The Throne of Glass Series: What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t)
Welcome to your comprehensive guide to the epic fantasy series Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Whether you are a new reader unsure where to start or an avid fan who is interested in a more in-depth look, you’ve come to the right place.
Looking for individual book reviews and series details? Check out our complete Throne of Glass series page.
Series Overview
Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series follows assassin Celaena Sardothien’s transformation from enslaved warrior to queen, spanning eight books of epic fantasy, political intrigue, and hard-won romance. It’s important to note that Sarah J. Maas wrote the first book when she was 16 years old, which is remarkable. We like to let people know this up front because the first two books are a bit rough around the edges, but the series quickly improves as it progresses.
The BroMantasy Ranking of the Throne of Glass Series
Our personal ranking of the Throne of Glass series. While the scores may not match up with the position, we believe that the rating is a more accurate representation of the book by itself, and not the series as a whole.
Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: A castle-centered setting with hints of a larger world that lacks detailed exploration
- ★ Characters: Multiple POVs that take time to connect but eventually reveal complex character motivations
- ★ Plot & Pacing: A slow-building narrative that gains momentum in the final third of the book
- ★ Magic/Tech: Magic exists in the world but remains largely unexplained in this initial installment
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A debut novel that shows promise as the foundation of what becomes a more ambitious series
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Crown of Midnight
by Sarah J. Maas
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: Expands beyond the glass castle with richer magical elements and broader political landscapes
- ★ Characters: Characters gain depth but occasionally suffer from frustrating decisions for plot advancement
- ★ Plot & Pacing: A slow-burning first half that eventually gives way to significant revelations and momentum
- ★ Magic/Tech: Magic takes a more prominent role with hints at ancient powers and deeper connections to the world's history
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A necessary bridge in the series that requires patience but delivers rewarding payoffs in its final third
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Heir of Fire
by Sarah J. Maas
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: A vastly expanded world with multiple continents, new cultures, and rich magical histories
- ★ Characters: Masterful character growth through trauma, mentorship, and self-discovery across multiple compelling POVs
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Well-balanced pacing with multiple storylines that converge toward a dramatic, consequential finale
- ★ Magic/Tech: A fully realized magic system that explores elemental powers, ancient origins, and the consequences of wielding them
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A transformative installment that elevates the series from standard YA fantasy to a rich, expansive epic with genuine emotional weight
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Queen of Shadows
by Sarah J. Maas
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: A return to Adarlan with deeper exploration of its criminal underworld, political machinations, and magical corruption
- ★ Characters: Exceptional transformation of multiple characters through revelation, reunion, and ruthless choices that define their true allegiances
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Masterfully interwoven storylines with perfectly timed reveals and a climactic sequence that pays off brilliantly
- ★ Magic/Tech: Further exploration of the Valg's corrupting influence, Fae powers, and the ancient magic of shapeshifting
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A triumphant continuation that cements the series' transformation from assassin's tale to epic fantasy through intricate plotting and complex character development
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Empire of Storms
by Sarah J. Maas
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: An expansive journey across the continent that reveals ancient connections, forgotten histories, and the true scope of the looming darkness
- ★ Characters: Characters face impossible choices and forge unexpected alliances as their true purposes in the greater plan are gradually revealed
- ★ Plot & Pacing: A masterfully constructed narrative that builds relentlessly toward one of fantasy's most devastating cliffhangers
- ★ Magic/Tech: The elemental magic system expands with revelations about the Wyrdkeys' ancient power and the true nature of magic's connection to fate
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A pivotal installment that transforms personal quests into a desperate battle for the world's future, culminating in a heartbreaking conclusion that changes everything
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
The Assassin's Blade
by Sarah J. Maas
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: A revealing expansion of Erilea through pirates, desert assassins, and criminal underworlds that enriches the series' foundation
- ★ Characters: Masterful character work that humanizes Celaena while crafting genuinely hateable villains and memorable supporting characters
- ★ Plot & Pacing: Perfectly paced novellas that deliver complete, satisfying arcs while building toward an inevitable yet still impactful conclusion
- ★ Magic/Tech: Subtle magic elements that foreshadow key developments in the main series while establishing a deeper magical history
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A collection of novellas that surpasses the early novels and serves as both a perfect entry point and a series-saving bridge to the epic scope of later books
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Tower of Dawn
by Sarah J. Maas
What You'll Get:
- ★ World-Building: A richly detailed exploration of the Southern Continent that expands the series' scope with unique cultures, political structures, and ancient secrets
- ★ Characters: Exceptional character growth centered on healing, self-forgiveness, and finding purpose through confronting personal demons
- ★ Plot & Pacing: A carefully constructed parallel narrative that builds from political intrigue to world-changing revelations with perfect timing
- ★ Magic/Tech: Fascinating expansion of the magic system through the ancient healing traditions of the Torre and their unexpected connection to the larger world
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: A surprisingly essential installment that transforms a healing journey into a pivotal piece of the larger narrative through exceptional character development and world-expanding revelations
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Kingdom of Ash
by Sarah J. Maas
All paths converge
- ★ World-Building: The ultimate battle brings together every realm and culture to clash in a transformative confrontation that forever changes the world.
- ★ Characters: Unlikely heroes rise from unexpected places to deliver both triumphant and heartbreaking endings in character arcs where sacrifice becomes the ultimate demonstration of love
- ★ Plot & Pacing: The story develops through consistent progression towards an emotionally shattering climax that fulfills every aspect of its long-established foundation.
- ★ Magic/Tech: World-altering battles and surprising partnerships disclose the ancient beginnings and endless capabilities of magic.
- ★ BroMantasy Verdict: The series' scope receives an epic finale through a beautifully sad yet emotionally fulfilling conclusion that respects each character's journey.
BroMantasy Reader Experience:
Reading Order: Emotions Or Timeline?
The reading order for this series is genuinely debatable, and your choice matters. Do you want maximum emotional impact? Start with book one and let the prequel novellas hit you at the perfect moment (Emotional Impact Order). Prefer chronological order? Start with The Assassin’s Blade (Linear Timeline Order). Either way, you’ll want to know about the infamous tandem read for books 5 and 6.
1. The Emotional Impact Order
This is the reading order that we suggest if you're someone who loves the emotional impact that a long series can have.
Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight
The Assassin's Blade
Heir of Fire
Queen of Shadows
Empire of Storms
Tower of Dawn
Kingdom of Ash
2. The Linear Timeline Order
This is the reading order that we suggest if you're someone who wants to follow the linear timeline of a story.
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 Infamous Tandem Read: Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn (With Progress Tracker)
Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn take place at the same time but focus on different characters in different parts of the world. A tandem read combines them, weaving the narratives together for a richer, more cohesive experience. Our interactive tandem read tracker below saves your progress between visits, so you can pick up exactly where you left off without losing your place. This is also a good way to read the two books if you’re someone who doesn’t like a slower pace since Tower of Dawn is more about the characters and world building than the action. The tandem provides a good balance of action and character development since Empire of Storms is pedal to floor action for the majority of the book.
BroMantasy’s Interactive Tandem Read Tracker (Saves Your Progress)
Use the tracker below to follow along with the tandem read. It’s fully interactive and saves your progress automatically—even between visits. Mark sections complete as you go, and your place will be waiting when you return.
BroMantasy's Throne of Glass Tandem Read Tracker
Use this section to keep track of your tandem read progress. This is interactive and will remember your progress between visits.
| Part | Empire of Storms | Tower of Dawn | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EOS Nightfall, Chapters 1-5 | TOD Chapter 1 | ||
| 2 | EOS Chapters 6-8 | TOD Chapters 2-3 | ||
| 3 | EOS Chapters 9-10 | TOD Chapters 4-6 | ||
| 4 | EOS Chapter 11 | TOD Chapter 7 | ||
| 5 | EOS Chapters 12-13 | TOD Chapters 8-10 | ||
| 6 | EOS Chapters 14-16 | TOD Chapters 11-12 | ||
| 7 | EOS Chapters 17-18 | TOD Chapters 13-16 | ||
| 8 | EOS Chapter 19 | TOD Chapter 17 | ||
| 9 | EOS Chapters 20-23 | TOD Chapters 18-21 | ||
| 10 | EOS Chapters 24-25 | TOD Chapters 22-23 | ||
| 11 | EOS Chapter 26 | TOD Chapter 24 | ||
| 12 | EOS Chapters 27-29 | TOD Chapters 25-28 | ||
| 13 | EOS Chapter 30 | TOD Chapters 29-31 | ||
| 14 | EOS Chapter 31 | TOD Chapter 32 | ||
| 15 | EOS Chapter 32 | TOD Chapters 33-35 | ||
| 16 | EOS Chapters 33-51 | TOD Chapters 36-37 | ||
| 17 | EOS Chapter 52 | TOD Chapters 38-40 | ||
| 18 | EOS Chapter 53 | TOD Chapters 41-42 | ||
| 19 | EOS Chapters 54-56 | TOD Chapter 43 | ||
| 20 | EOS Chapters 57-59 | TOD Chapters 44-48 | ||
| 21 | EOS Chapters 60-61 | TOD Chapters 49-51 | ||
| 22 | EOS Chapters 62-63 | TOD Chapters 52-53 | ||
| 23 | EOS Chapters 64-65 | TOD Chapters 54-56 | ||
| 24 | EOS Chapters 66-67 | TOD Chapter 57 | ||
| 25 | EOS Chapters 68-75 | TOD Chapters 58-68, Fireheart |
Nightfall, Chapters 1-5
Chapter 1
Chapters 6-8
Chapters 2-3
Chapters 9-10
Chapters 4-6
Chapter 11
Chapter 7
Chapters 12-13
Chapters 8-10
Chapters 14-16
Chapters 11-12
Chapters 17-18
Chapters 13-16
Chapter 19
Chapter 17
Chapters 20-23
Chapters 18-21
Chapters 24-25
Chapters 22-23
Chapter 26
Chapter 24
Chapters 27-29
Chapters 25-28
Chapter 30
Chapters 29-31
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Chapters 33-35
Chapters 33-51
Chapters 36-37
Chapter 52
Chapters 38-40
Chapter 53
Chapters 41-42
Chapters 54-56
Chapter 43
Chapters 57-59
Chapters 44-48
Chapters 60-61
Chapters 49-51
Chapters 62-63
Chapters 52-53
Chapters 64-65
Chapters 54-56
Chapters 66-67
Chapter 57
Chapters 68-75
Chapters 58-68, Fireheart
Reading Tip
Track your progress as you go! This tandem read weaves both narratives together for a richer, more cohesive experience. Click a section to mark it as active, or double-click to mark it complete.
Throne of Glass Key Characters
Here are some of the key players from the first book in the series. This should help you get your bearings as you start the series and get to know the characters.
Celaena Sardothien
Key Traits
Bio:
Our bad ass protagonist, complex, traumatized, and full of surprises. Forced out into the world on her own, she was taken into the assassin's guild and has become one of the most powerful and feared assassins in the world. She has a taste for the finer things in life, always buying the most beautiful clothes, elegant jewelry, and the finest food.
Dorian Havilliard
Key Traits
Bio:
Eldest son of the King of Adarlan, Dorian is the typical prince who is living the lavish life, every woman wants him, every man wants to be him. He is a gentleman and embodies all the manners and charm of the perfect courtier. Dorian is much deeper than he comes off though, he's full of empathy and kindness, and is often torn between his expectations and his personal desires.
The King of Adarlan
Key Traits
Bio:
The King of Adarlan is a powerful and ruthless leader who has banned magic throughout the kingdom. He is short, unapproachable, and often seen as a tyrant to many of his subjects.
Chaol Westfall
Key Traits
Bio:
Chaol has a longer arc and is often one of the most polarizing characters in the series. He starts out as a stoic and loyal Captain of the Royal Guard, with a heavy bias towards magic users and rebels. There is a lot of debate over his character in the fandom, and while we believe redemption is possible, others live to hate Chaol for the long haul.
Arobynn Hamel
Key Traits
Bio:
The ruthless King of the Assassins, and head of the Assassin's Guild. He is Celaena's mentor and the one who provides her with a lot of the finer things in her life. He's another complex character who's motivations aren't always clear. He is mysterious and enigmatic, and his true intentions are well hidden.
Nehemia Ytger
Key Traits
Bio:
Nehemia is the princess of Eyllwe, she is sent by her father to Rifthold to learn the customs of the northern kingdom. She doesn't speak the native tongue and is often the center of attention much to the dismay of the rest of the Alderan court.
Duke Perrington
Key Traits
Bio:
Duke Perrington is the cousin of the King of Adarlan, he is a power hungry and violent man. He often uses cruelty as a means for entertainment, and is one of the least likable people in the series.
Kaltain Rompier
Key Traits
Bio:
Kaltain is a member of the Queens court, she is as arrogant as she is stuck up. She is close with the Queen and wants to marry Prince Dorian, which is also what the queen is pushing for.