Book cover of Throne of Glass

Book description

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas started a worldwide phenomenon when she published her debut novel, Throne of Glass. To date, Sarah's books have spent more than 92 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and she has hit #1 on charts around the world. Her…

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Why read it?

15 authors picked Throne of Glass as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

An incredible world and a bad*ss assassin to boot.

Aelin/Celaena is such an interesting character who feels so real, and I couldn’t help falling in love with her. I love a good book with a competition, and the trials to become the king’s assassin lest she go back to prison?? Hell. Yeah. 

From Anneliese's list on fantasy books for one-time assassins.

This book is so uniquely original. The world-building is outstanding and drew me in, but it was the characters who sealed the deal for me.

If we’re talking dragons and just dragons–technically, they’re wyverns, and technically, they didn’t show up until the third book, but I was absolutely captivated by the whole series. It drew me out of a years-long reading slump and left a hole in my chest since finishing. I felt each book becoming part of my being. 

From Anneliese's list on for people who want to ride a dragon!.

If you love Throne of Glass...

Book cover of The Night Land, A Story Retold

The Night Land, A Story Retold by James Stoddard,

An adventure of both science fiction and fantasy—one of the great love stories—this is William Hope Hodgson's masterpiece, rewritten for the modern reader.

The story opens in the 19th century, but quickly moves to the far future, where the sun has gone out, casting the world into a darkness broken…

I love this one because of Celaena Sardothien, the fierce and complex protagonist. She's not just a skilled assassin but also has a depth that makes her relatable and human.

Her journey from a slave to a warrior fighting for justice is captivating. Celaena's strength, wit, and vulnerability make her an unforgettable character.

The way she faces challenges and grows throughout the series is inspiring. Her determination and resilience make this a truly compelling read.

From Brittany's list on strong female main character.

I really loved the female main character. She was so witty and strong. I recommend this book to be paired with my own because the FMCs are similar, but the story is complex. The emotional energy of the book was also complex, and nothing is black and white, which always makes for a more fun read.

I’m a sucker for stories about struggling underdogs, and Celaena Sardothien certainly qualifies, despite her training as an assassin. Through a series of events, she rises from being a convict in a slave labor camp to winning a contest through which she becomes the King’s Champion.

This sounds like a happy ending, but it’s nothing of the kind. The king is a vicious tyrant, and by serving him, she’s just exchanged one kind of slavery for another. Though she isn’t exactly asked to sell her soul, she’s faced with one moral dilemma after another.

This is a book in which…

If you love Sarah J. Maas...

Book cover of Danger Lies Within

Danger Lies Within by K.M. Krenik,

Readers describe Krenik's writing style as “fast-paced, engaging, making complex plotlines easy to follow.”

Set in a dystopian world where dragons exist, this series offers readers layers of mysteries to unfold. Romance flares between a viscount and the nanny of his five-year-old twins. But not everyone is as they seem,…

Throne of Glass is a paranormal fantasy adaptation of Cinderella, where—instead of going to the ball with the hopes of meeting and marrying the Prince—the heroine is an assassin who hopes to win her freedom by emerging victorious in a deadly competition,

I loved how Celeana was a fierce warrior, adept with a blade and endowed with lightning-quick reflexes and survival instincts. I also loved the medieval romance between her and the hero Chaol, who respects her as his equal as they become friends and ultimately lovers.

I recommend this book to anyone looking to dive into epic fantasy with original world-building, complex characters, adventure, magic, and romance.

Sarah J. Maas’s skill is unparalleled, and should be a part of any fantasy lover’s book horde. I am drawn to books with a strong female lead, and Celaena Sardothien certainly fits the bill. 

Another strong female protagonist with wickedly scary skills. I love that the plot comes first, while a slow-simmering romance is building in the background. The combination of hardcore warriors/assassins, secrets, scandal, and forbidden magic draw readers in, and the fast-paced fantasy action keeps them there until the very last page.

If you love Throne of Glass...

Book cover of Otherworld: Nine Tales of Wonder and Romance from Medieval Ireland

Otherworld by Lisa M. Bitel,

These anonymous tales, composed over a thousand years ago in Ireland’s monasteries, tell us what happens when human and supernatural lovers cross the boundaries between our world and the Otherworld (síd). Set in a lost time of heroes, demi-gods, warrior queens, and druids of the Irish Otherworld (

This book is the first in a series of young adult fantasy novels. Although this book is a young adult fantasy, it still has a very sweet romantic subplot that will draw you in. There are many amazing characters to fall in love with, and an entirely new whimsical world filled with fae, magic, and wyverns. This book is for those who love epic adventure and crave a bit of romance within the main plot line. 

From M.K.'s list on fantasy with a touch of romance.

If you love Throne of Glass...

Book cover of The Night Land, A Story Retold

The Night Land, A Story Retold by James Stoddard,

An adventure of both science fiction and fantasy—one of the great love stories—this is William Hope Hodgson's masterpiece, rewritten for the modern reader.

The story opens in the 19th century, but quickly moves to the far future, where the sun has gone out, casting the world into a darkness broken…

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