When did you read The Assassin’s Blade?

Deciding when to read The Assassin's Blade in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas is one of the most common dilemmas for new readers, myself included! Every bookworm seems to have a passionate opinion, and honestly, there isn't one single 'right' answer, it often comes down to personal preference and how you want to experience the story. From what I've gathered, there are a few popular approaches to the Throne of Glass reading order, especially concerning *The Assassin's Blade*. Let's break them down: **Option 1: Reading The Assassin's Blade First (Chronological Order)** This is often recommended by those who prefer to experience the story in strict chronological order. The Assassin's Blade is a collection of novellas that serve as prequels, detailing Celaena Sardothien's life before the events of *Throne of Glass*. If you read it first, you get a deep dive into her past, her training, her relationships, and the events that shaped her into the assassin we meet in the first main book. You'll understand her motivations, her trauma, and her connections to certain characters from the very beginning. For some, this makes the later books, particularly Throne of Glass and *Crown of Midnight*, much richer emotionally. The downside? Some readers find it a bit slow-paced compared to the action-packed main series, and it might make it harder to get hooked on the overall story right away. **Option 2: Reading The Assassin's Blade Third (After *Heir of Fire*)** This is a very popular recommendation, often called the 'romantic' or 'strategic' reading order. You start with *Throne of Glass*, *Crown of Midnight*, and then read The Assassin's Blade before moving on to *Queen of Shadows*. Why this order? By the time you finish *Heir of Fire*, you've already spent significant time with Celaena, seen her grow, and become deeply invested in her journey. Reading The Assassin's Blade at this point provides crucial backstory and emotional context that lands with a much greater impact. Many readers feel that certain revelations and character developments in the novellas hit harder because you already know the characters and their stakes. It fills in gaps just when you're craving more information about Celaena's past. The only potential 'con' here is that you might encounter minor spoilers for The Assassin's Blade in the main books if you're super sensitive, but for most, the emotional payoff outweighs this. **Option 3: Reading The Assassin's Blade Fifth (After *Queen of Shadows*)** While less common, some readers advocate for reading The Assassin's Blade even later, after *Queen of Shadows*. The argument here is that by this point, you're so deeply invested in the entire sprawling narrative of the *Throne of Glass series*, and Celaena's character, that the emotional weight of her past will be absolutely devastating and incredibly impactful. It's almost like a flashback that provides a final, crucial piece of the puzzle. This might be best for those who like to build up a lot of suspense and then fill in the blanks much later. Ultimately, the best TOG reading order is the one that works for you. I've heard amazing things about both reading it first and reading it third. After seeing the vibrant spines of all eight Sarah J. Maas Throne of Glass series books lined up, I'm leaning towards the 'after *Heir of Fire*' approach myself. I really want to get into the main story quickly but still want that emotional punch from the novellas later on. What's your experience? I'd love to hear what worked for you!