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Throne of Glass Tandem Read Guide
A spoiler-safe Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn tandem reading order, plus a clear explanation of when to use it—and when publication order may be better.
Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn take place during the same period of the Throne of Glass story, but they follow different characters in different locations. The official publisher reading order places Empire of Storms before Tower of Dawn. The tandem read is a popular fan-created alternative that interleaves the two books.
Throne of Glass Tandem Read: Quick Answer
Fan-created method- Which books?
- Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn.
- Why?
- They cover the same period from different locations and storylines.
- Is it official?
- No. Bloomsbury’s published order places Empire of Storms before Tower of Dawn.
- What comes next?
- Kingdom of Ash.
First-time reader? Choose tandem if you enjoy switching between parallel storylines. Choose publication order if you want the simplest experience and the publisher-supported sequence.
Jump to the tandem chapter order →Tandem Read vs Publication Order
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Publication Order | Readers who want the simplest route and no switching. | You finish one storyline before moving to the parallel one. |
| Tandem Read | Readers who enjoy parallel timelines and structured switching. | More effort; this is not the official chapter order. |
There is no single mandatory way to read these two books. The important rule is not to read Tower of Dawn completely before Empire of Storms, because later portions of Tower of Dawn can reveal information from Empire of Storms.
Publication sequence: Empire of Storms → Tower of Dawn. Tandem sequence: interleaved EOS + TOD using the checklist below.
How the Tandem Read Works
You begin with Empire of Storms, switch to Tower of Dawn after Chapter 5, and continue alternating between the two books in increasingly larger blocks.
You are not switching after every chapter. Most steps contain several chapters from one book before moving back to the other. The goal is to keep the parallel timelines broadly aligned while preserving each storyline’s reading flow.
This is a community-created sequence. Small variations exist; the 50-block version below matches the popular chapter-block order cross-checked against current reader guides.
0 / 50 switches complete
Progress is saved only in this browser. No account or external tracking is used.
After completing both books, continue with Kingdom of Ash.
Should You Tandem Read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn?
Choose tandem if…
- • You enjoy parallel storylines.
- • Frequent switching does not bother you.
- • You want both timelines unfolding together.
- • You want a more continuous transition into Kingdom of Ash.
Choose publication order if…
- • You want the simplest first-read route.
- • Switching books sounds distracting.
- • You are reading on audio.
- • You prefer the publisher’s standard sequence.
Neither choice is wrong. Publication order is simpler for most readers who dislike managing two books. Tandem reading can feel more continuous for readers who enjoy structured reading challenges and parallel timelines.
Is the Tandem Read Good for First-Time Readers?
Yes, a first-time reader can use the tandem order, but it is not required. The tandem read does not replace either book—you still read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn in full.
The trade-off is attention: you move back and forth between two locations and casts. If Throne of Glass’s expanding cast or politics is already difficult to track, publication order may be easier.
Can You Skip Tower of Dawn?
No—not if you want the complete Throne of Glass story before Kingdom of Ash. Tower of Dawn introduces important developments, characters, and information that matter to the final book.
If you are hesitant because the story shifts away from the main Empire of Storms cast, the tandem read is one way to keep both storylines moving together without revealing late-book details.
If You Don’t Tandem Read, Which Book Comes First?
Read Empire of Storms first, then Tower of Dawn. That is the publication-order sequence used by Bloomsbury and shown in Sarah J. Maas’s current reading guide.
Avoid reading Tower of Dawn completely before Empire of Storms because later parts can reveal information from Empire of Storms. Then continue to Kingdom of Ash.
Where Does the Tandem Read Fit in the Throne of Glass Order?
A common current reading sequence is:
- 1.Throne of Glass
- 2.Crown of Midnight
- 3.The Assassin’s Blade
- 4.Heir of Fire
- 5.Queen of Shadows
- 6.Empire of Storms + Tower of Dawn
- 7.Kingdom of Ash
The Assassin’s Blade placement has multiple common approaches. Sarah J. Maas’s current guide lists it after Crown of Midnight; this tandem guide does not reopen that separate debate.
See the complete Throne of Glass reading order →Best Way to Use the Tandem Read
Physical books
Mark each switch with sticky tabs before you begin. Two bookmarks make the handoff quick.
Ebooks
Keep both books downloaded and use the checklist to switch at each chapter block.
Audiobooks
The tandem read is possible, but more cumbersome. Bookmark each switching point if your app supports it.
Is the Throne of Glass Tandem Read Official?
No. The fact that Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn cover the same period is official. The chapter-by-chapter tandem sequence is not.
Bloomsbury’s reading guide prefers publication order—Empire of Storms followed by Tower of Dawn—while acknowledging that some readers choose to tandem read. The switching order on this page is a popular reader-created method designed to keep the parallel storylines broadly aligned.
Fan-created reading method
Throne of Glass Tandem Read FAQ
Which Throne of Glass books do you tandem read?
The tandem read combines Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. The two books take place during the same period but follow different characters and locations.
What order do I tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn?
Start with Empire of Storms from Nightfall through Chapter 5, then switch to Tower of Dawn Chapter 1. Continue alternating using the full 50-step checklist on this page until both books are complete, then read Kingdom of Ash.
Is the Throne of Glass tandem read official?
No. The simultaneous timelines are official, but the interleaved chapter order is a fan-created reading method. Bloomsbury’s standard reading order places Empire of Storms before Tower of Dawn.
Should I tandem read Throne of Glass on my first read?
You can. Tandem reading works for first-time readers who enjoy parallel storylines and do not mind switching books. Publication order is simpler if you prefer to stay with one story at a time.
Can I read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn separately?
Yes. Read Empire of Storms first and Tower of Dawn second. That follows the standard publication-order sequence.
Can I read Tower of Dawn before Empire of Storms?
It is better not to finish Tower of Dawn before Empire of Storms because later parts of Tower of Dawn can reveal information from Empire of Storms.
Can I skip Tower of Dawn?
No, not if you want the complete story before Kingdom of Ash. Tower of Dawn contains characters, developments, and information that matter to the series conclusion.
What book comes after the Throne of Glass tandem read?
Kingdom of Ash comes next after you finish both Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn.
Does the tandem read include The Assassin’s Blade?
No. The tandem read refers specifically to Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. The Assassin’s Blade placement is a separate reading-order question covered in the full Throne of Glass series guide.
Is tandem reading better than publication order?
Neither is objectively better. Tandem reading keeps the two simultaneous timelines together, while publication order is simpler and follows the publisher’s standard sequence.
Research note
Official sequence and publisher guidance: Sarah J. Maas reading guide and Bloomsbury series reading order. Community cross-checks: T.L. Branson’s chapter guide and Bookish Goblin’s tandem guide. Community tandem orders can vary in block size; no chapter list here is presented as official.