Your Ultimate Guide To The Throne Of Glass Reading Order: Where Does Assassin's Blade Fit?

Mrs. Maxie Beatty DVM 24 Aug 2025

The world of Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series, with its captivating characters and thrilling adventures, has really captured the hearts of many people. You know, it's a truly popular series. Yet, for those just starting out or even for seasoned fans looking for a re-read, a common question often comes up: what is the best throne of glass reading order? This isn't just about picking up the next book in line; it's about making sure you get the full emotional impact and understand every twist and turn of Celaena Sardothien's journey.

A big part of this question, like, a really big part, centers around one particular book: *The Assassin's Blade*. This collection of novellas actually tells stories from before the main series begins. So, it's almost like a prequel. Deciding when to read it can really change how you experience the entire saga, you know? It’s a point of discussion among readers, and there are some very strong opinions about it.

This guide aims to clear things up, presenting the different ways you can approach the throne of glass reading order. We’ll look at the common suggestions, including what some people, like Rees, and other fans suggest, so you can pick the path that feels right for your adventure. It's all about making sure your reading experience is as good as it can possibly be, really.

Understanding the Throne of Glass Reading Order
- The Core Series Books
- The Assassin's Blade Dilemma
Option 1: Publication Order (The Traditional Path)
- Why This Order Works
Option 2: The "Assassin's Blade First" Approach
- Benefits of Starting with Assassin's Blade
Option 3: The "After Crown of Midnight" Placement
- Why This Order is Popular
Sarah J. Maas's Other Worlds (A Brief Mention)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Throne of Glass Reading Order

Understanding the Throne of Glass Reading Order

When you look at the Throne of Glass series, you'll see a clear set of books that tell the main story. Then there's *The Assassin's Blade*, which, as we mentioned, is a bit different. Knowing how these pieces fit together is key to really enjoying the full scope of Celaena's adventures. Rees, for example, suggests that the best order to read them is chronologically, which often means when they were released. However, there are some very good arguments for other ways, too.

The Core Series Books

The main story of the Throne of Glass series unfolds over several novels, each building on the last. It's a journey that takes Celaena from an assassin in a prison camp to, well, something much more. The first book, *Throne of Glass* by Sarah J. Maas, was published in 2012. It's where everything truly kicks off, and it's a very important starting point for anyone wanting to get into the series. Following this, the story progresses through a sequence of books that move the plot forward, introducing new characters and expanding the world. You know, like most series do.

The sequence of the main books is usually pretty straightforward after *Throne of Glass*. You just follow the numbers, basically. These books are designed to be read one after the other to follow the main character's growth and the overall plot arc. So, you wouldn't typically skip around in the middle of these, would you? It's all part of a larger, connected narrative that builds suspense and reveals things over time.

The Assassin's Blade Dilemma

*The Assassin's Blade* is a collection of short stories, and it's where things get a little bit interesting, reading order-wise. These stories take place before the events in *Throne of Glass*. They give you a look into Celaena's past, showing her life as an assassin before she ends up where the first book finds her. Some people feel that reading it before you even read *Throne of Glass* will help to keep you up to date on Celaena's life, giving you a lot of background. This is a common point of discussion, actually, among fans who want to get the most out of their reading experience.

The challenge with *The Assassin's Blade* is that while it's chronologically first, its release came after the first few main books. This means Sarah J. Maas wrote it with readers already knowing some things about Celaena. So, placing it in the reading order isn't just about when the events happen in the story. It's also about when you, the reader, learn certain pieces of information, and how that affects your feelings about the characters and the plot. It kind of works in multiple places, you know, in the reading order.

Option 1: Publication Order (The Traditional Path)

The most straightforward way to read the Throne of Glass series is by following the order in which the books were released. This is what Rees suggests, saying the best order to read them is chronologically (when they were released). It's the way most original readers experienced the series, and it's often considered the "default" method. This means you would read *Throne of Glass* first, then *Crown of Midnight*, and so on, with *The Assassin's Blade* coming later in the sequence, usually after *Heir of Fire* or *Queen of Shadows*. This approach respects the author's original intent for revealing information.

For example, you'd start with *Throne of Glass*, then move to *Crown of Midnight*, then *Heir of Fire*. *The Assassin's Blade* would then typically fit in after *Heir of Fire* or even later. This order means you get to know Celaena in her current situation first, and then later, you get to explore her past. It's like, you know, getting a mystery solved later in the story. This can really build up anticipation for her backstory, too.

Why This Order Works

Reading in publication order often works because it lets you discover things about Celaena as the author intended. The main books introduce her as a complex character, and then *The Assassin's Blade* fills in the gaps about her past. This can make certain revelations in the main series more impactful, as you've already formed opinions about her based on her present actions. It also means you're learning about her past at a point where you really care about her, which can make those earlier stories feel more significant. It's a way of experiencing the story where the emotional beats are, arguably, placed just right.

Some readers find that encountering *The Assassin's Blade* later provides a deeper emotional punch. You already understand the stakes and the character's personality, so seeing her earlier struggles and relationships can really hit differently. It's like, you know, getting context for something you already have feelings about. This order also means you're not overwhelmed with too much backstory right at the beginning, allowing you to get hooked by the main plot first. So, it's a pretty solid choice for many people.

Option 2: The "Assassin's Blade First" Approach

Another popular way to tackle the throne of glass reading order is to start with *The Assassin's Blade*. This means you read the collection of novellas before you even touch *Throne of Glass*. The argument here is that since these stories happen chronologically before the first novel, reading them first gives you all the background information you need right away. It's a bit like getting a full character profile before the main show starts, you know? Many readers find this helps them understand Celaena's motivations and relationships from the very beginning.

The idea is that reading *The Assassin's Blade* before *Throne of Glass* will help to keep you up to date on Celaena's life. You get to see her as a free assassin, understand her friendships, her training, and the events that lead her to her situation at the start of *Throne of Glass*. This can make the transition into the first novel feel more natural, as you're not left wondering about her past. It's a way to, basically, have all the pieces of her history in place from the get-go.

Benefits of Starting with Assassin's Blade

Starting with *The Assassin's Blade* can offer some clear advantages. For one, you get a full picture of Celaena's past and her experiences as an assassin. This means that when you read *Throne of Glass*, you already understand why she is the way she is, and her reactions to certain events might make more sense. It can also make her relationships with other characters, like Sam Cortland, much more impactful from the start, as you've witnessed their history firsthand. It's like, you know, having a deeper connection to the character from the very beginning.

Some readers feel this order provides a more complete emotional experience because you're fully invested in Celaena's journey from her earliest days. You see her triumphs and her heartbreaks, which can make her later struggles in *Throne of Glass* feel even more poignant. It avoids the "flashback" feeling that *The Assassin's Blade* might have if read later, making the narrative flow, arguably, more smoothly for some. This approach is very much about getting all the context upfront, so you're never guessing about her history.

Option 3: The "After Crown of Midnight" Placement

A third popular approach for the throne of glass reading order suggests placing *The Assassin's Blade* specifically after *Crown of Midnight*, the second book in the main series. This option, which some people, like Rees, mention as a possibility, tries to combine the best parts of both the "first" and "publication" orders. It allows you to get a taste of Celaena's current story in the first two books, building some investment in her character, before diving into her past. This way, you're not starting with a prequel, but you're also not waiting too long to get that crucial backstory. It's a bit of a middle ground, you know?

This placement means you've spent some time with Celaena, seen her in action, and maybe even started to wonder about her past. Then, *The Assassin's Blade* comes in to answer some of those questions. It's a way of, basically, getting the backstory at a point where it feels most relevant to the ongoing plot. This particular order is often recommended for those who want to understand Celaena's character development better without front-loading all the prequel material.

Why This Order is Popular

Many readers find that reading *The Assassin's Blade* after *Crown of Midnight* works really well for character development. As mentioned in "My text," some believe it works with character development better when read after *Crown of Midnight*. By this point, you've seen Celaena's personality, her struggles, and her relationships develop in the main story. Then, when you read *The Assassin's Blade*, you gain a deeper understanding of why she acts the way she does and what has shaped her. This timing can make the revelations in the prequel feel more impactful because you already have a connection to the character.

Also, reading it here provides a break in the main storyline, offering a different perspective before the plot of the series gets even more intense. It's like, you know, a well-timed interlude that gives you important context. Some of the characters' storylines make more sense when read in this order, as the events in *The Assassin's Blade* can shed light on things that happen in *Crown of Midnight* and beyond. This placement is often praised for balancing the need for backstory with the flow of the main narrative, making it a very popular choice among fans looking for an emotionally impactful throne of glass reading order.

Sarah J. Maas's Other Worlds (A Brief Mention)

It's worth noting that Sarah J. Maas is the #1 bestselling author of not only the Throne of Glass series but also the A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City series. While these series are separate, they all share her distinctive writing style and knack for creating really immersive fantasy worlds. So, if you enjoy the Throne of Glass books, you might find yourself drawn to her other works, too. They're all part of her larger body of work, you know, showing her range as a writer. Think of it as a whole universe of stories from one very talented person.

For instance, the A Court of Thorns and Roses series has a lot of similar appeal, with strong female characters and intricate plots. The Crescent City series, too, brings a new urban fantasy feel to her storytelling. While there's no direct reading order connection to Throne of Glass, knowing about these other series can be a fun fact for fans. It just shows how much she's written, and how much there is to explore once you've finished Celaena's journey. So, if you're looking for more after Throne of Glass, you have options.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Throne of Glass Reading Order

Here are some common questions people often ask when figuring out the best way to read the Throne of Glass series, you know, to help clarify things.

Should I read Assassin's Blade first or later?

This is, arguably, the biggest question people have. As we've discussed, there are good reasons for both. Reading *The Assassin's Blade* first gives you all the backstory upfront, which can help you understand Celaena's motivations from the very beginning. Reading it later, usually after *Crown of Midnight* or *Heir of Fire*, can make the emotional impact of her past feel stronger because you're already invested in her character. It really depends on what kind of reading experience you prefer, you know, whether you like all the info at the start or prefer a gradual reveal.

What is the chronological order of the Throne of Glass series?

The events in *The Assassin's Blade* happen first in the story's timeline. So, strictly chronologically, you would read *The Assassin's Blade* before *Throne of Glass*. After that, the main series books follow their numbered order: *Throne of Glass*, *Crown of Midnight*, *Heir of Fire*, *Queen of Shadows*, *Empire of Storms*, *Tower of Dawn*, and finally *Kingdom of Ash*. This order follows the story as it unfolds in the fictional world, basically, from earliest events to latest. It's a pretty clear path, actually, if you're just looking at the in-world timeline.

Is there a recommended reading order for emotional impact?

Many readers feel that placing *The Assassin's Blade* after *Crown of Midnight* or even after *Heir of Fire* creates a more emotionally impactful experience. By this point, you've gotten to know Celaena, and the revelations in her past stories can really resonate more deeply. It's like, you know, the emotional weight of her backstory hits harder once you're already connected to her present self. Some also argue that reading it first is impactful because you see her journey from the very beginning. It really comes down to personal preference and how you like to connect with characters and their histories, you know, what feels right for you.

Deciding on the perfect throne of glass reading order is a personal choice, and it's rather exciting to have options. Whether you choose to follow the publication order, start with *The Assassin's Blade* for a full background, or place it after *Crown of Midnight* for maximum emotional punch, each path offers a unique way to experience Celaena's incredible story. The most important thing is that you enjoy the adventure and connect with the characters. So, pick the order that calls to you and get ready to lose yourself in a truly amazing world. Learn more about the author and her works by visiting her official website, Sarah J. Maas's official site.

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