If you’re reading Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass and you’ve reached Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn (books 5 and 6), this is the tandem read chapter order. These two books happen at the same time, so you can alternate chapters to keep the timeline synced (and avoid the Empire of Storms cliffhanger problem).
Jump to:
- Before you start
- Throne of Glass Tandem Read Order
- Skip Tower of Dawn?
- Tandem Read FAQ
- Throne of Glass Books in Order
Want the printable? Download the PDF checklist here.
Before you start the tandem read
It’s best to have physical copies of both books to make this as smooth as possible. You can do the tandem read with two ebooks too, but switching takes a little more attention.
Throne of Glass tandem read chapter order
This is the tandem reading order for Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn, listed chapter by chapter.
- Empire of Storms: Nightfall–Chapter 5
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 1
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 6–8
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 2–3
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 9–10
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 4–6
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 11
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 7
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 12–13
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 8–10
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 14–16
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 11–12
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 17–18
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 13–16
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 19
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 17
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 20–23
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 18–21
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 24–25
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 22–23
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 26
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 24
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 27–29
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 25–28
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 30
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 29–31
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 31
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 32
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 32
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 33–35
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 33–51
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 36–37
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 52
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 38–40
- Empire of Storms: Chapter 53
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 41–42
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 54–56
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 43
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 57–59
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 44–48
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 60–61
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 49–51
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 62–63
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 52–53
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 64–65
- Tower of Dawn: Chapters 54–56
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 66–67
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 57
- Empire of Storms: Chapters 68–75
- Tower of Dawn: Chapter 58–Fireheart
Why you want to skip Tower of Dawn (and why it’s a mistake)
Let’s be honest about what’s happening.
Empire of Storms ends on a huge “I need the next book immediately” moment. Then you discover the next thing you’re “supposed” to read is Tower of Dawn, which follows a different cast in a different place.
That’s where a lot of readers try to bail.
Bad move.
Because even though Tower of Dawn happens in a separate location with no direct scene-by-scene overlap, it’s still part of the same timeline and it matters going into the finale. Skipping it doesn’t just leave gaps — it robs the payoff.
What is the Throne of Glass tandem read?
The tandem read is exactly what it sounds like: you read both books at the same time, switching back and forth using a planned chapter sequence.
It works because the events in both books happen concurrently in different locations. You keep the momentum from Empire of Storms without treating Tower of Dawn like homework, and you hit the finale with the full context.
And yes — it’s more fun.
Should you do the tandem read on your first read?
Here’s my take:
If you hate being forced to pause a storyline you’re invested in, do the tandem read even on a first read. It’s a cleaner experience.
If you prefer reading one book straight through without switching contexts, you can absolutely do publication order (read Empire of Storms, then Tower of Dawn). You’ll still be fine.
But if you’re already tempted to skip Tower of Dawn, the tandem read is your “save the experience” option.
How to keep your place during the tandem read
Many readers prefer to place colored sticky tabs at the chapters where you’ll switch books ahead of time so that you can read until you reach the tab, then switch. Pull the tabs out as you read so you don’t have to waste time figuring out where you left off.
If you don’t like the idea of dozens of sticky tabs, that’s okay. You just need a way to hold your spot in both books.
Physical books: use two bookmarks (or a bookmark + a single sticky note). One stays parked where you left off in each book, so switching takes seconds.
Ebooks: use bookmarks and a note. I like to keep a simple note that says “Next: TOD Chapter 22–23” so I don’t have to scroll back up the list every time.
Audiobooks: same idea — track by chapter. The order above still works perfectly.
One more tip: don’t obsess over “perfect timing.” Just follow the next line on the list. It’ll click fast.
Throne of Glass Tandem Read FAQ
Does the tandem read contain spoilers?
This guide doesn’t spoil plot events — it’s just a chapter order. The only “spoiler” is knowing you’ll be switching books (which you already came here for).
Is this the only correct tandem order?
There are a few versions floating around. This one is clean, popular, and easy to follow because it uses chapter blocks, not a million single-chapter swaps.
What if I already started Empire of Storms?
You can still switch into the tandem read. Just find the last thing you completed in Empire of Storms, then jump to the matching spot in the list and continue from there.
I really don’t want to switch back and forth. Can I just read them normally?
Yep. Publication order works. But if your motivation is “I want to skip Tower of Dawn,” that’s exactly what the tandem read prevents.
Why does Tower of Dawn matter if it’s separate?
Because it sets up characters, context, and stakes you’ll want in place before the finale. It’s not optional if you want the full payoff.
Optional: printable checklist
If you want a printable version you can mark up as you go, download it here.