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Unraveling The Throne Of Glass Reading Order: Your Ultimate Guide

2 Ways to Read Throne of Glass in Order | Ultimate Reading Guide

Jul 03, 2025
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2 Ways to Read Throne of Glass in Order | Ultimate Reading Guide

Embarking on a new fantasy series can be an exhilarating journey, but for many, diving into Sarah J. Maas's epic "Throne of Glass" saga often comes with a perplexing question: What is the correct Throne of Glass reading order? You're not alone if you've found yourself scratching your head, scrolling through countless Reddit threads, and seeing a different recommendation every time. The confusion is real, and the fear of running into spoilers is a valid concern for any dedicated reader.

Perhaps, like Lily, who recently finished the beloved ACOTAR series and is now eager to delve into the world of Celaena Sardothien, you're seeking clear, concise guidance. With 7 main novels and 1 collection of prequel short stories, navigating the Throne of Glass series order can feel like a quest in itself. This comprehensive guide aims to cut through the noise, providing you with all the popular reading orders, their pros and cons, and our top recommendations to ensure your journey through Erilea is as magical and spoiler-free as possible.

Table of Contents

Why the Throne of Glass Reading Order Confusion?

The "Throne of Glass" series, a high fantasy epic by Sarah J. Maas, has captivated millions, leading to its widespread popularity and numerous discussions online. However, unlike many series that follow a strictly linear path from book one to the finale, the inclusion of a prequel novella collection, *The Assassin's Blade*, throws a wrench into what would otherwise be a straightforward Throne of Glass reading order. This collection of five short stories delves into Celaena Sardothien's past as an assassin, introducing key characters and events that shape her future. The core of the confusion stems from *The Assassin's Blade*'s unique position. While it was published after the first two main novels, *Throne of Glass* and *Crown of Midnight*, its events chronologically precede them. This creates a dilemma: do you read it when it was published, or do you read it based on the timeline of the story? "I’m so confused because everyone on Reddit seems to have a different take on it," is a common sentiment, and it perfectly encapsulates the reader's predicament. Each approach offers a different experience, impacting character development, emotional impact, and the unveiling of plot twists. The goal here is to help you navigate these choices without running into any spoilers.

The Throne of Glass Series at a Glance

Before we dive into the various reading orders, let's lay out the complete list of books that comprise the "Throne of Glass" series. Authored by Sarah J. Maas, this beloved high fantasy saga is comprised of 7 novels and 1 collection of prequel short stories. The first book, *Throne of Glass*, was published in 2012, setting the stage for a sprawling epic that concluded with *Kingdom of Ash* in 2018. Sarah J. Maas is known for crafting intricate worlds and compelling characters, as also seen in her "A Court of Thorns and Roses" (ACOTAR) and "Crescent City" series. Here's the full list of books in their publication order: * **The Assassin's Blade** (Prequel Novella Collection, published 2014) * **Throne of Glass** (Book 1, published 2012) * **Crown of Midnight** (Book 2, published 2013) * **Heir of Fire** (Book 3, published 2014) * **Queen of Shadows** (Book 4, published 2015) * **Empire of Storms** (Book 5, published 2016) * **Tower of Dawn** (Book 6, published 2017) * **Kingdom of Ash** (Book 7, published 2018) It's important to note that while *The Assassin's Blade* was published later, its events occur *before* *Throne of Glass*. This is the core of the debate surrounding the optimal Throne of Glass reading order. When it comes to tackling the "Throne of Glass" series, there are three popular ways to read them, each offering a distinct experience. These are often referred to as the chronological order (also frequently called the purist order), the romantic order (or emotional order), and the publication order. Understanding the nuances of each will help you decide which path is best for your reading journey.

1. Publication Order (The Purist Approach)

This order is straightforward: you read the books in the sequence they were released by the publisher. Bloomsbury Publishing recommends venturing into the series by following publication order, which includes reading *The Assassin’s Blade* after finishing *Crown of Midnight*. This means the Throne of Glass reading order would be: * 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 **Pros of Publication Order:** * **Author's Original Intent:** This is how Sarah J. Maas released the books, allowing readers to experience the story as she originally intended. The revelations and emotional impacts are structured based on this sequence. * **Mystery and Reveals:** Reading *The Assassin's Blade* later means Celaena's past is slowly unveiled through hints and flashbacks in the main series before you get the full story. This can build suspense and make certain revelations in *Heir of Fire* particularly impactful. * **Pacing:** The action picks up quickly with *Throne of Glass*, and *The Assassin's Blade* can feel like a slight detour if read first, so placing it later maintains the initial momentum of the main narrative. **Cons of Publication Order:** * **Emotional Disconnect:** Some readers find that reading *The Assassin's Blade* after *Crown of Midnight* (or even later) disrupts the flow. The emotional weight of certain events and characters introduced in the prequel might not land as strongly if you've already formed strong opinions about Celaena and her world based on the first two books. * **Minor Spoilers:** While not major plot spoilers for the main series, some character relationships and background information in *The Assassin's Blade* are presented as mysteries in the early main books. Reading the prequel after the fact can diminish the impact of these "reveals."

2. Chronological Order (The Story As It Happened)

This order follows the timeline of events within Celaena's life. "Personally, I think it's best to start with *The Assassin's Blade*," is a common sentiment among proponents of this method, as *Assassin's Blade* is a prequel and follows Celaena, the FMC (female main character), and Sam, her early companion. This Throne of Glass reading order is: * 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 **Pros of Chronological Order:** * **Complete Background:** You get Celaena's full backstory, including her training, past relationships, and the events that led her to Endovier, right from the start. This provides a deep understanding of her character motivations and emotional wounds from the very beginning of *Throne of Glass*. * **Character Development:** "Reading *The Assassin's Blade* before ToG just..." makes certain aspects of Celaena's character in the first book make more sense. You understand her grief, her reluctance, and her underlying strength more fully. * **Seamless Flow:** For some, this order provides a more natural progression of the narrative, as you follow Celaena's journey from her early days as an assassin through to her grand destiny. **Cons of Chronological Order:** * **Pacing Issues:** *The Assassin's Blade* is a collection of novellas, and while important, it has a slightly different tone and pace than the main novels. Starting with it might feel like a slower burn before getting to the main plot of *Throne of Glass*. * **Diminished Mystery:** Some of the mystery surrounding Celaena's past in *Throne of Glass* and *Crown of Midnight* is removed if you already know everything from *The Assassin's Blade*.

3. The Romantic/Emotional Order (The Fan Favorite)

This order, often hailed as "the best order to read the Throne of Glass series" by many fans, attempts to combine the best aspects of both chronological and publication orders, prioritizing emotional impact and character development. It places *The Assassin's Blade* at a strategic point to maximize the emotional payoff. In this order, you start with *Throne of Glass*, then read *Crown of Midnight* and *Heir of Fire*, followed by *The Assassin's Blade*. "I think it works with character development better when read after *Crown of Midnight*," is a common justification for this placement. The Throne of Glass reading order for the romantic/emotional approach is: * Throne of Glass * Crown of Midnight * Heir of Fire * The Assassin's Blade * Queen of Shadows * Empire of Storms * Tower of Dawn * Kingdom of Ash **Pros of Romantic/Emotional Order:** * **Maximum Emotional Impact:** Many readers argue that *The Assassin's Blade* hits hardest when read after *Heir of Fire*. By this point, you've seen Celaena's emotional walls, her struggles, and her growth, making the revelations and tragic backstory in the prequel even more poignant and impactful. It provides crucial context for her actions and feelings in *Heir of Fire* and beyond. * **Enhanced Character Understanding:** You've spent enough time with Celaena to truly appreciate the depth of her past and how it has shaped her. This placement allows you to connect the dots between her present struggles and her past traumas more effectively. * **Balanced Pacing:** You start with the main story's momentum, get invested in Celaena's current challenges, and then delve into her past at a point where it enriches her character without derailing the initial narrative. **Cons of Romantic/Emotional Order:** * **Still a Break:** While strategically placed, inserting a prequel novella collection into the middle of the main series still represents a shift in narrative focus and pacing. * **Minor Spoilers (for the prequel):** While not spoiling the main series, some events or characters in *The Assassin's Blade* might be alluded to in *Heir of Fire* before you read the prequel itself, slightly diminishing the surprise in *The Assassin's Blade*.

When to Read The Assassin's Blade: A Deep Dive

The question of "When should I read *The Assassin's Blade*?" is arguably the most debated aspect of the Throne of Glass reading order. As we've seen, it "kinda works in multiple places in the reading order." Let's break down the arguments for its two most popular placements: **1. Reading *The Assassin's Blade* First (Chronological Order):** This is the purist chronological approach. You start with Celaena's beginnings, her life as an assassin, her bond with Sam, and the events that lead to her imprisonment. * **Why it works:** Provides all the foundational knowledge. You meet characters like Sam, Lysandra (briefly), and the various assassin guild members, understanding Celaena's skills and her initial worldview. When you start *Throne of Glass*, you know exactly who Celaena is and why she's in Endovier. This can make her emotional state and reactions more understandable from the get-go. * **Potential drawbacks:** Some readers find the novellas a bit slower-paced than the main novels, and starting with them might not immediately hook readers who prefer fast-paced fantasy action. Also, the emotional impact of certain reveals in *Heir of Fire* might be lessened if you already know the full story of her past. **2. Reading *The Assassin's Blade* After *Heir of Fire* (Romantic/Emotional Order):** This is the most highly recommended order by a significant portion of the fanbase. * **Why it works:** *Heir of Fire* is a pivotal book where Celaena undergoes significant emotional and magical development. Many of her struggles and breakthroughs in this book are deeply tied to her past traumas. Reading *The Assassin's Blade* immediately after *Heir of Fire* allows the reader to fully grasp the weight of her past, making her journey in *Queen of Shadows* and beyond incredibly rich and emotionally resonant. The tragic events in *The Assassin's Blade* are often cited as having a far greater impact when you've already become deeply invested in Celaena's character through the first three main novels. It feels less like a detour and more like a crucial flashback that provides profound context for her present state. * **Potential drawbacks:** It does break the flow of the main narrative, though many argue the emotional payoff is worth it. **3. Reading *The Assassin's Blade* After *Crown of Midnight* (Publisher's Recommendation):** Bloomsbury Publishing suggests this placement, which is also the publication order. * **Why it works:** It allows you to get through the initial establishment of Celaena's character and the world in the first two books before delving into her past. It's a compromise between pure chronological and the fan-favorite emotional order. * **Potential drawbacks:** For some, it might still feel a bit early to fully appreciate the emotional depth of the prequel, as Celaena's character arc is still relatively early in its development compared to where she is after *Heir of Fire*. Ultimately, the best time to read *The Assassin's Blade* depends on your preference for how you want to experience Celaena's journey. For maximum emotional impact and character depth, the post-*Heir of Fire* placement is overwhelmingly popular.

Should You Skip Tower of Dawn?

Another common question that arises in discussions about the Throne of Glass reading order is whether to skip *Tower of Dawn*. This book is unique in the series because it runs concurrently with *Empire of Storms*, following a different set of characters (primarily Chaol Westfall and Yrene Towers) in a different location (Antica). While *Empire of Storms* focuses on Celaena and her allies in Erilea, *Tower of Dawn* explores crucial developments that are essential for the final book, *Kingdom of Ash*. **Why the Question Arises:** * **Different Protagonist:** After spending five books intensely focused on Celaena, shifting to Chaol's perspective for an entire novel can feel jarring for some readers who are eager to continue Celaena's story. * **Pacing:** Some readers find *Tower of Dawn* to be slower-paced than *Empire of Storms*, which is a high-stakes, action-packed installment. * **Simultaneous Events:** The fact that it runs parallel to *Empire of Storms* leads to the idea of a "tandem read" (which we'll discuss below), but also the temptation to skip it. **Why You Should NOT Skip *Tower of Dawn*:** * **Crucial Plot Information:** *Tower of Dawn* is not a filler book. It contains vital information about the world, magic, political alliances, and character developments that are absolutely necessary for understanding *Kingdom of Ash*. Skipping it will leave you confused about certain characters' powers, motivations, and the state of the world in the final book. * **Character Growth:** Chaol and Yrene's story is incredibly important for their individual arcs and their roles in the larger narrative. Their personal growth, healing, and discoveries are compelling and contribute significantly to the overall themes of the series. * **World-Building:** The book expands on the lore, geography, and magical systems of Erilea in ways that are not covered in the other books. **The Tandem Read Option:** For those who struggle with the idea of pausing Celaena's narrative, the "tandem read" is a popular solution. This involves reading *Empire of Storms* and *Tower of Dawn* simultaneously, alternating chapters or sections. There are many guides online that provide specific chapter-by-chapter reading plans for this method. This allows you to experience both narratives as they unfold concurrently, maintaining the momentum of the main plot while still getting all the necessary information from *Tower of Dawn*. **Conclusion on Skipping:** Do not skip *Tower of Dawn*. It is an integral part of the series. If you're hesitant, consider the tandem read, but ensure you read it in some form before *Kingdom of Ash*.

Sarah J. Maas and Bloomsbury's Recommendations

When in doubt, it's always wise to consult the source. Sarah J. Maas, the author, actually addresses the Throne of Glass reading order question in the FAQs on her website. She recommends that you read in this order: * 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 This is, essentially, the publication order. Her publisher, Bloomsbury Publishing, also echoes this advice, recommending venturing into the series by following publication order, which includes reading *The Assassin’s Blade* after finishing *Crown of Midnight*. **Why the Author and Publisher Recommend This:** * **Controlled Reveals:** This order ensures that plot twists, character backstories, and emotional revelations unfold as intended by the author during the writing process. The initial mystery surrounding Celaena's past in *Throne of Glass* and *Crown of Midnight* is preserved, making the full reveal in *The Assassin's Blade* (when read later) a deliberate choice. * **Market Strategy:** Publishers often release books in an order that maximizes reader engagement and sales. Introducing the main character and world first, then offering a prequel for deeper context, is a common and effective strategy. While the author's recommendation holds significant weight, it's important to remember that readers' experiences can vary. The fan community's strong preference for the "romantic/emotional order" for *The Assassin's Blade* highlights that while the author's intent is one factor, the reader's emotional journey is another. After exploring the various options and considering the arguments from both authorial intent and fan
2 Ways to Read Throne of Glass in Order | Ultimate Reading Guide
2 Ways to Read Throne of Glass in Order | Ultimate Reading Guide
Throne Of Glass Tandem Read Printable - Printable Calendars AT A GLANCE
Throne Of Glass Tandem Read Printable - Printable Calendars AT A GLANCE
Throne of glass reading order? : acotar
Throne of glass reading order? : acotar

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