Not Enough Throne Of Glass Fans Know About This Gladiator Fantasy Book That Makes A Great Replacement

Throne of Glassis a tough act to follow, and fans of Sarah J. Maas' fantasy series may find themselves in a reading slump because of it. Books like Throne of Glass can be difficult to come by, even if other fantasy narratives feature similar archetypes and tropes. Like Maas' Court of Thorns & Roses series, Throne of Glass holds a special place in many readers' hearts, whether it's because of its badass heroine, intricate world-building, or story about a lost queen retaking her kingdom.

And readers missing those aspects of Aelin's journey need to know about a fantasy book with similar strengths. Jennifer Estep's seven-year-old fantasy trilogy boasts many of the elements that make Throne of Glass great, while also embracing a gladiator theme that gives it its own separate appeal. It's a shame more people aren't aware of 2018's Kill the Queen and its sequels, as they make solid follow-up reads after finishing Maas' story.

Kill The Queen By Jennifer Estep Has A Similar Setup To Throne Of Glass

The Book's Heroine Has A Similar Goal

Kill the Queen isn't as widely known as other Throne of Glass replacements, but it should be — and it should definitely be more popular among fans of Maas' work. The first book in Estep's Crown of Shards trilogy,Kill the Queen, follows a heroine who finds herself in a situation reminiscent of Aelin's. Although Evie's claim to her family's throne is initially much smaller — she's 17th in line to inherit it — a massacre kills everyone but her and her usurper cousin, Vasilia.

Like Aelin, Evie goes into hiding on the heels of the royal family's slaughter, falling in with a deadly crowd to stay hidden. However, instead of becoming an assassin, Evie is trained to fight by gladiators. And her new abilities will be crucial, as she has no magic and wants justice for her family and kingdom. While there are obvious differences between her journey and Aelin's, the setup of Kill the Queen paves the way for a story with similar themes. And there are two sequels, giving readers plenty more to look forward to.

Kill The Queen Has A Few Things Going For It That Sarah J. Maas' Series Doesn't

The Gladiator Twist & Lack Of Magic Sets It Apart

Although Kill the Queen has a plot that will appeal to Throne of Glass fans, it also has things going for it that Maas' series doesn't. For one, the gladiator element puts a unique spin on a revenge story that's otherwise been done before. The protagonist's lack of magic also makes her even more of an underdog than Aelin, raising the stakes of Estep's books further. Needless to say, the story is perfect for those who don't want a carbon copy of Throne of Glass but are hoping to be sucked in by a similar concept.

The Throne of Glass

Created by

Sarah J. Maas

Character(s)

Celaena Sardothien, Dorian Havilliard, Rowan Whitethorn, Chaol Westfall, Manon Blackbeak, Nehemia Ytger, Aedion Ashryver, Lysandra, Elide Lochan

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