I just finished binge-reading the 'Throne of Glass' series, and figuring out the order was a bit tricky at first. The best way to dive in is to start with the original 'Throne of Glass' novel. It introduces Celaena Sardothien, the assassin with a heart of gold, and sets the stage for everything that follows. After that, move on to 'Crown of Midnight' and 'Heir of Fire' to see her journey unfold.
Next, read 'Queen of Shadows' and 'Empire of Storms' back-to-back because the stakes get higher, and the lore deepens. 'Tower of Dawn' is a parallel story to 'Empire of Storms,' focusing on Chaol and Nesryn, so you can read it after or alongside. Finally, cap it off with 'Kingdom of Ash,' the epic conclusion that ties everything together. If you want extra backstory, 'The Assassin’s Blade,' a prequel collection of novellas, can be read either before the series or after 'Heir of Fire' for maximum emotional impact.
I binge-read the 'Throne of Glass' series last summer, and trust me, the order matters! Start with 'The Assassin's Blade'—it’s a prequel collection of novellas that sets up Celaena’s backstory and makes her journey in 'Throne of Glass' hit harder. Then go straight into 'Throne of Glass', 'Crown of Midnight', and 'Heir of Fire'. The middle books like 'Queen of Shadows' and 'Empire of Storms' are where the plot explodes, so don’t skip ahead. Finish with 'Tower of Dawn' (yes, it’s Chaol’s book, but it’s crucial) and wrap up with 'Kingdom of Ash'. Reading in this order keeps the emotional payoff intact. The world-building and character arcs flow perfectly this way.
For maximum emotional devastation, which let's be honest is why we read SJM, try this: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, THEN 'The Assassin's Blade', then Heir of Fire. You get the initial mystery, the first big reveals about her past in Crown of Midnight, then IMMEDIATELY get the full, brutal backstory. It makes Heir of Fire, her rock-bottom moment, hit with the force of a freight train. You understand every scar, every flinch. It's a tough read emotionally, but incredibly cohesive.