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Quick answer: If you loved Crown of Midnight, read Heir of Fire, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Graceling, Poison Study and Alanna: The First Adventure. All feature skilled young women, danger and slow-burning romance.
Crown of Midnight is the second Throne of Glass book, in which Celaena serves as the king's assassin while hiding a secret. Fans enjoy its twists, heroines and royal intrigue. The books below share that blend of adventure, magic and romance. Most are young adult or adult fantasy, and all are real, in-print books.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas | Teen | the series starter |
| Heir of Fire | Sarah J. Maas | Teen | next in the series |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Adult | more Maas |
| Graceling | Kristin Cashore | Teen | strong heroines |
| Poison Study | Maria V. Snyder | Teen and adult | assassin and intrigue |
| Alanna: The First Adventure | Tamora Pierce | Teen | early warrior heroines |
| The Girl of Fire and Thorns | Rae Carson | Teen | coming-of-age fantasy |
| The Winner's Curse | Marie Rutkoski | Teen | slow-burn romance |
| Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo | Teen | magic and war |
| Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo | Teen | crew stories |
| Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard | Teen | power politics |
| Sabriel | Garth Nix | Teen | dark fantasy |
| Assassin's Apprentice | Robin Hobb | Adult | adult epic fantasy |
| The Cruel Prince | Holly Black | Teen | faerie politics |
| Cinder | Marissa Meyer | Teen | retelling fans |
1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
The first book follows Celaena in a deadly contest to become the king's champion. Start here if you haven't.
Best for: the series starter.
2. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
The third book sends Celaena to a new land. Bigger in scope and darker.
Best for: next in the series.
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A huntress is taken to a faerie realm. Romantic and magical.
Best for: more Maas.
4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Katsa is gifted with deadly skill and flees a king. A feminist fantasy with a quiet romance.
Best for: strong heroines.
5. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
A prisoner becomes a food taster for the Commander. Clever, tense and romantic.
Best for: assassin and intrigue.
6. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
A girl disguises herself as a boy to become a knight. A classic fantasy for young readers.
Best for: early warrior heroines.
7. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
A princess with a hidden power marries a king. Gritty and coming-of-age.
Best for: coming-of-age fantasy.
8. The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
A general's daughter and a slave in a conquered land. Political and romantic.
Best for: slow-burn romance.
9. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
An orphan discovers a rare power in a Russian-inspired land. Magic and war.
Best for: magic and war.
10. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
A gang of outcasts plans an impossible heist. Clever and richly cast.
Best for: crew stories.
11. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
A girl with red blood joins the silver royals. Twists and betrayal.
Best for: power politics.
12. Sabriel by Garth Nix
A girl with a necromantic gift must find her missing father. Dark and inventive.
Best for: dark fantasy.
13. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
A royal bastard learns to be an assassin. Character-led and emotional.
Best for: adult epic fantasy.
14. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
A mortal girl at the faerie court plots to gain power. Sharp and political.
Best for: faerie politics.
15. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A cyborg mechanic is drawn into a royal plot. Cinderella meets science fiction.
Best for: retelling fans.
How to Choose
To stay with Maas, continue with Heir of Fire and A Court of Thorns and Roses. For a classic girl-warrior story, Alanna. For clever assassin tales, Poison Study. For heists, Six of Crows. For adult epic fantasy, Assassin's Apprentice. Series tend to be long, so plan to keep reading. Because the series is long, borrow the first two books from a library to see whether you enjoy Maas's style. If you prefer shorter series, try Graceling and Alanna. If you enjoy romance first, try The Cruel Prince. For audio fans, Throne of Glass has several narrators, including Elizabeth Evans. Keep a spoiler-free approach online, since fan communities discuss major twists openly. Join a book club or reading group for lively debate about the series.
Related: 15 Books Like The Midnight Library You’ll Love · The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crown of Midnight about?
Celaena works as the king's champion, killing his enemies in secret, while she plots with her allies and falls in love.
Do I need to read Throne of Glass first?
Yes. Crown of Midnight builds directly on the first book.
What order are the Throne of Glass books?
Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawn and Kingdom of Ash.
Is it suitable for young teens?
It has violence and romance, so it suits ages 14 and up.
Are there prequel stories?
Yes. The Assassin's Blade collects prequel novellas about Celaena.
Is Crown of Midnight darker than the first book?
Yes. The stakes rise, there is more violence, and the story turns on a major twist.
Can I skip the prequel novellas?
You can. They add background but are not required.
Is Crown of Midnight a good book for new fantasy readers?
Yes, if you start with the first book, since the plot is clear and moves fast.
What age is the main character?
Celaena is eighteen at the start of the series.