Below is the complete list of Throne of Glass books in reading order, presented in publication order for the series by Sarah J. Maas....
Read All the Throne of Glass Books in Order
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Read Throne of Glass Books in Publication Order
- Throne of Glass (2012)
Buy on Amazon - Crown of Midnight (2013)
Buy on Amazon - The Assassin’s Blade (2014)
Buy on Amazon - Heir of Fire (2014)
Buy on Amazon - Queen of Shadows (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Empire of Storms (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Tower of Dawn (2017)
Buy on Amazon - Kingdom of Ash (2018)
Buy on Amazon
Read Throne of Glass Books in Chronological Order
- Throne of Glass
Buy on Amazon - Crown of Midnight
Buy on Amazon - Heir of Fire
Buy on Amazon - The Assassin’s Blade
Buy on Amazon - Queen of Shadows
Buy on Amazon - Empire of Storms
Buy on Amazon - Tower of Dawn
Buy on Amazon - Kingdom of Ash
Buy on Amazon
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas is a complete epic fantasy saga best known for its strong character arcs, escalating stakes, and carefully structured reading order. What begins as a story about a deadly competition slowly expands into a full-scale fantasy war involving ancient magic, political power, and fate-shaping choices.
For readers arriving here with one clear goal—to understand the correct reading order—this section explains how the series is structured, why order matters, and which reading path is best depending on how you like to read.
What Is the Throne of Glass Series?
Throne of Glass is a completed fantasy series set in the world of Erilea, a continent shaped by conquest, lost magic, and rising rebellion. The story follows a young assassin whose journey evolves far beyond survival into leadership, sacrifice, and destiny.
Unlike some fantasy series where each book stands mostly alone, Throne of Glass is a single continuous story told across multiple volumes. Characters grow older, relationships change, and consequences carry forward. Because of this, reading order directly affects understanding, emotional payoff, and major plot reveals.
Why Reading Order Matters in Throne of Glass
The Throne of Glass books are tightly connected. Key reasons reading order is important include:
- Major character transformations span multiple books
- Plot twists rely on earlier events
- Side characters introduced early become central later
- Emotional moments land harder with full context
- Later books assume knowledge of earlier storylines
While some fantasy series allow flexible entry points, Throne of Glass does not. Skipping books or reading out of order will almost certainly lead to confusion.
Official Publication Order (Recommended for First-Time Readers)
The publication order reflects how the story was originally released and how most readers first experienced it. This order preserves mystery, reveals information gradually, and allows character growth to unfold naturally.
Throne of Glass – Publication Order
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
This order is ideal if you:
- Enjoy gradual reveals
- Like discovering backstory later
- Prefer the author’s original pacing
Where Does The Assassin’s Blade Fit?
The Assassin’s Blade is a collection of five novellas set before Throne of Glass. These stories explore the main character’s life prior to the series and introduce relationships that become extremely important later.
Best Places to Read The Assassin’s Blade
There are three common placements:
Option 1: After Crown of Midnight (Most Popular)
- Adds emotional depth right before the series expands
- Enhances later character arcs
- Maintains early mystery
Option 2: After Heir of Fire
- Maximizes emotional impact
- Works well once readers are fully invested
Option 3: First (Chronological)
- Provides full backstory upfront
- Reduces mystery but increases early emotional clarity
Important: The Assassin’s Blade should not be skipped, regardless of when it is read.
Chronological Reading Order (Story Timeline)
For readers who prefer events in exact story order, the chronological reading order places the prequel first.
Throne of Glass – Chronological Order
- The Assassin’s Blade
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
This approach works best if you:
- Want full context from the beginning
- Prefer linear storytelling
- Value character motivation over mystery
The trade-off is that some later reveals may feel less surprising.
The Tandem Read Explained (Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn)
One unique feature of Throne of Glass reading order is the tandem read.
Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn occur at the same time in the story, but follow different characters in different parts of the world.
What Is a Tandem Read?
A tandem read alternates chapters between:
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
This creates a single unified timeline experience.
Why Readers Choose the Tandem Read
- Prevents emotional interruption after cliffhangers
- Keeps pacing consistent
- Makes Kingdom of Ash feel like a true final act
Why Some Readers Skip It
- Requires a chapter guide
- More complex reading process
- Less casual reading experience
Both methods are valid. The tandem read is optional—not required.
How the Series Evolves Over Time
Understanding the series structure helps explain why order matters so much.
- Books 1–2: Assassin fantasy with mystery elements
- Book 3: Major tonal shift toward epic fantasy
- Books 4–5: Ensemble cast, magic, and political escalation
- Books 6–7: War, sacrifice, and large-scale consequences
Readers often note that the later books feel very different from the early ones. Reading in order ensures this shift feels intentional rather than abrupt.
Multiple POVs and Expanding Cast
From Heir of Fire onward, the series introduces multiple point-of-view characters. Reading in sequence ensures:
- Each character is introduced properly
- Emotional arcs make sense
- Alliances and betrayals are clear
Skipping books or rearranging order often leads to confusion, especially in the final trilogy.
Age Range and Content Expectations
Although often marketed as young adult, Throne of Glass matures quickly:
- Later books include darker themes
- War and loss are central
- Emotional trauma is explored in depth
Most readers consider it YA transitioning into adult epic fantasy.
Best Reading Order at a Glance
Best for first-time readers:
– Publication order + The Assassin’s Blade after Book 2 or 3
Best for character-focused readers:
– Chronological order
Best for experienced fantasy readers:
– Publication order + optional tandem read
Final Thoughts
The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas is built on long-term storytelling. Its emotional payoff, character growth, and final resolution only work when the books are read in a thoughtful order.
There is no single “perfect” reading path—but there is a correct sequence. Whether you choose publication order, chronological order, or a tandem read, committing to the series fully is what turns Throne of Glass into the epic it’s meant to be.
For readers looking specifically for Throne of Glass reading order, the rule is simple:
Read everything. Read it in sequence. And don’t skip the prequel.