Our book club journey through Throne of Glass (so far)

Story Sippers recently launched a new book club dedicated entirely to Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. This isn’t our original Story Sippers club that rotates monthly picks. Instead, it grew out of a few members wanting to do a full reread of the series and a couple of others who had never opened the books before but were eager to start. The result is a fun mix: some readers are experiencing the twists and reveals for the very first time, while others are revisiting the story with fresh eyes and catching new details.

We’ve just finished the first two books, Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, and the experience has already been filled with strong emotions, surprising revelations, and lots of discussion about what comes next.

Throne of Glass

The series begins with Celaena Sardothien, an 18-year-old assassin imprisoned in the salt mines of Endovier. When she is offered a chance at freedom by competing to become the King’s Champion, the stage is set for what could have been another predictable fantasy tournament arc. Instead, Maas delivers something more layered.

First-time readers noticed how carefully the world and characters are built, while rereaders kept spotting hints of what’s to come. The romance subplot with Dorian felt genuine rather than forced, and the political intrigue surrounding the king and the wyrdmarks created enough tension to keep everyone hooked.

Crown of Midnight

If the first book laid the groundwork, Crown of Midnight showed what Maas is capable of. Without spoiling for those still catching up, this book reframed everything we thought we knew about Celaena and her world.

The ending devastated the group. New readers were blindsided by shocking revelations and an unexpected death, while rereaders admitted they still cried even though they knew what was coming. The breakdown in trust between Celaena and Chaol hit especially hard, sparking long discussions about loyalty, miscommunication, and whether it was possible to root for either side.

The discovery that Celaena is Fae changed the shape of the series. For new readers, it was an exciting twist. For rereaders, it was a chance to appreciate how Maas had been planting seeds since book one. Mentions of Sam, Celaena’s time in the desert, and her Asterion horse suddenly felt like puzzle pieces snapping into place.

Characters and relationships

Celaena is not a flawless heroine. She is arrogant, reckless, and sometimes cruel, which frustrated some first-time readers, but those traits also made her feel real. Rereaders highlighted how these flaws make her eventual growth more satisfying.

Dorian’s magical awakening and his relationships with Celaena, Chaol, Nehemia, and even the king gave him surprising depth, while Chaol’s choices divided opinions. Some saw him as torn between impossible loyalties, while others felt his failures were unforgivable. Either way, the characters sparked passionate debate.

These first two books are not just setup. They are essential building blocks of character development and world-building. The emotional investment in Celaena, Nehemia, Chaol, and Dorian makes the later revelations meaningful rather than cheap twists.

Our book club’s reactions say it best. One reader jumped from rating Throne of Glass 4.25 stars to giving Crown of Midnight a solid 5, writing, “The revelation at the end?! Who would have thought?! The constant action and suspense throughout the book?!” Another said they “couldn’t put it down even when very tired,” proof that when the action hits, Maas knows exactly how to keep readers engaged.

Reading in publication order (not starting with The Assassin’s Blade) was absolutely the right choice. The gradual unveiling of Celaena’s past creates intrigue that would be lost if the novellas were read first.

Looking ahead

With The Assassin’s Blade next, excitement is high to finally dig into Celaena’s backstory. It promises answers to lingering questions about Sam and her time with the Silent Assassins, which have been teased since the beginning. Some members admitted they were skeptical about reading a prequel mid-series, but the consensus is that this placement makes the most sense. It preserves the mystery early on and provides context before the story grows even bigger in Heir of Fire.

We’re also updating our Throne of Glass Notion wiki as we go, so if you’d like to follow along with book discussion prompts, character notes, annotations, and book club highlights, you can check it out there (or make a copy to use on your own!).

Final thoughts

These first two books offer complex characters, rich world-building, and emotional depth that make the series worth starting. Yes, the later books are longer and even more ambitious, but the series begins strong and never lets go.

Our Throne of Glass club already feels like its own adventure. First-time readers are reeling from the twists, while rereaders are rediscovering details they had forgotten. Together, the mix of perspectives has sparked conversations that are equal parts emotional and analytical.

If you’ve been putting off Throne of Glass, take this as your sign to start. Just make sure you have tissues nearby for Crown of Midnight. You’ll need them.