Your Guide To The Best Throne Of Glass Order: How To Read Sarah J. Maas's Epic Series

Markus Mohr Sr. 15 Aug 2025

Are you getting ready to step into a truly amazing world of stories, full of assassins, magic, and royal secrets? It's a big adventure, and a lot of people wonder about the best way to read the books. So, we're here to help you figure out the best throne of glass order that works for you.

Sarah J. Maas created the "Throne of Glass" series, which includes seven main books, and it all started with the first book, *Throne of Glass*, published in 2012. People often get a little confused about where to fit in *The Assassin's Blade*, a prequel collection, or how to handle the middle books, but it's actually not too hard to sort out. This guide will help you pick the right path.

You see, there are a few popular ways people like to go through these stories, and each one offers a slightly different experience. We'll break down the main choices, talk about when to read *The Assassin's Blade*, and even cover how some readers like to read two books at once. This way, you can pick the reading path that feels just right for your own journey, in a way.

Understanding the Throne of Glass Series
The Three Main Throne of Glass Orders
When to Read The Assassin's Blade
The Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn Tandem Read
Should You Skip Tower of Dawn?
Frequently Asked Questions about Throne of Glass Order
Choosing Your Throne of Glass Path

Understanding the Throne of Glass Series

The "Throne of Glass" series by Sarah J. Maas is a collection of seven main novels, plus a prequel novella collection. It really is a sweeping tale that follows Celaena Sardothien, a young assassin, as she goes through trials, faces old wrongs, and discovers more about herself. The story starts with *Throne of Glass*, which came out in 2012, and then builds up with more books that add to the story, very much.

Unlike some other storytellers who jump around in time just to make things confusing, Maas's books are pretty clear in how they unfold. Reading the "Throne of Glass" series in some kind of sequence generally makes sense. Still, because of that prequel book, people sometimes wonder where it fits best. We're going to look at that next, as a matter of fact.

The Three Main Throne of Glass Orders

There are, in fact, three really popular ways people like to read the "Throne of Glass" series. Each way has its own good points, and what feels right for one person might not feel right for another. We'll go over the publication order, which is how the books first came out, the chronological order, which tells the story from start to finish in the story's own timeline, and then a few other ideas like the romantic or emotional order, you know.

Publication Order: The Original Way

This is, basically, the way the books were released to the public, starting in 2012. Many people who first read the series went this route, and it's what a lot of fans suggest for newcomers. It lets you experience the story as the author meant for readers to discover it, revealing things as they were written. This means you read *The Assassin's Blade* after *Crown of Midnight*, which is the second book, pretty much.

Here's the full list of "Throne of Glass" books in 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)
*Tower of Dawn* (2017)
*Kingdom of Ash* (2018)

This order, some might say, keeps certain surprises intact and builds the world in a specific way. It's often seen as the "safest" choice for someone just starting out, as it was the original path for so many, so.

Chronological Order (or Purist Order)

This approach means reading the books in the order the events actually happen within the story's timeline. For this order, you would start with *The Assassin's Blade* first, as it tells the stories that happen before *Throne of Glass*. This is sometimes called the "purist order" because it follows the story's own timeline directly. It gives you all the background on Celaena right at the start, which some people really like, you know.

Here's how the chronological order looks:

*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*

Reading *The Assassin's Blade* first can make Celaena's actions in *Throne of Glass* feel more understandable, as you know her past right away. However, some readers find that starting with the prequel can slow down the pace a little bit before the main story really kicks off. It's a different way to experience the tale, that is that.

Romantic Order: A Different Flow

The "romantic order" is a bit of a twist on the chronological approach, specifically designed to give a certain character's story more emotional weight from the beginning. It still starts with *The Assassin's Blade*, but then it might adjust where you read some of the other books to build up certain relationships or feelings earlier on. This order is often talked about by fans who have a strong connection to particular pairings in the series, or so it seems.

While the exact steps can vary a little depending on who you ask, the core idea is to put *The Assassin's Blade* first to really set up Celaena's past relationships. Then, the rest of the series follows, but with an eye towards how certain romantic developments unfold. It's a way to read that focuses on the heart of the characters and their connections, basically.

Emotional Order: For Maximum Impact

This reading order is less about strict chronology or publication dates and more about getting the biggest emotional punch from the story. It considers when certain reveals or character developments will have the most impact on the reader. For instance, some people suggest that reading *The Assassin's Blade* later, perhaps after *Crown of Midnight* or even *Heir of Fire*, makes Celaena's past feel more like a discovery for the reader, just as it is for her, in a way.

The "emotional order" tries to place *The Assassin's Blade* at a point where its revelations about Celaena's past hit harder, or where understanding her earlier life adds a deeper layer to her current struggles. This can make the journey feel more intense and surprising. It's a choice for those who want to feel every twist and turn with the characters, perhaps more so than just following a timeline, you know.

When to Read The Assassin's Blade

This is probably the most asked question about the throne of glass series order. As we've talked about, *The Assassin's Blade* is a collection of novellas that tell stories from Celaena's life before the first book, *Throne of Glass*. There are two main places people usually put it: first, or after *Crown of Midnight*.

Reading *The Assassin's Blade* first means you get all of Celaena's backstory right away. You learn about her training, her friends, and the events that led to her being imprisoned. This can make her actions and feelings in *Throne of Glass* much clearer from the start. Some people really like this because they feel more connected to her right away, as a matter of fact.

However, many people, and even the author's original publication plan, suggest reading *The Assassin's Blade* after *Crown of Midnight*. The idea here is that the first two books introduce Celaena as a mystery, and then *The Assassin's Blade* comes in to fill in those gaps, giving you a deeper understanding of her past after you've already gotten to know her a little. This can make the revelations in the prequel feel more impactful, almost like solving a puzzle, so.

Our general advice, especially for someone new to the series, is to read *The Assassin's Blade* after *Crown of Midnight*. This way, you get the main story moving, and then the prequel adds layers to the character you're already invested in. It really does make a difference for many readers, that.

The Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn Tandem Read

Now, this is where things get a little bit interesting for readers who are deep into the series. *Empire of Storms* and *Tower of Dawn* happen at the same time in the story, but they follow different characters in different places. *Empire of Storms* continues the main plot with Celaena and her friends, while *Tower of Dawn* focuses on a different character's journey far away. Some readers find it a bit jarring to switch perspectives for an entire book, you know.

Because these two books happen at the same time, some dedicated fans came up with a "tandem read." This means you read chapters from *Empire of Storms*, then switch to *Tower of Dawn*, and go back and forth. There are specific guides online that tell you exactly which chapters to read from each book to keep the story flowing in a combined timeline. It's a pretty involved way to read, but it can make the overall experience feel more connected, very much.

This method is usually for re-readers or those who really want to experience everything as it happens simultaneously. For a first-time reader, it might be a bit much to keep track of, and it could slow down the reading process. It's a fun challenge for some, but certainly not a requirement to enjoy the series, apparently.

Should You Skip Tower of Dawn?

This question comes up quite a bit, and the short answer is: no, you really shouldn't skip *Tower of Dawn*. While it focuses on a different character and might feel like a detour after the events of *Empire of Storms*, it's actually very important to the overall story. It introduces new characters, develops existing ones, and reveals information that is absolutely vital for the final book, *Kingdom of Ash*, you know.

Many readers, when they first encounter *Tower of Dawn*, might feel a bit impatient because they want to get back to the main group of characters. However, the events and discoveries in *Tower of Dawn* are not just side stories; they are crucial plot points that set up the grand finale. Skipping it would mean missing out on key information and character growth that directly impacts the ending. So, while it might feel different, it's definitely worth your time, in some respects.

Frequently Asked Questions about Throne of Glass Order

What is the best order to read the Throne of Glass series for a first-time reader?

For someone just starting out, many people suggest the publication order. This means you begin with *Throne of Glass*, then *Crown of Midnight*, and then you read *The Assassin's Blade*. After that, you continue with *Heir of Fire* and the rest of the series. This way, you discover things as they were first presented to readers, and it helps build the mystery of the main character, pretty much.

Is The Assassin's Blade a necessary read, or can I skip it?

You really should read *The Assassin's Blade*. It might be a prequel, but it gives you so much important background on Celaena, her past, and the people who shaped her. Skipping it means you miss out on understanding a lot of her motivations and emotional wounds throughout the main series. It adds a lot of depth to her story, so it's very much worth your time, you know.

What is the chronological order of the Throne of Glass books?

The chronological order starts with *The Assassin's Blade*, as its stories happen before *Throne of Glass*. Then you go into *Throne of Glass*, *Crown of Midnight*, *Heir of Fire*, *Queen of Shadows*, *Empire of Storms*, *Tower of Dawn*, and finally *Kingdom of Ash*. This way, you follow the story events exactly as they happened in the characters' lives, basically.

Choosing Your Throne of Glass Path

When it comes to picking your own throne of glass order, it really comes down to what kind of reading experience you want. If you like to discover things as the author intended, with some mysteries unfolding over time, the publication order is probably your best bet. It's a straightforward path that many, many readers have loved, very much.

If you prefer to have all the background information right from the start, knowing everything about the main character's past before her big story truly begins, then the chronological order, starting with *The Assassin's Blade*, might be better for you. It gives you a complete picture from the very beginning, you see.

For those who have already read the series and want a new experience, or perhaps for people who enjoy a bit of a challenge, the tandem read for *Empire of Storms* and *Tower of Dawn* could be a really interesting choice. Just remember, no matter which way you choose to read, the most important thing is to enjoy the incredible stories and characters that Sarah J. Maas has created. Happy reading, as a matter of fact!

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