Sarah J. Maas has captivated fantasy lovers worldwide with ACOTAR and Crescent City book series in recent years. However, Throne of Glass is the first book series written by the author. After falling in love with A Court of Thorns and Roses books series myself, I decided to read Throne of Glass to cure my ACOTAR hangover. Spanning eight books, the series takes readers on a breathtaking journey through magic, fantasy creatures, war, and love, all centered around the fierce and complex heroine, Celaena Sardothien. So is the books series worth the hype? How does Throne of Glass compare to ACOTAR? Let’s dive into my book review of Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
What is Throne of Glass About?
The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas is a sprawling epic fantasy that follows Celaena Sardothien, an assassin with a mysterious past and a destiny greater than she could ever imagine. This young adult fantasy books starts slowly, following the story of a young teenage assassin girl fighting for her freedom. She ends up uncovering dark secrets about her kingdom and its magic and has to make allies to stand against the forces threatening to destroy her world. This series is full of action, adventure, romance, and unforgettable characters. The books series starts small but grows into a powerful story about finding your true self, fighting for what’s right, the power of friendship and the strength it takes to face impossible challenges.
Reading Order of the Throne of Glass Series
The series spans eight books, including the prequel novellas compiled in The Assassin’s Blade. Here’s one reading order:
- The Assassin’s Blade (optional to read first, after Crown of Midnight or after Heir of Fire)
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
Many fans recommend a tandem read of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn since their timelines occur simultaneously, offering a richer experience.
Check out my full guide on the reading order of the Throne of Glass series here.
Is Throne of Glass Spicy?
The series starts with a Young Adult tone, featuring subtle romance clean content and zero spice. However, as the story progresses, particularly in Empire of Storms and beyond, the romance becomes more mature, with some explicit scenes and complex relationships. By the end, the series is firmly in the new adult category, balancing steamy romance with epic fantasy. Still, it is more young adult oriented than ACOTAR in general, less romance-oriented and more fantasy-oriented.
Why Throne of Glass is My Favorite Young Adult Fantasy Series – NO SPOILERS
A Commitment Worth Making
With eight books, the Throne of Glass series is a big commitment, but it’s absolutely worth it. Admittedly, it takes a few books to truly get into, but the payoff is incredible. It wasn’t until Heir of Fire that I was completely hooked. The series transforms from a simple YA fantasy into a multi-layered, epic tale with unforgettable characters and high stakes. If you commit to the journey, I promise you won’t regret it. This has become my favorite young adult fantasy series of all-time and I even prefer Throne of Glass to ACOTAR. This is the kind of books that is life changing and by the end of it, you will truly wish you could read it again for the first time.
Characters that Stay With You
Sarah J. Maas creates some of the most compelling characters in fantasy. Celaena’s transformation is breathtaking, and side characters like Lysandra, Manon, Elide, Lorcan and Rowan add incredible layers to the story. Their friendship and relationships through it all are truly what makes this series so amazing.
A Rich Fantasy World
While the fantasy elements are light in the first book, they expand significantly as the series progresses. By the time the Fae, witches, and magical creatures take center stage, you’ll be fully immersed in a world that feels both vast and detailed.
Reviews of the different books – NO SPOILERS
Throne of Glass
★★★
A solid start, but not the best of the series. It’s clear this is one of Sarah J. Maas’s earlier works, as the writing feels simpler and more YA-oriented. The debut novel sets the stage for Celaena’s journey, focusing on her participation in the King’s Champion tournament. While the competition premise is exciting, the book primarily serves as an introduction to the characters and the world. The fantasy elements are minimal here even though magic and dark creatures are introduced in the story. There is some romance but the love triangle was a bit frustrating to me. However, the story keeps you hooked and intrigued for what’s to come.
Crown of Midnight
★★★★
The series slowly starts to find its footing. The stakes are higher, the characters’ relationships deepen, and the twists hit harder. Celaena’s role as the King’s Champion leads her down a darker path, forcing her to confront her past and her future. The emotional weight of this book is unmatched. Celaena’s grief and anger following a tragic betrayal hit deeply. The balance between romance and action is handled masterfully and the CLIFFHANGER at the end will leave you breathless.
Heir of Fire
★★★★★
This book marks a turning point in the series. Celaena’s transformation begins as she trains with Rowan Whitethorn. The character development in Heir of Fire is phenomenal. Celaena’s growth from broken to powerful is inspiring. This is the books when the Fae are introduced to the series, a dream for fantasy lovers. The world also expands with new characters like Manon Blackbeak and her Thirteen, adding depth and complexity to the story. Sarah J. Maas adds different povs in this book and at first I must admit I did not want to read Manon’s pov chapters as I found her absolutely boring. I honestly found myself groaning every time the book was switching back to Manon’s pov. Spoiler: Manon does end up being one of my fav character later on with some of the biggest character growth in that entire series. So my advice is: do not skip her chapters.
The Assassin’s Blade
★★★
A collection of novellas that provide valuable context for Celaena’s backstory. Though not my favorite, it enhances the main storyline and is worth reading for the added depth and understanding of Celaena character. The episodic structure may not appeal to everyone and this is one of the reason why it is one of my least favorite book in the series. The stories are fast-paced and emotionally impactful though, particularly Celaena’s relationship with Sam. I believe the book would be even more impactful if you read it first in the book series as it won’t spoil the ending for you. A lot of people actually recommend to read it first. I read it after Heir of Fire and maybe this is the reason why it ranks so low for me. It was hard for me to go from an epic fantasy plot to a prequel of 5 different novellas.
Queen of Shadows
★★★★★
My personal favorite! This book is pure adrenaline. This is the moment when you know you are truly hooked to the series now. Magic, demons, witches, and more—this one has it all. It is action-packed with epic battles and major character arcs. The intricate plot and strategic mind games keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The introduction of Lysandra, Nesryn, and Aedion adds fresh dynamics while the tension between Celaena and Rowan is palpable. There is also incredible camaraderie between the female characters as they get revenge and fight common enemies. Trust me, you truly won’t be able to put this book down. This is for me one of the strongest books in the series, combining emotional depth with non-stop action.
Empire of Storms
★★★★★
The stakes are higher than ever as alliances are forged and enemies make their moves. Celaena gathers allies and prepares for the final battle against Erawan, but the betrayals and sacrifices along the way are gut-wrenching. The series takes on a darker tone, and the romantic subplots heat up with some steamy scenes. The romance between Elide and Lorcan adds a new layer of emotional depth. The character arcs, especially for Manon, are beautifully done. This book is an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless and the cliffhanger ending is absolutely brutal.
Tower of Dawn
★★★★★
A separate storyline focusing on Chaol and Nesryn, set parallel to Empire of Storms. Now, so many readers just want to skip this book and go straight to Kingdom of Ash to know what happens after the cliffhanger of Empire of Storms. But hear me you, do not skip this book ! Either read it after Empire of Storms or do the tandem read but you will regret not reading it. Why? Tower of Dawn focuses on Chaol’s journey to the Southern Continent, providing a much-needed exploration of his character. Initially feeling like a slow paced side story, Tower of Dawn becomes a crucial part of the narrative, offering vital context for the finale. On top of that, the introduction of Yrene Towers and the Southern Continent adds richness to the world. Yrene is such a beautiful and selfless character and Chaol’s character development is exceptional in this book.
Kingdom of Ash
★★★★★
The grand finale ties all the threads together in an epic, heart-wrenching conclusion. It’s long but oh-so-satisfying. All the threads come together in an action-packed and emotional conclusion. The deaths and sacrifices in this book will shatter your heart, I am warning you. Every character’s journey comes full circle, delivering a satisfying end to the saga. The scale of the battles is awe-inspiring and the emotional depth of the characters, especially Celaena, shines through.
Final Thoughts – Throne of Glass books series by Sarah J. Maas
The Throne of Glass series is one of my all-time favorites. While it starts slow and takes a few books to really get into it, trust the process. The series quickly turns into a masterpiece that you won’t be able to put down. It’s a testament to Sarah J. Maas’s storytelling prowess and her ability to craft a series that grows with its readers.
If you’re considering starting this series, my advice is simple: trust the process and commit to the journey. It’s a story that stays with you long after you’ve read the last page and I would do anything to re-read this series for the first time again.
