The Ultimate Guide: 3 Best Ways To Read The Throne Of Glass Series (Including Sarah J. Maas's NEW Recommended Order)

Deciding on the perfect reading order for Sarah J. Maas’s *Throne of Glass* series is a rite of passage for every new reader in 2025. This sprawling, high-fantasy epic, following the journey of the assassin Celaena Sardothien, is notoriously tricky due to the placement of the prequel novella collection, *The Assassin's Blade*, and the unique "tandem read" requirement later in the series. Choosing the right path can dramatically enhance your emotional experience, character understanding, and the impact of the major plot twists.

This guide cuts through the confusion, presenting the three most popular and definitive ways to read the entire series, with a special focus on the author’s current, most-recommended order and the crucial steps for the mid-series dual books. Whether you prefer a chronological start or the maximum emotional payoff, your definitive reading journey through Erilea starts here.

Sarah J. Maas and The Throne of Glass Saga: A Series Biography

The *Throne of Glass* series is a global phenomenon, establishing author Sarah J. Maas as a powerhouse in the young adult (YA) and New Adult high fantasy genres. The saga follows Aelin Galathynius, initially known as the infamous assassin Celaena Sardothien, on her quest to reclaim her throne and save the continent of Erilea from dark forces. The series is lauded for its complex world-building, intricate political plots, and a cast of beloved characters including Chaol Westfall, Dorian Havilliard, and Manon Blackbeak. The entire series consists of seven main novels and one prequel collection.

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Complete Throne of Glass Series List (Publication Order)

This list reflects the order in which the books were originally released to the public, which is one of the three main reading options.

• 1. Throne of Glass (Published: August 2, 2012).
• 2. Crown of Midnight (Published: August 27, 2013).
• 3. Heir of Fire (Published: September 2, 2014).
• 4. Queen of Shadows (Published: September 1, 2015).
• 5. The Assassin's Blade (Prequel Novellas, Published: March 13, 2014). Note: This is chronologically the first book, but was published fourth.
• 6. Empire of Storms (Published: September 6, 2016).
• 7. Tower of Dawn (Published: September 5, 2017).
• 8. Kingdom of Ash (Published: October 23, 2018).

The Definitive Order: Sarah J. Maas's Recommended Reading Path

For years, fans debated the optimal placement of the prequel collection, *The Assassin's Blade*. While it details the protagonist’s life before the events of *Throne of Glass*, including her time with Arobynn Hamel and the subsequent tragedy that leads to her imprisonment, the author herself has weighed in on the best reading experience.

The current, most-recommended order by Sarah J. Maas and the majority of the fandom is designed for maximum emotional impact and to prevent early burnout, as the first two books are often considered a slower build-up to the epic scale of the later novels.

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The Maas Recommended Order (The Emotional Payoff)

1. Throne of Glass: Start here to meet Celaena Sardothien and immerse yourself in the world of the competition.
2. Crown of Midnight: The direct sequel, which significantly raises the stakes and introduces key plot elements.
3. The Assassin's Blade: Read the novellas here. After the events of *Crown of Midnight*, the backstory of Celaena’s pain, loss, and history with the King of Adarlan will have a much deeper emotional resonance and provide crucial context for the next book.
4. Heir of Fire: The true beginning of the epic fantasy scale. Your knowledge from *The Assassin's Blade* will make the character's journey in this book far more meaningful.
5. Queen of Shadows: The series' first major turning point, where the political intrigue and stakes explode.
6. Empire of Storms: (Part 1 of the Tandem Read—DO NOT read this alone!)
7. Tower of Dawn: (Part 2 of the Tandem Read—DO NOT read this alone!)
8. Kingdom of Ash: The epic, climactic finale to the entire saga.

The Infamous Tandem Read: Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn Explained

The most unique and often confusing aspect of the *Throne of Glass* reading order is the mandatory "tandem read" of books six and seven: *Empire of Storms* and *Tower of Dawn*. This is not a suggestion—it is the only way to experience the events of the series chronologically as they unfold.

Why the Tandem Read is Essential

Both *Empire of Storms* (EOS) and *Tower of Dawn* (ToD) take place at the exact same time. EOS follows Aelin Galathynius and her court as they prepare for war in the north, while ToD follows Chaol Westfall and his allies in a distant land as they search for a cure and forge new alliances.

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If you read *Empire of Storms* first, you will miss significant character development and world-building from Chaol’s journey, and the events of *Kingdom of Ash* will feel incomplete. Conversely, reading *Tower of Dawn* first will leave you confused about the overall political and military situation facing Terrasen and Erilea.

How to Execute the Tandem Read

The tandem read involves alternating chapters between the two books. This is a complex but rewarding process that ensures you get the full picture of the war preparations and the personal journeys of all major characters simultaneously. Detailed chapter-by-chapter guides are widely available online to help you navigate this specific reading order.

The Two Main Tandem Options:

• The Full Tandem: Following a chapter-by-chapter guide, switching between the two books to maintain a strict chronological timeline. This offers the most complete, unified narrative experience.
• The Block Tandem: Reading the first half of *Empire of Storms*, then all of *Tower of Dawn*, and finishing with the second half of *Empire of Storms*. This is a less jarring compromise for readers who dislike constant switching.

Alternative Reading Orders: Chronological and Publication

While the Maas Recommended Order is the most popular, two other valid reading orders exist, each offering a distinct experience for the reader.

Option 2: The Chronological Order (The Story's Timeline)

This path prioritizes the internal timeline of the character, starting with Celaena’s life as the King’s Champion before the events of *Throne of Glass*. This option is best for readers who want to understand the protagonist's background and motivations from the very first page.

1. The Assassin's Blade (Prequel Novellas)
2. Throne of Glass
3. Crown of Midnight
4. Heir of Fire
5. Queen of Shadows
6. Empire of Storms (Tandem Read with *Tower of Dawn*)
7. Tower of Dawn (Tandem Read with *Empire of Storms*)
8. Kingdom of Ash

The Trade-Off: Starting with *The Assassin's Blade* provides all the context up front, but it can spoil certain reveals in the main series and the emotional impact of the flashbacks in the later books is lessened because you already know the full story.

Option 3: The Publication Order (The Original Experience)

This is the order in which the books were released, providing the same journey that original fans of the series took. The series was designed so that *The Assassin's Blade* would be read after *Crown of Midnight* or *Heir of Fire*, making its placement as the fifth book in the publication timeline a deliberate choice by the author and publisher.

1. Throne of Glass
2. Crown of Midnight
3. Heir of Fire
4. Queen of Shadows
5. The Assassin's Blade
6. Empire of Storms
7. Tower of Dawn
8. Kingdom of Ash

The Trade-Off: Reading *The Assassin's Blade* after *Queen of Shadows* means a long pause in the main narrative before the final two books, which some readers find disruptive to the rising action.

Conclusion: Your Throne of Glass Journey

The journey through the *Throne of Glass* world, from the glass castle of Adarlan to the battlefields of the Witches and the Fae, is a rewarding one. While there are three valid paths, the overwhelming consensus in 2025 is to follow the Sarah J. Maas Recommended Order: *Throne of Glass*, *Crown of Midnight*, *The Assassin's Blade*, and then the rest of the series, ensuring you execute the crucial *Empire of Storms* and *Tower of Dawn* tandem read. This path provides the best balance of character development, world-building, and emotional payoff, making your first experience with Aelin Galathynius and her court truly unforgettable.