The Notes of a Maas-Obsessed Madwoman: My Chaotic Musings Whilst Re-reading the Throne of Glass Series

This post contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Any book lover who's been on Tiktok- or even just the internet- probably knows the name Sarah J. Maas. With three bestselling fantasy romance series, she's taken the reading community by storm- and it seems she has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

I first became a fan of Maas's work in 2015 when I picked up a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses and read it at the age of 14... you know, when it was still being marketed for young adults. I guess you could say I've been a fan ever since, because I've finally read every single book of hers to this day- yes, even the Catwoman one- and I consider her my favorite author of all time.

But that achievement didn't come without some struggle through her bibliography. I picked up the Throne of Glass series shortly after reading A Court of Mist and Fury in 2016 and kept up with the series up until the release of Kingdom of Ash in 2018. Why I stopped there? Not entirely sure. Probably amalgamation of focusing on graduating from high school, worry over the size of the novel, and not wanting the series to end.

Now it's 2023, and I've finally had the time to reread each novel leading up to the much-awaited grand finale. Due to having an internet shortage at home, I decided to document my thoughts live as I read through each novel. These notes are chaotic, wild, and not at all grammatically correct. However, without further ado, here are my shitpost-level musings over the masterpiece that is the Throne of Glass series.

Throne of Glass

• This is not as well-written as I remember. Not that I thought it was well-written the first time I read this, but compared to SJM’s more recent works this is very poorly-written
• I’m reminding myself that (a) this is SJM’s first work and she has a better editor now and (b) what comes in the next books is so worth it so I can get through this
• Why does SJM keep using exclamation points everywhere it’s driving me nuts
• I literally remember nothing about this except for Celaena being in the mines and winning the competition
• I keep asking myself ‘Where is Rowan? When is Rowan coming?’ only to be reminded of the harsh reality that he does not appear until Heir Of Fire :(
• Nehemia my luv πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’—
• The way that I would pay to see Kaltain Rompier and Daphne Deighton fight… that would be some Bad Girls Club-level drama
• Damn SJM was really hinting at Celaena being Aelin from the very beginning huh (albeit in a very poorly thought-out way)
• Ok I genuinely didn’t remember Chaol being this bad and boring like… Tower Of Dawn Chaol come back to me pls
• Watching Celaena and Dorian fall in love is so awkward with all things considered. Anyways Rowaelin and Chaolrian forever πŸ’—
• Kaltain would annoy me so much more if I wasn’t aware of her fate in the future books :((
• Celaena really sucks at being an assassin sometimes wtf
• Tbh I would act the same as Celaena if a puppy was killed for no reason fuck u Dorian
• Nvm I love Dorian I literally forgot how much I loved him the first time I read this πŸ’—
• Celaena is me when it comes to candy and chocolate lmao she’s so iconic
• This love triangle is so weird lmao it’s so hard to read about
• Celaena’s favorite song from Midnights would be Vigilante Shit but Aelin’s would be Karma as a professional swiftie I know these things :))
• Chaol you broody, broody man
• Shit I just remembered Sorscha was a thing and made myself sad wtf
• Celaena istg if u don’t stop suspecting Nehemia ffs
• I genuinely forgot who was killing all of the contestants but am I surprised it was Cain? Absolutely not lmao
• Nehemia + Elentiya forever πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’—
• The final test scene is so much funnier if you imagine them fighting in a bouncee house lmao
• Man idc anymore fuck Kaltain and Perrington and the King of Adarlan
• Yayyy she won :)
• Fuck Perrington fuck u so much for tricking Kaltain bro
• “Blood ties can’t be broken” the foreshadowingggg

Crown of Midnight

• This is my least favorite book in the series imho so I hope this goes quick so uh that was a fucking lie
• Could totally do without the over-descriptions of the body parts thanks x
• I genuinely think I hate Chaolaena more than Dorlaena
• There’s no way every woman at the palace is simping for bland ass Chaol lmaoo
• Poor Kaltain :/ I mean she kinda deserves it but I also feel kinda bad for her y’know
• Mort laughing at Celaena’s fake name will always send me
• LYSANDRA MENTION LYSANDRA MENTION
• Ooh Chaol was gonna finish the job himself ooh so scary
• At least the writing in this book is better than the writing in Throne Of Glass
• Dorian bro “would Aelin have been my bride??” no she’s Rowan’s bride my guy
• AEDION MENTION AEDION MENTION
• NOOO NEHEMIA :((((( I knew it was coming but it still hurts all the same πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”
• I want Tower Of Dawn Chaol back so bad rn
• I’ve just been non-stop reading since the midway point like it’s 4 AM and I just can’t put this down
• πŸ’”
• YESSS BYE ARCHER
• Chaol r u stupid or just dumb like-
• AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE MISS AELIN
• Yayyy Rowan time
• This is no longer my least favorite book in the series oop-
• On the last page and I can finally say: at least SJM didn’t pack this one full of exclamation points like the last book lmao

Heir of Fire

• Why r we still calling her Celaena
• THERE HE IS!!!! ROWAN MY BOY :))))
• I still miss Tower Of Dawn Chaol :(
• AEDIONNNNNN
• MANON!!!!! I MISSED U
• Sorscha :((( I’m sad now
• All of the characters I missed are returning Merry Chrysler to me
• SJM’s writing is so addictive like I literally had to force myself to stop reading for the night so I wouldn’t fuck up my sleep schedule more than it already is
• FUCK U MAEVE
• Oh nooo I forgot Aelin and Rowan are distant cousins dear god-
• As much as I love Manon, I forgot how much I hated her POV chapters in this book ughhh
• ELENTIYAAAA πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’” HEART BEEN BROKE SO MANY TIMES-
• ABRAXOSSSSS
• Oh Rowan you didn’t :(((
• Poor Aelin πŸ’”
• Is it wrong of me to say I would’ve preferred Sorscha and Dorian endgame rather than Manon and Dorian endgame…?
• Rowan bro you better watch them chompers
• BRO SHUT UP HE KEEPS TRIGGERING HER SO BAD :,(
• I miss Nehemia so much :(
• My boy Abraxos came thruuu
• This book is so full of sadness man
• Bro Chaol get the hint man!! She don’t want you anymore!! Yrene is waiting for u in Tower Of Dawn!!!!
• The whole ‘iron in the blood dampening powers’ idea is so cool but also imagine having powers and being vegan/iron deficient in the Throne Of Glass universe bro u would still be dizzy when you stand up but also so OP
• I cannot not imagine Abraxos as Toothless from HTTYD
• The story of Mab, Mora, and Maeve kinda reminds me of Din, Nayru, and Farore ngl
• GAVRIELLL
• Rowan u a whole liar bro
• Forever crying bro Sorscha and Dorian should’ve been endgame
• Bet u regret it now Rowan
• Can’t help but imagine the fae running is like how the evil vampires from the Twilight movies run lmao
• Sorschaaaa you should’ve left :(((
• What a literal magical girl transformation
• “Our aunt” Aelin pls- 🀒
• Wow I almost forgot about Manon and the witches it’s been so long since their POV
• No no no no no :((( I hate this so much
• I hate this book but I love it at the same time holy fuck
• Goodbye I am deceased
• TL;DR - SJM books where the MC is big depressed and learns to bring themself back up again while also meeting the love of their life >>>>

The Assassin's Blade

(yes I read it after Heir of Fire both times it's the superior reading order argue with the wall)

• My copy of this is damaged because my dumbass spilled soy sauce on it a few years ago :( fortunately it’s only on the top of the first hundred or so pages and is still readable :)
• Sam πŸ’”
• Aaand we’re back to the overuse of exclamation points! How fun!
• The writing is slightly better than in the first Throne Of Glass book at least
• Fuck Arobynn and fuck Rolfe bro
• Celaena being a good person >>>
• Pirate Lord is definitely one of my favorites of the novellas
• YRENEEEE
• Celaena teaching Yrene to defend herself and telling her to spread her teachings to other women is so powerful bro like fuck yeah women supporting women
• Healer is my favorite novella even though it’s the shortest + I love how it leads into Tower Of Dawn
• BYE I totally forgot about Ansel lmao
• Fuck Arobynn fuck Arobynn fuck Arobynn and if I haven’t said it enough FUCK YOU AROBYNN
• The long chapters are killing meeeee
• Ironteeth witches are kinda bad actually but I love Manon so I Pretend I Do Not See It
• Star Wars reference??!?!?!! 😧
• Desert was really good, I think Ansel comes back in a future book but I don’t remember lmao
• Lysandraaaa πŸ’—
• Arobynn sus as hell like-
• My poor Samlaena heart πŸ’”
• Underworld is my least fav so far if only for the long ass chapters
• Knowing what happens next… :((((
• Celaena pls stop foreshadowing ur future in Endovier pls it is hurting me
• Sam noooo :((((((((((((((
• CELAENA NOOOOOOOO :((((((((((((((((((((((
• AROBYNN YOU’RE A FUCK AND I HATE YOU
• man… I hate this book so much bro :(

Queen of Shadows

• Dorian :(((
• We’re finally calling her Aelin yessssss
• Y’all already know how I feel about this dude. Fuck Arobynn bro
• Chaol stop being an asshole
• Eeeeeh I forgot Chesryn was a thing
• Lysandra and Evangelineeeee <3
• Poor Aedion :(
• Elideeeee
• I think I must’ve skipped Chaol’s POV chapters when I first read this because I don’t remember any of this lmao
• Aelin and Aedion acting kinda sus ngl 🀨
• Manon, Asterin, and Elide kinda an iconic trio like-
• Why would you say “i want to have sex with someone with a pretty face and now that you’re here, i don’t have to do it with my first cousin!” what is WRONG WITH YOU
• ROWAELIN REUNION FUCK YEAHHHHH I’m so ready for the sus cousin shit to STOP
• “My queen” goodbye idk what to do w myself-
• I love how Aelin is having a mental breakdown and Rowan’s like “oh yeah haha my homie is here to unalive you” like-
• “As if what I do in the privacy of my own room, with my body, is anyone’s concern.” YES QUEEN AELIN!!! Singlehandedly ended slut-shaming if you ask me
• All I know is I love Rowaelin (my opinion of this will never change) and I want Chaol to die (my opinion of this will change when I reread Tower of Dawn)
• I can’t be the only one who imagined Mia and Sebastian’s Theme from La La Land during the piano scene
• Lorcan has arrived… scoot over Elide
• Is it bad that I’m enjoying the Manon chapters more than the Aelin chapters this time around… 🫒
• “It smells like almonds” potassium cyanide smells like almonds… much to think about
• Nvm I am Big Dumb
• Stupid Arobynn with his stupid Valg ring that he’s gonna use on Aelin I ain’t forget
• “My love” “tell me that you love me” Arobynn ur a nasty fuck
• Rowaelin is the reason why I believe in the multiple mates theory πŸ™Š
• I’m glad the Dorian POV chapters are so short because they are so boringggg
• YOU GO LYSANDRA!!! ALEXA PLAY CELL BLOCK TANGO
• Rowan :((((
• Lysandra understanding what it feels like to be in the biggie tiddie club >>>> like me too girl-
• So Hellfire = Everblaze… 🀭
• “They tried to shoot my… Rowan” your what Aelin. YOUR WHAT.
• “Promise me that you will walk out of that castle tomorrow” welp… πŸ˜€
• Nooooo Dorian :((((((
• LYSANDRA JUST KEEPS GIRLBOSSING IN THIS BOOK AND I LOVE IT
• Kaltain πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”
• Lysandra vomiting twice on Lorcan is such a girlboss move this really is her book lmao
• Tower Of Dawn crumbs aaaaaaa
• MANON AND ELIDE WOULD’VE BEEN CUTER THAN MANON AND DORIAN THERE I SAID IT
• The trio is back together again omg πŸ₯²
• She’s home πŸ₯Ή
• SJM could write a dictionary and I would read it from cover-to-cover holy fuck

Empire of Storms

• The last chapter of my last read (Lodestar by Shannon Messenger) ended with Nightfall. The first chapter of this book is titled Nightfall. What the fuck-
• Every time they mention the Bane I think of the Bubbleshock drink from The Sarah Jane Adventures πŸ˜­
• I love how SJM finally killed off Arobynn just to invent someone I hate almost as much
• Now is not the time to FLIRT, DORIAN????
• Why am I just… not enjoying this as much as the other books πŸ™Š especially since I loved this the first time I read it oh no
• The amount of love I have for the Thirteen’s loyalty and sisterhood is unreal
• Empire Of Storms my first physical hardback TOG book in this re-read and why is it so heavyyyy 😭
• FENRYS IS HERE MY FAVORITE BOY!!!!!
• I had to start reading another book along with this one because it was getting too heavy to hold up in the bath 😭😭😭 it’s a library book i literally can’t risk it anymore
• I forgot how political this book is compared to the others ughhh
• Chapter 27 >>>>>>> every other chapter in the book
• I’m too engrossed by this book but I have returned to say that Sea Dragon Lysandra is so badass
• LYSAEDION FOREVERRR
• “Velvet-wrapped steel” ms sarah 😟 be serious for a minute-
• Lorcan wants to stay with Elide so bad without saying it lmao
• I deadass keep forgetting Chaol like a thing until someone mentions him 😭 can’t wait for Chaolrene tho
• “I wanted to go to Perranth with you” Elorcan best TOG ship I said what I said πŸ™Š
• ANSELLLLL
• I still don’t like Manorian 🫒 like Manon and Elide have more chemistry than Manon and Dorian bye-
• NEHEMIAAA :((((((
• THE THIRTEENNNNNN (have I mentioned that I love them yet)
• THEY’RE MATES WHAAAAAT 😭 I SWEAR I’VE READ THIS BOOK BEFORE
• ENOUGH SARAH ENOUGHHHHH
• Dear god. I have no words
• I guess you can say Rowan’s favorite Taylor Swift song is “Come Back…Be Here” πŸ™ˆ …I’ll see myself out
• Surprised to say that I liked Queen Of Shadows more than this, it was the other way around when I first read this series tbh

Tower of Dawn

• Ah, Chaol… I did not miss you lmao
• This book is so heavy… man πŸ˜”
• MY GIRL YRENEEEEEE
• This Chaolryn stuff is so awkward considering Chaolrene and Nestaq is about to become canon in about 600 pages 🀭
• THE GOLD SOFA I REMEMBER U
• I have barely picked up this book in days πŸ™Š It’s cuz I decided to hyperfixate on rewatching every single blameitonjorge video available on youtube oops-
• Yk I’m not the biggest fan of Chaolryn but Chaolnesrene would’ve been such a power throuple
• BRO how does Chaol say Aelin wouldn’t go to the ONE PLACE SHE WENT R U KIDDING ME-
• Remember when this was first announced and everyone was complaining that this book was about stupid Kale but then everyone ended up loving it? I’m feeling this rn
• This book has such big HOF/ACOTAR vibes and I think that’s why I love it so much??
• Oooh θέλω Ξ½Ξ± Ο„ΟΟŽΟ‰ μπακλαβάς Ο„ΟŽΟΞ±Ξ±Ξ±Ξ± 😍
• I lowkey want to skip the Nesryn and Sartaq chapters 🫒 not because I’m bored but because I want to get to the Chaol and Yrene chapters I’m sorryyyyy
• Yoooo Lysandra’s uncle/dad?? I don’t remember lmao
• Nesryn and Aelin, Nesryn and Aelin- BRO WJAT ABOUT DORIAN 😭 I miss him
• I love Borte she is literally me
• CHAOL FINALLY DID SOMETHING SMART PRAISE THE LORD
• aaand then he fucked it. good job kale!
• “Get up” being repeated a lot rn… 🀨
• Chapter 39 is so goated oml
• “Get up” again… 🀨🀨🀨
• And Yrene continues to slay iktr πŸ’…
• BYE tell me why I thought I had a migraine but the page just had a stain on it I’m-
• MAEVE U BITCH
• Sataq just straight up cut off his own hair?? Without hesitation???? Badass if u ask me and kinda hot
• NOOOO NOT THE COUCHHHH 😭😭😭
• Chaol and Dorian best broship
• I’m still so impressed with Aelin’s timing to call in long-held favors like that is so badass
• So much is happening rn like I literally can’t stop reading
• CHAOLRENE FOREVERRRR
• I find it so ironic that I loved the Chaolrene story more than the Nestaq story this time around lmao
• “Fireheart” oh no
• NOOOOO AELIN :((((((( now I’m sad

Kingdom of Ash

(and now, for the main event...)

I’M FINALLY READING THIS I’M SO EXCITED
• That intro has me so scared rn like I can’t even sleep bc of this series
• Ok Aedion’s anger at Lysandra is so uncalled for. Like if anything she is doing u a favor my guy. Be mad at dumb bitch Maeve not ur future wifey.
• NOOOOO AELIN AND FENRYS DESERVE BETTER :(((((
• A bite mark on the neck “A mate’s mark” WHAT IN THE A/B/O 😭
• ROWAN’S DREAM πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”
• I’m loving all of the POVs!!! It’s very Avengers: Infinity War
• YRENE’S PREGNANT??? WHATTTTT?????
• Connall u suck be nice to ur brother
• WAIT WHAT WHY WOULD HE DO THAT????? BRO
• NOX???????? HES BACK OMG
• STOP HURTING AELIN MAN FUCK U MAEVE AND CAIRN
• All I really want rn is for Rowan to save Aelin so she can reunite with everyone especially Nox, Falkan, and Yrene ok??? Pls give me this
• Chaolrene still slaying as always
• The way this is already my new favorite TOG book 🫒 sorry TOD
• I’m sorry but that vision scene was so eerie and cool and I loved it
• Lorcan’s character growth >>>>>>
• I love how we have three old badass Fae warriors and then Elide just chillin with them lmao
• NOOOOO YOU CANT KILL OFF MY FAVORITE TOG BOY PLEASEEEEE
• DONT JUST LEAVE HIM THERE AELIN NOOOOOO
• YESSSS PISS UR PANTS CAIRN KARMA IS MY BOYFRIEND KARMA IS A GOD KARMA IS A BREEZE IN MY HAIR ON THE WEEKENDDDDDD
• Aelin πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”
• Yay he is Alive :)
• KALTAIN????? WHATTTTT
• What Rowan did to Cairn… me and karma vibe like that yk
• Is it just me that finds magnets really attractive who’s surprised that they saved Aelin so early on in the book?
• Manorian is kinda toxic if u think about it 🫒
• LYSANDRA WHAT ARE YOU DOINGGGG
• YOU BETTER BE SORRY AEDION
• Not Hasar teasing them about the gold couch 😭
• !!! Two reunions down, one to go
• Aelin u r hurting meeeee πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”
• U tell him Lysandra
• NOOO DARROW UR SO STUPID
• Dorian questioning his gender identity rn (same, brother) 😭
• YES MANON SLAYYYYYYY
• Crochans >>>>>>>> Ironteeth (except the Thirteen)
• Lorcan why lmao
• YES FIND HIM ELIDE
• ELORCAN FOREVERRRR
• AELIN WYD??????
• One Winged Angel: Rebirth started playing from my reading playlist and let me tell y’all that is an accurate vibe to describe what is going down rn
• Lysandra ur body confidence inspires me
• Chaol’s dad is such an ass
• DORIAN STOP PLAYING GAMES BRO 😭
• Chaol has now been officially adopted by Gavriel I don’t make the rules
• Maeve begging for her life is very satisfying
• Aedion dad era???
• “Evangeline had decided that she no longer wished to be page to Lord Darrow, but rather a Crochan witch.” Best line in the book so far tbh
• Ayo Lorcan?? Put them grippers away 🀨
• NOOOO ABRAXOS
• NOOOOOOOO DON’T TAKE THE THIRTEEN FROM ME πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”
• Aelin pls stop being so self sacrificial
• THE KING???? WHAT
• OH MY GOD NAMELESS IS MY PRICE AND WE NEVER KNEW THE KING OF ADARLAN’S NAME… WHAT A FUCKIN PLOT TWIST
• AELIN NOOOO
• Wait. If Aelin dying, why 200 pages left? Fivehead thinking
• Elena πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”
• VELARIS πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’—
• RHYS AND FEYRE πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’— Aelin in CC3 who’s with me
• I’m so happy both Aelin and Dorian made it
• Borte is so iconic
• Darrow’s change of heart >>>>>>>
• NOOOOO NOT GAVRIEL TOO πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”
• BYE BYE ERAWAN
• I hate u Maeve
• YESSSSSSS ROT IN HELL MAEVE
• THE WAR IS OVER THANK THE LORD
• If I didn’t love Elorcan so much I’d ship Elide with Manon 🀭
• QUEEN AELINNNNN
• Yrene being so blunt with Manon is iconiccccc
• Wait Nox never reunited with Aelin πŸ’”
• The original trio, together again πŸ’—
• That epilogue tho πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’—

The end. Holy shit, I never thought it would happen, or that I would ever get around to this book, but here I am. Can’t believe that a story about an assassin became this monumental war tale. Definitely my favorite book in the series. What an experience.

So, yeah... that happened.

If you read all the way through this and somehow managed to keep your sanity, congratulations. Psychologists and psychiatrists, feel free to use me as an example (for legal reasons, don't). And to my fellow Sarah J. Maas fans, I hope you feel seen and understood. Our love for her books is intense and so, so deserved. Keep reading, see y'all in the next one.

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