Summary
Throne of Glass, the bestselling young adult fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas, has captivated readers worldwide with its tale of a fierce assassin fighting for her freedom. First published in 2012, the series follows 18-year-old Celaena Sardothien as she competes to become the King's Champion in a corrupt kingdom, uncovering conspiracies and forming unexpected bonds along the way.
Originally conceived when Maas was just 16 years old, the series grew from an online story to a sprawling eight-book saga published by Bloomsbury. Throne of Glass and its sequels have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list and garnered critical acclaim for their compelling world-building and complex characters. At its core, the series is a thrilling blend of high fantasy, romance, and coming-of-age drama.
While a television adaptation was optioned by Hulu in 2016, the project did not move forward and the rights have since reverted to Maas. However, the books continue to resonate with readers, with the final installment published in 2018 to much fanfare. With its fierce heroine, intricate plot, and epic scope, Throne of Glass has solidified its place as a modern young adult fantasy classic.
Plot
In a land without magic, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is summoned to the castle. She is not there to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she will be released from prison to serve as the king's champion. The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it's there to kill.
As her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world. She forms unexpected bonds with Chaol, the Captain of the Guard, and Dorian, the Crown Prince of Adarlan. Celaena must stay alert as she tries to uncover the mystery behind the murders and the dark forces at work in the castle.
Celaena's past as an assassin trained by the King of Assassins comes into play as she uses her skills to investigate. She also befriends Princess Nehemia from a conquered nation, who may have secrets of her own. As the competition progresses, Celaena is drawn into political intrigue and ancient magic that has long been banished from the kingdom. She begins to uncover her own hidden heritage and connection to the supernatural.
With the final test approaching, Celaena must confront the evil in the castle, fight for her chance at freedom, and decide where her loyalties truly lie. Her choices will have far-reaching consequences not just for herself, but for the future of the entire kingdom. Ultimately, Celaena must embrace her identity and destiny if she hopes to survive and change the fate of her world.
Themes
Identity and self-discovery
Power and corruption
Freedom versus duty
Love and loyalty
Good versus evil
Sacrifice and redemption
Magic and destiny
Setting
Throne of Glass takes place in a medieval fantasy world called Erilea. This world features kingdoms ruled by monarchs, as well as magic, mythical creatures, and Fae beings. The story primarily unfolds in the kingdom of Adarlan, a tyrannical empire that has conquered much of the continent and outlawed magic.
Key locations include the glass castle of Rifthold, capital of Adarlan, where much of the first book is set during the competition to become the King's Champion. Other important settings are the red desert of the Southern Continent, where assassins train, and the northern kingdom of Terrasen, the protagonist's homeland which has fallen to Adarlan's rule.
As the series progresses, the scope expands to include more of the world, such as the Fae lands of Wendlyn across the sea and the witches' domain in the Witch Kingdom. The setting evolves from a world where magic is suppressed to one where ancient powers are reawakening, building towards an epic conflict between good and evil forces that will determine the fate of the entire realm.
Characters
Celaena Sardothien/Aelin Ashryver Galathynius: The main protagonist, a highly skilled assassin who is revealed to be the lost princess of Terrasen. She possesses powerful fire magic and is known for her cunning, arrogance, and deadly abilities. Celaena struggles with her dual identities as she fights to reclaim her throne and save the world from dark forces.
Rowan Whitethorn: A powerful Fae warrior who becomes Aelin's mate and husband. He has lived for centuries and possesses wind and ice magic. Rowan is fiercely loyal and protective of Aelin, helping her embrace her true identity and powers.
Dorian Havilliard: The Crown Prince of Adarlan who befriends Celaena. He discovers he possesses raw magic, putting him at odds with his tyrannical father. Dorian is intelligent and kind-hearted, struggling to do what's right for his kingdom.
Chaol Westfall: Captain of the Royal Guard and Dorian's best friend. He is wary of Celaena at first but develops feelings for her. Chaol is loyal and principled, often conflicted between his duty and his moral compass.
Manon Blackbeak: Heir to the Blackbeak witch clan who rides a wyvern named Abraxos. Initially an antagonist, she eventually allies with Aelin's group. Manon is fierce and ruthless but begins to question her clan's ways.
Aedion Ashryver: Aelin's cousin and general of Terrasen's armies. He is a skilled warrior with enhanced Fae abilities. Aedion is fiercely loyal to Aelin and dedicated to restoring Terrasen.
Lysandra: A courtesan and shapeshifter who becomes one of Aelin's closest friends and allies. She is cunning, brave, and fiercely protective of those she cares about.
Elide Lochan: Aelin's childhood friend who escapes imprisonment in Morath. Despite her lack of magic, she is clever and resourceful, becoming an important member of Aelin's court.
King of Adarlan: Dorian's father and the main antagonist for much of the series. He is a tyrannical ruler possessed by a Valg demon, seeking to conquer the world through dark magic.
Maeve: The immortal Fae Queen of the Fae realm of Doranelle. She is manipulative and power-hungry, serving as a major antagonist in later books.
Quick facts
The series was originally inspired by Disney's Cinderella, specifically the scene where she flees the ball at midnight.
Throne of Glass was first published online under the title “Queen of Glass” on FictionPress.com when Maas was just 16 years old.
It took Sarah J. Maas 10 years to develop the story from its initial concept to the published version.
The main character Celaena Sardothien was partially inspired by Velma Kelly from the musical Chicago.
Bloomsbury acquired the rights to the novel in 2010 and purchased two additional books in the series in 2012.
Throne of Glass was the first Bloomsbury children's novel to be featured on Netgalley.com.
Four prequel novellas were released as e-books in the months leading up to the first novel's publication.
In 2016, Hulu announced plans to adapt the series for television, though the project did not move forward.
The final book in the series, Kingdom of Ash, is nearly 1000 pages long.
About the Author
Sarah J. Maas is a powerhouse in the world of fantasy literature. Born in 1986 in New York City, Maas began writing her debut novel, Throne of Glass, at just 16 years old. After graduating magna cum laude from Hamilton College in 2008, she pursued her passion for storytelling, eventually landing a book deal with Bloomsbury in 2010.
Maas' career has been marked by phenomenal success. Her three main series—Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City—have collectively sold nearly 40 million copies worldwide and been translated into 38 languages. Her work has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase, with multiple books winning Goodreads Choice Awards in the fantasy category.
Known for her intricate world-building and morally complex characters, Maas has drawn comparisons to other fantasy juggernauts like J.K. Rowling. Her writing style blends elements of romance, mythology, and high fantasy, often reimagining classic tales through a modern lens. Despite her books' popularity among young adults, Maas has also successfully transitioned into adult fantasy with her Crescent City series.
Outside of her writing career, Maas is married to Josh Wasserman, whom she met in college. The couple has two children and resides in New York City. As Maas continues to expand her literary universe, her influence on the fantasy genre shows no signs of waning, cementing her place as one of the most prominent authors of her generation.
