A new generation of Shadowhunters has arrived, and whether you’re new to the series or a long-time fan, Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare is a not-to-be-missed new masterpiece in the world of young adult fantasy epics.
The Shadowhunters of Los Angeles star in the first novel in Cassandra Clare’s newest series, The Dark Artifices, a sequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series. Lady Midnight is a Shadowhunters novel.
It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses.
Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…
Making things even more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark—who was captured by the faeries five years ago—has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind—and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?
Glitz, glamours, and Shadowhunters abound in this heartrending opening to Cassandra Clare’s Dark Artifices series.
I thought I was done with the Shadowhunter books. I thoroughly enjoyed The Mortal Instruments series, and absolutely LOVED The Infernal Devices (my favorites out of all of Cassie’s books). And while I had enjoyed all of Clare’s books set in this universe, I thought I was ready to walk away after nine books. I thought I was done reading her massive tomes and then waiting a year in between books to find out what happened next.
Then the tenth book landed on my doorstep. Literally. I was one of the lucky select bloggers chosen to receive a gorgeous advanced review copy of Lady Midnight (along with a beautiful package of themed goodies) — and I could not contain my excitement. I shrieked with excitement when I saw the box (very conspicuously marked with a Shadowhunter rune) sitting on my stoop, and my enthusiasm only grew as I unpacked the box and dove into reading Lady Midnight.
I’m so glad I took the plunge with this new generation of Shadowhunters. Clare still has more stories to tell, more themes to explore, and more shining new characters for us to fall in love with. Lady Midnight is proof enough. I absolutely adored Emma Carstairs and her parabatai Julian Blackthorn. I love the extended members of their family — Julian’s siblings, fellow Shadowhunter Cristina, and so many more. I connected with these characters instantly and was delighted to explore their part of the Shadowhunter world.
And their story is equally new and compelling. Tying in nicely with the previous nine books, Lady Midnight sets out with a fresh mystery to solve, new dangers and challenges to overcome, and a new set of characters (and couples) to root for, through all their trials.
With lots of cameos and references to the characters that have come before sprinkled generously throughout the book, well, that was just the icing on the cake. (And that TWIST at the very ending! Oh my lord, that got me SO excited for the rest of this series!!!) It sealed the deal for me. I was not done with Clare’s world of Shadowhunters, and I am eager to see what adventures are still ahead for Emma, Julian, and the rest.
Do not miss out on this new and exhilarating saga from Cassandra Clare; be sure to pick up Lady Midnight when it hits store shelves on March 8th.
UPDATE: Had to add this hilarious GIF from The Godfather: Part III, which Clare herself tweeted to me when I mentioned how I thought I was done with Shadowhunter books until Lady Midnight arrived. This very appropriately describes my initial reaction (still so glad I got “pulled back in”):
Novel Novice 
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