The Best Way to Read the Throne of Glass series (And Why It Matters)

One of the most confusing things about the Throne of Glass series is that there’s no single “correct” way to read it.

While this ended up being one of the most exciting reading experiences I’ve ever had, the different reading order options were also the reason I put the series off for so long. There are a lot of opinions out there, and choosing where to start can feel weirdly overwhelming.

But once you break it down, there are really just two key decisions that shape your reading experience.

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1. When Should You Read The Assassin’s Blade?

This is the biggest debate.

Option 1: Read it first (chronological order)

You start with the prequel, The Assassin’s Blade, before Throne of Glass.

I wouldn’t recommend this for first-time readers. While it gives you background upfront, you lose a lot of the emotional payoff later on. Some moments don’t hit the same if you don’t already care about the characters.

That said, if you struggle with flashbacks or jumping backward in timelines, this could work better for you.

Option 2: Read it third (most popular choice)

After Crown of Midnight, before Heir of Fire.

Even Sarah J. Maas has recommended this order, and it’s widely considered the best for emotional impact.

You’re already invested in the story at this point, so the backstory feels more meaningful and more devastating. It also let's you break away from the main plot line to go back and see some of the foundational groundwork of the story before you're shot forward into a whole new world of characters and places

Option 3: Read it after Heir of Fire (publication order)

This follows the order the books were released, and it’s the route I went with.

For me, this felt like the most natural way to experience the series. By this point, I was fully connected to the characters, understood the stakes, and could appreciate how the prequel tied everything together.

I felt like I was able to see how everything clicked together in the way I would have if were reading them as they were released (without having to wait).

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2. Should You Tandem Read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn?

Your second big decision comes later in the series.

A tandem read means reading two books at the same time, switching between them chapter by chapter. In this case, Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn take place simultaneously, following different characters in different parts of the world.

This might sound overwhelming, but it ended up being one of the most unique and rewarding reading experiences I’ve ever had!

There are moments that hit much harder when you see what’s happening on both sides of the world at the same time. Some reveals are even more intense because you know something other characters don’t.

It also helps balance the pacing:

• Empire of Storms is fast-paced and action-heavy

• Tower of Dawn is slower and more reflective, but just as important (if not more) to the overall story

Reading them together makes the story feel bigger, more connected, and more immersive.

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My Final Reading Order

After finishing the entire series, this is the order I would recommend:

Throne of Glass

Crown of Midnight

Heir of Fire

The Assassin’s Blade

Queen of Shadows

Empire of Storms + Tower of Dawn (tandem read)

Kingdom of Ash

I’m genuinely so happy I chose this order. Every plot twist landed exactly how it should, each character arc felt earned, and the overall story felt complete and emotionally satisfying.

Reading The Assassin’s Blade later gave the backstory more weight, and the tandem read made the world feel larger and more connected. Nothing felt out of place or spoiled, everything unfolded at the right time.

If I could go back and read the series again for the first time, I wouldn’t change a thing. This order gave me the full emotional damage and the best payoff, which is exactly what I want from a series like this.

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What order did you read the series in? Let us know!