Fantasy Fangirls – TOG Fantasy FanGuide Ep 1: Assassin's Blade, Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight

Episode Date: February 2, 2026
Hosts: Lexi and Nicole

Overview

In this highly-anticipated first episode of their TOG (Throne of Glass) Fantasy FanGuide series, sisters Lexi and Nicole embark on a detailed, passionate, and spoiler-conscious deep dive into the world of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass universe. The episode covers Assassin's Blade, Throne of Glass, and Crown of Midnight, guiding newcomers and seasoned readers alike through lore, reading order debates, worldbuilding, major characters, and essential foreshadowing. The hosts balance encyclopedic fandom knowledge with heartfelt emotional insight—and plenty of lively sisterly banter.

Episode Structure and Spoiler Policy

• [03:53] The episode is split in two:
  • Part 1: Absolutely spoiler-free for the first three books covered (Assassin’s Blade, Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight). Safe for new readers.
  • Part 2: Series-wide spoilers for all eight books. Big, explicit warning before this section!
• “We are great at giving very obnoxious spoiler warnings so you know when we move from Part one to Part two.” – Lexi [04:34]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reading Order Debates

[08:50–17:32]

• The Big Question: When should you read Assassin’s Blade?

  • Chronological Order: Read Assassin’s Blade first for zero spoilers.
    • Pros: Fully blind to major character fates.
    • Cons: The short-story format is different and may deter new readers.
    • “If you prefer absolutely zero spoilers and chronological order, read Assassin's Blade first.” – Lexi [11:19]
  • Maas’s Order (SJM recommends): Read it third, after Crown of Midnight.
    • Gives attachment to characters before knowing their backstory.
    • “For emotional impact, it flows beautifully for her character arc to read it third.” – Lexi [11:19]
  • After Heir of Fire: Some read it fourth for big emotional impact before Queen of Shadows.
  • Others: Some even read Assassin’s Blade last, including Nicole on her original read.
    • “I actually read it last and I'm really, really glad I did ... There was a wonderful surprise, specifically in Tower of Dawn, that I did not know because I hadn't read Assassin's Blade.” – Nicole [14:03, 16:15]

• Tandem Reading (Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn):

  • What is it? Reading the two simultaneously, as their events occur in parallel.
  • Pros: Prevents cliffhanger frustration, balances less-loved Tower of Dawn.
  • Cons: Harder on audiobook, requires focus.
    • “Not to sound like a broken record, but again, it depends. If you do not like the characters that Tower of Dawn follows ... We would definitely recommend the tandem read...” – Nicole [19:01]
  • Audiobook tip: “I admit I totally raw dogged it though.” – Lexi [20:10]

• Order of SJM Series:

  • Best for newcomers to Maas: ACOTAR → Throne of Glass → Crescent City.
  • “Please read Acotar, including the fifth book before reading Crescent City.” – Lexi [23:55]

2. World-Building and Lore Cheat Sheet

[30:51–38:25]

• Main Continents:

  • Erilea: Primary setting, ruled (conquered) by the King of Adarlan. Magic suppressed here.
  • Eastern Continent: Land of the Fae; Wendlyn’s location.
  • Southern Continent: Home to the Torre Cesme and elite healers.

• Key Locations:

  • Rifthold: The capital, with its iconic Glass Castle and sinister clock tower.
  • Ilwey: Resistant nation, last to fight the King.
  • Terrasen: Celaena’s/Aelin’s homeland, first conquered.

• Politics & Magic:

  • Magic is illegal and inaccessible in Erilea—those with magic are banished, killed, or enslaved.
  • Slave Camps: Endovier and Calaculla—mentions of their horror and importance.

• Foundational Magic-Lore:

  • Wyrd: Force underlying this universe—old word for fate. (“Think of Wyrd as a force that makes up this universe.” – Lexi [36:11])
  • Wyrdmarks & Wyrdgates: Magical symbols and voids allowing passage between worlds.
  • Fae and Little Folk: once populous, now rare/hiding.

3. Major Characters (Intro & First Arc)

[38:25–42:21]

• Celaena Sardothien: 18, infamous assassin, outwardly arrogant but traumatized by her past. “She has exquisite taste in clothes, accessories, and she is unmatched with her ruthlessness and fighting skills.” – Lexi [36:11]
• Dorian Havilliard: 19, crown prince, charming and idealistic but immature.
• Chaol Westfall: 24, captain of the guard, loyal, rule-bound, Celaena’s other love interest.
• Nehemia Ytger: Princess of Ilwey, 19; diplomat, advocate for her people.
• King of Adarlan: Conqueror, cruel–driving the world’s conflict.
• Duke Perrington, Caltaine, Arobynn Hamel, Sam Cortland: Key antagonists/players in various plots and assassins' politics.

4. Historical Timeline — Essential Backdrop

[42:21–43:55]

• 1,000 years ago: Second Demon War; Elena and Gavin (first King/Queen of Adarlan) defeat Erawan, found House Haviliard.
• 10 years ago: King conquers Terrasen, eradicates Fae/magic.
• 2 years ago: Assassin’s Blade’s first story events.
• 1 year ago: Celaena sent to Endovier, setting up Throne of Glass’s start.

5. Hosts’ Perspectives and Reader Expectations

[44:11–48:07]

• Nicole: Loves early books for their foundation, doesn’t mind YA vibe, finds Assassin’s Blade less compelling personally but appreciates its role.

  • “Crown of Midnight is one of my top three books in the series, especially on a reread, because you're like, oh my God, it's all there.” – Nicole [44:11]

• Lexi: Appreciates SJM’s growth and the slow burn of the epic, recommends going in expecting YA and evolving complexity.

  • “I have a genuine appreciation for how much this series evolves and seen SJM grow as a writer.” – Lexi [45:49]

• Major tip: Avoid googling fan art or character names to prevent being spoiled for major twists.

PART TWO — SERIES SPOILERS AND DEEP FORESHADOWING

[57:15+]

A sharp spoiler warning leads into full-series discussion. Highlights include:

1. Celaena’s/Aelin’s Character Arc

• Assassin’s Blade events (especially Sam’s death) are central to her inner walls and later self-sacrificing choices.
• Vulnerability themes traced from her relationship with Sam through to Rowan.
  • “His death to her proves that those walls should always stay up to protect those that she cares about, to punish herself ...” – Lexi [60:26]
• Aelin’s refusal to let loved ones in is traced back to trauma–“She will never let something like that happen again.” – Lexi [61:58]

2. Throne of Glass & Crown of Midnight Plot Arcs

• Throne of Glass:

  • Celaena, behind her bravado, craves freedom.
  • Loves the competition plot for illustrating her drive—and arrogance. “She is that good!” – Lexi [66:58]

• Crown of Midnight:

  • Initiates deeper emotional transformation.
  • Chaol/Celaena relationship: safe, but ultimately not sustainable.
    • “Kaol embodies that safety for her. Are they meant to be together? No. Absolutely not. But behind closed doors, they make sense.” – Nicole [67:41]
  • Nehemia's death: planned as a catalyst for Celaena to embrace Aelin.
    • “She knows that Nehemia's death is going to break Celaena.” – Nicole [69:31]
    • “Nehemia’s sacrifice is also reminiscent of Lady Marian’s sacrifice, for which Celaena also feels unworthy.” – Nicole [67:43]

• Cliffhanger Reveal:

  • "Celaena Sardothien is Aelin Ashriver Galathinius” (end of Crown of Midnight). “This was one of the most satisfying reveals I have read. Like, really and truly. I loved it so much...” – Lexi [72:10]

3. Dorian, Kaol, and Nehemia — Secondary Journeys

• Dorian:
  • Grows from immature prince to traumatized, powerful king-to-be; his magic and bloodline foreshadowed early.
  • “He finally finds a love and she’s beheaded right in front of him before he has a word collar put around his neck. God duh.” – Nicole [75:24]
• Kaol:
  • Embodies struggle between ingrained loyalty and new truths.
  • Early relationship with Celaena: “He only wanted to love certain parts of her.” – Lexi [88:20]
• Nehemia:
  • Instrumental in both plot and protagonist’s growth, ultimately sacrifices herself as planned with Elena.
  • “She is the first person to challenge Celaena’s avoidance of responsibility.” – Lexi [78:43]

4. Foreshadowing & Butterfly Effect Moments

(Top scenes and details called out)

• The earliest hints Celaena is Aelin — attitudes, dreams, offhand remarks [92:27–94:26].
• References to Dorian and Aelin’s bloodlines, and the “nameless is my price” motif [95:55–102:20].
• Early clues to Duke Parrington’s true nature (“obsidian eyes,” “shadow crosses over his face,” etc.) [94:26–96:02].
• The Lord of the North/white stag symbolism, little folk, rattle the stars motif—all paying off in later books and series conclusion [98:01–98:57].
• “Tell me tomorrow” — the same line ends both ToG and Kingdom of Ash [97:08].
• Caltain’s transformation and impact, Irene’s butterfly effect [99:00–100:38].
• Sam’s phrase: “My name is Celaena Sardothian and I will not be afraid” — becomes Aelin’s battle cry and prime motif [105:45].

Notable Quotes

• “Everyone's opinion is valid. It’s only with you and I that we’re like, how dare you, sister.” – Nicole [16:40]
• “Tower of Dawn is not a fan favorite in the series since it follows a less popular group of characters. I think I speak for both of us when I say we actually disagree here at Fantasy Fangirls …” – Nicole [19:01]
• “Please read Acotar, including the fifth book before reading Crescent City. Yes, this is for plot reasons. Please just do it. Just trust us on this one.” – Lexi [23:55]
• “Magic may be illegal and inaccessible, but friends, this is a fantasy book so we still get little glimpses of magic.” – Lexi [36:11]
• “The boys definitely do annoy me in these books, I'm not gonna lie, but the final lines in Assassin's Blade just give me chills for days.” – Lexi [48:07]
• “If you have been having a campaign for two and a half years for Fantasy fangirls to cover Throne of Glass, this is the perfect episode to share with them. Congratulations.” – Lexi [106:56]

Memorable Sister Banter & Moments

• Lexi and Nicole’s playfully fierce back-and-forth on reading order, ships, and character flaws pepper the entire episode, lending relatable warmth and humor.
  • “Don’t you dare start on Kaol. I’m about to go to bat for my boy.” – Nicole [65:29]
  • “Lexi, I think you and I can agree on this, if we were doing a deep dive of him, he would get so many Ls.” – Nicole [88:29]

Useful Timestamps

• [03:53] — Episode/series structure and spoiler notes
• [08:50] — TOG recommended reading orders explained
• [19:01] — The tandem read (Empire of Storms / Tower of Dawn)
• [30:51–38:25] — Quick start guide to TOG world/lore
• [44:11] — Why the hosts love the early books/their mindsets
• [57:15] — Major spoiler warning – series-wide analysis begins
• [62:30+] — In-depth character-by-character arc breakdown
• [92:27+] — Foreshadowing, favorite scenes, “top 10” moments

Final Thoughts

Part literary guide, part fandom celebration (with plenty of giggling asides), this episode is a treasure for new and returning readers seeking to deepen their understanding of the Throne of Glass’s sprawling story and emotional resonance. The hosts’ insights into reading order, character arcs, and hidden foreshadowing, paired with clear warnings on where to stop for spoilers, make this an ideal companion for anyone about to embark on their Erilean adventure.

Upcoming:
Episode 2 will cover Heir of Fire and Queen of Shadows — part one spoiler-free for those two books, part two FULL series spoilers.

Follow & Share:

• Instagram/TikTok: @fantasyfangirlspod
• Perfect episode for convincing wary friends to try the series!

“My name is Celaena Sardothian and I will not be afraid.” [105:51]