{{short description|High fantasy novel series by Sarah J. Maas}} {{Italic title}}{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox book series | name = ''Throne of Glass'' | image = Throne of Glass series.jpg | caption = The covers of the eight books of the series | books = {{Plainlist|
* ''Throne of Glass'' (2012) * ''Crown of Midnight'' (2013) * ''The Assassin's Blade'' (2014) * ''Heir of Fire'' (2014) * ''Queen of Shadows'' (2015) * ''Empire of Storms'' (2016) * ''Tower of Dawn'' (2017) * ''Kingdom of Ash'' (2018) }} | author = Sarah J. Maas | country = United States | language = English | genre = Fantasy | publisher = Bloomsbury Publishing | pub_date = August 2, 2012 – October 23, 2018 | media_type = Print (hardback and paperback)<br>Ebook }}
'''''Throne of Glass''''' is a high fantasy novel series by American author Sarah J. Maas, beginning with the entry of the same name, released on August 2, 2012. The story follows the journey of Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin in a corrupt kingdom with a tyrannical ruler, the King of Adarlan. As the story progresses, Celaena forms unexpected bonds and uncovers a conspiracy amidst her adventures. The series concluded with the eighth book in October 2018.
The series appeared on the ''New York Times'' Best Seller list, and was optioned by Hulu and Disney-ABC Domestic Television for a television series adaptation by Mark Gordon in 2016, but nothing came forward and the rights went back to the author.
==Overview== {{Update|section|date=May 2026|reason=Overview has been largely unchanged since 2012 - needs to be revised to account for entire series, not just first book}}''Throne of Glass'' follows Celaena Sardothien, an 18-year-old assassin in the Kingdom of Adarlan. After a year of suffering for her crimes in a slave camp called Endovier, she accepts the offer of Crown Prince Dorian Haviliard, the King of Adarlan's son, to compete with other assassins and thieves for a chance to serve as the King's Champion, and eventually gain her freedom after six years in the King's service. This leads her to form unexpected bonds with both Dorian and Chaol, the Captain of the Guard. Over time, Celaena is drawn into a conspiracy and a series of battles, leading to discoveries surrounding both the Kingdom and herself.
==Books== ===Main series=== {{Episode table |background=#93B8C4 |overall= |title= |airdate= |altdate= |aux4= |airdateT=Publication date |altdateT=Counts |aux4T=ISBN |episodes= {{Book list | book_number = 0 | title = The Assassin's Blade: The Throne of Glass Novellas | publish_date = March 04, 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=The Assassin's Blade: The Throne of Glass Novellas. |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_30515336 |website=Copyright Public Records System |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | aux1 = 118,431 words<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=171448&l=EN&slid=93836747 |title=The Assassin's Blade |work=Accelerated Reader Bookfinder |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416231957/https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fbookdetail.aspx%3fq%3d171448%26l%3dEN%26slid%3d93836747 |url-status=live }}</ref> / 464 pages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/assassins-blade-9781639731084/|title=The Assassin's Blade|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|accessdate=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103210623/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/assassins-blade-9781639731084/|url-status=live}}</ref> | isbn = 9781619633612 | line_color = novel | short_summary = A collection of 5 stories set prior to the ''Throne of Glass'' series, including four novellas previously published in e-book format: ''The Assassin and the Pirate Lord'', ''The Assassin and the Desert'', ''The Assassin and the Underworld'', and ''The Assassin and the Empire'', as well as ''The Assassin and the Healer''. It follows Celaena Sardothien in her adventures traveling around Erilea with her companion Sam Cortland.
}} {{Book list | book_number = 1 | title = Throne of Glass | publish_date = August 2, 2012<ref>{{cite web |title=Throne of Glass. |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_30515334 |website=Copyright Public Records System |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | aux1 = 113,655 words<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=155818&l=EN&slid=93836747 |title=Throne of Glass |work=Accelerated Reader Bookfinder |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416231957/https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fbookdetail.aspx%3fq%3d155818%26l%3dEN%26slid%3d93836747 |url-status=live }}</ref> / 432 pages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/throne-of-glass-9781639730940/|title=Throne of Glass|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|accessdate=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103205116/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/throne-of-glass-9781639730940/|url-status=live}}</ref> | isbn = 9781599906959 | line_color = novel | short_summary = After a year of slavery, an infamous teenage assassin named Celaena is given the chance to become the tyrannical king's personal assassin/King's Champion by representing Prince Dorian in a competition against the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. She must survive every test and trial in order to proceed to the final, in which she has to fight her remaining opponents. As candidates are found dead in the castle, their bodies ruptured, Celaena finds herself delving deep into mysteries concerning not only her, but her very own ancestors and the creatures of darkness that dwell deep beneath the castle. }} {{Book list | book_number = 2 | title = Crown of Midnight | publish_date = August 27, 2013<ref>{{cite web |title=Crown of Midnight. |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_30515335 |website=Copyright Public Records System |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | aux1 = 114,494 words<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=162551&l=EN&slid=93836747 |title=Crown of Midnight |work=Accelerated Reader Bookfinder |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416231958/https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fbookdetail.aspx%3fq%3d162551%26l%3dEN%26slid%3d93836747 |url-status=live }}</ref> / 448 pages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/crown-of-midnight-9781639730964/|title=Crown of Midnight|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|accessdate=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103192612/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/crown-of-midnight-9781639730964/|url-status=live}}</ref> | isbn = 9781619630628 | line_color = novel | short_summary = Celaena, the King's Champion, must win her freedom by butchering every person the king asks her to, but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. With every death she fakes, she puts her close friends at risk. Celaena must choose between a captain and a prince, and must battle forces more threatening than the king. She also reunites with an old colleague, becomes obsessed with a rebel movement, and learns more about the king's source of power. }} {{Book list | book_number = 3 | title = Heir of Fire | publish_date = September 2, 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=Heir of Fire. |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_30515337 |website=Copyright Public Records System |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | aux1 = 163,266 words<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=169986&l=EN&slid=93836747 |title=Heir of Fire |work=Accelerated Reader Bookfinder |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416231958/https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fbookdetail.aspx%3fq%3d169986%26l%3dEN%26slid%3d93836747 |url-status=live }}</ref> / 592 pages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/heir-of-fire-9781639730988/|title=Heir of Fire|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|accessdate=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103185627/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/heir-of-fire-9781639730988/|url-status=live}}</ref> | isbn = 9781619630659 | line_color = novel | short_summary = Celaena travels to Wendlyn, a land where magic is still free, to undergo Fae training with the powerful and cold immortal Fae warrior Rowan Whitethorn. Tensions high between them, the pair must work together to stop evil forces wreaking havoc, and Celaena learns to accept herself as the Queen of Terrasen. Meanwhile, in Adarlan, Chaol teams up with General Aedion Ashryver to rebel against the King, and Dorian struggles to understand his growing powers. Manon Blackbeak, an immortal Ironteeth witch, competes in a competition against other witches in order to become the official Wing Leader of the clan. }} {{Book list | book_number = 4 | title = Queen of Shadows | publish_date = September 1, 2015<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen of Shadows. |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_30515338 |website=Copyright Public Records System |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | aux1 = 183,840 words<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=177231&l=EN&slid=93836747 |title=Queen of Shadows |work=Accelerated Reader Bookfinder |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416231958/https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fbookdetail.aspx%3fq%3d177231%26l%3dEN%26slid%3d93836747 |url-status=live }}</ref> / 672 pages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/queen-of-shadows-9781639731008/|title=Queen of Shadows|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|accessdate=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103203610/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/queen-of-shadows-9781639731008/|url-status=live}}</ref> | isbn = 9781619636040 | line_color = novel | short_summary = Stronger than ever, Aelin Galathynius (aka Celaena Sardothien) returns to Rifthold, this time as a free woman. Upon her return, she learns that much has changed since she left, including the capture of her long-lost cousin Aedion and the possession of her friend Dorian at the hands of a Valg Prince. Aelin teams up with Chaol's team of rebels and her former master, King of Assassins Arobynn Hamel, determined to get her revenge for over ten years of pain, by freeing magic, killing the King of Adarlan, and rescuing Dorian. Across Adarlan in Morath, Manon is forced to use her witches to produce evil monsters as weapons. As she struggles between her duties and growing morals, she befriends Elide Lochan, a servant girl who is the rightful lady of Perranth, and daughter of Aelin's nursemaid as a child. }} {{Book list | book_number = 5 | title = Empire of Storms | publish_date = September 6, 2016<ref>{{cite web |title=Empire of Storms. |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_30515339 |website=Copyright Public Records System |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | aux1 = 195,332 words<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=186174&l=EN&slid=93836747 |title=Empire of Storms |work=Accelerated Reader Bookfinder |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416231959/https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fbookdetail.aspx%3fq%3d186174%26l%3dEN%26slid%3d93836747 |url-status=live }}</ref> / 720 pages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/empire-of-storms-9781639731022/|title=Empire of Storms|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|accessdate=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103192615/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/empire-of-storms-9781639731022/|url-status=live}}</ref> | isbn = 9781619636071 | line_color = novel | short_summary = Aelin is determined to never turn her back on her kingdom again. Cashing in debts to raise an army, Aelin and her court travel around Erilea in an attempt to stop Lord Erawan of the Valg, a demon-like race, from destroying the world, but with so many sworn enemies in want of revenge, including Queen Maeve of the Fae, survival seems unlikely. Aelin begins to realize that there are events in her life which may not have happened by coincidence; in fact, many have been pulling strings in the background long before she was born, and that she was destined for something far greater than she thought. }} {{Book list | book_number = 6 | title = Tower of Dawn | publish_date = September 5, 2017<ref>{{cite web |title=Tower of Dawn. |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_30515340 |website=Copyright Public Records System |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | aux1 = 191,282 words<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=191723&l=EN&slid=93836747 |title=Tower of Dawn |work=Accelerated Reader Bookfinder |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417002002/https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fbookdetail.aspx%3fq%3d191723%26l%3dEN%26slid%3d93836747 |url-status=live }}</ref> / 688 pages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/tower-of-dawn-9781639731046/|title=Tower of Dawn|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|accessdate=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103192619/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/tower-of-dawn-9781639731046/|url-status=live}}</ref> | isbn = 9781681195773 | line_color = novel | short_summary = Taking place during the events of ''Empire of Storms'', Chaol Westfall travels to the Southern Continent with Nesryn Faliq to seek treatment from the gifted healers there, and persuade the Southern Continent to ally with him and his friends in the brewing war against Erawan. Yrene Towers' attempts of healing him lead to her becoming entangled in Chaol's past, despite her own reservations against his loyalty to the very nation that prosecuted her family. Meanwhile, Nesryn improves relations with her family during her stay, and befriends Prince Sartaq. }} {{Book list | book_number = 7 | title = Kingdom of Ash | publish_date = October 23, 2018<ref>{{cite web |title=Kingdom of Ash . |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_31397444 |website=Copyright Public Records System |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | aux1 = 272,682 words<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=198872&l=EN&slid=213123385 |title=Kingdom of Ash |work=Accelerated Reader Bookfinder |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416231959/https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fbookdetail.aspx%3fq%3d198872%26l%3dEN%26slid%3d213123385 |url-status=live }}</ref> / 992 pages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/kingdom-of-ash-9781639731060/|title=Kingdom of Ash|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|accessdate=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103203606/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/kingdom-of-ash-9781639731060/|url-status=live}}</ref> | isbn = 9781619636101 | line_color = novel | short_summary = After being locked in an iron coffin for months by Maeve, Aelin resists torture in hopes of returning to her kingdom. Rowan searches with his cadre and Elide to find Aelin, his mate and wife. At the same time, Aedion and Lysandra continue to defend Terrasen with the armies that Aelin gathered before she was captured, from forces that would seek to destroy it: Erawan. After successfully allying with the Southern Continent, Chaol and his group race to reach his friends before it's too late. Manon and Dorian grow closer as they travel in search of the Crochan witches to raise an army, the final Wyrdkey, and answers to their role in the war and as leaders of their respective kingdoms. In the final battle, Aelin and her friends succeed in destroying both Maeve and Erawan once and for all, bringing peace to the land. }} }}
===Companion books=== * ''Throne of Glass Coloring Book''<ref>{{cite web |title=Throne of Glass Coloring Book |url=http://sarahjmaas.com/throne-of-glass-coloring-book/ |website=Sarahjmaas |access-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315132827/http://sarahjmaas.com/throne-of-glass-coloring-book/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (2016)
=== Companion game === ''Embers of Memory'', a two-person card game based on the ''Throne of Glass'' book series, was released in October 2019 by '''Osprey Games'''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Osprey Games|url=https://ospreypublishing.com/|url-status=live|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320115727/https://ospreypublishing.com/}}</ref> It is set during the events of the final book in the series, ''Kingdom of Ash''. The players are tasked with helping Aelin survive her imprisonment and ordeal at the hands of Maeve, diving with her into her memories and helping her find the way back out.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Embers of Memory: a Throne of Glass game at Boardgame Geek.|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/274445/embers-memory-throne-glass-game|url-status=live|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415224602/https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/274445/embers-memory-throne-glass-game}}</ref>
=== Reading Order === The order in which to read the ''Throne of Glass'' series is discussed within the community due to the publication date of ''Assassin's Blade'' differing from when it occurs chronologically within the story.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-19 |title=Throne of Glass Reading Order: How to Navigate Sarah J. Maas’ Fantasy World - BookScouter Blog |url=https://bookscouter.com/blog/throne-of-glass-series-order-to-read/ |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=bookscouter.com |language=en-US}}</ref> While the book's events are a prequel to the rest of the series, its publication occurred in 2014, after the publication of ''Crown of Midnight'' in 2013. Bloomsbury Publishing and Sarah J. Maas's publication site suggest reading in order of publication date, with ''Assassin's Blade'' listed after ''Crown of Midnight.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarah J. Maas books reading order: A complete guide - Bloomsbury |url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/discover/sarah-j-maas/series-reading-order/ |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=www.bloomsbury.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ENTER THE WORLD OF SARAH J. MAAS |url=https://sarahjmaas.com/reading-guide/ |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=Sarah J. Maas |language=en}}</ref>
Additionally, ''Empire of Storms'' and ''Tower of Dawn'' overlap in their chronological events, which has sparked several 'tandem read' guides, which suggest the order in which to read each chapter of each book, concurrently.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Throne of Glass Tandem Reading Order: A Complete Guide |url=https://pangobooks.com/blog/throne-of-glass-tandem-read?srsltid=AfmBOooZbsWGgQIK_youU5EzHiueIJQDxdAZSlyij41qvpSnpCuVF6eD |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=pangobooks.com |language=en}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=The Empire of Storms/Tower of Dawn Tandem Guide |url=https://www.rosebudsrealm.com/tandemguide |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=Rosebud's Realm |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Characters== ===Main Characters=== * Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, also known as Celaena Sardothien, is the main protagonist of the series. When she was young, her parents were murdered, and she trained to become an assassin. * Rowan Whitethorn: A full-blooded Fae who is over three centuries old; on of six elite warriors originally in Maeve's Cadre. * Dorian Havilliard II: The king and formerly the Crown Prince of Adarlan. * Manon Blackbeak: A witch and heir to the Blackbeak clan. * Chaol Westfall: Captain of the Guard.
=== Key Supporting Characters === * Elide Lochan: A human with Blackbeak blood. * Yrene Towers: A Torre Cesme healer. * Lorcan Salvaterre: Demi Fae; one of six elite warriors originally in Maeve's Cadre. * Lysandra Ennar: A former courtesan who worked with Arobynn Hamel. * Aedion Ashryver: Aelin's cousin, demi-fae with enhanced senses but no magic. * Maeve: Fae Queen of Doranelle. * Gavriel: Fae; one of six elite warriors originally in Maeve's Cadre. * Fenrys Moonbeam: Fae; one of six elite warriors originally in Maeve's Cadre. * Elena Galathynius Havilliard: Demi Fae; First Queen of Adarlan.
*Princess Nehemia Ytger: A princess of the kingdom of Eyllwe. *Sam Cortland: An Assassin of Arobynn Hamel's Assassin's Guild. *Kaltain Rompier: A young lady who comes from a fairly rich family.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite web | url=http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/post/2012-08-15/throne-of-glass-review-sarah-j-maas/825478/1 | title=Review: 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas | publisher=USA Today | date=16 August 2012 | author=Chase, Serena | access-date=August 17, 2012 | archive-date=September 14, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914205819/http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/post/2012-08-15/throne-of-glass-review-sarah-j-maas/825478/1 | url-status=live }}</ref> * Dorian Havilliard I: King of Adarlan. * Arobynn Hamel: Head of the Assassin's Guild * Nesryn Faliq: Former city guard of Rifthold. * Asterin Blackbeak: Second in Manon's coven of 13 witches.
==Development==
===Background=== Sarah J. Maas has cited Disney's ''Cinderella'' as an inspiration for writing ''Throne of Glass''. While viewing the scene in which the heroine flees the ball, Maas found the soundtrack "way too dark and intense". This led her to re-imagine a number of details. "The music fit much better when I imagined a thief—no, an assassin!—fleeing the palace," she said. "But who was she? Who had sent her to kill the prince? Who might the prince's enemies be? A powerful, corrupt empire, perhaps?"<ref name=LWF>{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Maas |title=I hear music…Mighty fine music… |work=Let The Words Flow |date=April 14, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2012 |url=http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/i-hear-music-mighty-fine-music/ |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324050155/http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/i-hear-music-mighty-fine-music/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Originally known as ''Queen of Glass'', the story initially appeared on ''FictionPress.com''.<ref name=LWF/> Bloomsbury acquired the novel in 2010, and purchased two additional ''Throne of Glass'' novels in 2012. Publicist Emma Bradshaw noted Maas' "huge online following, particularly in the US".<ref name=bookseller>{{cite news |first=Benedicte |last=Page |title=Free Prequels For Bloomsbury's Assassin |work=bookseller.com |date=July 27, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/free-prequels-bloomsburys-assassin.html-0 |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729233011/http://www.thebookseller.com/news/free-prequels-bloomsburys-assassin.html-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, ''Throne of Glass'' became the first Bloomsbury children's novel to be featured on ''Netgalley.com'', attracting requests "from all over the world."<ref name=bookseller/>
Following its acquisition by Bloomsbury, the story went through a number of revisions prior to publication. Regarding the tale's development, Maas stated, "In the 10 years that I've been working on the series, ''Throne of Glass'' has become more of an original epic fantasy than a ''Cinderella'' retelling, but you can still find a few nods to the legend here and there."<ref name=bookseller/>
Sarah J. Maas began writing the Throne of Glass Series in 2002 when she was 16 years old.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McCluskey |first=Megan |date=30 January 2024 |title=How Sarah J. Maas Built a Sprawling Fantasy Multiverse |url=https://time.com/6590247/sarah-j-maas-interview-house-of-flame-and-shadow/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 October 2024 |magazine=Time}}</ref>
===Characters=== {{multiple image | align = right | direction = horizontal | image1 = Throne of Glass UK.jpg | width1 = 170 | image2 = Crown of Midnight cover.jpeg | width2 = 167 | footer = Maas envisioned Celaena Sardothien as a strong and capable heroine, and was inspired by both male and female protagonists.<ref name=interviewone>{{cite news |title=Interview With Sarah J. Maas |work=hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy.com |date=July 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url=http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy.com/2012/07/interview-with-sarah-j-maas.html |archive-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809073921/http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy.com/2012/07/interview-with-sarah-j-maas.html |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
In an interview prior to the series' debut, Maas discussed the process of creating her protagonist:<ref name=interviewtwo>{{cite news |title=Interview with Sarah J. Maas |work=yabookreads.com |date=December 8, 2011 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url=http://yabookreads.com/blog/2010/12/08/interview-with-sarah-j-maas/#more-1690 |archive-date=December 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228221343/http://yabookreads.com/blog/2010/12/08/interview-with-sarah-j-maas/#more-1690 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Cquote|I grew up reading books like Robin McKinley's ''The Hero and the Crown'' and Garth Nix's ''Sabriel''—both of which feature strong heroines, and both of which profoundly shaped my identity and empowered me. I started writing knowing I wanted to create books like that—mostly because that's what interests me and where my passion lies, but also because I'd love for some young woman to read [''Throne of Glass''] and feel empowered, too. | width = 40% }}
The story's teenage heroine, Celaena Sardothien, is introduced as an orphan who was raised and trained by an assassin. She is characterized as skilled, arrogant, and witty. While shaping her protagonist, Maas was inspired by the heroism of Éowyn from ''The Lord of the Rings'', and by the characterization of Velma Kelly from ''Chicago''. Maas has stated that the latter's "arrogance and fierceness made me want to write about a woman like her—about a woman who never once said sorry for being talented and determined and utterly in love with herself."<ref>{{cite news |first=Leah |last=Cypess |title=Interview With Sarah J. Maas, author of ''Throne of Glass'' |work=Enchanted Inkpot |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |url=https://enchantedinkpot.blogspot.com/2012/08/interview-with-sarah-j-maas-author-of.html |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222061754/http://enchantedinkpot.blogspot.com/2012/08/interview-with-sarah-j-maas-author-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The author ultimately designed Celaena as a highly capable character whose talents also form a basis for numerous faults. In interviews preceding the series' release, Maas noted her heroine's issues with "impatience" and "vanity".<ref name=interviewtwo/> She also suggested that Celaena would grow while adjusting to her new role.<ref name=interviewone/> In addition to Celaena's skills as an assassin, Maas wanted the character to have several traits and hobbies befitting her age,<ref name=Kirkus>{{cite news |title=''Throne of Glass'' review |work=Kirkus Reviews |date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url=http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sarah-j-maas/throne-of-glass/ |archive-date=December 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216032543/http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sarah-j-maas/throne-of-glass/ |url-status=live }}</ref> including a fondness for "shopping, books, and fine dining", as well as a "penchant for getting into trouble."<ref>{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Maas |title=Celaena Through The Years |work=sjmaas.livejournal.com |date=August 18, 2010 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url=http://sjmaas.livejournal.com/378304.html |archive-date=August 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821105416/http://sjmaas.livejournal.com/378304.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In creating the friendship between Celaena and Chaol, Maas gave the characters a number of differences. As the story begins, Chaol is introduced as a strict and ethical captain, while Celaena is presented as a morally ambiguous assassin. According to the author, this contrast contributes to Chaol's character development as his bond with Celaena grows. Amidst their experiences, Chaol eventually comes to view her not just as a captive criminal, but also "as a human being."<ref name=Chaol>{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Maas |title=Long Entry About Writing and Inspiration |work=sjmaas.livejournal.com |date=February 5, 2009 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url=http://sjmaas.livejournal.com/344012.html |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416232003/https://sjmaas.livejournal.com/344012.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While writing the novel, Maas envisioned Chaol as a character who had "''always'' seen the world in black and white," and concluded that "Celaena just throws a wrench in that."<ref name=Chaol/>
Prince Dorian is presented as a suitor for Celaena as well. However, their relationship is complicated by his status as the crown prince.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Maas |title=What I'd Write, Dogs |work=sjmaas.livejournal.com |date=December 15, 2008 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url=http://sjmaas.livejournal.com/337538.html |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416232002/https://sjmaas.livejournal.com/337538.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Release==
===Publicity=== In anticipation of the series' debut, Bloomsbury released e-book editions of four prequel novellas—''The Assassin and the Pirate Lord'', ''The Assassin and the Desert'', ''The Assassin and the Underworld'', and ''The Assassin and the Empire''—between January and July 2012.<ref>{{cite news |first=Susan |last=Dennard |author-link1=Susan Dennard |title=The Assassin and the Pirate Lord |work=publishingcrawl.com |date=January 21, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2012 |url=http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/01/21/the-assassin-and-the-pirate-lord-by-sarah-j-maas/ |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728162656/http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/01/21/the-assassin-and-the-pirate-lord-by-sarah-j-maas/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Throne of Glass'' was previewed by ''Publishers Weekly'' in February, while the book trailer premiered on ''MTV.com'' in May.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fall 2012 Sneak Previews |work=Publishers Weekly |date=February 20, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2012 |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/50717-fall-2012-sneak-previews.html |archive-date=February 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223233910/http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/50717-fall-2012-sneak-previews.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Kat |last=Rosenfield |title=Peep The EXCLUSIVE Trailer For ''Throne Of Glass'' |work=MTV |date=May 14, 2012 |access-date=May 24, 2012 |url=http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2012/05/14/throne-of-glass-sarah-j-maas-book-trailer/ |archive-date=May 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521003524/http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2012/05/14/throne-of-glass-sarah-j-maas-book-trailer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Additionally, film option rights were acquired by Creative Artists Agency.
===Reception=== ''Throne of Glass'' has received generally positive reviews, making its debut on the ''New York Times'' Best Seller list with the release of the second novel, ''Crown of Midnight''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Heir of Fire |work=Amazon.com |isbn= 978-1619630659|last1=Maas |first1=Sarah J. |date=September 2, 2014 }}</ref> A review from ''Publishers Weekly'' lauded the series' opening as a "strong debut novel." The review went on to state, "This is not cuddly romance, but neither is it grim. Celaena is trained to murder, yet she hasn’t lost her taste for pretty dresses or good books, and a gleam of optimism tinges her outlook. Maas tends toward overdescription, but the verve and freshness of the narration make for a thrilling read."<ref>{{cite news |title=Children's Review: ''Throne of Glass'' |work=Publishers Weekly |date=June 18, 2012 |access-date=June 26, 2012 |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-59990-695-9 |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920040419/http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-59990-695-9 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Guardian'' gave it 5 stars out of 5 with the author of the review stating that the main character, Celaena, was more "relatable" than most other female protagonists.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/04/review-throne-of-glass-sarah-j-maas | title=Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas - review | work=The Guardian | date=4 January 2015 | access-date=July 27, 2017 | archive-date=September 7, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907124029/https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/04/review-throne-of-glass-sarah-j-maas | url-status=live }}</ref> In her review for ''USA Today'', Serena Chase called Celaena a "next-level Cinderella".<ref name="USAToday" />
''Kirkus'' stated, "A teenage assassin, a rebel princess, menacing gargoyles, supernatural portals and a glass castle prove to be as thrilling as they sound." With regard to the protagonist, ''Kirkus'' noted that "Celaena is still just a teenager trying to forge her way, giving the story timelessness. She might be in the throes of a bloodthirsty competition, but that doesn't mean she's not in turmoil over which tall, dark and handsomely titled man of the royal court should be her boyfriend—and which fancy gown she should wear to a costume party." The review concluded that the story's "commingling of comedy, brutality and fantasy evokes a rich alternate universe with a spitfire young woman as its brightest star."<ref name=Kirkus/>
''Throne of Glass'' was named ''Amazon.com''{{'s}} "Best Book of the Month for Kids & Teens" in August 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Best Books of the Month for Kids & Teens |work=Amazon.com |access-date=August 3, 2012 |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000821761&plgroup=3 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416232023/https://www.amazon.com/404?ref_=cs_fdm_1000821761 |url-status=live }}</ref> Whitney Kate Sullivan of ''Romantic Times'' stated that "Maas' YA fantasy world is one of the most compelling that this reviewer has visited all year. The assassin heroine's growth and the multilayered secondary characters are amazing."<ref>{{cite news |first=Whitney |last=Sullivan |title=Book Review: ''Throne of Glass'' |work=Romantic Times |access-date=August 2, 2012 |url=http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/throne-glass |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707005249/http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/throne-glass |url-status=live }}</ref> Serena Chase of ''USA Today'' applauded the story's love triangle, and noted that "Maas excels at world building, spicing up this unusual take on the Cinderella story by injecting myths, fairy tales and religious traditions with the magic of a fresh and faulted world. Whereas many authors rely on geographic detail to build their worlds, Maas' environment is more politically driven and her characterizations are deftly drawn to support that sort of structure." Chase also commended Maas for creating "a truly remarkable heroine who doesn't sacrifice the grit that makes her real in order to do what's right in the end."<ref>{{cite news |first=Serena |last=Chase |title=Review: ''Throne of Glass'' by Sarah J. Maas |work=USA Today |date=August 16, 2012 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |url=http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/post/2012-08-15/throne-of-glass-review-sarah-j-maas/825478/1 |archive-date=September 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914205819/http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/post/2012-08-15/throne-of-glass-review-sarah-j-maas/825478/1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2024, ''Empire of Storms'' was one of 13 books banned from all Utah public schools by the state school board for allegedly containing "objective sensitive material." Five other books by Maas, all in the ''A Court of Thorns and Roses'' series, were also among the banned books.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nesbitt |first1=Carmen |title=It's official: These 13 books are now banned from all public schools in Utah |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2024/08/02/utah-book-ban-list-these-titles/ |access-date=3 August 2024 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |issue=2 August 2024}}</ref>
== Accolades == {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Year-end lists |- ! Year ! Publication ! Work ! Category ! Result ! Ref |- | 2015 | BuzzFeed | ''Queen of Shadows'' | 16 Of The Best YA Books Of 2015 | 11 | <ref>{{cite web |first1=Arielle |last1=Farrah |title=16 Of The Best YA Books Of 2015 |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/the-best-ya-books-of-2015 |website=Buzzfeed |access-date=December 19, 2021 |date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219212510/https://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/the-best-ya-books-of-2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2015 | The Independent | ''Queen of Shadows'' | 10 best fantasy novels | 4 | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Wallis |first1=Max |title=10 best fantasy novels |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/10-best-fantasy-novels-a6732966.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/10-best-fantasy-novels-a6732966.html |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=Independent |access-date=December 19, 2021 |date=November 13, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- | 2013 | rowspan = "3"| PopSugar | ''Crown of Midnight'' | The Best YA Books of 2013 | 2 | <ref>{{cite web |title=The Best YA Books of 2013 |date=November 28, 2013 |url=https://popcrush.com/best-young-adult-ya-books-2013/ |access-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221072138/https://popcrush.com/best-young-adult-ya-books-2013/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2015 | ''Queen of Shadows'' | The Best YA Books of 2015 | 8 | <ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Hillary |title=The Best YA Books of 2015 |url=https://www.popsugar.com/love/photo-gallery/39246392/image/39248113/Queen-Shadows |website=PopSugar |access-date=December 19, 2021 |date=March 11, 2016 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219193513/https://www.popsugar.com/love/photo-gallery/39246392/image/39248113/Queen-Shadows |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2016 | ''Empire of Storms'' | The Best YA Books of 2016 | 20 | <ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Hillary |title=The Best YA Books of 2016 |url=https://www.popsugar.com/love/photo-gallery/40940805/image/40940813/Empire-Storms |website=PopSugar |access-date=December 19, 2021 |date=March 11, 2016 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219193931/https://www.popsugar.com/love/photo-gallery/40940805/image/40940813/Empire-Storms |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |}
== Television adaptation == In September 2016, it was announced that the ''Throne of Glass'' series had been opted for a television adaptation by Hulu and Disney-ABC Domestic Television. The series was set to be titled ''Queen of Shadows'', named after the fifth novel in the series, with The Mark Gordon Company serving as the main project studio. The adaptation was to be written by Kira Snyder, who also wrote ''The 100'', with the pilot potentially to be directed by Anna Foerster.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/throne-of-glass-books-tv-series-mark-gordon-co-hulu-1201814665/|title=TV Series Adaptation Of 'Throne of Glass' Books From Mark Gordon Co. Set at Hulu|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2016-09-07|work=Deadline|access-date=2017-03-26|language=en-US|archive-date=September 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908165449/http://deadline.com/2016/09/throne-of-glass-books-tv-series-mark-gordon-co-hulu-1201814665/|url-status=live}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
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Category:American fantasy novels Category:Book series introduced in 2012 Category:Fantasy novel series Category:Novels set in fictional countries Category:Works by Sarah J. Maas Category:Young adult fantasy novels