Throne of Glass Series Order: A Complete Guide to Reading Sarah J. Maas’ Epic Fantasy
Discover the correct reading order of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series, from the first book to the last.
Throne of Glass, written by Sarah J. Maas, is a high fantasy series filled with magic, intrigue, assassins, and fierce heroines. The series, which follows the journey of Celaena Sardothien—an assassin with a mysterious past—has captivated readers with its expansive world-building, complex characters, and riveting plot twists.
However, with multiple books and a prequel collection, readers may wonder about the best order in which to read the series. Should you start with the prequel? Or should you read the books in the order they were published? In this guide, we’ll break down the Throne of Glass series order and provide an overview of each book.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- How to Read the Throne of Glass Series in Order
- Throne of Glass Series Book Order
- Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
- Conclusion: An Epic Fantasy Worth Reading in the Right Order
- Further Exploration: Discover More on Booksummary.io
How to Read the Throne of Glass Series in Order
While it’s tempting to dive into the world of Erilea without worrying about book order, the Throne of Glass series has an ideal reading order that maximizes the story’s impact and reveals. The series can be read in two main ways: publication order or chronological order. Both offer a fantastic experience, but many fans recommend following the publication order for the most satisfying journey through the story arcs.
Throne of Glass Series Book Order
Here’s the recommended publication order for reading the Throne of Glass series:
1. The Assassin’s Blade (Prequel)
While The Assassin’s Blade is a prequel collection of five novellas, it is often recommended to read it first or right after the first book, Throne of Glass. These stories provide crucial background about Celaena Sardothien’s life before the events of the main series.
Synopsis:
In The Assassin’s Blade, we follow Celaena’s life as Adarlan’s most notorious assassin, delving into her early missions and her time training under the king of the Assassins, Arobynn Hamel. The novellas offer a deeper understanding of Celaena’s motivations, her relationships, and the events that ultimately lead her to the salt mines of Endovier at the beginning of Throne of Glass.
2. Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass is the first novel in the series and introduces readers to the main storyline. This is where Celaena’s journey truly begins.
Synopsis:
After spending a year in the brutal salt mines of Endovier, Celaena is offered a chance at freedom. Prince Dorian of Adarlan and his captain of the guard, Chaol Westfall, propose a deal: Celaena will compete in a contest to become the King’s Champion, an elite assassin in service to the crown. As Celaena navigates the deadly competition, she uncovers dark forces within the castle, setting the stage for the epic battle between good and evil that defines the series.
3. Crown of Midnight
In the second book, Crown of Midnight, the stakes are raised as Celaena takes on her new role as the King’s Champion, but she soon realizes that her loyalty may lie elsewhere.
Synopsis:
Now the King’s personal assassin, Celaena must carry out her dangerous missions under his watchful eye. However, as she uncovers more secrets about the dark forces threatening the kingdom and the true extent of the King’s power, she finds herself torn between her duty, her feelings for both Dorian and Chaol, and her own growing rebellion.
4. Heir of Fire
Heir of Fire marks a turning point in the series, as Celaena begins to fully embrace her identity and the power within her.
Synopsis:
Celaena travels to the kingdom of Wendlyn, where she encounters powerful allies and dangerous foes. With the help of Prince Rowan, she begins to train her magic and confront her past, including her true identity as Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the lost Queen of Terrasen. Meanwhile, back in Adarlan, Chaol, Dorian, and others face their own struggles as the forces of darkness grow stronger.
5. Queen of Shadows
In Queen of Shadows, Aelin returns to Adarlan to reclaim her throne and face the enemies that threaten her kingdom.
Synopsis:
Aelin Galathynius is no longer hiding. She returns to Adarlan determined to destroy the King and free her people. But first, she must confront her former master, Arobynn Hamel, and deal with her complicated feelings for Chaol and Dorian. The tension between loyalty, love, and revenge takes center stage in this explosive fourth book.
6. Empire of Storms
Empire of Storms is the fifth book in the main series (sixth in reading order) and sets the stage for the final showdown in the series.
Synopsis:
As Aelin gathers allies to fight the forces of darkness, she realizes that her enemies are closer than ever. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Aelin must outmaneuver her enemies while dealing with personal betrayals and sacrifices. This book focuses heavily on the growing war and the alliances Aelin must forge to face the ultimate threat.
7. Tower of Dawn
Tower of Dawn runs parallel to the events of Empire of Storms and follows Chaol Westfall as he embarks on his own journey of healing and discovery.
Synopsis:
Chaol travels to the southern continent in search of a healer who can restore him after the injuries he suffered in battle. As he navigates the political intrigue of a new court and confronts his own inner demons, Chaol discovers secrets that could change the fate of Erilea.
8. Kingdom of Ash
Kingdom of Ash is the epic finale to the Throne of Glass series, bringing together all the characters and storylines in an unforgettable conclusion.
Synopsis:
Aelin has been captured, and her allies must come together to free her and stop the forces of darkness from conquering the world. As the final battle approaches, Aelin faces impossible odds, and sacrifices must be made to save everything she holds dear. Kingdom of Ash is a sprawling, action-packed conclusion that ties together years of intricate storytelling.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
For new readers, it’s important to understand the difference between chronological order and publication order when approaching the Throne of Glass series.
- Publication Order: This is the recommended order to read the books, as it follows the natural progression of the story and character development. It also maintains the intended suspense and reveals.
- Chronological Order: If you prefer to read the story from the earliest point in the timeline, you would start with The Assassin’s Blade (the prequel) and then proceed to Throne of Glass. While this order provides more background context for
Celaena’s character, some readers might find it less exciting, as certain mysteries are revealed too early.
Further Reading:
Charvi Agarwal
Conclusion: An Epic Fantasy Worth Reading in the Right Order
The Throne of Glass series is a must-read for fantasy lovers, and reading it in the right order can make the experience even more thrilling. Following the publication order allows for the natural development of Sarah J. Maas’ intricate plot, character arcs, and the eventual epic conclusion in Kingdom of Ash. Whether you are new to the series or looking for a refresher, this guide will help you navigate the best way to experience Celaena Sardothien’s extraordinary journey.
Further Reading:
Charvi Agarwal
Further Exploration: Discover More on Booksummary.io
If you're looking to dive deeper into the Throne of Glass series or explore more epic fantasy stories, visit booksummary.io for detailed summaries of each book. Our expertly crafted summaries provide a quick, comprehensive look at your favorite fantasy novels, helping you keep track of character developments, themes, and key plot points.
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