Last updated on January 22nd, 2024 at 12:09 pm
How to tandem read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn? (SJM TOG series)
The Throne of Glass series offers a unique reading experience due to its flexibility in reading order, connections to other series like A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) and Crescent City, and the unique option to tandem read Empire of Storms (EOS) and Tower of Dawn (TOD). If you’ve ever wondered how to dive into this tandem reading adventure, you’re in the right place!
I never considered tandem reading or knew where to start. So if you’re like me, I’ve got you covered!
Within this blog I’ll run you through the following:
- Recap of Throne of Glass before you start Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn
- Your Guide to Tandem Reading in the Throne of Glass Series
- Why Reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn Simultaneously Enhances the TOG Experience
Spoiler Alert: Keep in mind that spoilers for the books preceding EOS and TOD are ahead. So, if you’re not caught up, proceed with caution!
Get ready for an unforgettable reading experience that will leave you utterly immersed in the world of SJM’s Throne of Glass series.
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Recap of Throne of Glass before you start Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn
Spoilers warning again for the first the books preceding EOS and TOD; Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadow. The below summaries capture the key plot points of the first four books in the Throne of Glass series, but there are many more intricacies, character developments, and subplots in each instalment. And finally I’ll discuss how Queen of Shadow ends so you’re up to date for your tandem reading experience.
Throne of Glass summary
In this series opener, we meet Celaena Sardothien, an infamous assassin who is released from a labor camp to compete for her freedom in a brutal tournament to become the King’s Champion. As she navigates the treacherous competition, she uncovers dark secrets about the kingdom and her own past.
Crown of Midnight summary
Celaena is now the King’s Champion and continues to carry out his orders while secretly working against him. She investigates mysterious deaths in the castle and discovers a conspiracy that could threaten the entire kingdom. Loyalties are tested, and Celaena’s true identity as Aelin Galathynius, the lost queen of Terrasen, begins to emerge. We have some heartbreaking moments such as Nehimia being murdered and Celaena being betrayed and reliving trauma.
Heir of Fire summary
Aelin travels to the Fae lands to learn more about her powers and heritage, where she meets Rowan. Meanwhile, her friends Chaol and Dorian deal with political unrest in the kingdom. Aelin faces formidable challenges and makes new allies among the Fae, setting the stage for a larger battle against dark forces.
We also get introduced to a some new characters, mainly Manon, leader of the thirteen. This books ends with Dorian love interest being murdered in front of him and his father forces a collar on him. Chaol is now futative, Aedion is captive, and Aelin plans to journey back to Adarlan.
Queen of Shadows summary
At the end of “Queen of Shadows,” the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, the story is filled with tension and anticipation. Here’s a summary of the end events to get you ready for the next two books Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn:
Aelin Galathynius returns to Rifthold to liberate her kingdom. With loyal friends, she battles formidable foes and faces her true identity as Aelin. Aelin assembles a group of loyal friends, including Chaol, Dorian, Rowan, Manon, and more, to wage a rebellion against the darkness that has plagued their world for far too long. Together, they face formidable foes, uncover dark secrets, and engage in epic battles.
She also faces off against the deadly witch clan and forms an uneasy alliance with Manon Blackbeak, adding complexity to the story.
How does Queen of Shadows end?
The end of “Queen of Shadows” leaves us on the edge of our seats, eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series, “Empire of Storms.” The fate of beloved characters, the future of the kingdom, and the ultimate showdown with the forces of evil hang in the balance.
To recap some key developments: Chaol grapples with the life-altering paralysis from the waist down, Nesryn steps into her new role as Hand of the King, Dorian copes with the trauma of hosting a Valg Prince within him for months, mourning the loss of Sasha, and struggling to harness his unleashed power. Meanwhile, Manon finds herself entangled in conflicts with Erwan and other witches, ultimately aiding Elide in her daring escape from Morath, which results in the explosive destruction of half the fortress.
Elide, now on her own in Oakwald Forest, embarks on a journey with her sights set on Terrasen. At the same time, Aelin, accompanied by Rowan, Aedion, Lysandra, and Evangeline, is on a mission to obtain the two remaining Wyrdkeys and make her way to Terrasen as well.
It’s a gripping conclusion that sets the stage for even greater challenges and adventures in the Throne of Glass series. Get ready for more epic fantasy, political intrigue, and heart-pounding action in the next chapter of this captivating saga.
Your Guide to Tandem Reading in the Throne of Glass Series
Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn follow two distinct groups of characters due to a departure at the end of the previous book Queen of Shadows. These characters, featured in EOS and TOD, don’t cross paths and are situated on separate continents, and events are occurring at the same time allowing for the perfect tandem reading experience. First step (and the most important one lol), if you haven’t already, buy Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn!
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Empire of Storms leaves readers on a heart-wrenching cliffhanger, brimming with anticipation and a slew of “WTF” emotions. Tandem reading Tower of Dawn alongside it ensures you won’t have to endure the agonising wait until you’ve plowed through 658 pages just to uncover the repercussions of EOS’s gripping conclusion.
Tandem reading might seem a tad intimidating, especially if you’re new to the concept, but fear not! I’ve got a manageable method that’ll make it a breeze. All you need are both books and some trusty tab stickers (or trusty post-it notes).
As you alternate between the books, visualise the events unfolding simultaneously for characters on different continents. Here’s what worked for me: I used eight different tabbing labels. When it was time to switch to the next book, I placed a coloured tab at the beginning of the next chapter I’d return to in EOS, then repeated the process in TOD.
These colour-coded tabs acted as my navigation aids, sparing me the need to constantly refer back to an online list or rely on multiple bookmarks. For instance, I’d read all the chapters in the pink tab for EOS and then TOD, then blue to blue, depending on your chosen tab colours.
In my case, the tab colours followed this sequence: red, orange, yellow, green, sky blue, purple, pink, and finally dark blue. If you’d like to purchase the same tabs I did, I ordered them from Amazon. However, you’re not confined to using colours; you could stick with a single colour for both books and employ separate bookmarks in each to track your progress. Alternatively, you could jot down notes on your tabs, indicating when and where to switch books.
Tandem reading order for Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn
EOS always kicks off the sequence, as it’s the first book you begin and end with. To avoid accidental spoilers, I had my partner place the tabs on the pages. If you plan to use the tabbing method, whether colour-coded or not, I’ve included instructions below the chapter list to help you position your tabs with precision. (Read column by column).
- EOS “Nightfall to Chapter 5
- TOD Chapter 1
- EOS Chapter 6-8
- TOD Chapter 2-3
- EOS Chapter 9-10
- TOD Chapter 4-6
- EOS Chapter 11
- TOD Chapter 7
- EOS Chapter 12-13
- TOD Chapter 8-10
- EOS Chapter 14-16
- TOD Chapter 11-12
- EOS Chapter 17-18
- TOD Chapter 13-16
- EOS Chapter 19
- TOD Chapter 17
- EOS Chapter 20-23
- TOD Chapter 18-21
- EOS Chapter 24-25
- TOD Chapter 22-23
- EOS Chapter 26
- TOD Chapter 24
- EOS Chapter 27-29
- TOD Chapter 25-28
- EOS Chapter 30
- TOD Chapter 29-31
- EOS Chapter 31
- TOD Chapter 32
- EOS Chapter 32
- TOD Chapter 33-35
- EOS Chapter 33-51
- TOD Chapter 36-37
- EOS Chapter 52
- TOD Chapter 38-40
- EOS Chapter 53
- TOD Chapter 41-42
- EOS Chapter 54-56
- TOD Chapter 43
- EOS Chapter 57-59
- TOD Chapter 44-48
- EOS Chapter 60-61
- TOD Chapter 49-51
- EOS Chapter 62-63
- TOD Chapter 52-53
- EOS Chapter 64-65
- TOD Chapter 54-56
- EOS Chapter 66-67
- TOD Chapter 57
- EOS Chapter 68-75
- TOD Chapter 58 to “Fireheart”
How to tandem read using tabbing method
Tandem reading using the tabbing method involves switching between “Empire of Storms” and “Tower of Dawn” based on coloured tabs placed at specific chapters and pages, with the goal of reading both books in a coordinated manner. Buy the same coloured tabs I used, and the one featured in the image above via Amazon.
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Tabbing rules
Always read until you see a tab, then switch books.
- Begin your tandem read with Empire of Storms.
- When you encounter the first coloured tab (e.g., red) in Empire of Storms, switch to Tower of Dawn.
- Continue reading in Tower of Dawn until you reach the same coloured tab (red).
- Navigate back to the red tab in Empire of Storms and read until you encounter the next tab (e.g., orange).
- Return to Tower of Dawn and read from the red tab to the orange tab, matching your progress in Empire of Storms.
- Repeat this process, using one bookmark to keep track of your current book.
- When you reach a new coloured tab in Tower of Dawn (e.g., red), find the corresponding coloured tab in Empire of Storms and start reading from there.
- If possible, aim to read all the content between the coloured tabs in Empire of Storms first, followed by Tower of Dawn. For example, read all of the content between the red tabs in Empire of Storms and then move on to the red tabs in Tower of Dawn. However, be aware that this can be challenging if there’s a significant amount of reading in one book before reaching the next coloured tab.
Guide to tabbing using colours and pages
Please note these pages references paperback of the newest addition (EOS=692, TOD=660).
Empire of Storm chapters and pages
Open book – No tab needed | Nightfall to ch 5
Place red tab at Ch 6 – pg 74 | Ch 6 to 8.
Place orange tab at Ch 9 – pg 95 | Ch 9 to 10.
Place yellow tab at Ch 27 – pg 239 | Ch 11.
Place green tab at Ch 12 – pg 122 | Ch 12 to 11.
Place sky blue tab at Ch 14 – pg 134 | Ch 14 to 16.
Place purple tab at Ch 17 – pg 157 | Ch 17 to 18.
Place pink tab at Ch 19 – pg 174 | Ch 19.
Place dark blue tab at Ch 20 – pg 191 | Ch 20 to 23. Place red tab at Ch 24 – pg 223 | Ch 24 to 25. Place orange tab at Ch 26 – pg 234 | Ch 26. Place yellow tab at Ch 27 – pg 239 | Ch 27 to 29. Place green tab at Ch 30 – pg 262 | Ch 30. Place sky blue tab at Ch 31 – pg 277 | Ch 31. Place purple tab at Ch 32 – pg 285 | Ch 32. Place pink tab at Ch 33 – pg 294 | Ch 33 to 51. Place dark blue tab at Ch 52 – pg 485 | Ch 52. Place red tab at Ch 53 – pg 494 | Ch 53. Place orange tab at Ch 54 – pg 507 | Ch 54 to 56. Place yellow tab at Ch 57 – pg 532 | Ch 57 to 59. Place green tab at Ch 60 – pg 564 | Ch 60 to 61. Place sky blue tab at Ch 62 -pg 585 | Ch 62 to 63. Place purple tab at Ch 64 – pg 596 | Ch 64 to 65. Place pink tab at Ch 66 – pg 608 | Ch 66 to 67. Place dark blue tab at Ch 68 – pg 620 | Ch 68 to 75 (end of book).
Tower of Dawn chapters and pages
Open book – No tab needed | Ch 1. Place red tab at Ch 2 – pg 10 | Ch 2 to 3. Place orange tab at Ch 4 – pg 36 | Ch 4 to 6. Place yellow tab at Ch 7 – pg 82 | Ch 7. Place green tab at Ch 8 – pg 93 | Ch 8 to 10. Place sky blue tab at Ch 11 – pg 134 | Ch 11 to 12. Place purple tab at Ch 13 – pg 155 | Ch 13 to 16. Place pink tab at Ch 17 – pg 208 | Ch 17. Place dark blue tab at Ch 18 – pg 215 | Ch 18 to 21. Place red tab at Ch 22 – pg 265 | Ch 22 to 23. Place orange tab at Ch 24 – pg 287 | Ch 24. Place yellow tab at Ch 25 – pg 294 | Ch 25 to 28. Place green tab at Ch 29 – pg 337 | Ch 29 to 31. Place sky blue tab at Ch 32 – pg 380 | Ch 32. Place purple tab at Ch 33 – pg 391 | Ch 33 to 35. Place pink tab at Ch 36 – pg 412 | Ch 36 to 37. Place dark blue tab at Ch 38 – pg 439 | Ch 38 to 40 Place red tab at Ch 41 – pg 466 | Ch 41 to 42. Place orange tab at Ch 43 – pg 481 | Ch 43. Place yellow tab at Ch 44 – pg 490 | Ch 44 to 48. Place green tab at Ch 49 – pg 531 | Ch 49 to 51. Place sky blue tab at Ch 52 – pg 544 | Ch 52 to 53. Place purple tab at Ch 54 – pg 560 | Ch 54 to 56. Place pink tab at Ch 57 – pg 579 | Ch 57. Place dark blue tab at Ch 58 – pg 585 | Ch 58 to “Fireheart” (end of book).
When completing Empire of Storms, if you need a reminder to switch to the next book, place a tab at page 693 which is at the end of the book end of the book. You must complete the tandem read on Tower of Dawn.
Why Reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn Simultaneously Enhances the TOG Experience
Tandem reading “Empire of Storms” and “Tower of Dawn” in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas can offer several benefits:
- Parallel Storylines: These two books follow different sets of characters and storylines, and reading them in tandem allows you to experience both narratives concurrently. This can keep the overall story engaging and prevent you from feeling disconnected from certain characters or events.
- Enhanced Understanding: Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn are interconnected, and events in one book can impact the other. Reading them together helps you grasp the full scope of the story and understand how the characters’ actions in one book affect the events in the other.
- Cliffhanger Resolution: Empire of Storms ends with a significant cliffhanger, and Tower of Dawn provides answers to some of the lingering questions. Tandem reading allows you to quickly resolve the cliffhanger and continue the story seamlessly.
- Deeper Character Development: Tower of Dawn focuses on Chaol Westfall and introduces new characters and perspectives. Reading it alongside “Empire of Storms” provides a more comprehensive understanding of Chaol’s character arc and the broader world of the series. People dislike Chaol, but throughout reading this book I ended up really liking him.
- Emotional Impact: The events in these books are emotionally charged, and reading them together can intensify the emotional rollercoaster, making the highs higher and the lows lower. It can lead to a more immersive reading experience. Definitely when there’s more down moments in Empire of Storms, and Tower of Dawn has some expectional comedy in it! It made the reading experience much more enjoyable.
- Discussion: If you’re reading with a friend or part of a book club, tandem reading can facilitate in-depth discussions and analysis of the interconnected plotlines, character developments, and themes. I did this, and it was amazing.
- Consistency: Maintaining continuity between the two books is easier when you read them together, as you won’t have long gaps between installments, helping you retain important details.
The most important question you have to ask yourself it, can you go an entire book without.
In summary, tandem reading “Empire of Storms” and “Tower of Dawn” can enhance your overall reading experience by providing a more comprehensive understanding of the story, deeper character development, and intensified emotional impact. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the world of the Throne of Glass series.
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*EOD = Empire of Storms, TOD = Tower of Dawn, Ch = Chapter, TOG = Throne of Glass, ACOTAR = A Court of Thorn and Roses, CC = Cresent City, SJM = Sarah J. Maas.