Hey bookworms! Gather ’round because we’re about to unravel the mystery of navigating Sarah J. Maas’s enchanting literary realm – the Throne of Glass series!
The Throne of Glass series by author Sarah J. Maas is a super popular young adult series (and New York Times best-selling series!). These books feature everything you want in a fantasy series – assassins, an epic fantasy world, love triangles, magic, and political intrigue. From Celaena Sardothien’s stealthy moves to the intricate political dances, the Throne of Glass books weave a tapestry of fantasy that will leave you breathless. No wonder everyone loves the entire Throne of Glass series!n
But are you having trouble figuring out the correct reading order? No worries – I’ve got your back! In this blog post, we’re unraveling the ultimate guide to reading the Throne of Glass books in the correct order. Whether you’re a seasoned SJM aficionado or a fantasy newbie, let’s get ready to dive into a world where every page is a portal to magic, intrigue, and unforgettable characters!
So let’s tackle the Throne of Glass series order and get ready for a literary journey that’ll linger in your thoughts long after you’ve closed the book.
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The Assassin’s Blade
Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom’s most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful Assassin’s Guild and its scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, she yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. But when Arobynn dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, Celaena finds herself acting independently of his wishes and questioning her own allegiance.
If she hopes to escape Arobynn’s clutches, Celaena will have to put her faith in her wits and her blade . . . knowing that if she fails, she’ll lose not just a chance at freedom but her life.
A prequel to the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas explores the history of this cunning assassin and her enthralling-and deadly-world.
Included in this volume:
The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
The Assassin and the Healer
The Assassin and the Desert
The Assassin and the Underworld
The Assassin and the Empire
Throne of Glass (Book 1)
Enter the world of Throne of Glass with the first book in the #1 bestselling series by Sarah J. Maas.
In the kingdom of Adarlan, a land without magic, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She has no love for the vicious king who rules from his throne of glass, but she has not come to kill him. She has come to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three murderers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she will be released from prison to serve as the King’s Champion.
Her name is Celaena Sardothien.
The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. And a princess from a faraway country will befriend her. But something rotten dwells in the castle, and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying mysteriously, one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival-and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.
Crown of Midnight (Book 2)
Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become the King’s Champion. But she is far from loyal to the crown. Though she goes to great lengths to hide her secret, her deadly charade becomes more difficult when she realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. Her search for answers ensnares those closest to her, and no one is safe from suspicion-not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a princess with a rebel heart.
Then, one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena’s world shatters, she will be forced to decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie . . . and what she is willing to fight for.
Heir of Fire (Book 3)
Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak, but now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth. That truth could change her life-and her future-forever.
Meanwhile, monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena will need the strength not only to fight the evil that is about to be unleashed but also to harness her inner demons. If she is to win this battle, she must find the courage to face her destiny-and burn brighter than ever before.
Queen of Shadows (Book 4)
Celaena Sardothien has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.
She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.
Everyone Aelin loves has been taken from her. Everything she holds dear is in danger. But she has the heart of a queen-and that heart beats for vengeance.
Empire of Storms (Book 5)
The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves increasingly at odds with those who don’t.
With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, dark forces stand poised to claim her world. The only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may take more from Aelin than she has to give, a quest that forces her to choose what-and who-she’s willing to sacrifice for the sake of peace.
Tower of Dawn (Book 6)
Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea’s last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the famed Torre Cesme for the wounds Chaol received in Rifthold.
After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child at the hands of Adarlanian soldiers, Yrene Towers has no desire to help the young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need, and she will honor it. But Lord Westfall carries his own dark past, and Yrene soon realizes that those shadows could engulf them both.
Chaol, Nesryn, and Yrene will have to draw on every scrap of their resilience to overcome the danger that surrounds them. But while they become entangled in the political webs of the khaganate, long-awaited answers slumber deep in the mountains, where warriors soar on legendary ruks. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival . . . or doom them all.
Kingdom of Ash (Book 7)
Aelin Galathynius has vowed to save her people-but at a tremendous cost. Locked in an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. The knowledge that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, but her resolve unravels with each passing day.
With Aelin captured, her friends and allies have scattered. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever. But as destinies weave together at last, all must stand together if Erilea is to have any hope of salvation.
Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series draws to an explosive conclusion as Aelin fights for her life, her people, and the promise of a better world.
Throne of Glass Boxed Set
If you’re ready to commit to the entire series, don’t forget you can purchase the Throne of Glass box set!
The Throne of Glass Coloring Book
And don’t forget, there’s also the official Throne of Glass coloring book (just in case you want to spend some more time with Aelin and friends!)
Should you read the prequel first?
Okay, now the big question: Do you start directly with the prequel novellas? Or do you wait until you’ve gotten a little further into the Throne of Glass series before going back and reading the prequels?
The truth is that there’s no wrong answer to this question! The prequel novellas provide a rich and detailed back story for Celaena Sardothien. By jumping into her earlier adventures and experiences as an assassin, you gain a nuanced understanding of Celaena’s complex personality, her motivations, and the events that shaped her into the formidable assassin that you’ll encounter in the main series. This approach establishes a strong emotional connection to Celaena from the very beginning, and makes her journey through the rest of the Throne of Glass series more engaging.
On the other hand, lots of readers have chosen to wait until later in the series to read the prequel novellas. Most readers usually read The Assassin’s Blade after Crown of Midnight. This allows you go start the Throne of Glass series with a bigger sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding Celaena’s past. By waiting until further in the series to read the prequel novellas, you’ll build a lot more suspense and curiousity around Celaena as a character. By delaying the prequel novellas, you can experience the initial unfolding of the main plot before learning about the intricacies of Celaena’s early life.
So truly, this question is up to you – either start the Throne of Glass series with The Assassin’s Blade, or wait until later (but definitely make sure read the prequel novellas before Tower of Dawn to get the full impact of Celaena’s back story!).
Conclusion
So there you have it, fellow book enthusiasts! Armed with this guide, you’re now equipped to embark on the thrilling adventure that is Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. Remember, the key is to savor each page, revel in the intricate plots, and get attached to characters that will undoubtedly tug at your heartstrings. As you delve into the saga of Celaena Sardothien and her compatriots, you’ll witness a world brimming with magic, political intrigue, and, of course, a sprinkle of romance.
But hey, Maas’s literary realm doesn’t stop here! If you find yourself hungering for more of her enchanting prose, don’t forget to explore the A Court of Thorns and Roses series—a bewitching parallel universe that’ll keep you spellbound.
So, grab your favorite reading nook, a cup of your preferred beverage, and dive into the pages that transport you to faraway lands. The Throne of Glass series is not just a reading experience; it’s a journey, and you’re about to embark on an epic one. Happy reading, fellow adventurers! May your shelves always be filled with captivating tales and your imagination forever ignited. Cheers to the magic of storytelling!