i’m just gonna head out…

Okay, fellow readers, let's talk about the age-old debate that plagues every Sarah J. Maas fan: the infamous reading order for *The Assassin's Blade*! I know for sure that when I first started the Throne of Glass series, I was completely lost. Do I read it first, as a prequel, or do I save it for later, like between Heir of Fire and *Queen of Shadows*? The OCR even warns, "If you read Assassins Blade first you are wrong, you have to read it-" (or implies the opposite, depending on context!). It's a huge decision that can totally change your experience of Celaena's journey. There are two main camps, and honestly, both have valid points. The 'read it first' crowd argues for a chronological approach. They believe starting with The Assassin's Blade gives you all the backstory on Celaena's past, her training, and the heartbreaking events that shaped her into the assassin we meet in *Throne of Glass*. You get to understand her motivations and emotional scars right from the get-go. For some, this makes the later books even more impactful because you’re fully invested in her origins. However, I lean more towards the 'read it later' camp, specifically after Heir of Fire or *Queen of Shadows*. Why? Because The Assassin's Blade is written with the assumption that you already know Celaena and her world. Reading it later provides crucial context and emotional depth that hits so much harder once you've already fallen in love with the characters and become invested in the main storyline. It fills in gaps, explains certain character dynamics, and makes those 'aha!' moments truly satisfying. If you read it too early, some of the emotional punches might not land as effectively because you haven't fully absorbed the main narrative's tension and stakes. It’s like a puzzle piece clicking perfectly into place, rather than seeing the picture before the puzzle is even started. Beyond just *The Assassin's Blade*, thinking about reading order is super important for many popular fantasy series! For example, with *A Court of Thorns and Roses*, people often debate when to read *A Court of Frost and Starlight*. Some say right after *A Court of Wings and Ruin*, others say before *A Court of Silver Flames*. Similarly, for series like *Percy Jackson*, knowing if you need to read the companion novellas at specific points can enhance the experience. It's all about maximizing your enjoyment and ensuring you don't accidentally spoil a major twist or miss out on important character development. Ultimately, there's no single 'wrong' way to read, but there certainly are ways that can elevate your reading experience. My personal advice? For *Throne of Glass*, try reading The Assassin's Blade after *Heir of Fire*. It truly makes the emotional beats resonate deeper and gives you a much richer understanding of Celaena's journey. Happy reading, Booktok fam!