What Is The Chronological Order Of The Assassin'S Blade In The Throne Of Glass Series?

The friendship dynamics in the prequels with the other assassins also pay off way later. When certain characters reappear in 'Tower of Dawn' and 'Kingdom of Ash,' if you’ve read the prequels, it’s a reunion. If you haven’t, it’s just another new ally. The emotional weight is completely different. For maximum payoff in the final books, you need that backstory.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve devoured 'Throne of Glass' and its companion stories, so let me dive into this. 'The Assassin’s Blade' is absolutely a prequel to 'Throne of Glass', and it’s one of those rare collections that adds so much depth to the main series. It’s a compilation of novellas that explore Celaena Sardothien’s life before the events of 'Throne of Glass', giving readers a raw, unfiltered look at her brutal training as an assassin and the emotional scars she carries. The stories aren’t just background noise—they’re essential for understanding her hardened exterior and the vulnerabilities she hides later. If you’ve ever wondered why she’s so fiercely independent or how she earned her reputation, this book spills all the bloody details. The beauty of 'The Assassin’s Blade' lies in how it humanizes Celaena. We see her make mistakes, fall in love, and suffer betrayals that shape her into the razor-edged woman we meet in 'Throne of Glass'. The novellas also introduce key characters like Sam Cortland, whose relationship with Celaena ripples through the main series. Reading it after 'Throne of Glass' feels like uncovering secrets—you’ll catch references and nods that suddenly click. But honestly, I recommend reading it first. It’s like watching a storm build on the horizon; you know the lightning is coming, and when it finally strikes in 'Throne of Glass', the impact is electrifying. The pacing is relentless, the emotional stakes are sky-high, and it’s impossible not to root for Celaena even when she’s at her most ruthless. This isn’t just a prequel; it’s the heart of her story. Some fans debate the best reading order, but for me, 'The Assassin’s Blade' is non-negotiable. It’s where Celaena’s defiance, her love of music, and her lethal precision all make sense. You’ll see her in Adarlan’s underworld, taking jobs that blur the line between survival and morality, and it’s impossible not to admire her resilience. The book also sets up the political tensions that explode later—like her feud with Arobynn Hamel, which is pure fire. If 'Throne of Glass' is the crescendo, 'The Assassin’s Blade' is the symphony tuning up. Missing it would be like skipping the first act of a play; you’d still follow the plot, but the emotional weight just wouldn’t land the same way.

I’d say it depends on your memory for detail. If you read the prequel first, you’re expected to remember a lot of names, places, and events that won’t be directly relevant again for several books. Reading in publication order introduces those elements closer to when they become plot-critical again, which can be easier to follow. The callbacks in later books are designed for readers who read the prequel after the early books, so the references land with precision.