throne of glass sarah j maas books in order
Throne of Glass Series (Chronological/Publication Order)
To fully appreciate Maas’s slowburn reveals and character development, read the throne of glass sarah j maas books in order. This list honors both narrative and emotional logic.
- The Assassin’s Blade (prequel novellas)
A set of five novellas, published after book two but chronologically first. They chart Celaena Sardothien’s early days—her training, betrayals, and escapes before Endovier. Read either before Queen of Shadows for emotional impact or before book one for backstory.
- Throne of Glass (Book 1)
Imprisoned assassin Celaena is released to fight for her freedom, entering a contest to become the king’s champion. Politics, magic, and the first traces of romance are seeded here. The series’ stakes begin in a single palace but will soon span continents.
- Crown of Midnight (Book 2)
Now the king’s assassin, Celaena faces stricter tests of loyalty and the first full unveiling of the series’ magical and political depth. Victories come with cost; trust is always provisional.
- Heir of Fire (Book 3)
Celaena leaves Adarlan, confronting her Fae heritage and reckoning with her tragic past. New key players (Rowan, Manon, Aedion) expand the map and raise the stakes of war and prophecy.
- Queen of Shadows (Book 4)
Aelin returns to the city of her enemies, now claiming her identity and magic openly. Every alliance and secret from previous books pays off. The series at this point is full epic: wars, coups, and the final confrontation with the king.
- Empire of Storms (Book 5)
War spreads. The focus is on Aelin’s efforts to gather allies and confront the looming threat to all of Erilea. Major revelations and magical bargains—often grim—set up the series’ climax.
- Tower of Dawn (Book 6, parallel story)
Takes place during the events of Empire of Storms but follows Chaol and Nesryn to the Southern Continent. Healing (physical and emotional), new cultures, and hidden war resources are explored. Tip: Many readers opt to interlace Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn chapter by chapter for realtime effect. For first timers, reading Empire, then Tower, works best.
- Kingdom of Ash (Book 7)
The grand finale. Everything culminates here—sacrifices made in novellas and volume one now pay off. Character arcs, magic,, and prophecies find their hard consequences in a last struggle for survival, agency, and love.
Sarah J. Maas Bibliography Chronology (Beyond Throne of Glass)
Maas’s worldbuilding is not limited to a single series. For readers following her entire career:
A Court of Thorns and Roses series: Not directly connected to Throne of Glass, but features similar arc structure—best read as a standalone after completing the original series. Crescent City series: Urban fantasy for more mature readers, also stands alone for now. Publication interleaving: Read Throne of Glass series fully before starting her other works for the most coherent progression.
Why Order Is Crucial
Plot rewards: Narrative logic, reveals, and character payoffs are sequenced for maximum effect. Emotional arcs: Growth, wounds, and shifting loyalties cannot be rushed. Aelin and company’s journey is a product of revealed (not assumed) pain and power. Spoilers: Early books set traps and references for later volumes; reading out of order destroys tension, especially in Tower of Dawn and Empire of Storms, which run simultaneously.
Tips for Reading Sarah J. Maas in Chronological Order
Never skip The Assassin’s Blade—even if it’s “optional,” the emotional scars and character debt it sets up are vital. Don’t let hype about later books tempt you out of sequence; Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn are best read side by side or one after the other, never before Queen of Shadows. Expect routine heartbreak: Maas’s reward for disciplined reading is full catharsis—losses, victories, and shock waits for those who stay in order.
Final Thoughts
Sarah J. Maas’s greatest strength is her commitment to structure. Each heartbreak, alliance, and leap in power exists by her narrative discipline. Sticking to the throne of glass sarah j maas books in order delivers the story’s full promise—reveals that hit, payoff that matters, and an end that feels earned. For epic fantasy, as for any serious reader, structure is the gold standard. Follow the path; let the saga unfold as designed, scar by scar. That’s the recipe for maximum impact.