Throne of Glassis a tough act to follow, and fans ofSarah J. Maas' fantasy seriesmay find themselves in a reading slump because of it.Books likeThrone of Glasscan be difficult to come by, even if other fantasy narratives feature similar archetypes and tropes. LikeMaas’Court of Thorns & Rosesseries,Throne of Glassholds 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 makeThrone of Glassgreat, while also embracing a gladiator theme that gives it its own separate appeal. It’s a shame more people aren’t aware of 2018’sKill the Queenand 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 Queenisn’t as widely known asotherThrone of Glassreplacements, but it should be — and it should definitely be more popular among fans of Maas' work.The first book in Estep’sCrown of Shardstrilogy,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.
2018
4.02
2019
4.09
2020
4.10
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 ofKill the Queenpaves 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
AlthoughKill the Queenhas a plot that will appeal toThrone of Glassfans, 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 ofThrone of Glassbut are hoping to be sucked in by a similar concept.
