throne of glass books in order to read
Getting the order right changes everything: the emotional logic, character arcs, and plot twists only hit full force by sticking to this path.
1. Throne of Glass
Celaena Sardothien, former assassin, is wrested from prison and forced to compete in a brutal contest at the king’s behest. Trust is scarce, magic is rumored, and every decision introduces the rules and wounds that drive the saga forward.
2. Crown of Midnight
Freed—but on a leash—Celaena becomes the king’s champion, forced deeper into a labyrinth of loyalty, betrayal, and hidden magic. Friends fracture, dangers evolve.
3. Heir of Fire
Exiled to a far continent and haunted by loss, Celaena—now Aelin—trains in the Fae lands, discovering her powers, true heritage, and new enemies. Major side characters (Rowan, Manon) debut and begin their arcs.
4. Queen of Shadows
Aelin returns with power and purpose: reclaiming her kingdom, battling the king, and unspooling years of secrets. Everything from the first three books comes due: every deal, every debt.
5. Empire of Storms
The war explodes. Aelin’s court fights across continents, alliances form and break as old prophecies, ancient enemies, and new sacrifices reshape every life. The events here run at the same time as Tower of Dawn.
6. Tower of Dawn
Chaol and Nesryn journey south to heal, reconcile, and recruit new allies—vital for what follows. This book’s timeline overlaps with Empire of Storms; each reveals critical pieces for the finale.
Advice: Some devoted fans interleave chapters/event chapters between Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn, but reading them in book order first is best for new readers.
7. Kingdom of Ash
The climax. All the threads—romance, revenge, power, and prophecy—are paid off. Closure, heartbreak, and hardwon victories for Aelin, her friends, and her world.
Bonus: The Assassin’s Blade (Prequel Novellas)
Chronologically, these Jonathan stories are first—they track Celaena’s training, betrayal, and moral wounds. Emotionally, most readers prefer to dive in after book 1 or before Queen of Shadows, to maximize their impact in later payoffs.
Why the Order Matters
Character growth: Skipping blunts every transformation. Aelin’s journey only feels earned if scars accumulate in order. Worldbuilding logic: Each nation, plotline, and magic system builds in layers, not leaps. Alliances and betrayals: Betrayals mean less without prior context. The full emotional wallop comes only if you’ve invested year by year. Foreshadowing: Maas plants hints early. Kingdom of Ash makes best sense if you spot the clues.
The throne of glass books in order to read is the only submission for maximum payoff.
Common Errors
Reading The Assassin’s Blade first: This can work, but often blunts the mystery of Celaena’s psychology in book one. Saving the novellas for after introduces emotional context right before the saga’s middle act. Skipping Tower of Dawn: Massive mistakes—world lore and essential alliances are won there. Mixing Tower of Dawn and Empire out of alignment: Interleaving works on rereads, not first runs.
Strategy for Commitment
Schedule each book for a week, holding off on summaries or reviews online until caught up. Take notes—map alliances, scars, and prophecies to track evolution. Respect your own emotional limits—Maas is known for cliffhangers and payoffs that are only satisfying with patience.
For Series Completionists
Follow the main seven, including Tower of Dawn and Assassin’s Blade in the right spots before diving into Maas’s other universes: A Court of Thorns and Roses or Crescent City.
Final Thoughts
No fantasy epic rewards structure like “Throne of Glass.” Following the throne of glass books in order to read is the gateway to understanding power, recovery, and risk—not just in magic, but in every character’s journey. The path demands discipline, memory, and the willingness to see consequences stack page by page. Forgo shortcuts—let the series reward you the hard way. Victory and heartbreak, earned in sequence, last longest.