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. That count includes the prequel story collection The Assassin’s Blade, which is often read alongside the core novels and is important for understanding the series’ wider timeline.
Below is a clear reading guide, plus a quick overview of the series order, what makes it distinctive, and how to decide where to start.
How many books are in the Throne of Glass series?
The Throne of Glass series has eight books in total: seven main novels plus The Assassin’s Blade, a prequel novella collection. The series is by Sarah J. Maas and follows Celaena Sardothien, an assassin whose story expands into a larger fantasy epic involving magic, politics, and war.
What are the books in order?
There are a few ways readers talk about the reading order, but the publication order is the simplest place to begin. If you want the series as it was released, this is the standard sequence:
- Throne of Glass
- Crown of Midnight
- Heir of Fire
- The Assassin’s Blade
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
Why does The Assassin’s Blade come fourth here?
That placement reflects publication order, not necessarily the best emotional or chronological entry point. Since The Assassin’s Blade is a prequel collection, some readers prefer to read it first for background, while others save it for after the first three novels so the backstory lands with more impact.
Should you read the prequel first?
You can, but you do not have to. Both approaches work, and the best choice depends on whether you prefer context or surprise.
- Read it first if you like chronological background and want to understand Celaena’s past before the main plot begins.
- Read it after book 3 if you want the prequel stories to deepen later revelations and character motivations.
- Read it in publication order if you want to experience the series the way early readers did.
For many first-time readers, a common recommendation is to start with Throne of Glass and then decide when to fit in The Assassin’s Blade. That keeps the opening momentum strong while still preserving the option to explore the prequel material at the right moment.
What kind of series is Throne of Glass?
This series is best described as young adult fantasy that grows into an expansive epic fantasy arc. It blends court intrigue, action, magic, romance, and high-stakes conflict, while also following a character who changes significantly over the course of the books.
Core elements readers often notice
- Assassin-to-hero journey: the central character begins with a reputation for lethal skill, but the series gradually broadens her role.
- Political tension: power struggles, alliances, and shifting loyalties shape the world.
- Magic and myth: the fantasy elements become more prominent as the series develops.
- Character ensemble: later books expand beyond a single viewpoint and deepen the supporting cast.
Who is the main character?
The series centers on Celaena Sardothien, an assassin whose identity and past are more complicated than they first appear. Over time, the books trace her movement from survival and self-protection toward responsibility, leadership, and larger moral choices.
That evolution is one reason the series has remained popular. It is not only about battles or magical world-building; it is also about identity, trauma, loyalty, and what it means to choose a cause bigger than yourself.
What themes run through the series?
While the books are fast-paced and plot-driven, they also explore recurring themes that give the series emotional weight. These themes become more layered as the story progresses.
- Identity and reinvention: characters often hide, reshape, or reclaim who they are.
- Power and responsibility: the series asks who deserves power and how it should be used.
- Trauma and resilience: many characters carry loss, fear, or guilt, and the story follows how they endure.
- Loyalty and chosen family: relationships matter as much as bloodlines or titles.
- Freedom versus control: political systems and personal bonds both become sites of struggle.
Why the reading order matters
The order can shape how you experience character development and major reveals. Because the series gradually expands from a more contained premise into a much larger fantasy story, the placement of the prequel collection can change the tone of the early reading experience.
Two popular approaches
- Publication order: best for readers who want the original rhythm of discovery.
- Chronological-ish order: useful for readers who want the backstory earlier, though it may soften some later surprises.
If you are reading for the first time and want the least confusing route, publication order is usually the safest choice.
How does Throne of Glass compare to other fantasy series?
Readers often compare it to other character-centered fantasy series because it combines action, romance, and world-building with a strong emotional arc. Still, it has its own identity: the series starts with a relatively focused premise and gradually opens into a broader epic structure.
If you enjoy fantasy that mixes court politics, magical systems, and evolving relationships, this series may appeal to you. If you prefer tightly contained standalone fantasy, the scale of the later books may feel more expansive than expected.
Is the series complete?
Yes, the main series is complete. The story concludes with Kingdom of Ash, so readers can begin knowing there is a full ending in place. That makes the series especially appealing for readers who prefer to binge a finished fantasy saga rather than wait for future installments.
Quick reading guide for new readers
If you want the simplest answer to how many books are in the Throne of Glass series, remember this: eight books total, with The Assassin’s Blade serving as the prequel collection. From there, your reading choice comes down to whether you want publication order or a more chronological approach.
- Best for new readers: start with Throne of Glass.
- Best for backstory-first readers: start with The Assassin’s Blade.
- Best for completionists: read all eight books in order and pay attention to the prequel placement.
However you begin, the series rewards patience. Its early books introduce the characters and stakes, while the later volumes broaden the world and deepen the emotional payoff.
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