Series Review: Throne Of Glass By Sarah J. Maas

Today, I’m diving deep into a fantasy series that absolutely wrecked me (in the best way possible): Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. If you’re looking for a sprawling, addictive fantasy world with assassins, ancient powers, royal drama, and gut-punch character arcs—this is it. And yes, this is your spoiler warning if you haven’t read the series yet!

There are eight books in total, and it’s definitely a commitment, but if you’re even remotely interested in fantasy with strong female leads and layered worldbuilding, this series will own your life for a while.

Overall Thoughts

Throne Of Glass starts off as one thing and evolves into something so much bigger. It’s wild to look back on Book 1 and see how far the characters, plot, and world have come. What begins as a story about an assassin competing in a royal tournament becomes an epic journey across kingdoms and realms—with fate-of-the-world stakes.

What I loved most? The way Sarah J. Maas slowly peels back the layers of the world and her characters. It’s like every book adds another layer to the mystery, power dynamics, and emotional weight.

Throne Of Glass Series Order To Read

I highly recommend reading the series in this order, which includes the prequel novellas. Yes, they matter. Yes, you should read them first:

• The Assassin’s Blade – Backstory that hits hard (trust me, you’ll need this context).
• Throne Of Glass – Our official start point. Celaena is introduced in all her snarky, deadly glory.
• Crown Of Midnight – Everything deepens. The plot thickens. The heartbreak begins.
• Heir Of Fire – Character growth EXPLOSION. New lands, new powers, new pain.
• Queen Of Shadows – Peak political intrigue. Celaena is no more. Enter Aelin.
• Empire Of Storms – So much action and emotion I couldn’t breathe.
• Tower Of Dawn – A parallel story with incredible world-building and healing.
• Kingdom Of Ash – An emotionally shattering yet satisfying finale.

A Few Quick Points

The Points Of View

What starts as a mostly single-POV narrative becomes a multi-POV masterpiece. We get to see events unfold from several key players, and honestly, it makes the stakes feel even more real. Everyone has a purpose—and no one is safe.

Character Development

Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin in Book 1, transforms into Aelin Ashryver Galathynius—a queen, a warrior, and a legend. But she’s not the only one. Chaol, Dorian, Manon, Lysandra… every character gets their own arc and growth. And you will cry over them. Guaranteed.

Romance That Burns

No spoilers, but let’s just say the romance in this series is both slow-burn and high-reward. There are multiple relationships throughout the series, but the one that sticks is chef’s kiss perfect.

The Worldbuilding

From Erilea to the Southern Continent, the world expands with every book. The Throne Of Glass Map becomes your best friend as kingdoms, alliances, and magical elements are introduced. Dragons, witches, wyrdmarks—it’s fantasy richness at its finest.

My Favorite Books And Character Storylines

Personally, Heir Of Fire and Queen Of Shadows are my favorites. Watching Aelin train, break, and rebuild herself was powerful. I also adored Manon’s journey—starting as a ruthless witch and slowly revealing her vulnerability? PERFECTION.

Chaol’s arc in Tower Of Dawn surprised me the most. I didn’t expect to love that book as much as I did. His healing process, the discovery of the Southern Continent, and the new characters introduced there made that installment feel just as essential.

Throne Of Glass Summary (No Spoilers)

At its core, the Throne Of Glass series follows Celaena Sardothien, a legendary assassin pulled from a prison camp to compete in a deadly competition to become the King’s Champion. But what starts as a fight for survival morphs into a rebellion against darkness far older and more powerful than anyone could imagine.

As the series progresses, Celaena discovers secrets about her past, her power, and her destiny. Along the way, she forms deep bonds, suffers heartbreaking losses, and battles forces that threaten all of Erilea.

Throne Of Glass Summary Book 1

In Throne Of Glass Book 1, Celaena is released from the salt mines of Endovier by Prince Dorian and Captain Chaol to compete in a contest to become the King’s Champion. She faces assassins, warriors, and dangerous trials—while uncovering dark secrets lurking beneath the glass castle. It’s a blend of fantasy, mystery, and a touch of romance.

What About Throne Of Glass Book 2?

Crown Of Midnight, the second installment, raises the stakes significantly. Celaena’s loyalties are tested, shocking truths are revealed, and things start getting much more dangerous. It’s the book where readers truly begin to see the layers beneath the assassin’s surface—and where the tone starts shifting toward high fantasy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re wondering whether to commit to this eight-book series—do it. The Throne Of Glass Release Date may feel like it was forever ago (the first book was published in 2012!), but the impact it has on readers still hits like a brand-new fantasy saga. The payoff is real, the emotions are heavy, and the journey is unforgettable.

This series will break you down, build you back up, and leave you thinking about these Throne Of Glass Characters long after you turn the final page.

If you enjoyed the intense fantasy and emotional twists in this series, you might also love The Fourth Wing, another epic tale worth diving into.

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