Throne of Glass Books in Order: A Comprehensive Guide to Sarah J. Maas's Epic Fantasy Series
Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series has captivated readers worldwide with its intricate plot, compelling characters, and blend of fantasy and romance. However, the order in which to read the books has been a source of much discussion among fans. This comprehensive guide explores the various reading orders, explains the rationale behind each, and ultimately suggests the optimal approach for maximizing your enjoyment of this epic saga. We’ll delve into the series’ structure, exploring its chronological, romantic, and emotional arcs, ultimately providing a clear path through the Throne of Glass universe.
Understanding the Throne of Glass Series Structure
The Throne of Glass series consists of eight books, plus a collection of prequel novellas. This structure introduces a key element of choice for the reader: the placement of The Assassin’s Blade, a collection of prequel short stories detailing Celaena Sardothien’s earlier adventures. The inclusion of these novellas opens up several potential reading orders, each offering a unique experience. This seemingly simple choice significantly impacts the overall narrative flow and the emotional impact on the reader. There’s no single “correct” order; the best approach depends on your priorities as a reader.
The Role of The Assassin’s Blade
The Assassin’s Blade acts as a prequel, chronologically preceding the events of Throne of Glass. It provides backstory on Celaena and introduces several characters who become significant later in the series. Reading it before the main series offers a deeper understanding of Celaena’s past and motivations. However, delaying its reading until after certain points in the main storyline can enhance the mystery and suspense.
Popular Throne of Glass Reading Orders
Three main reading orders are frequently debated among fans: chronological (or purist), romantic, and emotional. Each approach prioritizes a different aspect of the narrative: plot order, romantic development, or emotional impact.
1. The Chronological or Purist Order
This order strictly adheres to the timeline of events, starting with The Assassin’s Blade and proceeding through the main series chronologically.
- 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
This approach provides a linear understanding of the story’s progression, but it might sacrifice some of the initial mystery and suspense surrounding Celaena’s character.
2. The Romantic Order
This order prioritizes the romantic storylines, strategically placing The Assassin’s Blade to enhance the emotional impact of the romantic relationships that develop throughout the main series.
- 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
Reading The Assassin’s Blade after the initial books allows the reader to experience the evolving dynamics between Celaena and other characters with a fuller context and heightened emotional resonance from already established relationships.
3. The Emotional Order
This order focuses on the emotional arc, strategically placing The Assassin’s Blade to amplify the emotional journey Celaena undergoes.
- 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
By reading The Assassin’s Blade after experiencing the initial emotional development of Celaena within the first two books, the reader is better equipped to understand her trauma, fears, and eventual healing. The emotional impact of her past experiences is thus intensified.
Sarah J. Maas’s Recommended Order
Sarah J. Maas herself has stated her preference for reading The Assassin’s Blade after Crown of Midnight. While she acknowledges that different readers may prefer alternative orders, her recommendation underscores the narrative strength of strategically placed backstory information.
This 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
The Tandem Read: Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn
A unique aspect of the Throne of Glass series lies in the simultaneous timelines of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. These books occur concurrently, each focusing on different sets of characters. For a truly immersive experience, the community recommends a “tandem read,” alternating chapters between the two novels. This technique avoids the jarring cliffhanger ending of Empire of Storms and allows for a more fluid understanding of the overarching plot.
A sample tandem reading order is as follows (note that various tandem guides exist, some may vary slightly):
- Empire of Storms: Nightfall Chapter
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 1-5
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 1
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 6-8
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 2-3
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 9-10
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 4-6
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 11
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 7
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 12-13
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 8-10
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 14-16
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 11-12
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 17-18
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 13-16
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 19
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 17
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 20-23
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 18-21
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 24-25
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 22-23
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 26
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 24
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 27-29
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 25-28
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 30
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 29-31
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 31
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 32
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 32
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 33-35
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 33-51
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 36-37
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 52
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 38-40
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 53
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 41-42
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 54-56
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 43
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 57-59
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 44-48
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 60-61
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 49-51
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 62-63
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 52-53
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 64-65
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 54-56
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 66-67
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 57
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 69-75
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 58-68
- Tower of Dawn: Fireheart Chapter
This approach maintains the narrative momentum and prevents a potential drop in engagement. It is particularly beneficial for the overall understanding of the complex plotlines across the series.
The Recommended Approach: Maximizing Emotional Impact
While all reading orders have merit, prioritizing emotional impact and narrative cohesion produces the most rewarding experience. Therefore, the recommended order is:
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- The Assassin’s Blade
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn (tandem read)
- Kingdom of Ash
This approach allows the reader to fully connect with Celaena’s journey, building a strong foundation of character understanding before delving into her past. The tandem read ensures a continuous and engaging experience, while understanding the complex plotlines within Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. Ultimately, the best reading order is subjective, but this approach strikes a balance between chronological accuracy and emotional engagement. Remember to choose the order that best suits your preferences, and enjoy the journey through Sarah J. Maas’s captivating world.