Throne of Glass is the first book in a high fantasy series of the same name. The story takes place in the fictional continent of Erilea, a land ruled by empires, torn by war, and shadowed by long-lost magic. The primary setting is the kingdom of Adarlan, a powerful and expansionist empire that has outlawed magic and conquered neighbouring lands. At its centre stands the capital city of Rifthold, home to the royal family and the infamous glass castle that rises above the older stone fortress beneath it.
The book follows Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin imprisoned in the brutal labour camp of Endovier. She is unexpectedly offered a chance at freedom by Crown Prince Dorian, who selects her to represent him in a competition to become the royal Champion — a personal enforcer for the king. The story blends political intrigue, deadly trials, ancient mysteries, and the resurfacing of long-dormant magic.
Throne of Glass Series
Prequel: The Assassin’s Blade
Book 1: Throne of Glass
Book 2: Crown of Midnight
Book 3: Heir of Fire
Book 4: Queen of Shadows
Book 5: Empire of Storms
Book 6: Tower of Dawn
Book 7: Kingdom of Ash
Main Characters
Celaena Sardothien: A notorious teenage assassin.
Dorian Havilliard: Crown Prince of Adarlan.
Chaol Westfall: Captain of the Guard.
Nehemia Ytger: Princess of Eyllwe.
Supporting Characters
King of Adarlan: Dorian’s father.
Duke Perrington: A powerful noble on the king’s council.
Kaltain Rompier: A court lady aligned with Perrington who competes for status and influence.
Cain: Perrington’s Champion, the strongest contender.
Nox Owen: A fellow Champion who bonds with Celaena.
Philippa Spindlehead: A servant in Celaena’s rooms.
Fleetfoot: A stray dog Celaena adopts.
Elena: The long-dead first Queen of Adarlan.
Mort: The talking door knocker guarding Elena’s tomb.
Brullo: The Weapons Master.
Recap Summary
Celaena Sardothien is taken from the Endovier salt mines and transported to Rifthold under guard. Crown Prince Dorian Havilliard offers her a place in a competition to select the King’s Champion. If she wins and serves four years as the king’s assassin, she will be granted freedom. Celaena accepts and is escorted to the glass castle under Captain Chaol Westfall’s supervision.
Upon arrival, Celaena is housed in the stone castle and assigned a servant. She must conceal her identity under the alias “Lillian Gordaina” and begin training with Chaol and Weapons Master Brullo alongside the other Champions. Weekly Tests will eliminate contestants until a final Champion is chosen. Duke Perrington’s Champion, Cain, immediately stands out through his superior strength and skill.
The Champions undergo endurance runs, weapons training, and combat drills. Celaena deliberately hides her full ability while observing her competitors. Princess Nehemia of Eyllwe arrives at court and quickly warms to ‘Lillian’.
Celaena begins investigating the deaths. She discovers Wyrdmarks carved into stone near the clock tower and later painted in blood near the murder scenes. Exploring her chambers, she uncovers a hidden door behind a tapestry and enters a network of tunnels beneath the castle. These passages lead to an ancient tomb guarded by a talking door knocker named Mort, who identifies it as belonging to Elena, the first Queen of Adarlan.
Elena appears to Celaena and warns her of an evil presence in the castle. She tells Celaena to win the competition and gives her a protective amulet called the Eye of Elena. Celaena continues researching Wyrdmarks in the library whilst monitoring Cain’s behaviour.
As more Champions are killed, Celaena determines the murders are linked to a summoned creature. She learns that Wyrdmarks can open portals and summon a ridderak — a creature that trades strength for human victims. Cain confronts Celaena privately and reveals he knows her true identity.
Celaena tracks suspicious activity in the tunnels and discovers Cain performing a summoning ritual. He traps her underground with the ridderak. She escapes through the tunnels to Elena’s tomb, retrieves the sword Damaris, and kills the ridderak. She returns to her chambers severely injured.
Nehemia finds Celaena and uses Wyrdmarks to heal her wounds. Celaena reveals her true identity and explains the competition’s terms. Nehemia confirms she understands Wyrdmarks and admits she has been secretly banishing summoned creatures since arriving at court. The two reconcile. The final phase of the competition is announced.
During the final duels, Celaena defeats Grave using an Eyllwe staff given to her by Nehemia. In the final duel against Cain, Celaena drinks wine secretly poisoned with bloodbane by Kaltain.
The poison causes hallucinations, allowing Celaena to see creatures from the Otherworld, and Cain attacks whilst exploiting the poison’s effects. On the sidelines, Nehemia discreetly opens a portal using Wyrdmarks, allowing Elena to intervene in the In-Between. Elena removes the poison from Celaena’s body and shields her from the summoned creatures.
Once the poison is purged, Celaena regains clarity, resumes the duel, and defeats Cain by exploiting a weakness in his guard. The king declares her the victor. Cain attempts to kill Celaena after the duel, but Chaol intervenes and kills him. Perrington publicly accuses Kaltain of poisoning Celaena, and she is arrested and taken to the dungeons.
A week later, Celaena ends her romantic relationship with Dorian before it deepens further.
The king outlines her obligations and threatens retaliation against Chaol, Nehemia, and Nehemia’s family if she fails to complete her missions. Celaena signs the contract and is officially named the King’s Champion.
Next in Series
The next instalment in the series is Crown of Midnight. Celaena Sardothien embraces her new role as the King’s Champion, assigned to carry out deadly missions in the king’s name, and begins to uncover secrets buried deep within the palace walls.
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