The five books, one by one
Kisses get heated and there is some touching over clothes, but nothing goes further on the page. It suits readers who want a strong romance with no sex scenes. Flatiron Books gives an age range of 13 to 18. Romance stays at kissing and some touching, with no sex on the page, so we agree with the publisher. Common Sense Media also says 13+.
Also on the page: some violence, dark magic and curses, some drinking.
Checked 1 Nov 2026: Flatiron Books, Common Sense Media review.
There is one sex scene but the page cuts away with very little described, and one longer heated scene stops short of sex. Most of the romance is scheming and verbal sparring. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan) gives an age range of 13 to 18. One sex scene happens with almost no description, and there is one more detailed make-out scene, so we suggest 15+, toward the top of that range. Common Sense Media also says 15+.
Also on the page: some violence, murder plots, some drinking.
Checked 1 Nov 2026: Feiwel & Friends, Common Sense Media review.
A couple of long-awaited kisses, told mostly through feelings. Nothing more happens on the page in this first book. Published by Bloomsbury. Romance stays at kissing, while the assassin plot brings a lot of violence, so we suggest 14+. Common Sense Media also says 14+.
Also on the page: strong violence, murder, some drinking.
Checked 1 Nov 2026: Bloomsbury Publishing, Bloomsbury Publishing, Throne of Glass first-edition ebook page, Common Sense Media review.
A few charged kisses and embraces, nothing beyond that. The tension comes from rivalry, not from scenes. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers shelves it as teen and young adult. Romance is limited to kissing, with fights, poison and bullying throughout, so we agree with 14+, as does Common Sense Media.
Also on the page: knife and sword fights, poisoning, bullying, some strong language, some drinking.
Checked 1 Nov 2026: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Common Sense Media review.
Kissing and one embarrassing moment of partial undress. It is a romance with almost no heat on the page. Flatiron Books gives an age range of 13 to 18. There is kissing and one moment of partial undress, so we agree with the publisher. Common Sense Media also says 13+.
Also on the page: some violence, abusive parent, some drinking.
Checked 1 Nov 2026: Flatiron Books, Common Sense Media review.
