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Quick answer: If you loved Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, try Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, Sabriel by Garth Nix and Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.
Throne of Glass follows Celaena Sardothien from a deadly competition to an epic war, and readers love its fierce heroine, found family and twisty plot. If you’ve finished all eight books, or you’re looking for something like the early books before the series gets steamier, the picks below share its assassins, court intrigue, magic and strong women. We’ve noted which are young adult and which are adult so you can pick what suits you.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass starts as a deadly competition in a glass castle and grows into a sprawling epic about lost heirs, ancient magic and a continent at war. Celaena is arrogant, funny and lethal, but she also loves books, candy and her friends fiercely. Readers love how the series expands, how many characters get their own arcs and how loyalty and found family hold everything together through eight long books.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about Throne of Glass: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grave Mercy | Robin LaFevers | YA historical fantasy | Assassin heroines |
| Graceling | Kristin Cashore | YA fantasy | Deadly gifts |
| An Ember in the Ashes | Sabaa Tahir | YA fantasy | Brutal empires |
| Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard | YA fantasy | Royal betrayals |
| Sabriel | Garth Nix | YA fantasy | Dark magic |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Epic fantasy | Clever heists and magic |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Romantasy | More Maas |
| Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo | YA fantasy | Found family |
| Assassin’s Apprentice | Robin Hobb | Fantasy | Assassin coming-of-age |
| Alanna: The First Adventure | Tamora Pierce | Fantasy | Classic warrior heroines |
| Daughter of Smoke and Bone | Laini Taylor | YA fantasy | Star-crossed romance |
| The Poppy War | R. F. Kuang | Fantasy | War and power |
| Truthwitch | Susan Dennard | YA fantasy | Sisterhood |
| Furyborn | Claire Legrand | YA fantasy | Two prophesied queens |
| The Kiss of Deception | Mary E. Pearson | YA fantasy | Mystery and romance |
1. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
A girl trained by a convent of assassins serving the god of death is sent to the Breton court. It’s full of intrigue and romance.
2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Katsa has a Grace for killing and is forced to serve her cruel uncle until she chooses her own path.
3. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
A slave spying for the resistance and an elite soldier cross paths in an empire inspired by ancient Rome.
4. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
A commoner with forbidden powers is forced into the royal court. It’s full of twists.
5. Sabriel by Garth Nix
A young necromancer journeys into the dangerous Old Kingdom to save her father. It’s a classic.
6. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A street urchin joins a crew planning to overthrow an immortal emperor. Its magic system is brilliant.
7. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Maas’s faerie series is steamier and romantic, ideal for older Throne of Glass fans.
8. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
A crew of criminals attempts an impossible heist. It’s dark, clever and full of banter.
9. Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
A royal bastard is trained as an assassin in this beloved classic, the start of the Farseer trilogy.
10. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
A girl disguises herself to train as a knight. It’s a great pick for younger readers.
11. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
An art student raised by monsters is drawn into an ancient war between angels and chimaera.
12. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
A war orphan tests into an elite military academy and discovers dangerous shamanic powers. It’s brutal and brilliant.
13. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
Two friends with rare magic are hunted across a continent on the brink of war.
14. Furyborn by Claire Legrand
Two women a thousand years apart are linked by a prophecy about a Sun Queen and a Blood Queen.
15. The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
A runaway princess is pursued by a prince and an assassin, and readers must guess which is which.
How to Pick Your Next Read After Throne of Glass
- Loved Celaena’s skills? Grave Mercy and Assassin’s Apprentice are perfect.
- Loved the epic war? Mistborn and The Poppy War deliver big battles.
- Loved the found family? Six of Crows is unbeatable.
- Reading for a younger teen? Graceling and Alanna are great choices.
- Want more romance? Try ACOTAR or Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
- Want a classic? Sabriel is beloved.
Related: what age Throne of Glass is appropriate for and books like A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I read after Throne of Glass?
Try Grave Mercy, Graceling, An Ember in the Ashes or Mistborn.
Is there a book like Throne of Glass with an assassin heroine?
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers and Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb both feature trained assassins.
What is a cleaner book like Throne of Glass?
Graceling and Alanna: The First Adventure have strong heroines with milder content.