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Quick answer: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas is best for ages 13 and up for the first book, but the series becomes much more mature as it goes. Book one has violence and kissing, while later books include sex scenes, some fairly explicit, so many parents recommend 16 or older for the full series.
Quick facts
Recommended age: 13+ for book one; 16+ for the full series
Reading level: Teen to adult
Genre: YA fantasy (later books are closer to adult)
Published: 2012, first of eight books
Main concerns: Violence, increasing sexual content, language
Author’s other series: A Court of Thorns and Roses (adult)
Throne of Glass is the series that made Sarah J. Maas famous, and it’s still a huge favorite with teens. It starts as a young adult fantasy about an assassin in a deadly competition. Over eight books, it grows into an epic with darker violence and more mature romance. This guide explains how the series changes so you can make informed choices book by book.
Table of Contents
What Is Throne of Glass About?
Celaena Sardothien, an 18-year-old assassin, is pulled from a brutal prison mine by the crown prince, Dorian. She’s offered a deal: compete to become the king’s champion, and after four years of service, she’ll be free.
As Celaena fights rival assassins and thieves in the glass castle, competitors start dying in gruesome ways, and she must uncover an ancient evil. The later books reveal her true identity and expand into a war for the whole continent.
Check price of Throne of Glass on Amazon
Content Guide for Parents
| Content | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Violence | High | Fights, murders and gruesome deaths, increasing in later books. |
| Sexual content | Mild in book one, increasing | Kissing in the first book. Heir of Fire and later books include sex scenes, with Empire of Storms and Kingdom of Ash the most explicit. |
| Language | Moderate | Some swearing, increasing in later books. |
| Drinking | Mild | Characters drink occasionally. |
| Trauma | Moderate | Slavery, grief and torture are recurring themes. |
| Positive messages | Strong | Courage, loyalty, female friendship and fighting oppression. |
Age-by-Age Breakdown
| Age | Is Throne of Glass a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| Under 13 | Too violent and mature; try Alanna or The False Prince. |
| 13 to 14 | Fine for the first two books for most teens. |
| 15 to 16 | Ready for the middle books, which include sexual content. |
| 17 and up | Ready for the full series, including the more explicit later books. |
Is Throne of Glass Okay for a 12- or 13-Year-Old?
The first book is fairly tame aside from violence and is fine for many 13-year-olds. The challenge is that teens who love it want to keep going, and the sequels become more mature.
A good approach is to allow the first one or two books and revisit the later books as your teen gets older. Talk about it openly so your teen knows what to expect.
What Parents Should Know
- The series changes a lot. Later books are much more adult than the first.
- There’s a prequel. The Assassin’s Blade collects novellas that some readers start with.
- The books are long. Later volumes run to 600 pages or more.
- ACOTAR is different. Maas’s other series is adult from the start.
- The fandom is passionate. Your teen may want to discuss characters endlessly.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for Throne of Glass
- Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of Throne of Glass.
- Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
- Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
- Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
- Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.
Questions to Talk About With Your Child
- What makes Celaena a hero, and what are her flaws?
- Would you have taken the king’s deal?
- Which friendship in the book is most important?
- How does power corrupt characters in the story?
- Who do you think should be champion, and why?
If Your Child Isn’t Ready Yet: Similar Books to Try
These picks offer brave heroes, intrigue and swordplay with milder content for younger readers.
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce: ages 10 and up. A girl disguises herself as a boy to train as a knight. It’s a classic of girl-power fantasy.
Check price of Alanna: The First Adventure on Amazon
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen: ages 10 and up. An orphan is forced into a dangerous plot to impersonate a lost prince. It’s twisty and fun.
Check price of The False Prince on Amazon
Graceling by Kristin Cashore: ages 14 and up. A young woman with a deadly gift for killing fights to choose her own path.
Check price of Graceling on Amazon
Related: Sarah J. Maas books in order and what age A Court of Thorns and Roses is appropriate for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Throne of Glass appropriate for?
The first Throne of Glass book suits ages 13 and up, but many parents recommend 16 and up for the full series.
Is Throne of Glass spicy?
The first book only has kissing. Sex scenes begin in later books, and Empire of Storms and Kingdom of Ash are the most explicit.
Is Throne of Glass YA?
Yes, it was published as young adult, but the later books include more mature content than typical YA.
Should my teen read Throne of Glass or ACOTAR first?
Throne of Glass is better for younger teens. ACOTAR is adult fiction with more explicit content.
What is the Throne of Glass reading order?
Many readers start with Throne of Glass, then Crown of Midnight, The Assassin’s Blade, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawn and Kingdom of Ash.