The throne of glass tandem read is one of the best ways to navigate Sarah J. Maas’s notoriously complex universe. To some readers, the series structure feels overwhelming, but for many more, that complexity is part of its allure. Like most things in life, I think it really comes down to how you approach it. With a clear, step-by-step tandem read, you can experience not just the plot of each book, but the full scope of the series arc in a deeply immersive, one-of-a-kind way, which is very different from reading the books in straight chronological order.
What is a Tandem Read? And Why Should You Follow a Tandem Read Guide?
Simply put, a tandem read is a method of reading two (or more) books at once by alternating chapters or sections, typically because these books occur simultaneously within the story’s timeline. This is especially applicable to series with significantly more complex world-building and storytelling. In the Throne of Glass series, people really like to tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn specifically, because these are the two in the series happening at the same time, due to the nature of Empire of Storms in many ways being a “spin-off” to the main series, despite still being a chronological part of the series.
How to “Tandem Read” Throne of Glass – Throne of Glass Tandem Read Checklist
I’ve listed out the entire throne of glass tandem read for you below, broken down chapter by chapter. The logic behind this guide is simple: you start by reading chapters 1 to 5 of Empire of Storms, then switch over to Tower of Dawn and read chapters 1 to 3. After that initial setup, return to Empire of Storms and continue from chapters 6 to 10.
From there, you alternate between the two books every 3 to 5 chapters, following the events in a way that keeps the pacing smooth and the storylines aligned. This alternating pattern is exactly how the list below is structured, which is designed to give you the most immersive and emotionally resonant tandem read throne of glass experience possible.
Here is the list:
For a successful throne of glass tandem read experience, it helps to keep notes or bookmarks handy so you can easily track your place in both books. Since you’re switching back and forth between Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn, maintaining a steady reading pace will keep both storylines fresh and cohesive in your mind.
Find a way to track where you are with the list image provided above. You might also consider joining online discussions or reading alongside a friend! Sharing the experience can make this unique tandem read even more engaging and fun.
Start Your Tandem Reading Journey
The throne of glass tandem read is such a cool way to dive into the series for the first time, but honestly, it’s an even better method for revisiting it if you’ve already read it. Reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn side by side breathes new life into the story, making everything feel fresh again, like you’re rediscovering the world with new eyes. This approach adds a whole new rhythm to the plot, allowing the emotional highs and lows of each character to hit even harder as their journeys unfold in perfect parallel.
You get to fully appreciate how cleverly the storylines of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn mirror each other, and how much they build toward the explosive finale. It’s one of the most unique and rewarding reading experiences I’ve ever had. Easily a 10/10 method for soaking in every detail and emotion all over again, and the perfect excuse to fall back in love with this world.
As many readers may know (especially romance book readers), oftentimes we like to seek out book tropes and read romance books that include the book tropes we usually like and the book tropes we want to read at the moment. It’s what drives a lot of book recommendations and is a common way we seek out books to read.
If you are a reader who is interested in:
- Tracking tropes that you have already read
- Tracking tropes that you would want to read in the future
- Collect original trope ideas that you came up with (and haven’t come across before)
Then this book trope reading journal is perfectly made for you!
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