If you love epic young adult fantasy with political intrigue, complex relationships, and a truly emotional roller coaster, the Throne of Glass series is a must-read. It’s one of those stories where the world expands with every book, new characters become favourites, and the stakes keep climbing until the final book.
If you’re here because you’re wondering about the Throne of Glass reading order (and whether you should start with The Assassin’s Blade), you’re not alone. There are a couple of different reading orders, but below I’ll share the best order for most readers, plus a clear description of what each book is about.
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This order keeps the big reveals landing at the right time, while still giving you the background you need.
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- The Assassin’s Blade (prequel novellas collection)
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
Throne of Glass books in order: what each book is about
1) Throne of Glass
This is the official first book in the world of Throne of Glass, and the best place to start if you want to meet the main character the way the story intends.
We’re introduced to Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin who has survived brutal conditions and is offered a chance at freedom. The catch is that she must compete in a deadly tournament to become the King’s Champion. As she navigates court life, rival champions start turning up dead, and Celaena realises there is something darker lurking in the kingdom of Adarlan.
Expect a fast pace, a strong lead character, and the start of the series’ central mysteries.
2) Crown of Midnight
The second book raises the tension and deepens the political landscape.
Celaena is now working inside the glass castle as the King’s Champion, but the role comes with secrets, impossible choices, and a growing sense that she is being pulled into a web of power she cannot control. Relationships shift, loyalties are tested, and the story begins to hint at a much bigger world beyond the castle walls.
This is where the series starts to feel less like a competition story and more like an epic fantasy in the making.
3) Heir of Fire
For many readers, Heir of Fire is where the series truly levels up.
Celaena’s journey takes her far from the court and into new lands, where she meets powerful new characters and faces truths about herself that change everything. The world-building expands dramatically, the magic of the series becomes more central, and the story starts laying the groundwork for the larger conflict.
If you enjoy an epic world, new kingdoms, and character growth that feels earned, this book delivers.
4) The Assassin’s Blade (prequel novellas collection)
This is a collection of prequel novellas, and it’s best read after Heir of Fire for maximum impact.
The Assassin’s Blade explores Celaena’s life before Throne of Glass, including the people she loved, the enemies she made, and the events that shaped her into the assassin we meet at the start of the series. It also introduces characters and threads that become important later, so it’s not just “extra” content.
Reading it here adds emotional weight to what comes next, and it makes certain moments hit much harder.
Collection of novellas included in The Assassin’s Blade:
- The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
- The Assassin and the Healer
- The Assassin and the Desert
- The Assassin and the Underworld
- The Assassin and the Empire
5) Queen of Shadows
This is where the story takes a sharp turn into action, rebellion, and high stakes.
Celaena returns with a clearer sense of who she is and what she’s willing to fight for. Old allies reappear, new characters step into the spotlight, and the series begins to move like a chessboard, with different players across different kingdoms.
If you’ve been waiting for the plot to fully explode, this is the book where it happens.
6) Empire of Storms
Empire of Storms is huge in scope and feels like the beginning of the endgame.
The story spans multiple locations, with characters travelling, negotiating, and battling as the threat grows. The political intrigue becomes more intricate, relationships become more intense, and the series leans hard into its epic fantasy roots.
This is also the book that leaves many readers desperate to pick up the next one immediately.
7) Tower of Dawn
This book often causes debate because it follows a different point of view, but it’s an important part of the series.
Tower of Dawn focuses on Chaol Westfall and introduces a new setting on the southern continent, with its own culture, history, and magical creatures. It answers questions you might not even realise you have yet, and it sets up key pieces for the final book.
If you’re tempted to skip it, I’d really recommend not doing that. It’s part of the story, not a side quest.
8) Kingdom of Ash
The last book brings everything together.
Kingdom of Ash is the last part of the epic fantasy series, and it pulls in storylines from across the continent of Erilea. Alliances are tested, sacrifices are made, and the series delivers the kind of big, emotional conclusion that makes you want to sit quietly for a moment after you finish.
If you love finales that feel earned, this one is worth the journey.
Publication order vs chronological order (and why it matters)
You might see people recommend reading the series in strict chronological order, starting with The Assassin’s Blade. That can work, especially if you prefer to know the full backstory upfront.
But for most readers, starting with Throne of Glass keeps the mystery and momentum intact, then reading The Assassin’s Blade later adds depth at exactly the right moment.
Quick recap: Throne of Glass series order of publication
- 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
Alternative Throne of Glass reading order (chronological, with The Assassin’s Blade first)
If you prefer to read in chronological order and start with the prequel novellas collection, here’s the complete reading order:
- The Assassin’s Blade (prequel novellas collection)
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
This is a great option if you want Celaena’s backstory upfront and you like going into the main series already knowing the key relationships and events that shaped her.
Optional: The Empire of Storms + Tower of Dawn Tandem Read (spoiler-free)
You’ll often see readers mention a “tandem read” for Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. That simply means reading them alongside each other, alternating between the two books, because they happen around the same time in the overall timeline.
A tandem read is not required, and plenty of readers prefer to read in the standard order.
Why do some people love the tandem read
- It can make the overall pacing feel balanced, because you’re switching settings and storylines. Alternating between action and slower political chapters.
- It can reduce the feeling of “pause” when you move from the end of Empire of Storms into Tower of Dawn.
- If you’re the kind of reader who enjoys juggling multiple points of view, it can be really fun.
- It’s more of an immersive world experience.
Why you might skip it
- It’s more effort, especially if you’re reading physical books.
- You may prefer to stay immersed in one storyline at a time.
- You need to follow a guide to know when to switch to the other book.
- If you’re new to the series, the standard order is simpler and still works brilliantly.
If you do want to tandem read, I’d recommend finding a chapter-by-chapter guide and bookmarking it before you start.
Tandem Reading Table
Here is one I’ve put together:
| Step | Read (Empire of Storms) | Then read (Tower of Dawn) |
| 1 | Nightfall–Chapter 5 | Chapter 1 |
| 2 | Chapter 6–8 | Chapter 2–3 |
| 3 | Chapter 9–10 | Chapter 4–6 |
| 4 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 7 |
| 5 | Chapter 12–13 | Chapter 8–10 |
| 6 | Chapter 14–16 | Chapter 11–12 |
| 7 | Chapter 17–18 | Chapter 13–16 |
| 8 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 17 |
| 9 | Chapter 20–23 | Chapter 18–21 |
| 10 | Chapter 24–25 | Chapter 22–23 |
| 11 | Chapter 26 | Chapter 24 |
| 12 | Chapter 27–29 | Chapter 25–28 |
| 13 | Chapter 30 | Chapter 29–31 |
| 14 | Chapter 31 | Chapter 32 |
| 15 | Chapter 32 | Chapter 33–35 |
| 16 | Chapter 33–51 | Chapter 36–37 |
| 17 | Chapter 52 | Chapter 38–40 |
| 18 | Chapter 53 | Chapter 41–42 |
| 19 | Chapter 54–56 | Chapter 43 |
| 20 | Chapter 57–59 | Chapter 44–48 |
| 21 | Chapter 60–61 | Chapter 49–51 |
| 22 | Chapter 62–63 | Chapter 52–53 |
| 23 | Chapter 64–65 | Chapter 54–56 |
| 24 | Chapter 66–67 | Chapter 57 |
| 25 | Chapter 68–75 | Chapter 58–Fireheart |
Final Thoughts
If you’ve already fallen for Sarah J. Maas through A Court of Thorns and Roses or Crescent City, you’ll probably recognise what she does best here too. Her world-building skills are genuinely mind blowing. Every book adds another layer, the different characters keep expanding in a way that somehow still feels connected, and by the time you reach the end, you realise she’s been setting things up for ages throughout the entire series! I absolutely love this young adult fantasy book series! But if you are looking for more spice, the ACOTAR series or Crescent City are in the adult romantasy genre!
And if you’re in full Maas mode right now, it’s such a fun time to be a reader. She’s only just announced the next ACOTAR books, too, with Book 6 coming out on 26th October 2026 and Book 7 on 12th January 2027.
However, you choose to read Throne of Glass (recommended order, chronological order, or even a tandem read later on), it’s an epic series that’s absolutely worth the time. If you’ve already read it, I’d love to know your favourite book and whether you did the tandem read!
Throne of Glass reading order FAQ (spoiler-free)
Should I read The Assassin’s Blade first?
You can, and some readers love starting with the prequel novellas collection. If you want the most common first-time experience, start with Throne of Glass and read The Assassin’s Blade after Heir of Fire.
Is Tower of Dawn skippable?
It’s part of the main series, and it sets up important information for Kingdom of Ash. Even if it follows a different point of view, it’s worth reading.
Is there a love triangle in Throne of Glass?
Yes, there’s a love triangle vibe in the early books, mainly Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight. It centres on Celaena Sardothien and her relationships with Prince Dorian Havilliard and Captain Chaol Westfall.
What is the best order for first-time readers?
For most people, the recommended order is:
- 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
Are there different reading orders?
Yes. The two most popular are publication-style (starting with Throne of Glass) and chronological (starting with The Assassin’s Blade). Neither is “wrong”; it just depends on how you like to experience backstory and reveals.
How many books are in the Throne of Glass series?
There are 8 main books in the epic world of the Throne of Glass, including The Assassin’s Blade (the prequel novella collection).
You can buy the Throne of Glass box set here on Amazon.
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