When author Sarah J. Mass concluded the Throne of Glass series last October, the final book, Kingdom of Ash, was equally thrilling and sad. It was a relief to finally reach the end of the assassin Celaena’s journey, but saying goodbye to beloved characters is always difficult—especially after investing yourself in their stories. But whether you’re looking for YA or adult fantasy, the next gripping read is out there and ready for you to find it! These 15 books like Throne of Glass are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and rooting for a new cast of characters.
Must-Read Books Like Throne of Glass
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen Quartet
Completed? Yes
In 17-year-old Mare’s world, society is divided into two groups: those with red blood and those with silver. Reds are commonfolk and ruled by the Silver royalty. Until red-blooded Mare discovers her own power that may threaten the Silver’s status as a ruling class. The Silver Palace recognizes her potential to start an uprising and disguise her as a long-lost Silver princess. In exchange for her silence, she can marry a Silver prince and live in luxury. But Mare’s Red heart won’t let her stay silent. As Mare helps an underground resistance overthrow the Silver royalty, will her fighting spirit be enough to keep her alive?
We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Jay Mejia
Series: We Set the Dark on Fire
Completed? No
Despite her common upbringing, Daniela Vargas secured a place for herself in the Medio School for Girls. Here, young women are trained to become one of the only two roles available in their society. Either they will raise their future husband’s children or they will manage his affairs. Either would be restrictive, but it would also be a life of privilege that Dani could have dreamed of if her parents had not forged her pedigree documents. But after she graduates and meets her husband, Dani encounters a resistance group who asks her to spy for them. This opportunity places Dani at an impasse: lose the luxury her parents risked everything for her to have or help the resistance free the country of Medio.
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Series: The Winner’s Trilogy
Completed? Yes
Seventeen-year-old Kestrel is the daughter of a prominent general in Valorian, a hostile empire who enslaves everyone who crosses its path. As she comes of age, she is faced with two options: enlist as a soldier or marry. But Kestrel has no interest in marrying or going to war. When she encounters a young slave named Arin from the conquered country of Herran, her perspectives on war change drastically. The more time Kestrel spends around Arin, the more dangerous her newfound beliefs become. In a world where speaking out against injustice can cost your life, Kestrel struggles to align her duty with her conscience.
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
Series: The Nevernight Chronicle
Completed? No
After Mia’s father is executed for treason, she flees to the streets to avoid dying with other members of the rebellion. Mia has the power to talk with the shadows, and they lead her to the Red Church, a deadly group of assassins. Here she learns how to wield weapons, poison her victims, and perform hand-to-hand combat to avenge her father’s cause. But then, members of the Church start dying one by one. Now, Mia must find and expose the killer before they take away the last home that she has and her only chance at vengeance.
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Series: The Farseer Trilogy
Completed? Yes
In Buckkeep castle, all members of the royal Farseer family receive names that reflect their strongest qualities. But when Chivalry Farseer’s illegitimate son Fitz is born, he’s cast out into the wilderness from a young age. Luckily, however, Fitz has the Wit: a magical and dangerous power that allows him to bond and understand animals. When the royal family later brings Fitz back into their palace, he’s encouraged to set aside his Wit to learn the ways of the court. And in secret, Fitz trains to become an assassin.
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Series: Three Dark Crowns Quartet
Completed? No
Once a generation, three triplet girls are born to the royal family of Fennbirn. Each girl has powerful gifts meant to prepare her for the throne. But one alone will claim the crown. On the night of their 16th birthday, these sisters will fight to the death. Whoever wins will be the next queen of Fennbirn. Katharine is an expert in poisons, Mirabella can control the elements, and Arsinoe has power over the natural world. Each sister is as beautiful and gifted as she is deadly. Only one, however, is dark enough to become heir to the throne.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Series: Six of Crows
Completed? Yes
Kaz Brekker is a young thief known for his prodigious skills as a criminal mastermind. He’d do nearly anything for the promise of wealth or securing his own notoriety. When Kaz receives an offer to participate in a heist that could provide him with more riches than he ever thought possible. Even he, however, isn’t powerful enough to pull it off alone. But with the enlisted help of five others, each as dangerous and broken as himself, he may be able to pull it off. That is, if none of them are caught or betray the rest of the group.
The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross
Series: The Queen’s Rising
Completed? Yes
In the Kingdom of Valenia, those who are talented in one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—may be chosen by a patron to pursue their muse. As she approaches her 17th summer solstice, Brianna longs to be chosen by a patron. But while no patron chooses her on her 17th birthday, a disgraced lord offers her his patronage in exchange for her unwitting role in a plan to overthrow the king of the rival country Maevana. When Brianna discovers the lord’s plans, she must determine whether she is loyal to her art or to the crown.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Series: Legacy of Orïsha
Completed? No
The land of Orïsha used to be magical and a prosperous place to live. That was before all maji were rounded up and executed by the cruel king Saran. Zéli Adebola, one of the few remaining majis, refuses to let her mother and countless other deceased maji go unavenged. She and other maji in hiding, as well as the runaway princess Amari, have a plan to overthrow the king and restore magic to the realm. But the path to rebellion is dangerous, and the resistance must act before the crown prince kills every remaining maji in Orïsha.
Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep
Series: Crown of Shards
Completed? No
Lady Everleigh is born into a royal family where magical powers determines your worth. Because she has none, Evie becomes an outcast in the royal court of Bellona. But when the crown princess Vasilia commits matricide to assume the throne, Evie’s immunity to magic helps her escape a royal massacre. While in hiding, she meets a gladiator who trains her in combat. As Vasilia throws Bellona into a war that could kill thousands, Evie knows she must return to court and use her newfound skills to kill the queen.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Series: Shades of Magic
Completed? Yes
In an alternate history, London is split into three parallel universes. The first two—Red and White London—are magical, whereas the third—Grey London—is mundane. Kell is from Red London and is one of the few remaining Antari—magicians who can travel between the three parallel worlds and a rumored fourth: Black London. When Kell escapes to Grey London after a smuggling deal gone wrong, he runs into an ambitious young thief named Delilah Bard. And when Kell takes her with him back to Red London, every step they take changes the course of the multiverse as they know it.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Series: An Ember in the Ashes
Completed? No
In the Martial Empire, nobody is safe or in control of their fate. Certainly not Laia, a young slave who lives with her grandparents and older brother. When Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she decides to spy for the resistance in exchange for her brother’s freedom. After she enrolls in a prestigious military academy, she meets Elias, one of the top soldiers-in-training, who secretly opposes the Empire. As their interests bring them together, they come closer to either overthrowing the Empire or dying by its hand.
The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin
Series: Dreamblood
Completed? Yes
The city-state of Gujaareh is guarded by the Gatherers, who keep the peace and uphold the rules set by the priests of the dream-goddess. These priests harvest the magic created by dreams to both heal the innocent and execute those who they deem guilty. But then, an unknown figure begins murdering the innocent in the name of the goddess. To prevent more innocent women from falling victim, the Gatherer Ehiru must question his duties and protect those he was supposed to kill.
Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau-Preto
Series: Crown of Feathers
Completed? No
Once, the land was ruled by warrior queens whose fleet of Phoenix Riders kept the kingdom safe. But after a deadly war tore the kingdom apart, the Riders disappeared. Veronyka believes that the Phoenix Riders are still alive and, after her sister betrays her, disguises herself as a boy to find and join them. Just as Veronyka discovers the Riders and begins to train with them, however, her sister arrives and changes the dynamics among her newfound family. The Phoenix Riders, however, have bigger problems: the Empire has discovered their existence and plans to eradicate them.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Series: The Graceling Realm
Completed? Yes
Katsa is a Graceling, a person born with extraordinary and unique gifts. Her skills lie in combat, and she can disarm or kill even the deadliest assassins. As the king’s niece, most of her duties involve threatening enemies of the crown. But when she discovers where her Grace really comes from, she uncovers truths that could annihilate all of the seven kingdoms. When the enigmatic Prince Po arrives at the king’s court in search of his grandfather, Katsa’s connection with him sends them both on a quest to restore justice to the kingdoms.
Need more fantasy novels for your TBR besides these books like Throne of Glass? Check out these 50 must-read portal fantasy books.
