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


Updated: 12 Dec 2024

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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.

throne of glass series' books in 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.

throne of glass series books in publication order

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:

Book Order Year of Publication
Throne of Glass2012
Crown of Midnight2013
Heir of Fire2014
Queen of Shadows2015
Empire of Storms2016
Tower of Dawn2017
Kingdom of Ash2018
The Assassin’s Blade
(Prequel Novellas)
2014

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.

books in chronological order

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 of Throne of Glass Publication Order
  • Author’s Intent: Readers experience the story as the author designed it.
  • Character Development: You see characters grow and change over time.
  • Plot Twists: Key surprises are revealed as intended, enhancing suspense.
  • Evolving World-Building: The world unfolds naturally, with details revealed at the right moments.
  • Cohesive Narrative: The story feels more connected as you follow the release timeline.
Cons of Throne of Glass Publication Order
  • Disjointed Flashbacks: Some backstories may feel out of place if read later.
  • Lack of Context: New readers may struggle with character motivations without early background.
  • Pacing Issues: The story may seem slow at first, with gradual world-building.
  • Missed Connections: Key details from prequels are learned too late to impact early decisions.
  • Spoilers for Novellas: Readers might encounter spoilers in the main series before the prequels.

Pros and Cons of Chronological Order of Throne of Glass Series

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

graphic for pros and cons

Pros of Throne of Glass Chronological Order
  • Clear Backstory: Readers gain a comprehensive understanding of Celaena’s character from the start.
  • Smooth Narrative Flow: The story progresses in a linear fashion, making it easier to follow.
  • Contextual Understanding: Key events and motivations are clear early on, enhancing emotional impact.
  • No Spoilers from Novellas: You experience the story without prequel spoilers disrupting the main plot.
  • Stronger Connections: Themes and character arcs feel more connected throughout the series.
Cons of Throne of Glass Chronological Order
  • Deviation from Author’s Intent: The reading experience may differ from how the author originally intended it.
  • Early Pacing Issues: The story may feel slower in the beginning with extensive backstory.
  • Loss of Surprises: Plot twists may lose their impact since some revelations come earlier.
  • Disruption in World-Building: The gradual unfolding of the world may feel rushed or incomplete.
  • Overwhelming Detail: Readers might feel bombarded with information in the early chapters.

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!

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.


Janjua Rajput

Janjua Rajput

Hello! I’m Janjua Rajput, an avid reader and passionate writer dedicated to exploring the world of literature. With a focus on both contemporary and classic works, my mission is to provide insightful book reviews and comprehensive summaries that cater to readers of all backgrounds.

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