the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas should be on your reading list. Chances are, you’re here because you’ve just finished devouring the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series and are eager for more of Maas’s storytelling. But you might be wondering what is the reading order of Sarah J Mass Throne of Glass series as there is a lot of controversy about it and when you should read The Assassin’s Blade. The Assassin’s blade is a collection of five novellas that take place before the events of Throne of Glass and provide some backstory and character development. This book of novellas was published in 2014 after the first two books of the series. So if you are wondering in what order you should read the Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas, let me help you.
Here’s a guide to help you navigate the Throne of Glass series and enjoy the story as it unfolds.
In this article,
01. Why the reading order of Sarah J.Maas Throne of Glass series matters
02. Publication order
03. Chronological order
04. Tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn
05. Conclusion
Why the Reading Order of Sarah J Maas Throne of Glass series Matters
There is no wrong way to do it but choosing the reading order of Sarah J Mass Throne of Glass series can affect your understanding and enjoyment of the story. Here are a few reasons why:
- Character Development: The chronological order provides the backstory and allows you to fully understand the character of Celaena in Throne of Glass. On the other hand, reading in publication order allows you to follow the protagonist, Celaena Sardothien, as her character evolves through the series. I believe The Assassin’s Blade is best appreciated after you’ve become invested in Celaena’s journey as it allows you to connect all the dots in the story.
- Plot Twists and Reveals: The publication order ensures you encounter major plot twists and reveals in the intended sequence, preserving the element of surprise and suspense.
- World-Building: The world-building in the Throne of Glass series is intricate and expansive. Reading in publication order helps you understand the world and its rules gradually, as the author intended.
Publication Order
Reading the Throne of Glass series in the order they were published is the most common approach. This method allows you to experience the story as readers did when the books first came out. This is also Sarah J. Maas preferred reading order for the series. Here is the publication order:
- Throne of Glass (2012)
- Crown of Midnight (2013)
- The Assassin’s Blade (2014)
- Heir of Fire (2014)
- Queen of Shadows (2015)
- Empire of Storms (2016) – Tandem read
- Tower of Dawn (2017) – Tandem read
- Kingdom of Ash (2018)
Another twist to the reading order is to read The Assassin’s Blade after Heir of Fire and before Queen of Shadows. This approach creates a bigger emotional impact and provides essential backstory for the Assassins Guild, which plays a significant role in Queen of Shadows.
Chronological Order
Lots of readers prefer reading in the chronological order as it provides valuable backstory and character development about Cealena before Throne Of Glass. If you prefer to read the series in chronological order, which aligns with the timeline within the story, here’s how you should proceed:
- The Assassin’s Blade (Prequel novellas)
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn (takes place parallel to Empire of Storms)
- Kingdom of Ash
Reading The Assassin’s Blade first will give you a deeper understanding of Celaena’s journey in Throne of Glass. Knowing what she has been through adds layers to her character, making her actions and decisions more meaningful. If you prefer reading everything in chronological order and dislike backtracking in a story, this approach is ideal for you. However, be aware that The Assassin’s Blade consists of four novellas with distinct stories and extensive world-building, which can be challenging to get into. Personally, if I had started with The Assassin’s Blade, I might have found it boring, especially after the fast-paced excitement of the ACOTAR series. I believe Throne of Glass is easier to get into if you are starting the series.
Tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn
Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn take place simultaneously, following different characters on separate paths during the exact same timeline. The publication order suggests reading Empire of Storms first, then Tower of Dawn, but Empire of Storms ends with a massive cliffhanger. If you read Empire of Storms first, you’ll be an emotional wreck by the end and won’t want to read Tower of Dawn before diving into Kingdom of Ash. Some readers even skip Tower of Dawn to jump straight to Kingdom of Ash. But trust me, you can’t skip Tower of Dawn, this is a MUST-READ.
To get the best experience, I highly recommend doing a tandem read, treating both books as one by switching back and forth between chapters of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. Here’s how to do the tandem read:
- Empire Of Storms: Nightfall
- Empire Of Storms 1-5
- Tower Of Dawn: 1
- Empire Of Storms: 6-8
- Tower Of Dawn: 2-3
- Empire Of Storms: 9-10
- Tower Of Dawn: 4-6
- Empire Of Storms: 11
- Tower Of Dawn: 7
- Empire Of Storms:12-13
- Tower Of Dawn: 8-10
- Empire Of Storms: 14-16
- Tower Of Dawn: 11-12
- Empire Of Storms: 17-18
- Tower Of Dawn: 13-16
- Empire Of Storms: 19
- Tower Of Dawn: 17
- Empire Of Storms: 20-23
- Tower Of Dawn: 18-21
- Empire Of Storms: 24-25
- Tower Of Dawn: 22-23
- Empire Of Storms: 26
- Tower Of Dawn: 24
- Empire Of Storms: 27-29
- Tower Of Dawn: 25-28
- Empire Of Storms: 30
- Tower Of Dawn: 29-31
- Empire Of Storms: 31
- Tower Of Dawn: 32
- Empire Of Storms: 32
- Tower Of Dawn: 33-35
- Empire Of Storms: 33-51
- Tower Of Dawn: 36-37
- Empire Of Storms: 52
- Tower Of Dawn: 38-40
- Empire Of Storms: 53
- Tower Of Dawn: 41-42
- Empire Of Storms: 54-56
- Tower Of Dawn: 43
- Empire Of Storms: 57-59
- Tower Of Dawn: 44-48
- Empire Of Storms: 60-61
- Tower Of Dawn: 49-51
- Empire Of Storms: 62-63
- Tower Of Dawn: 52-53
- Empire Of Storms: 64-65
- Tower Of Dawn: 54-56
- Empire Of Storms: 66-67
- Tower Of Dawn: 57
- Empire Of Storms: 68-75
- Tower Of Dawn: 58-68
- Tower Of Dawn: Fireheart
Conclusion : reading order of Sarah J Mass Throne of Glass series
Whether you choose to read the Throne of Glass series in publication order or chronological order, you’re in for an epic journey filled with magic, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. If you’re new to the series, starting with Throne of Glass and following the publication order is a great way to experience the story. For returning fans, reading the novellas in The Assassin’s Blade first can offer new insights and a deeper appreciation for the series. And if you want to stay in Sarah J. Maas universe after finishing Throne Of Glass, you can start reading Crescent City or ACOTAR if you haven’t already.
You can also find a list of books recommendations here on What to read after SJM ACOTAR series
Happy reading !
