Below is the complete list of TOG books in reading order, presented in publication order for the series by Sarah J. Maas....
Read All the TOG Books in Order
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Read TOG 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 TOG 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 TOG Reading Order guide exists for one reason: the Throne of Glass series is not a casual, pick-any-book fantasy. It is a carefully layered epic where timing, reveals, and character development depend heavily on reading order.
Readers are usually asking the same question in different ways:
- Where do I start?
- When do I read The Assassin’s Blade?
- What about Tower of Dawn?
- Is there a “best” way to read everything?
This guide answers all of that—clearly, spoiler-free, and focused entirely on reading order, not just a list of titles.
What Makes Throne of Glass Different From Other Fantasy Series?
At first glance, Throne of Glass looks like a straightforward assassin fantasy. Very quickly, it becomes something else entirely.
Across the series, readers encounter:
- Shifting main characters
- Multiple continents and cultures
- Political intrigue and rebellion
- Ancient magic returning to the world
- A long, emotionally demanding war arc
Because the story changes scale and tone as it progresses, reading order is not optional—it shapes how the story feels and how impactful its twists are.
Why TOG Reading Order Matters So Much
Unlike many fantasy series:
- Backstory is deliberately withheld early
- Character motivations are revealed over time
- Certain emotional moments rely on hindsight
Reading books out of order can:
- Flatten major reveals
- Make character decisions seem confusing
- Reduce emotional payoff in later books
This is especially true for:
- The Assassin’s Blade (prequel novellas)
- Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn
The Core Throne of Glass Story (Publication Path)
Most readers experience Throne of Glass in publication-based reading order, with one important adjustment for the prequel.
Below is the standard TOG reading order used by first-time readers.
TOG Reading Order (Recommended for First-Time Readers)
- 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
This order preserves:
- Mystery early on
- Emotional weight of the prequel
- Natural expansion into epic fantasy
Where The Assassin’s Blade Fits (And Why It’s Tricky)
The Assassin’s Blade is a collection of novellas set before the main story. Chronologically, it comes first—but that doesn’t mean it should be read first.
Why many readers delay it:
- It reveals backstory meant to feel earned
- It adds emotional context once you already care
- It strengthens later character arcs
Reading it after Heir of Fire often creates the strongest emotional response, especially as the series shifts direction in Queen of Shadows.
That said, The Assassin’s Blade is not optional. It is essential—just best timed carefully.
Chronological TOG Reading Order (Alternative Option)
Some readers prefer everything in story-timeline order.
TOG Chronological Reading 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 for readers who:
- Prefer full context from the beginning
- Don’t mind losing early mystery
- Are comfortable with slower emotional buildup
It is valid—but not the most popular choice.
Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn: How to Read Them
This is one of the most confusing parts of TOG reading order.
- Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn happen at the same time
- They follow different characters in different locations
- Both are required before the final book
Option 1: Publication Order (Simplest)
- Read Empire of Storms
- Then read Tower of Dawn
This is straightforward and works well.
Option 2: Tandem Read (Advanced)
Some readers alternate chapters between the two books to maintain a single timeline.
This option:
- Smooths pacing
- Avoids cliffhanger frustration
- Requires a chapter guide
It’s popular with rereaders or highly invested fantasy readers—but not required.
How the Series Evolves Across the Reading Order
Understanding the tonal shift helps explain why order matters.
Early Books (1–2)
- Assassin competition
- Mystery and survival
- Smaller cast
Middle Books (3–5)
- Magic returns
- World expands
- Multiple POVs introduced
Final Arc (6–8)
- Full-scale war
- Political alliances
- Emotional resolution
Skipping steps in this progression often makes the later books feel overwhelming.
Is Throne of Glass YA or Adult?
The reading order also reflects a maturity shift.
- Early books lean YA
- Later books are darker, heavier, and more complex
Many readers feel the series transitions naturally into adult epic fantasy by Queen of Shadows.
Who Should Follow This TOG Reading Order?
This guide is ideal for:
- First-time readers
- Readers returning after a long break
- Fans coming from ACOTAR or Crescent City
If you like:
- Long character arcs
- Found family dynamics
- Emotionally intense finales
TOG rewards commitment more than almost any fantasy series.
Common TOG Reading Order Mistakes
- Skipping The Assassin’s Blade
- Reading Tower of Dawn last or not at all
- Jumping straight to later books
- Mixing in other SJM series
Each Throne of Glass book builds on the last.
Best TOG Reading Order (Quick Summary)
Most readers:
- Publication order with The Assassin’s Blade after Book 3
Chronology-focused readers:
- Start with The Assassin’s Blade
Completionists:
- Consider the tandem read for Books 6–7
Final Thoughts
The TOG reading order isn’t about rules—it’s about maximizing impact. Throne of Glass is a story of transformation, sacrifice, and long-term consequence, and those themes only land when the books are read with intention.
There is more than one valid way to read the series, but there is no shortcut. Choose an order, commit to it, and let the story unfold the way it was designed to—slowly, painfully, and beautifully.