The Ultimate Throne of Glass Reading Guide (including Shimmy’s Preferred Order + Tandem Tips)
So, you’re finally diving into Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series - welcome to the chaos, the love and the heartbreak. Whether you’ve just finished ACOTAR and need your next fantasy fix, or you’re returning for a re-read, one question always sparks debate:
👉 What’s the right reading order?
The short answer: there’s no wrong way… but here at Shimmy Books, we think there is a better way.
After several read-throughs (and a few emotional breakdowns), here’s the Shimmy-approved reading order - one that preserves the magic, maximises the heartbreak, and makes Kingdom of Ash hit just that little bit harder.
🗡️ The Shimmy Books Recommended Reading Order
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- The Assassin’s Blade (yes here!)
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms ⟷ Tower of Dawn (tandem read)
- Kingdom of Ash
📚 Why The Assassin’s Blade Comes Fourth
We know, we know - technically it’s a prequel. But trust us on this one.
Reading The Assassin’s Blade after Heir of Fire gives the emotional context more weight. By the time you reach Celaena’s backstory, you already know what she’s lost and who she’s become - which makes those novellas hit deeper.
It’s like finally getting the missing puzzle pieces after you’ve fallen in love with the character.
If you read it first, you’ll appreciate the lore.
If you read it fourth, you’ll feel it.
And we’re here for feelings.
⚖️ The Tandem Read
When you hit Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn, you might notice something: the timelines overlap.
If you read them back to back, Tower of Dawn can feel like a detour. But if you tandem read them - alternating chapters based on the timeline - the storylines weave together perfectly.
Here’s a quick guide to make it easy (no spoilers, promise):
Shimmy’s Simplified Tandem Read Order
- Read Empire of Storms (EOS) - Nightfall, CH1-CH5
- Read Tower of Dawn (TOD) - CH1
- EOS - CH6-CH8
- TOD - CH2-CH3
- EOS - CH9-CH10
- TOD - CH4-CH6
- EOS - CH11
- TOD - CH7
- EOS - CH12-CH13
- TOD - CH8-CH10
- EOS - CH14-CH16
- TOD - CH11-CH12
- EOS - CH17-CH18
- TOD - CH13-CH16
- EOS - CH19
- TOD - CH17
- EOS - CH20-CH23
- TOD - CH18-CH21
- EOS - CH24-CH25
- TOD - CH22-CH23
- EOS - CH26
- TOD - CH24
- EOS - CH27-CH29
- TOD - CH25-CH28
- EOS - CH30
- TOD - CH29-CH31
- EOS - CH31
- TOD - CH32
- EOS - CH32
- TOD - CH33-25
- EOS - CH33-51 (this is a long stint for the big action)
- TOD - CH36-CH37
- EOS - CH52
- TOD - CH38-CH40
- EOS - CH53
- TOD - CH41-CH42
- EOS - CH54-CH56
- TOD - CH43
- EOS - CH57-CH59
- TOD - CH44-48
- EOS - CH60-CH61
- TOD - CH49-CH51
- EOS - CH62-CH63
- TOD - CH52-CH53
- EOS - CH64-CH65
- TOD - CH54-CH56
- EOS - CH66-CH67
- TOD - CH57
- EOS - CH68- 75 (You’ve finished Empire of Storms!)
- TOD - CH58-CH68, Fireheart
Bonus Step - dive straight into Kingdom of Ash
It keeps the pacing tight and the emotional beats aligned, so when everything converges - you’ll feel it exactly as Maas intended (and probably cry a little).
✨ For the Spreadsheet Lovers: Full Chronological Order
If you’re a lore purist or re-reading:
- The Assassin’s Blade
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms + Tower of Dawn (tandem)
- Kingdom of Ash
We think chronological works great for re-reads. But for first-timers, the Shimmy emotional order is where the real magic happens.
💬 Final Thoughts
There’s no single “right” way to experience Throne of Glass, but reading with intention makes a huge difference. The Assassin’s Blade isn’t just background, it is an emotional foundation. And the tandem read? Non-negotiable in our view!
Whether you’re Team Chaol, Team Rowan, or just here for the female rage, this reading order gives you the best balance of pacing, plot, and emotional payoff.
Now go forth, light a candle, queue your favourite instrumental playlist, and prepare to lose sleep over fictional assassins.
Happy reading, bestie (you’ve got this).
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