Throne of Glass Books Reading Order Choose Your Best Reading Path

Have you ever felt lost trying to start a new fantasy book series?

It’s tough when there are so many great stories out there, and figuring out where to begin can feel like a puzzle. With prequels, spin-offs, and different reading orders, it can feel like you need a map just to open the first page.

The Throne of Glass books by Sarah J. Maas are some of the most talked-about fantasy novels in 2026, known for their strong characters and exciting plots. This series has captured the hearts of many readers, making it a truly important part of modern fantasy.

However, with its many books and a prequel novella collection, new readers often wonder about the best way to read them. For those interested in exploring more about the author’s wider universe, you can find a helpful overview on Sarah J. Maas books reading order.

This guide is here to help you get the most out of these amazing stories. We’ll walk you through the correct reading order, explain the big ideas and themes found in the Throne of Glass series, and look at any extra stories like novellas that are part of the series. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to dive into the world of Celaena Sardothien and decide if these books are your next big fantasy adventure.

To begin, let’s look at all the Throne of Glass books you’ll encounter. This popular fantasy book series has a clear set of main novels and a special prequel collection of shorter stories called novellas. Knowing what they are and when they came out helps you choose the best way to read them.

The Throne of Glass series includes seven main books and one collection of prequel novellas. Here they are, mostly in the order they were first published, which is called the publication order:

• Throne of Glass (published 2012)
• Crown of Midnight (published 2013)
• The Assassin’s Blade (published 2014, a collection of prequel novellas)
• Heir of Fire (published 2014)
• Queen of Shadows (published 2015)
• Empire of Storms (published 2016)
• Tower of Dawn (published 2017)
• Kingdom of Ash (published 2018)

As you can see, The Assassin’s Blade came out after the first two main Throne of Glass books. However, the stories inside The Assassin’s Blade actually happen before the very first book, Throne of Glass. This is why readers often talk about two different ways to read the series: publication order and chronological order.

Most of the time, reading books in the order they were published helps you experience the story the way the author wanted you to, building suspense and surprises naturally. This is often the case for the Throne of Glass books too, especially for new readers. Many guides, like the one from the author’s own website, list the series in this order to start ENTER THE WORLD OF SARAH J. MAAS.

But because The Assassin’s Blade tells stories from Celaena Sardothien’s past, some people prefer to read it first to understand her background right away. This is called reading in chronological order. Learning about the different ways to read helps you decide what’s best for you How to read Sarah J. Maas’s books in release and chronological order. Both ways have their good points, and we will talk more about each reading path in detail later in this guide.

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Now that we know all the throne of glass books and when they were first released, let’s look at the best ways to read them. People often wonder which order is best for new readers or those who want to revisit the story.

There are three main paths you can take, each with its own good points and things to think about.

Publication Order

This is when you read the throne of glass books in the exact order they came out. For many new readers, this is a great way to start. The author often writes books with this order in mind, slowly revealing secrets and building up the big story moments. It means you get to experience surprises just as the author planned.

Here’s the publication order again:

1. Throne of Glass (main story starts)
2. Crown of Midnight
3. The Assassin’s Blade (prequel novellas, read here for publication order)
4. Heir of Fire
5. Queen of Shadows
6. Empire of Storms
7. Tower of Dawn
8. Kingdom of Ash

Good for: New readers who like suspense and want to discover the story without knowing too much beforehand. It’s also often recommended by the author’s official guides.

Things to think about: Reading The Assassin’s Blade third might feel a bit like a pause in the main story. You learn about Celaena’s past after you’ve already spent time with her in the present.

Chronological Order

If you want to know all about Celaena Sardothien’s past right from the very start, then reading in chronological order is for you. This means reading the stories in the order the events actually happen, even if the books came out later. This way, you understand the main character’s background, training, and heartbreak before she even enters the king’s competition in Throne of Glass.

Here’s how to read the throne of glass books in strict chronological order:

1. The Assassin’s Blade (all events happen before Throne of Glass)
2. Throne of Glass
3. Crown of Midnight
4. Heir of Fire
5. Queen of Shadows
6. Empire of Storms
7. Tower of Dawn
8. Kingdom of Ash

Good for: Readers who like to have all the backstory up front and truly understand the characters’ motivations. It’s also great for returning readers who want a fresh look at the story.

Things to think about: Reading The Assassin’s Blade first can give away some hints or surprises that the author meant for you to find out later. It might also make the first main book feel a little less exciting since you know more about the main character already. Many fans often talk about how to navigate this complex series order for the best experience Throne of Glass Reading Order: How to Navigate Sarah J. Maas.

A Beginner-Friendly Path (or Modified Chronological)

Some readers like a mix of both. They want to get to know Celaena in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight first, then read her past stories, and then jump back into the main adventure. This is often called a modified chronological order, and it’s a popular choice for first-time readers looking for a good balance.

One common beginner-friendly way is:

1. Throne of Glass
2. Crown of Midnight
3. The Assassin’s Blade (after you’ve gotten to know Celaena a bit)
4. Heir of Fire
5. Queen of Shadows
6. Empire of Storms
7. Tower of Dawn
8. Kingdom of Ash

Good for: New readers who want a smooth start to the main plot, but still get the important backstory of The Assassin’s Blade before things get too wild in the later books. Some guides suggest this order for maximum impact Throne of Glass Reading Order (Best First-Time Guide).

Things to think about: This path tries to get the best of both worlds, giving you some of the author’s intended suspense while still bringing in the backstory at a helpful point.

No matter which order you pick, the important thing is to enjoy your journey through these amazing throne of glass books. If you are interested in exploring other series by this author, you can also find a helpful guide for a complete Sarah J. Maas books reading order.

After picking your reading order for the throne of glass books, you’ll want to know about the amazing characters and the big story that unfolds. At the heart of it all is Celaena Sardothien. When we first meet her in Throne of Glass, she’s a very skilled assassin, but she’s also a slave. She’s been forced to work in terrible conditions, and her life is anything but easy A Review of the ‘Throne of Glass’ Series.

But Celaena is much more than just an assassin. As you read through the throne of glass books, you’ll see her grow and change in big ways. She starts as someone only looking out for herself, trying to win her freedom. However, she slowly learns about friendship, loyalty, and what it truly means to fight for a cause bigger than herself. This journey of finding her true self and taking on huge responsibilities is a major part of why these stories are so loved.

Her relationships with other characters are super important. There’s Prince Dorian and Captain Chaol, who are part of her life early on. Later, she meets powerful allies like Rowan and Aedion.

These bonds with friends, mentors, and even her love interests help her become stronger. They also push the story forward, as her personal journey gets tangled up with the fate of her entire world. You see her go from a young, angry assassin to a powerful queen ready to protect her people from dark magic and a very bad king. This kind of deep character journey and the building of a strong female lead are common in many Diverse Fantasy Series by Women That Will Captivate You.

The way Celaena grows isn’t just a side story. It’s directly connected to the big problems happening in the kingdom. As the threats get bigger and more dangerous, she has to become stronger and more willing to sacrifice. Every choice she makes, every person she trusts, shapes not just her own future but the future of everyone around her. This makes readers feel very connected to her struggles and triumphs across all the throne of glass books.

While Celaena’s journey is truly amazing, the world she lives in also makes the throne of glass books special. Sarah J. Maas built a very rich and detailed world that feels alive. It’s not just a pretty background, but a key part of the story, just like in other great fantasy stories.

The magic system in these books is quite important. Long ago, magic was everywhere, used by many people, especially the Fae. But a powerful and bad king took it away, making it a forbidden thing. This act of taking away magic changed the world a lot. Now, magic only shows up in secret, and those who have it must hide. The way magic works, who can use it, and what happens when it is used are big parts of how the story unfolds. It’s not a simple system; it involves different types of powers, ancient magic, and dark forces. The series also mixes in immortal beings and magic creatures, making the world feel even bigger and older World Building: The Magic – WRITERS’ RUMPUS.

The worldbuilding helps us understand the big problems. The land of Erilea, with its different kingdoms like Adarlan, Terrasen, and Wendlyn, each has its own history and people. When the bad king from Adarlan takes over other lands, it causes a lot of pain and fighting. This setup of different lands and their struggles shows how big the fight for freedom truly is. The idea of the "Throne of Glass" itself can make you think about how easily a kingdom and its secrets can break, like a glass house.

Every place Celaena visits, from grand castles to hidden woods, plays a part in her journey and the larger story. The world’s details, like ancient prophecies and old forgotten powers, are not just there for show. They are clues and tools that Celaena and her friends use to fight against the darkness. This makes the throne of glass books more than just a character’s adventure; it’s a huge battle for a whole world. If you enjoy learning about authors and their incredible series, you might want to learn more about the Sarah J. Maas Books Reading Order: How to Start and Read the Maasverse to fully grasp the depth of her created universes.

The world of the throne of glass books is big and full of deep history, as we talked about. But to truly understand Celaena’s past and all the big secrets, you might need to read some extra stories. These are often called novellas or companion books. They add a lot of important details that make the main story even richer.

Which shorter works fill in important backstory and which are optional extras?

For the Throne of Glass series, the most important extra book is called The Assassin’s Blade. This book is actually a collection of five shorter stories, or novellas, that tell us about Celaena’s life before the first main book, Throne of Glass. It shows her training, her friends, and some very tough times she went through. These stories help you understand who Celaena is and why she makes certain choices later on. Many fans agree that these stories are key to her journey A Guide to Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas.

Guidance on sequencing novellas relative to main novels to avoid spoilers.

Knowing when to read The Assassin’s Blade can be a bit tricky because different readers enjoy it at different times. There are two main ways to read it:

• Read it First (Chronological Order): Some people like to read The Assassin’s Blade as the very first book in the series. This way, you get all of Celaena’s backstory right away. You know her past, her pains, and her reasons for fighting from the start. This makes the main books flow in a straight line from her earliest adventures. This is often seen as the cleanest timeline for events How to read Sarah J. Maas’s books in release and chronological order.

• Read it After Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight: Other readers suggest reading The Assassin’s Blade after the first two main books. This choice is usually for a bigger "shock factor." By reading the first two books, you get to know Celaena as she is, a bit mysterious, and then her past is revealed, which can feel more impactful. It’s like finding out big secrets about a friend you already care about Throne of Glass Reading Order (Best First-Time Guide).

There isn’t a single "right" way to read The Assassin’s Blade. It truly depends on what kind of reading experience you prefer. Both ways let you enjoy the full story of the throne of glass books. After diving deep into these kinds of fantasy stories, sometimes it’s fun to switch gears to something completely different. If you’re looking for a good laugh, you might want to Add a Sci-Fi Comedy Detour. If you’re always on the hunt for more great reads, consider checking out some of the 10 Best Fantasy Fiction Books of All Time for other amazing worlds and characters.

Now, let’s look at how the throne of glass books fit in with other popular fantasy stories. It’s helpful to see what makes this series special compared to others you might have read.

How Throne of Glass compares to other YA and epic fantasy series

The Throne of Glass series starts as a young adult (YA) fantasy. This means the first books, like Throne of Glass itself, have a fast pace and focus on a young hero’s journey, often with romance and adventure. The tone is exciting and easy to get into. As you keep reading, the story grows much bigger. The later books become more like epic fantasy. The world gets wider, the battles are grander, and the problems the characters face are much more complex. This change means the pacing might slow down a bit to build up to huge events, which is common in epic fantasy tales.

The target reader also changes a bit as the series goes on. While younger readers can enjoy the start, older teens and adults will find more to love in the later books. This is because the themes become deeper and more mature. You see serious topics like war, loyalty, and very hard choices. It’s not quite as dark as some very grim fantasy stories, but it’s not always light and simple either.

In terms of complexity, the throne of glass books definitely ramp up. The first few books introduce you to Celaena, an assassin, and her world. The rules are clear, and the bad guys are easy to spot A Review of the ‘Throne of Glass’ Series. But soon, the magic system becomes very detailed, the history of the world becomes huge, and many characters join the fight. It’s similar to how other big fantasy sagas, like those by Andrzej Sapkowski, build their worlds piece by piece. The long-term payoff is huge because readers often feel more and more satisfied as the story unfolds and the characters grow. Many readers find the later books even more engaging than the first ones Throne of Glass Review: Complete Reader’s Guide 2026.

If you enjoy diving into a world that starts simple but becomes grand and intricate, then the Throne of Glass series is a great choice.

It offers a good mix of action, strong characters, and a developing plot that will keep you hooked. If you’ve enjoyed other big fantasy series, or are curious about Sarah J. Maas’s other works, you might want to learn more about the Sarah J. Maas Books Reading Order to see how her different worlds connect. But maybe you’ve had enough epic tales for now. If you’re ready for a different kind of adventure, consider something totally new. Looking Beyond Fantasy? for a different kind of adventure might be what you need.

So, how do you know if the throne of glass books are right for you? It’s a big series, and knowing if it fits your reading style can save you time. Let’s look at who might love these stories and what to think about before you start.

Who Will Love the Throne of Glass Books?

If you like stories with a strong girl or woman as the main hero, you’ll likely enjoy the Throne of Glass series. The main character, Celaena, is brave and smart, and she grows a lot through all the books.

You’ll also love these books if you:

• Enjoy a mix of action and feelings: There’s lots of fighting and adventure, but also deep friendships and romance.
• Like big, detailed worlds: The world of Erilea is rich with magic, history, and many different lands. It starts smaller and gets much bigger as the story goes on.
• Don’t mind a long journey: The series has eight books. It’s a big commitment, but readers often say the payoff is worth it.
• Enjoy YA fantasy that grows up: Like some other popular young adult series, such as the Scythe book series, the throne of glass books begin with younger characters but deal with more serious and adult topics later on.

Who Might Want to Think Twice?

The throne of glass books might not be your first pick if you:

• Prefer short stories or stand-alone books: This series needs you to commit to many hours of reading.
• Want only light, simple fantasy: While it has fun parts, it also deals with war, loss, and tough choices.
• Dislike detailed world-building: If you get bored with lots of backstory and magic rules, the growing complexity might be too much.

Understanding the Time Commitment

Starting the Throne of Glass series means you’re in for a long adventure. There are eight books, including a prequel, The Assassin’s Blade. Because of this, many readers wonder about the best way to read them.

There are a few ways to go about it:

• Publication Order: This means reading the books in the order they came out.
• Chronological Order: This means reading the story events in the order they happen, which usually means reading the prequel first.
• Tandem Read: For a couple of the middle books (Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn), some readers like to read them side-by-side, switching between chapters. This can be tricky but helps some people follow both stories at once.

To make sure you get the most out of your reading, you can find more help on how to read the books in order by checking out a Throne of Glass Series Order to Read guide. No matter which way you choose, getting lost in the world of the throne of glass books is a special experience, especially for those who love stories with amazing female heroes. You might even find other exciting tales in Diverse Fantasy Series By Women That Will Captivate You.