If you’re wondering how many books are in the Throne of Glass series, the short answer is that the main series has eight books. Sarah J. Maas began with one novel and expanded the story into a longer fantasy arc, so readers often want a clear count before starting.
Below, you’ll find the reading order, a quick overview of the series, and a few helpful notes for new readers.
How many books are in the Throne of Glass series?
There are eight books in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. The series includes seven core novels plus The Assassin’s Blade, a prequel collection of linked novellas that many readers treat as part of the full reading experience.
What are the books in order?
The publication order and the commonly recommended reading order are not exactly the same, because The Assassin’s Blade was published after the first two novels but serves as a prequel. Here is the most common full series list:
- 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
Why the reading order can vary
Some readers prefer to start with Throne of Glass and read The Assassin’s Blade later, while others like to begin with the prequel novellas for added background. Either approach works, but the best choice depends on whether you want to preserve mystery or get early context about Celaena Sardothien’s past.
What is Throne of Glass about?
The series follows Celaena Sardothien, a skilled assassin whose story grows from a competition-centered fantasy premise into a much larger struggle involving magic, politics, loyalty, and war. What begins as a court-based adventure gradually expands into an epic series with multiple kingdoms, shifting alliances, and high-stakes character development.
Who is the series for?
This series often appeals to readers who enjoy:
- epic fantasy with a strong central heroine
- assassin, court intrigue, and political conflict
- romance woven into a larger adventure plot
- slow-building worldbuilding across multiple books
- character-driven fantasy with emotional payoff
What makes the series stand out?
One reason the series remains so popular is that it changes shape as it goes. The early books are tighter and more focused on competition and survival, while the later novels broaden into a sweeping fantasy saga with a larger cast and more complex worldbuilding.
Major themes in the series
- Identity and reinvention — Celaena’s past and present selves are in constant tension.
- Power and responsibility — many characters must decide what power should be used for.
- Loyalty and trust — alliances shift, and trust is often hard-won.
- Trauma and resilience — the series repeatedly explores survival after loss.
- Duty versus desire — personal feelings often clash with larger obligations.
Characters readers often remember
Besides Celaena, the series features a range of important characters whose relationships shape the story’s emotional core. Without giving away major spoilers, readers often connect most strongly with figures such as Chaol Westfall, Dorian Havilliard, and Aelin’s later allies and companions.
Should you read The Assassin’s Blade?
The Assassin’s Blade is not a standalone novel, but it adds important context to Celaena’s backstory and relationships. If you want a fuller understanding of her history before the main arc intensifies, it is worth reading; if you prefer to stay with the main storyline first, you can save it for later.
Best ways to approach the series
- Publication order if you want the experience many original readers had.
- Chronological order if you prefer the story to unfold by timeline.
- Hybrid approach if you want to start with the first two books, then read The Assassin’s Blade before the series becomes more expansive.
How does Throne of Glass compare to other fantasy series?
Readers often compare Throne of Glass to other young adult and crossover fantasy series because it combines action, romance, and worldbuilding. Its tone becomes darker and more expansive over time, which can make it feel different from more self-contained fantasy adventures.
What to expect as the series progresses
The series grows in scale, so the later books are longer and more interconnected than the early installments. If you enjoy seeing a fantasy world deepen over time, that gradual expansion is one of the series’ biggest strengths.
Quick reading guide for new readers
If you’re deciding whether to start the series, here’s the simplest way to think about it: the first book introduces the central premise, the middle books widen the political and magical stakes, and the final books bring the story to its largest emotional and narrative scale.
- Start here: Throne of Glass if you want the original entry point.
- Read next: continue in order for the smoothest progression of plot and character arcs.
- Consider later: The Assassin’s Blade if you want backstory without interrupting the main arc too early.
Final answer
How many books are in the Throne of Glass series? There are eight books in the main reading experience, including The Assassin’s Blade. If you’re starting the series, reading in order is the easiest way to follow the growth of the characters, the world, and the story’s larger stakes.
If you’re interested in how Sarah J. Maas’s fantasy worlds relate to one another, you may also like Are Sarah J. Maas Books Connected? and How Does Sarah J. Maas Books Connect?