Summary

• Reading the Throne of Glass series in order is easy due to Maas' linear storytelling approach across 8 books over 6 years.
• The series has been well received and could rival Game of Thrones on TV, though a show hasn't materialized yet.
• Prequel novellas provide additional world-building without being crucial, allowing for flexibility in the reading order.

Reading the Throne of Glass series in order isn't difficult, because author Sarah J. Maas laid out her high fantasy epic in a mostly linear fashion. Starting in 2012 with Maas' debut novel, Throne of Glass follows teenage assassin Celaena Sardothien who vies to become the King's Champion to earn her freedom. Published over six years, the entire Throne of Glass series delivers a strong dose of high fantasy along with Maas' signature young-adult romance twist. Following in the footsteps of other great fantasy authors, Maas' series crackles with realism as she constructs a fascinating world around Celaena.

In a myriad of YA fantasy novels, Maas' stood out with critics, with the eighth book even earning an impressive 4.65 on Goodreads. Naturally, the Throne of Glass series could rival Game of Thrones if put on TV, and the books were optioned in 2016 with much fanfare. No TV show materialized and the option since reverted to Maas to pursue other suitors in film and television. With Maas' other series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, moving forward with an adaptation, it is only a matter of time before Throne of Glass is on screens.

Throne Of Glass Series In Publication Date Order

Seven Novels And A Collection Of Novels Were Published Over Six Years

Unlike other fantasy authors who jump around in the timeline for added confusion, Maas' books are rather straightforward, and reading the Throne of Glass series in order of publication is a breeze. Starting with 2012's Throne of Glass and concluding with 2018's Kingdom of Ash present the story linearly.

There is only a small deviation for the prequel novellas published in 2014 as The Assassin's Blade. Since they are prequels, they can be read at any time, and they aren't required to enjoy the series as a whole. Maas didn't include too much vital information in The Assassin's Blade, and instead, they are merely more world-building for an already fleshed-out universe. In reality, a reader could likely enjoy the prequel novellas at any point in the reading order if they so choose, instead of following along strictly by publication or chronology.

Maas was originally inspired by Cinderella when she began writing the early parts of the story, but after 10 years of working on it, it no longer resembled a fairy tale retelling.

Throne Of Glass (2012)

A Book Trailer For The First Novel Debuted On MTV.Com In Early 2012

The debut book in the series, Throne of Glass introduces teenage assassin Celaena Sardothien as she is serving a prison sentence in the slave camp when she is brought to Crown Prince Dorian who is looking for a royal assassin. The role is termed "King's Champion" in order to make it a little less unsavory. In order to earn her freedom, Celaena must compete against other deadly assassins and professional thieves. At the end of the competition, the finalists must battle one another.

However, the competition doesn't exactly go as planned as Celaena also finds herself investigating a strange conspiracy that is eliminating contestants left and right. A quintessential first novel in a fantasy series, Throne of Glass not only starts the story in earnest but sets up threads that pay off in later novels.

Crown Of Midnight (2013)

Crown Of Midnight Was Named One Of The Best YA Books Of 2013 By PopSugar

When reading the Throne of Glass book series in order of publication, Crown of Midnight comes in as the second novel. Published one year later, the novel catches up with Celaena after she has won the contest to become the royal assassin. However, all is not well in the kingdom as new challenges arrive that not only test the royal assassin's prowess but her loyalty to the crown as well. She does not want to kill for the king, even though it's the very thing that could eventually earn her freedom.

Kicking things into high gear, Crown of Midnight is a fantasy book with a unique twist, and Maas knew exactly how to hook the reader and avoid the sophomore slump that so many series fall into. So many series see the second book as a "bridge book." That is, the second book is a means to link the introduction to the world to a larger story instead of allowing its story to stand on its own. Crow of Midnight is certainly not a "bridge book."

It is the debut of Crown of Midnight that made the series a New York Times Bestseller.

The Assassin's Blade (2014)

Many Of The Novelas Were Released Online Before The Books Were Published

Published earlier in the same year as the third book in the Throne of Glass series, The Assassin's Blade is a collection of five novellas set within the universe. Four of the stories were originally published as e-books before they were compiled with the fifth as The Assassin's Blade. The volume includes:

• The Assassin And The Pirate Lord
• The Assassin And The Desert
• The Assassin And The Underworld
• The Assassin And The Empire
• The Assassin And The Healer

The short stories follow Celaena before the events of the first novel and see her working for the Assassin's Guild as one of their most effective killers. The novellas act to shed light on how she ended up in the prison camp. The quick and digestible nature of the stories is perfect for an established fan of the series, and they add a bit of spice to the pre-existing stories without being absolutely crucial to understanding the first two books.

Heir Of Fire (2014)

Heir Of Fire Was Nominated For The Good Reads Best YA Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Of The Year

On the way to becoming one of the best-selling fantasy series of all time, Sarah J. Maas published the third book in the series, 2014's Heir of Fire. In the book, Celaena is desperate for revenge against the tyrant who ruined her life, while also facing a mystical force that threatens to destroy the entire world. She is not, however, the only character who gets the spotlight. Prince Dorian, an immortal Ironteeth witch named Manon Blackbeak, and members of the Fae are all fleshed out in this chapter of the series.

Deftly balancing its disparate parts, Heir of Fire is a sleek but effective fantasy tale that builds upon the emotional impact of the previous novels. A page-turner to say the least, Heir of Fire pivots the series into much darker places going forward.

Queen Of Shadows (2015)

The Hulu Series Inspired By The Books Would Have Been Named For Queen Of Shadows

Truly building Celaena into a classic fantasy hero, Queen of Shadows continues the series' emotional arc through Maas' signature prose with new names, new reveals, and a return to a familiar kingdom. This is the slowest moving of the series of novels, but like the two before it, the story must split its time among a much larger cast of characters. Celaena still bears the biggest weight of the story on her shoulders though.

Despite having nothing to fight for at this point but her own vengeance, Celaena returns to the empire on her revenge quest and encounters many new people who inspire her to continue her crusade. Though the book is more a continuation of previous threads than anything else, Celaena is built into such a dynamic figure that even the most mundane moments are compelling.

Queen Of Shadows was named the Goodreads Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction book of 2015.

Empire Of Storms (2016)

In 2016 Hulu Acquired The Television Rights For The Series But They Lapsed In 2020

Taken as the fifth book when reading the Throne of Glass series in order, Empire of Storms represents yet another transition for the epic saga. This particular book in the series begins to examine ideas of fate and just how Celaena's path may or may not have been chosen for her up to this point.

Now fully assuming her persona as Aelin and the power that comes with it (some of that power darker than expected), the assassin formerly known as Celaena must maintain precious alliances in order to keep the kingdoms of Erilea from falling apart around her. Unafraid to make bold moves, Maas lords over her characters with realistic malice, as no one is safe, and no alliance is truly strong. Shocking twists and compelling romance are only some of the attractions in the fifth book.

Tower Of Dawn (2017)

Tower Of Dawn Was Nominated For The Good Reads Best YA Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Of The Year

While the fantasy books haven't become movies or TV shows yet, Tower of Dawn is further proof that the Throne of Glass series is practically begging to be adapted. Like television series that lose their leads or need a fresh take, Tower of Dawn takes on a new perspective, breathing even newer life into a series that hasn't yet gone stale.

Centering on the beloved character of Chaol Westfall who has been a supporting player in the previous novels, the sixth book sees the former Captain of the Guard on an epic quest to form crucial alliances in order to prevent all the kingdoms from falling into violent disarray. Despite not including series protagonist Aelin (Celaena), Tower of Dawn is a must-read and helps to set up the massive conclusion in the eighth and final novel.

Kingdom Of Ash (2018)

A Card Game Set During The Events Of Kingdom Of Ash Was Also Released

Closing out the Throne of Glass series, 2018's Kingdom of Ash delivered an appropriately epic conclusion in a book that is almost one thousand pages long. It is the longest book in the series by more than 200 pages, proving that there is still quite a bit of story before the reader can have that epic conclusion.

Now the queen, Aelin finds herself captured and suffering lengthy torture that is much like what she endured during her time as a slave. Meanwhile, the kingdoms prepare for conflict as the strength of newfound alliances is put to the ultimate test. Effortlessly blending so many storylines together, Kingdom of Ash uses every page effectively and is a satisfying finale that doesn't skimp on all the prose, romance, and surprises that make Maas a best-selling fantasy author.

Throne Of Glass Series In Chronological Order

Chronological Order Might Not Be The Most Beneficial Reading Order

Reading the Throne of Glass books in timeline order offers another alternative to the publication date strategy, and the existence of the prequel novellas opens the door for a bit of deviation. Readers could also choose to go chronologically through the story which is exactly the same as the publication order, except The Assassin's Blade is read first.

This option presents the story linearly but is not necessarily recommended for newcomers to fantasy books. Though the novellas don't assume the reader has already read the first two books in the series, it is helpful to have some familiarity with the characters and Maas' world. The stories are short and do not rely on world building, but expect that the readers will have at least some understanding of the way the fantasy series works.

Publication order may be the best order for newcomers to read the series while those already fans of the world may want to reread the Throne of Glass novels in the timeline order of the world.