Throne Of Glass Books In Order: Which Book Should You Start With?

Are you curious how to start reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas? With so many books in the series, picking the right order can feel confusing. But don’t worry! This guide will make it simple whether you want to follow the story as it was published or in chronological order.

Let’s discover the best way to enjoy this epic fantasy adventure filled with magic, assassins, and unforgettable characters!

Understanding the Series

The Throne of Glass series consists of eight books, including prequels and companion novellas. It follows the story of Celaena Sardothien, an assassin in a world full of magic, secrets, and dangerous enemies. Here’s a breakdown of the key books:

1. Main Series: Seven books beginning with Throne of Glass and ending with Kingdom of Ash.
2. Prequel: The Assassin’s Blade, a collection of novellas, sets the stage before the events of the main series.

Each book builds on the last, creating a thrilling, immersive world. Let’s learn more about all eight Throne of Glass series books.

1. The Assassin’s Blade (Prequels)

This book contains five short stories about Celaena Sardothien, a deadly assassin. The stories show her missions, friendships, and betrayals. These events lead to her imprisonment in the salt mines, setting the stage for the Throne of Glass series.

2. Throne of Glass

Celaena Sardothien is a prisoner in the salt mines. The Crown Prince offers her a deal: fight in a competition to become the King’s Champion, and win her freedom. Celaena accepts, facing dangerous trials. Along the way, she discovers dark secrets in the castle and learns more about her mysterious past.

3. Crown of Midnight

As the King’s Champion, Celaena must now serve the very people she hates. She carries out missions for the King but hides her true loyalty. Celaena faces tough choices about who to trust, while new dangers emerge, threatening her loved ones and the kingdom.

4. Heir of Fire

Celaena travels to a new land to learn more about her magical heritage. She trains with a Fae prince named Rowan and begins to unlock her powers. Meanwhile, the threat of evil forces grows stronger. Celaena must find the strength to fight for herself and her kingdom.

5. Queen of Shadows

Celaena, now embracing her true identity as Aelin Galathynius, returns to her kingdom. She plans to take back her throne and defeat her enemies. With her friends by her side, she faces powerful foes. Aelin must outsmart the King and rescue those she loves.

6. Empire of Storms

War is coming to the kingdom, and Aelin must unite her allies. She travels across the lands, building an army to face the dark forces threatening to destroy everything. Along the way, she makes sacrifices and uncovers dangerous secrets. The final battle is near.

7. Tower of Dawn

This book follows Chaol Westfall, one of Aelin’s closest friends, on his journey to find healing and new allies. As he recovers from an injury, Chaol discovers hidden dangers in a distant empire. His choices will play a major role in the coming war.

8. Kingdom of Ash

In this final book, Aelin and her allies prepare for the ultimate battle to save the kingdom. The war against evil forces reaches its peak, and every character must fight for their survival. Aelin faces her greatest challenges, and the fate of the world depends on her actions.

Publication Order

The Throne of Glass series was first published in 2012, and many fans prefer to follow the release order as intended by the author.

Reading in publication order allows you to experience the character growth and plot twists as Sarah J. Maas originally presented them.

Here is the publication order:

Some readers prefer this order to see how characters develop in the way the author intended, with surprises revealed at key points in the series.

Chronological Order

For readers who prefer a linear storyline, the chronological order provides a seamless experience by starting with The Assassin’s Blade, a collection of prequel novellas that explain Celaena’s background.

This order gives you a deeper understanding of the main character’s history before the events of Throne of Glass.

Here’s the chronological reading order:

1. The Assassin’s Blade (Prequels)
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

Reading in this order gives you early insight into Celaena’s motivations, which can make the main series more impactful as you follow her journey from the start.

Pros and Cons of Publication Order of Throne Of Glass

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the Throne of Glass publication order:

Pros and Cons of the Chronological Order of the Throne of Glass Series

Now I will talk about some pros and cons of Throne of Glass in chronological order:

Detailed Guidance and Common Reader Questions

Why Reading Order Matters

The Throne of Glass series isn’t just a simple start-to-finish story. There’s a prequel (The Assassin’s Blade) that tells you a lot about Celaena’s past, but it was published after the first two books.

👉 Why does this matter?
Because if you read The Assassin’s Blade first, you’ll understand Celaena’s past right away. But if you follow publication order, you’ll slowly uncover her history through surprises and plot twists.

So, your reading order can totally change the way you experience the story. It’s like choosing between watching a movie with flashbacks or watching everything in strict timeline order.

Should I Read The Assassin’s Blade First or Later?

This is the most common question, and here’s a simple answer:

👉 If you’re a first-time reader, start with Throne of Glass.

• You’ll meet Celaena in the middle of her life story, which keeps her mysterious.
• The big reveals and emotional moments will hit harder when you don’t know her full past yet.

👉 If you’re re-reading or love detailed background, you can start with The Assassin’s Blade.

• You’ll meet key characters earlier and understand Celaena’s heartbreak from the beginning.
• It gives you a deep connection to her journey right from the start.

Throne of Glass Series Age Recommendation

A lot of parents and young readers wonder:
What’s the right age to read Throne of Glass?

👉 The series is best for ages 14 and up.
Here’s why:

• It starts with light romance and fantasy action but grows darker and more intense as the story goes on.
• Some later books explore mature themes like war, trauma, love, and loss.
• There are some violent battle scenes and complex romantic relationships, especially in the final books.

💡 Pro Tip: If younger teens want to read the series, it’s best to read together or have a parent preview the books.

Is There a Throne of Glass Box Set?

Yes, there are a few box sets available.
Most box sets follow publication order and often come with beautiful matching covers.

👉 You can check:

• Online stores like Amazon
• Local bookstores
• Sarah J. Maas’s official website for updates

💡 Tip: Some box sets don’t always include The Assassin’s Blade, so double-check before you buy.

Thrrone of Glass Complete Collection Box Set Paperback

• Perfect gift for any Captain Underpants book fan!
• 8 books With Beautiful Box!

$96.69

Buy on Amazon

Do You Need to Read Throne of Glass Before Other Sarah J. Maas Books?

No, you don’t need to read Throne of Glass before Sarah J. Maas’s other famous series, like:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
• Crescent City series

👉 But here’s something exciting:
All Sarah J. Maas books are lightly connected in a shared universe. You don’t need to read them in any order, but some hidden Easter eggs will make more

Suggested Reading Order

1. For Newcomers

If you’re new to the series, start with the Publication Order. This will give you a sense of suspense and allow you to experience character growth as the author intended.

2. For Rereads

If you’ve read the series before, try the Chronological Order. This will offer fresh insights into the characters’ backstories and motivations, enhancing your appreciation of the story.

Choose the order that suits your reading style best, and enjoy the adventure!

FAQs

Conclusion

So we have covered the throne of glass book order catering for publication date and chronological sequence. But both have their pros and cons as discussed in the article above. If you are a new reader then it is recommended to start with the publication order of the series. On the other hand, if you have read the Throne of Glass series before then go for the chronological order.