Introduction: Why Reading Order Can Feel So Confusing
I can still remember the first time I picked up Throne of Glass. I was really excited… and suddenly I stopped moving. Do I read the prequel first? Should I start with the main book? And what the heck is this “tandem read” that everyone is talking about?
To be honest, it made me more stressed than it should have. You’re not the only one who has had the same questions. I had to stop and think about it, even though I’ve been reading fantasy for most of my life. That’s why I wrote this guide without any spoilers: so you don’t have to spend hours searching as I did.
Here’s what we’ll go through together:
- A list of all the Throne of Glass books, along with a short overview of each one.
- The three major ways to read are publishing, chronological, and tandem.
- Honest advice to help you pick the right order for you.
By the conclusion, you’ll know just where to start your trip to Erilea.
A Quick Peek at the Series (No Spoilers)
Celaena Sardothien, a famed assassin with a background full of mysteries and a future much bigger than herself, is at the center of the Throne of Glass trilogy. In eight books, Sarah J. Maas takes you on a journey through a world of magic, warring kingdoms, hazardous trials, and friendships that alter everything.
That’s all you need to know for now. Let’s get to the most crucial part: the sequence in which to read.
All Throne of Glass Books in Order (With Years & Mini Summaries)
1. The Assassin’s Blade (2014)
This short story takes place before the main series and tells Celaena’s story. You watch her on missions, learning hard lessons, and experiencing treachery. It has a lot of action and feelings. Some people read it right away, but many (like me) want to wait till later. It hits deeper when you already know her.
2. Throne of Glass (2012)
Celaena is currently in prison, yet she is still dangerous in the first full novel. If she fights in a fatal challenge for the monarch, she will be free. The hardships, the enemies, and the secrets in the palace make this the best place to start.
3. Crown of Midnight (2013)
Celaena takes on a significant role at court, but with power comes more difficult decisions. This book is darker, goes faster, and has a lot of twists that make her grow.
4. Heir of Fire (2014)
Celaena goes far away from the palace and confronts problems that will impact her life forever. It’s a book about learning, hurting, and finding out new things. For a lot of fans, this is where the show becomes something much bigger.
5. Queen of Shadows (2015)
Celaena and her friends are back and stronger than ever. They have to deal with old foes and surprising facts. The conflicts are ferocious, the stakes are bigger, and it seems like everything you’ve read so far has been leading up to now.
6. Empire of Storms (2016)
The tempo doesn’t slow down here; it really becomes crazier. Big alliances, surprising betrayals, and heart-pounding moments keep you turning the pages. What about the end? You will want the next book right away, that’s for sure.
7. Tower of Dawn (2017)
This one happens at the same period as Empire of Storms but follows a different character’s path. It seems different, more focused on healing and progress, but don’t skip it. It holds details you’ll need for the conclusion.
8. Kingdom of Ash (2018)
This huge ending, which is almost 1,000 pages long, ties everything up. It’s all here: war, sacrifice, love, and fate. Get ready for fights, sadness, and an ending you’ll never forget.
Reading Orders Explained
1. Publication Order (The Way It Came Out)
This is how fans first read the series, book by book as they were released.
Why it’s great:
- The suspense and twists land perfectly.
- You grow with the world and the characters.
- Celaena’s backstory (The Assassin’s Blade) feels more powerful when you learn it later.
👉 From what I’ve read, I read them in the order they were published, and I had the same cliffhangers and surprises as other fans. I wouldn’t swap that for anything.
Publication Order Table
| 1 | Throne of Glass | 2012 |
| 2 | Crown of Midnight | 2013 |
| 3 | Heir of Fire | 2014 |
| 4 | Queen of Shadows | 2015 |
| 5 | Empire of Storms | 2016 |
| 6 | Tower of Dawn | 2017 |
| 7 | Kingdom of Ash | 2018 |
| (Optional later) | The Assassin’s Blade | 2014 |
2. Chronological Order (The Story Timeline)
This order puts The Assassin’s Blade first, since it happens before everything else.
Why it’s great:
- You understand Celaena’s past from the start.
- Emotional connection comes quicker.
Why it might not work for everyone:
- The tone is different from the main novels.
- Some later reveals won’t feel as shocking.
Chronological Order Table
| 1 | The Assassin’s Blade |
| 2 | Throne of Glass |
| 3 | Crown of Midnight |
| 4 | Heir of Fire |
| 5 | Queen of Shadows |
| 6 | Empire of Storms |
| 7 | Tower of Dawn |
| 8 | Kingdom of Ash |
3. The Tandem Read (The Fan Mix)
This one is for adventurous readers! The tandem read means switching between Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn because they happen at the same time.
Why readers love it:
- You don’t feel like the main plot “pauses.”
- Both storylines unfold together.
- Emotional moments hit twice as hard.
Why it’s tricky:
- You have to flip between two books.
- It’s not how the author designed it.
👉 Tip: Grab a checklist (many fans share them online). Without it, you’ll lose track fast.
Mini Tandem Read Guide (short version)
- EOS: Chapters 1–5
- TOD: Chapters 1–3
- EOS: Chapters 6–12
- TOD: Chapters 4–6
…and so on. Trust me, it’s worth it if you’re up for the challenge.
More –
- Empire of Storms: Nightfall – Chapter 5
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 1
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 6 – Chapter 8
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 2 – Chapter 3
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 9 – Chapter 10
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 4 – Chapter 6
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 11
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 7
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 12 – Chapter 13
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 8 – Chapter 10
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 14 – Chapter 16
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 11 – Chapter 12
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 17 – Chapter 18
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 13 – Chapter 16
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 19
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 17
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 20 – Chapter 23
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 18 – Chapter 21
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 24 – Chapter 25
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 22 – Chapter 23
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 26
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 24
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 27 – Chapter 29
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 25 – Chapter 28
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 30
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 29 – Chapter 31
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 31
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 32
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 32
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 33 – Chapter 35
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 33 – Chapter 51
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 36 – Chapter 37
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 52
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 38 – Chapter 40
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 53
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 41 – Chapter 42
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 54 – Chapter 56
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 43
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 57 – Chapter 59
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 44 – Chapter 48
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 60 – Chapter 61
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 49 – Chapter 51
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 62 – Chapter 63
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 52 – Chapter 53
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 64 – Chapter 65
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 54 – Chapter 56
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 66 – Chapter 67
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 57
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 68 – Chapter 75
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 58 – Fireheart
Which Reading Order Should You Choose?
- Publication Order → Best if it’s your very first time.
- Chronological Order → Best if you want Celaena’s backstory upfront.
- Tandem Read → Best if you’re re-reading or want the most intense ride.
👉 My advice? Start with publication order. Then, if you ever re-read, try the tandem. That’s what I did, and it gave me two very different, equally amazing experiences.
Character Impact: Why Order Changes How You See Them
Celaena / Aelin
- Chronological: You carry her trauma from page one → instant empathy.
- Publication: You learn her past slowly → the reveal feels like a punch to the heart later.
👉 When I saved The Assassin’s Blade for later, I cried harder. I was already attached to her.
Chaol Westfall
- Publication: His book (Tower of Dawn) can feel like a pause. Many readers are tempted to skip it (big mistake).
- Tandem: Reading it alongside Empire of Storms makes him feel equally important.
👉 Honestly, the tandem read made me respect Chaol a lot more.
Emotional Resonance: How Each Order Feels
- Publication Order: Suspenseful, shocking, keeps you guessing.
- Chronological Order: Emotional from the start, but fewer big surprises.
- Tandem Read: Super intense, like watching two dramatic movies at once.
👉 For me: Publication order was exciting. Chronological made me cry earlier. Both were powerful, but in different ways.
Characters in the Throne of Glass Series (Spoiler-Free)
One reason this series is unforgettable is its cast of characters. Here are some you’ll meet — no spoilers, just vibes:
- Celaena Sardothien (Aelin) → The assassin at the heart of the story. Sharp, sassy, and far more complex than she first appears.
- Chaol Westfall → Captain of the Guard. Loyal, disciplined, but often caught between duty and heart.
- Dorian Havilliard → The Crown Prince. Charming on the surface, but carrying more than you’d expect.
- Nehemia Ytger → A wise and brave princess who becomes vital early in the series.
- Rowan Whitethorn → A fae warrior. Cold at first, but his bond with Celaena becomes one of the series’ strongest threads.
- Manon Blackbeak → Witch general. Fierce, ruthless, yet layered. A fan favorite for her complexity.
- Aedion Ashryver → Celaena’s cousin and commander. Fierce, loyal, and willing to risk everything.
- Lysandra → A shape-shifter with one of the most surprising and satisfying arcs.
These characters are the reason the world feels alive. Some will steal your heart, some will frustrate you, and some will do both — but you won’t forget them.
FAQs
Q: Should I read The Assassin’s Blade first?
A: You can, but I recommend saving it until after a few main books.
Q: Can I skip Tower of Dawn?
A: Please don’t. It has details that matter a lot later.
Q: Is Throne of Glass connected to ACOTAR?
A: They’re separate, but if you like one, you’ll probably enjoy the other.
Conclusion: Your Turn to Choose
There isn’t one “perfect” order. It really depends on what kind of experience you want.
Now you know your three choices — publication, chronological, or tandem — and you’ve met the unforgettable cast that makes this series so special. Pick the path that feels right, and dive in.
👉 So tell me — which order are you leaning toward? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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