Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn Tandem Read Explained: Do You Actually Need to Do It?
Spoiler-light: This guide explains the reading structure of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn without revealing the major ending events.
Quick answer: You do not have to tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. The two Throne of Glass books overlap in timeline but follow different characters and locations. Fans created tandem schedules to alternate chapters and experience the events together. For a first read, publication order — Empire of Storms first, then Tower of Dawn — remains the simplest spoiler-safe option.
Why does the Throne of Glass tandem read exist?
At the end of Queen of Shadows, the cast splits. Empire of Storms follows one major group while Tower of Dawn follows Chaol and Nesryn in a different part of the world.
The timelines overlap enough that readers realized they could alternate chapters and make both books unfold as one giant story. That fan-created approach became the famous EOS/TOD tandem read.
It is clever. It is also optional.
What is the official reading order?
Sarah J. Maas's current reading guide places the books in this sequence:
- Queen of Shadows
- Empire of Storms
- Tower of Dawn
- Kingdom of Ash
Bloomsbury also recommends publication order for readers who want the straightforward experience and want to avoid one book revealing information before the other has finished setting it up.
Why do some readers strongly prefer the tandem?
The biggest reason is pacing.
Empire of Storms is intense and ends at a point where many readers immediately want to know what happens next. Tower of Dawn then shifts location and focus. For some people, that change feels emotionally impossible after the EOS ending.
A tandem schedule prevents the hard switch by alternating the two stories before either reaches its climax.
Fresh September 2026 discussion in r/throneofglassseries still shows this exact divide: some first-time readers say the tandem keeps details fresh and balances the pacing, while others prefer publication order because each novel was designed to work as its own book.
Who should choose the tandem read?
Try the tandem if:
- You enjoy switching POV groups frequently.
- You like long-form reading projects and chapter schedules.
- You are worried about taking a full-book break from the EOS cast.
- You want parallel events to feel simultaneous.
The tandem can be especially fun for rereaders because you already understand the broad stakes and can notice connections between the two books more easily.
Who should skip the tandem?
Read publication order if:
- Switching between two physical books sounds annoying.
- You prefer each book's pacing and emotional arc intact.
- You are a first-time reader who wants the author's normal sequence.
- You do not want reading to become spreadsheet management.
There is no fandom exam at the end. You are not required to print a color-coded schedule to earn citizenship in Terrasen.
Can Tower of Dawn be skipped?
No. This is the more important answer.
You can skip the tandem. You should not skip Tower of Dawn.
The book develops Chaol and Nesryn, introduces important new characters and locations, and contains information that matters before Kingdom of Ash. Treating it as optional because Aelin is not the central POV misses its role in the series architecture.
Does Tower of Dawn spoil Empire of Storms?
Reading them in the wrong reverse order can create spoiler problems because later parts of Tower of Dawn assume events from Empire of Storms. That is one reason publication order is the safest no-planning route.
If you use a tandem schedule, use a reputable chapter sequence rather than randomly alternating whenever you feel like it.
What should first-time readers do?
My easiest recommendation is: if the tandem sounds exciting, do it. If it sounds like homework, don't.
For a first read with zero overthinking, choose Empire of Storms → Tower of Dawn → Kingdom of Ash. The emotional whiplash is part of the experience, and Tower of Dawn becomes much more rewarding when you stop treating it as a delay and let it build its own world.
Bookish Closet bridge
Throne of Glass readers can browse verified TOG-inspired designs in the Bookish Closet Best Seller collection, including Fireheart and The Thirteen-style fandom apparel.
FAQ: Empire of Storms tandem read
Do I have to tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn?
No. Tandem reading is a fan-created option, not a requirement.
Which book comes first officially?
Empire of Storms comes before Tower of Dawn in the recommended series order.
Can I skip Tower of Dawn?
No. It contains character development, worldbuilding and plot information needed before Kingdom of Ash.
Is tandem reading better for first-time readers?
It depends on your reading style. Some readers love the parallel pacing; others find publication order cleaner and more immersive.
What comes after Tower of Dawn?
Kingdom of Ash, the final Throne of Glass novel.
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