throne of glass series publication order

Why Publication Order Matters

There’s always a debate: chronological vs. publication order. For Throne of Glass, stick with when the books were released. Sarah J. Maas wrote them to slowly peel back layers of the world and characters. If you shuffle the order, you’ll spoil major reveals or miss emotional payoffs that only work when you’ve spent time with the characters.

It’s not about being a purist—it’s about getting the story’s punch at full power.

Full throne of glass series publication order

Here’s how to go through the series to get the most out of it:

1. The Assassin’s Blade (2014)

A set of prequel novellas. While they take place before Book 1 chronologically, they were published between the third and fourth novels. Some readers skip this one at first and return later. But if you’re reading in strict throne of glass series publication order, this comes fourth.

1. Throne of Glass (2012)

This kicks everything off. Meet Celaena Sardothien, assassin and protagonist, as she competes to become the royal assassin.

1. Crown of Midnight (2013)

Book two dives deeper into court intrigue and begins to reveal layers of secrets.

1. Heir of Fire (2014)

Magic steps into the spotlight. New characters. A broader world. Things get heavier here.

1. Queen of Shadows (2015)

Everything builds. Allies return, old scores surface, and the tension goes up.

1. Empire of Storms (2016)

War looms. This book leaves no room to breathe and ends on a serious cliffhanger.

1. Tower of Dawn (2017)

A parallel companion to Empire of Storms, this book focuses on Chaol’s journey. Some readers skip it, but doing so is a mistake. There’s vital plot development here.

1. Kingdom of Ash (2018)

The finale. Everything comes together. All arcs converge. It’s long, intense, and wraps up every thread.

A Note on The Assassin’s Blade

You might be tempted to read The Assassin’s Blade first. It makes sense—it’s a prequel. But don’t. Unless you enjoy getting emotionally gutted before even meeting the main cast properly. Most readers agree it’s better after Book 3 (Heir of Fire) or even where it was published, after Crown of Midnight. You’ll care more, and everything will hit harder.

If you’re going by throne of glass series publication order, it slots in right before Heir of Fire.

Quick Reference: Publication Dates

Here’s a fast overview:

Throne of Glass — August 2012 Crown of Midnight — August 2013 The Assassin’s Blade — March 2014 Heir of Fire — September 2014 Queen of Shadows — September 2015 Empire of Storms — September 2016 Tower of Dawn — September 2017 Kingdom of Ash — October 2018

Use it as a checklist or share it with friends looking to get into the series.

Reading Experience: What to Expect

This isn’t a light series. It starts with the glam veneer of a young assassin in a corrupt kingdom, but it builds into fullblown epic fantasy with gods, warring nations, and character arcs that take wild turns. The payoff? A rich, layered experience that’s worth the time investment.

So, when someone asks how to jump in, you can point them straight to the throne of glass series publication order—it’s the best roadmap through the chaos.

Final Thoughts

Fantasy fans love Sarah J. Maas for a reason. Her characters evolve. Stakes escalate. Worlds expand. But it all lands best when you digest the story as intended. That means sticking to the throne of glass series publication order. Reading this way keeps the pacing sharp, the twists effective, and the emotional gutpunches real.

If you’re starting now, pace yourself—but stay the course. You’ll remember this ride.