Reading two books with over 1,300 pages can feel daunting. The throne of glass tandem read challenges fans of Sarah J. Maas’s fantasy series as they reach books six and seven.
Readers new to this style might wonder about the throne of glass tandem read. The process involves reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn at the same time by switching between chapters of each book. This approach works because both stories happen simultaneously but follow different characters. Empire of Storms tells Aelin Ashryver Galathynius’s story and her companions’ adventures, while Tower of Dawn follows Chaol Westfall’s experience in the Southern Continent. The importance of this reading style becomes clear because both books have major spoilers that need the other book’s context to make sense.
This complete guide shows readers how to handle these two massive installments of the Throne of Glass series. Readers will find whether this reading method works better than the traditional approach of reading one book after another. A step-by-step breakdown helps determine which style matches their reading preferences.
What is the Throne of Glass tandem read?
The Throne of Glass tandem read became a community solution to a unique reading challenge. Readers switch between chapters of Empire of Storms (EoS) and Tower of Dawn (ToD) in a specific order. These novels follow different character groups but share the same timeline in Sarah J. Maas’s fantasy world.
Empire of Storms tells the story of Aelin and her companions who try to build an army against Erawan. The book tracks several viewpoint characters like Rowan, Dorian, Aedion, Lysandra, and Manon. Tower of Dawn follows Chaol Westfall’s trip to the Southern Continent with Nesryn Faliq. They look for healing for his injured spine and search for military allies.
These books are quite lengthy. Empire of Storms has 704 pages and Tower of Dawn runs 672 pages. That’s a total of 1,376 pages to read through.
The tandem read exists because Empire of Storms ends with such a dramatic cliffhanger that readers struggle to start Tower of Dawn afterward. Reading Tower of Dawn first doesn’t work since it reveals major plot points from Empire of Storms. Over the last several years, readers have tested different approaches, and this interleaved reading has become the best way to experience these parallel stories.
Why the tandem read improves the experience
Reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn together brings unique benefits that boost the Throne of Glass experience. Readers can learn the story’s full scope by seeing connected events from different viewpoints, which creates a richer narrative.
The tandem read helps fans deal with Empire of Storm’s dramatic cliffhanger. Readers can process Aelin’s capture while following Chaol’s experience. A reader mentioned that this method lets them “luxuriate in Tower of Dawn without being anxious about Aelin’s fate”.
Tower of Dawn brings a new continent and characters that are vital for Kingdom of Ash. This approach shows key plot connections that readers might miss, including significant details about Maeve that Nesryn learns from a Kharanku’i spider.
The books balance each other perfectly—Tower of Dawn works as a “perfect romcom companion to the intense rollercoaster of Empire of Storms”. This approach helps readers handle the complex overlapping plots that could feel overwhelming when read separately.
This reading technique reshapes two separate novels into one coherent 1,376-page journey. Readers can move straight to Kingdom of Ash without any need to backtrack.
How to do the tandem read step-by-step
Reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn together needs some smart planning. Let me show you how to make this unique reading experience work best for you.
Start by getting both books in whatever format you prefer. E-readers give you the most uninterrupted experience, but physical books work just as well with the right setup.
Think about marking your chapter transitions before you start. Many readers find it helpful to tab their physical books at switching points. This way, you’ll know exactly when to jump between stories. E-book readers can use bookmarks the same way. Kindle users have an extra advantage – they can combine both books into one file to switch between them easily.
Audiobook fans should bookmark their chapter transitions. Another handy tip is to add a widget to their phone’s home screen that shows the reading guide.
The tried-and-tested reading order starts with Empire of Storms (Nightfall through Chapter 5). Then you move to Tower of Dawn (Chapter 1), and keep switching between books as you go. You can find detailed chapter-by-chapter guides online.
Stay flexible during your reading trip. Some readers like to finish their current session before switching instead of stopping halfway. The whole experience takes about two weeks and creates an exceptional lead-up to the series finale.
Conclusion
The sort of thing I love about the throne of glass tandem read is how it showcases readers’ creativity. This reading method might look complex at first, but it turns two parallel stories into one flowing narrative. Readers who pick this approach don’t face the emotional shock of finishing Empire of Storms before Tower of Dawn. Instead, they get to experience both storylines at once.
The method solves several practical issues naturally. That dramatic cliffhanger at Empire of Storms’s end no longer feels like an emotional hurdle. Plot connections between both books become clear right away. Characters and settings from the Southern Continent blend with the broader story, which gets readers ready for Kingdom of Ash.
The tandem read needs more organization than reading books one after another. Most readers find the rewards are nowhere near the small prep work needed, though. The system becomes natural quickly after the first few switches, whether you use digital bookmarks, physical tabs, or a printed guide.
Readers say they enjoy the contrasting tones of both novels more. Empire of Storms brings intense, high-stakes drama while Tower of Dawn offers healing and discovery. These books went together with one another to create something richer than either could alone.
Anyone starting books six and seven in the Throne of Glass series should think about trying the tandem read. This reader-created solution stuck around with good reason too – it just makes the whole experience better. Taking that extra time helps you understand Sarah J. Maas’s world deeply and sets you up perfectly for the epic finale in Kingdom of Ash.
