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Quick answer: If you loved Heir of Fire, read the rest of Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series, then try A Court of Thorns and Roses, Graceling, Six of Crows and Fourth Wing. All offer fierce heroines, romance and big magic.
Heir of Fire is the third Throne of Glass novel, in which Celaena trains in Wendlyn and faces her past. Fans of this series enjoy strong heroines, hidden powers and epic stakes. The books below share that mix, from young adult to adult fantasy. Most include romance and violence, 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 | series starters |
| Queen of Shadows | Sarah J. Maas | Teen | continuing the series |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Adult | Maas's romantic series |
| Graceling | Kristin Cashore | Teen | strong heroines |
| Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo | Teen | heist fans |
| Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo | Teen | magic and war |
| Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard | Teen | power struggles |
| The Cruel Prince | Holly Black | Teen | faerie intrigue |
| An Ember in the Ashes | Sabaa Tahir | Teen | dual narrators |
| Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros | Adult | dragon romance |
| Daughter of the Pirate King | Tricia Levenseller | Teen | pirate fun |
| Kushiel's Dart | Jacqueline Carey | Adult | mature epic |
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | Teen | dragon fans |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | magic-system lovers |
| The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang | Adult | dark fantasy |
1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
The first book follows Celaena, an assassin, in a deadly tournament for the king. Begin here if you haven't read it.
Best for: series starters.
2. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
The fourth book brings Aelin back to Rifthold to fight for her kingdom. Action-packed and emotional.
Best for: continuing the series.
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A huntress is taken to a faerie realm. Romantic, magical and popular.
Best for: Maas's romantic series.
4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Katsa is a woman with a deadly Grace in a kingdom of kings. A fast, feminist fantasy.
Best for: strong heroines.
5. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
A gang of outcasts attempts an impossible heist in a fantasy city. Clever, tense and character-rich.
Best for: heist fans.
6. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
An orphan discovers a rare power in a Russian-inspired land. The start of the Grishaverse.
Best for: magic and war.
7. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
A girl with red blood discovers a silver-blood power. Twists, a love triangle and royal intrigue.
Best for: power struggles.
8. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
A mortal girl at the Faerie court plots to take power. Sharp, political and romantic.
Best for: faerie intrigue.
9. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
A slave and a soldier in a Roman-inspired empire. Brutal and gripping.
Best for: dual narrators.
10. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
A young woman enters a deadly war college for dragon riders. Fast, romantic and addictive.
Best for: dragon romance.
11. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
A pirate captain's daughter infiltrates an enemy ship. Light and flirty.
Best for: pirate fun.
12. Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
A courtesan-spy in a land of intrigue. Lush, long and adult.
Best for: mature epic.
13. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
A farm boy finds a dragon egg. A classic of the dragon-rider genre.
Best for: dragon fans.
14. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A street thief joins a rebellion using metal magic. Cleverly plotted.
Best for: magic-system lovers.
15. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
A war orphan enters a military school. Dark, ambitious and violent.
Best for: dark fantasy.
How to Choose
To stay with Maas, continue the Throne of Glass series in order and then try A Court of Thorns and Roses. For heists, pick Six of Crows. For faerie intrigue, choose The Cruel Prince. For more adult content, Fourth Wing or Kushiel's Dart. Check the age ratings, since several books contain violence and mature romance. If you want to stay in the Maas universe, try her other series after Throne of Glass. If you want other authors with a similar feel, start with Graceling or Six of Crows. Readers who enjoy audiobooks should know that Throne of Glass is available in full-cast and single narrator versions.
Related: 15 Books Like Wings of Fire Kids Will Love: Dragons, Quests and Animal Adventures · What Age Is Wings of Fire Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heir of Fire about?
Celaena is sent to Wendlyn to find an ally, and must face her heritage and a new training with Rowan.
How many Throne of Glass books are there?
The series has eight books, including a prequel collection of novellas.
Do I need to read the books in order?
Yes. Throne of Glass is a serial story, and each book builds on the last.
Is Throne of Glass YA?
The early books are YA. The later ones are darker and more mature.
What should I read after Throne of Glass?
Most readers go to A Court of Thorns and Roses, which has a similar tone but more romance.
Who is Rowan in Heir of Fire?
He is a Fae warrior sent to train Celaena in Wendlyn and becomes one of the main characters.
Is Heir of Fire the best Throne of Glass book?
Many fans say it is where the series becomes epic, as the cast and the world expand.
What should I read while waiting for the next book?
A Court of Thorns and Roses and Six of Crows are the most popular choices.