Why I Think You Should Read The Assassin’s Blade First - Throne of Glass
TL;DR: Reading The Assassin’s Blade jump starts the series and provides valuable context that helps you better understand the first couple books. TOG reads like you are missing a lot of context if you haven’t read The Assassin’s Blade.
The first time I read Throne of Glass I ended up not finishing the series. I did not understand the main character, or why we were missing so much of her story. I was constantly asking myself how Sarah J. Mass kept putting things in the book that felt like puzzle pieces missing the puzzle. Before diving into Throne of Glass I had done no research and was unaware there even was a prequel book, The Assassin’s Blade. Since the book was so highly rated, I pressed on and ultimately stopped reading during Heir of Fire. After I gave up on the series I stopped avoiding spoilers, and that is how I learned about The Assassin’s Blade and the controversy on when to read it.
Subsequently learning about Assassin’s Blade I immediately ran to read it, and my eyes were open to a whole new world. Suddenly I had a puzzle to put the pieces into, and I was able to enjoy the Throne of Glass series so much more. The novellas provided the context I desperately needed to understand Celaena’s character and the choices she made throughout the series. Each story added depth to her backstory, giving me a clearer picture of her motivations, relationships, and the world she inhabited. I was finally able to appreciate the connected details that had previously eluded me. After reading The Assassin’s Blade I gave the whole Throne of Glass series a second chance, and it blew me away. I am in love with the story and the deep character-building, amazing world, and thought-out plot.
You may be deterred from reading The Assassin’s Blade first because it is a collection of novellas, you want to get into the main story first, or maybe you are falling for the publishing order argument. To that, I have to say that the novellas that make up The Assassin’s Blade were published online before Throne of Glass came out. The novellas read like a full story and provide so much context. I also think that reading The Assassin’s Blade after Heir of Fire is too much of a backpedal and it takes you out of the story.
In conclusion, don’t make the same mistake I did by skipping The Assassin’s Blade. Embrace it as an essential part of your journey through the Throne of Glass series. You’ll discover a world filled with depth, emotion, and adventure—one that you won’t want to miss!