Tackling Sarah J. Maas's eight-book fantasy epic with a partner is one of the most rewarding reading projects you can take on, especially when you hit the infamous tandem read for Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. The competitor guide on this topic offers vague advice about scheduling and communication, but it completely misses what readers actually need: an exact chapter-by-chapter blueprint, physical bookmarking strategies, and solutions for pacing mismatches between partners.
Here is a practical, no-fluff guide to executing a flawless tandem read for the Throne of Glass series, whether you're reading side-by-side on the couch or synchronizing across different time zones.
Why a Tandem Read Changes the Experience
Throne of Glass spans over 6,000 pages, shifting from a straightforward assassin's tale into a sprawling continental war. Around book five, the narrative splits into two simultaneous timelines: Empire of Storms follows Aelin Galathynius as she gathers her allies across Erilea, while Tower of Dawn follows Chaol Westfall on a parallel mission in the Southern Continent.
Reading them simultaneously prevents massive spoilers from Empire of Storms from ruining the emotional reveals in Tower of Dawn, and vice versa. Doing it with a partner turns what could feel like a homework assignment into a shared event. You can trade theories about Maeve's true identity, debate the mechanics of Wyrdmarks, and process the emotional gut-punches together.
Phase 1: Setting Up Your Partnership
Before you crack open a spine, you need to align on ground rules. Reading fatigue is real, and mismatched reading speeds will kill your momentum.
- Establish reading blocks: Decide whether you're reading daily (e.g., 2 chapters a day) or weekly (e.g., 50 pages by Thursday).
- Pick your communication channel: Set up a dedicated chat thread where spoilers are banned except for the specific chapters you've both just finished.
- Choose your formats: Mixing an audiobook with a physical copy can throw off your page counts. Stick to similar formats or rely strictly on chapter numbers rather than page numbers to stay synchronized.
According to literary culture analyses from publications like Publishers Weekly, synchronized community reading significantly boosts completion rates for long-form fantasy series compared to solo reading.
Phase 2: Mastering the Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn Tandem
This is the main event. You shouldn't read these two books back-to-back because of chronological overlap and major spoilers. Instead, you alternate chapters between Empire of Storms (EoS) and Tower of Dawn (ToD).
Because full chapter breakdowns are lengthy, here is how you structure your bookmarking system before you start:
- Mark your stopping points: Use sticky notes at the end of each assigned block in both books so you don't accidentally read ahead.
- Track character threads: Keep a shared digital notepad to keep track of the sprawling cast, including the Cadre, the Silent Assassins, and the Valg princes.
- Pace your discussions: Don't wait until you finish both books. Talk after every major block to discuss cliffhangers while the tension is fresh.
For official publication details and author background on these releases, check out Bloomsbury Publishing, Sarah J. Maas's primary publisher.
Phase 3: Solving Common Partner Problems
Even the best reading partnerships hit snags. Here's how to keep your tandem read on track when friction occurs.
One partner will almost always read faster than the other. If you're the fast reader, don't drop hints or talk about upcoming twists. If you're lagging behind, communicate early so your partner can slow down or review past chapters with you.
Another common issue is emotional fatigue. Books like Kingdom of Ash deal with heavy themes of trauma, war, and loss. Build in intentional reading breaks. It's totally fine to pause for a weekend to let a major character death or plot twist sink in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do a tandem read with three or more people?
It's possible, but scheduling becomes exponentially harder. A pair is the sweet spot because matching schedules and conversational flow is much easier to manage.
Should I read The Assassin's Blade first or fourth?
Read it first. Starting with the prequel novellas establishes Celaena's backstory, making her motivations in the main series hit with much more emotional weight. Reading it later feels like a flashback that slows down the main plot.
What happens if my partner quits halfway through?
Don't abandon ship. You can transition into a solo reading rhythm, or join online community discussions on platforms like Goodreads to find a replacement accountability partner.
Do I really need to tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn?
Strictly speaking, no—you can read them publication order. However, reading them separately means Tower of Dawn will feel like a massive flashback right before the series finale, which kills the narrative momentum for many readers.
