Your Guide To The **Throne Of Glass Book Order**: Start Your Adventure Right
So, you're thinking about jumping into the captivating world of Sarah J. Maas's *Throne of Glass* series? That's really a wonderful choice! These books, you know, are loved by millions, and for a very good reason. They're packed with action, deep characters, and a story that just pulls you in from the very first page. But, it's almost a common thing for new readers to feel a little unsure about where to begin, especially with a prequel novella in the mix. You want to get the full experience, don't you?
Many people find themselves wondering, "What's the best **throne of glass book order**?" It's a question that comes up quite a lot, and for good reason. The way you read these stories can truly shape your connection with the characters and how the big plot twists land. Sarah J. Maas, the #1 bestselling author behind this series, along with her *Court of Thorns and Roses* and *Crescent City* books, has created something truly special. She lives in New York City with her family, and her imagination, well, it's pretty amazing.
Getting the sequence right can really make a difference to your reading pleasure. There's a particular book, *The Assassin's Blade*, that can be read in a couple of spots, and where you put it changes things a bit. This guide is here to help you sort through the options and pick the **throne of glass book order** that feels just right for you. We'll explore the different ways to approach this fantastic series, making sure you get to enjoy every moment.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Throne of Glass Series
- The Publication Order: A Classic Approach
- The Chronological Order: A Story From the Start
- The Recommended Hybrid Order: A Popular Choice
- Why the Hybrid Order Often Works Best
- Frequently Asked Questions About Throne of Glass Order
- Starting Your Throne of Glass Adventure
Understanding the Throne of Glass Series
The *Throne of Glass* series tells the story of Celaena Sardothien, a young assassin with a mysterious past, who finds herself thrust into a competition to become the king's champion. What begins as a relatively simple tale of survival and intrigue quickly expands into an epic fantasy saga with magic, political schemes, and a quest to save a world. There are seven main books and one prequel collection of novellas. This means, in total, you're looking at eight fantastic reads.
The author, Sarah J. Maas, is really quite skilled at building worlds and creating characters that stay with you. Her storytelling, you know, it just gets better with each book. Knowing the different ways to read the series helps you get the most out of her incredible narrative.
The Publication Order: A Classic Approach
Reading the books in the order they were published is, in a way, the most straightforward approach. It's how many original readers experienced the series. This order keeps any big reveals exactly as the author intended them to unfold for her initial audience. It means you meet Celaena and then, later on, get her backstory.
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Here's how the **throne of glass book order** looks when following the publication dates:
Throne of Glass
This is Book 1, published in 2012. It's where everything starts. You meet Celaena Sardothien, a famous assassin, who is brought before the Crown Prince and Captain of the Guard. She's given a chance at freedom, but only if she wins a deadly competition. This book, you know, has over 2 million ratings and more than 150,000 reviews, showing just how popular it is. It's a very strong beginning.
Crown of Midnight
Book 2 continues Celaena's story as the king's assassin. She takes on missions, but her loyalties are really tested. This one builds on the first, adding more intrigue and deepening the characters. It's a pretty good follow-up.
Heir of Fire
Book 3 takes Celaena to a new land, where she must confront her past and train with a powerful figure. This book is often seen as a turning point in the series, where the stakes get much higher and the world expands. It's a rather pivotal read.
Queen of Shadows
Book 4 sees Celaena return home, ready to face the threats that loom over her kingdom. This is where many plot threads start to weave together, and the true scope of the series begins to show. It's a very exciting part of the story.
Empire of Storms
Book 5 pushes the characters to their limits as war looms large. Alliances are formed, and sacrifices are made. This book really ups the ante.
Tower of Dawn
Book 6 is a bit unique. It runs concurrently with *Empire of Storms*, focusing on a different character's journey in a distant land. Some readers, you know, choose to read this one after *Empire of Storms*, while others prefer to read them side-by-side. It's a very interesting choice by the author.
Kingdom of Ash
Book 7 is the grand finale. All the threads come together in an epic conclusion to Celaena's journey. This is the culmination of everything. It's a pretty big book, too.
The Assassin's Blade (in Publication Order)
This collection of novellas, published after *Heir of Fire* (and before *Queen of Shadows*), tells Celaena's backstory before the events of *Throne of Glass*. If you read it in publication order, you'd typically read it after *Heir of Fire* or even after *Queen of Shadows*. It's a collection of five short stories that really give you a look into her earlier life and experiences.
The Chronological Order: A Story From the Start
This order means reading the books as the events happen within the story's timeline. It provides all of Celaena's backstory right at the beginning, so you understand her motivations and past experiences from the get-go. This can be a very direct way to experience the narrative.
The chronological **throne of glass book order** starts like this:
The Assassin's Blade (First)
Reading *The Assassin's Blade* first means you learn all about Celaena's life as an assassin before she's captured and brought to the castle in *Throne of Glass*. You get to know her friends, her loves, and the tragedies that shaped her. This approach, some might say, gives you a deeper initial connection to her character.
After *The Assassin's Blade*, you would then proceed with the main series in numerical 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
The Recommended Hybrid Order: A Popular Choice
Many fans, and even some critics, suggest a "hybrid" approach for the **throne of glass book order**. This method tries to combine the best of both worlds: getting the crucial backstory when it feels most impactful, without spoiling earlier revelations. This is, in a way, the most talked-about reading order.
As Evie Netherwood mentioned, "I feel the prequels are best read after the third one as there is an ongoing subplot which Celaena finds out about in the fourth book but it is revealed in the prequels." This advice points directly to the hybrid order. So, you read the first three main books, then the prequel, and then continue with the rest of the series.
Here is the popular recommended **throne of glass book order**:
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- The Assassin's Blade (the prequel novellas)
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn (can be read before or after Empire of Storms, or concurrently)
- Kingdom of Ash
Why the Hybrid Order Often Works Best
The reason this specific **throne of glass book order** is so often recommended is quite simple: it allows you to truly appreciate Celaena's journey and growth. When you read *Throne of Glass*, *Crown of Midnight*, and *Heir of Fire* first, you get to experience her character as the author initially presented her, with all her secrets still hidden. You wonder about her past, and that mystery is a big part of the early books.
Then, after *Heir of Fire*, Celaena is at a point where her past becomes much more relevant to her present and future actions. Reading *The Assassin's Blade* at this point fills in those gaps, giving you a deeper appreciation for her struggles and motivations just before she faces her biggest challenges in *Queen of Shadows*. It's a very satisfying placement, you know. It truly makes the reveals in *Queen of Shadows* hit harder, as the prequel has, in a way, laid the groundwork for them.
Some readers find that reading *The Assassin's Blade* first, while providing immediate context, can sometimes lessen the impact of certain character developments or revelations in the first few books. Conversely, waiting until after *Queen of Shadows* or even later might make the prequel feel less urgent or relevant to the ongoing plot. The hybrid order, you know, really seems to strike a good balance. It's a rather clever way to read the series.
For more details on the author and her works, you could always visit a reputable source like the author's official website. It's a good place to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Throne of Glass Order
Should I read Assassin's Blade first or later?
While you *can* read *The Assassin's Blade* first, many readers, including those whose insights we've seen, suggest reading it after *Heir of Fire* (Book 3). This way, you get to experience the initial mystery of Celaena's past in the first three books, and then the prequel provides crucial context just before the bigger reveals in *Queen of Shadows*. It's a popular approach, you know.
What are the main books in the Throne of Glass series?
The main books in the series are *Throne of Glass*, *Crown of Midnight*, *Heir of Fire*, *Queen of Shadows*, *Empire of Storms*, *Tower of Dawn*, and *Kingdom of Ash*. *The Assassin's Blade* is a collection of prequels, so it's usually considered separate but essential for the full story. So, that's seven main books plus the prequel.
Is Throne of Glass a completed series?
Yes, the *Throne of Glass* series is completely finished! *Kingdom of Ash* is the final book, so you can start reading knowing that you'll get to experience the entire story without having to wait for new releases. It's all there for you, which is nice.
Starting Your Throne of Glass Adventure
No matter which **throne of glass book order** you choose, you're in for a truly memorable reading experience. Sarah J. Maas has crafted a world that feels very alive, with characters that are easy to care about. Whether you prefer to discover Celaena's past as you go, or get all the background upfront, the journey itself is what really matters.
So, grab your first book, maybe *Throne of Glass* itself, and get ready to be swept away. You'll find yourself cheering for Celaena, worrying about her friends, and really getting caught up in the epic battles for freedom and justice. Learn more about Sarah J. Maas's incredible storytelling on our site, and perhaps you'd like to link to this page for more fantasy recommendations. Happy reading!
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