The $500 Secret: Why The Throne Of Glass Original Cover Is A Collector’s Holy Grail

For many fans of the *Throne of Glass* series, the original covers are more than just book jackets; they are a nostalgic gateway to the world of Celaena Sardothien. Released in 2012, the initial US hardcover and paperback editions of the first book, featuring a striking, full-body portrait of the assassin, have become incredibly valuable collector's items in the years since the series' explosive growth. As of late 2025, finding a complete set of the "original art" editions can cost hundreds of dollars, a testament to the enduring love for author Sarah J. Maas's breakthrough fantasy saga.

This deep-dive will explore the iconic aesthetic of the first edition covers, reveal the talented artist behind the work, and detail the recent 2023 cover change that has permanently cemented the originals as rare, sought-after pieces of literary history.

The Collector’s Market Frenzy: Biography of a Bestseller’s First Face

The original cover for *Throne of Glass* (published August 2, 2012) is instantly recognizable to long-time readers. It features a fierce, full-body depiction of the protagonist, Celaena Sardothien, standing ready for combat. This style, which continued across the first few books in the series, is a classic example of Young Adult (YA) fantasy cover art from the early 2010s: character-focused, dramatic, and action-oriented.

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• Book Title: *Throne of Glass*
• Author: Sarah J. Maas
• Original US Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Original Publication Date: August 2, 2012
• Original Cover Artist: Alessandro "Talexi" Taini
• Cover Aesthetic: Full-body character portrait, dark fantasy, high drama.
• Key Design Elements: Celaena in a black, tight, flexible assassin suit, often with a sword or other weapon, and a strong, defiant pose.
• Current Status: Out-of-print with the original art; highly sought after by collectors, often selling for premium prices online.

The Italian artist, Alessandro "Talexi" Taini, is the creative force behind the original US cover art. Taini's work perfectly captured the initial premise of the series: a deadly assassin forced to compete in a royal tournament. The covers were dynamic, showcasing the titular character's power and attitude. For collectors, the "Talexi" editions are considered the true first-face of the series, an aesthetic that many fans argue is more contextually accurate to the story's initial tone.

The Aesthetic Deep Dive: Talexi's Vision vs. The New Era

The core of the "original cover" debate lies in the stark contrast between the two different artistic directions the series has taken. Understanding these differences is key to appreciating why the older editions are so prized.

The Original: Character-Centric and Contextual

The original *Throne of Glass* cover, and its follow-ups like *Crown of Midnight* and *Heir of Fire*, were all characterized by a few defining features:

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• Protagonist on Display: Celaena Sardothien, the most feared assassin in Adarlan, is the singular focus. The artwork shows her in her gear—a black, leather-like suit—or, on the back covers of some editions, in the prominent dresses she wears to the royal court.
• YA Genre Alignment: This style was highly popular in the Young Adult fantasy genre of the time, immediately signaling a story about a strong female lead.
• Narrative Accuracy: Fans often point out that the covers directly reflect key moments or costumes described in the text, making them feel intrinsically linked to the narrative.

The Redesign: Symbolic and High Fantasy

In 2023, the publisher, Bloomsbury, announced a complete redesign of the *Throne of Glass* series covers. This shift was a major publishing event, moving the series' visual identity into a new era. The new covers, illustrated by Jim Tierney, took a dramatically different approach.

• Focus on Symbolism and Setting: The new art replaces the character portraits with scenic, symbolic, and often lush illustrations of key locations, objects, or creatures from the world of Erilea.
• Alignment with SJM's Brand: The change was widely speculated to be a strategic move to align *Throne of Glass* more closely with the visual style of Sarah J. Maas’s other globally successful series, *A Court of Thorns and Roses* (ACOTAR), and to appeal to a broader High Fantasy or New Adult (NA) market. The new look is less "YA" and more "epic fantasy."
• Modern Aesthetic: The new covers feature a modern, striking, illustrated look that has proven popular with a new generation of readers and those who generally prefer a non-character cover.

The 2023 Rebranding: Why Publishers Change a Winning Formula

The decision to change the covers of a massively successful series like *Throne of Glass* is not taken lightly. The original covers were the face of the series for over a decade. However, the 2023 redesign was a calculated business move rooted in evolving market trends and the series' own narrative progression.

The primary reason, as discussed widely among the book community, revolves around genre and audience perception.

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1. Transitioning from YA to High Fantasy/NA

While the first book, *Throne of Glass*, began as a YA novel, the series quickly matured. By the time readers reached books like *Empire of Storms* and *Kingdom of Ash*, the themes, scope, and character relationships had become decidedly more New Adult and High Fantasy. The original covers, with their character-centric style, were increasingly seen by some as too young for the epic, sweeping nature of the later volumes. The new, more symbolic covers better reflect the grand, world-ending stakes of the entire saga.

2. Brand Consistency Across the Maas-iverse

Sarah J. Maas is one of the most successful fantasy authors in the world, and her brand is paramount. The new *Throne of Glass* covers visually echo the style of her other series, particularly ACOTAR and *Crescent City*. This consistency helps establish a unified "SJM aesthetic" in bookstores, making it easier for fans of one series to pick up another and for new readers to recognize the author's work immediately.

3. The Rise of the Collector’s Item

The moment the new covers were announced, the original editions instantly became "Out of Print" (OOP) art, skyrocketing their value in the collector's market. This phenomenon is a common side effect of mid-series cover changes. Fans who want a complete, matching set of the original "Talexi" art are now forced to hunt down used copies, driving up prices for the paperback and hardcover sets to significant amounts, often exceeding $500 for a pristine, full set.

For dedicated fans, the hunt for the original *Throne of Glass* cover is a passion project. Whether you prefer the nostalgic, character-driven art of Alessandro Taini or the modern, epic scope of the 2023 redesign, the history of the covers is a fascinating study in how publishing, branding, and fan loyalty intersect in the world of blockbuster fantasy.

Essential Entities and LSI Keywords for Topical Authority

• Celaena Sardothien
• Alessandro Taini (Talexi)
• Jim Tierney
• Bloomsbury Publishing
• Young Adult (YA) Fantasy
• New Adult (NA) Fantasy
• A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
• Crown of Midnight
• Heir of Fire
• Empire of Storms
• Kingdom of Ash
• The Assassin’s Blade
• Collector’s Item / Out-of-Print (OOP)
• Cover Redesign / Cover Change
• Erilea
• High Fantasy Series
• First Edition Hardcover
• Paperback Set