Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifacts, Book One)
by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lady Midnight is the beginning of a new series by Cassandra Clare. This one called the Dark Artifices and it takes place about 5 or so years after the end of the Mortal Instruments series, give or take a few years. But you will hear Clary and Jace's name's brought up and it's not that far removed from the end of the Mortal Instruments. Just to give you an idea where we are starting, but we are not in New York, the setting of the Mortal Instruments, nor are we in London, the setting of the Infernal Devices, we are in San Francisco. Completely new city, completely new set of shadowhunters, well sort of.
You know how those same names seem to keep popping up again and again! You will find them again, and some of our favorites will drop in for a visit now and again in this story.
Here we have a disconnect between the faerie world and the Shadowhunter world, they are no longer in communication, yet a series of deaths brings the faerie's to the Institute for help, but is all really as it seems? Young Emma Carstairs and her parabati Julian Blackthorn are tasked with the job of discovering the truth, with the help of only their younger siblings and Mark, Julian's older brother who was kidnapped by the fae and has no idea of the normal world. This is almost an impossible task. But, if they can do it, they can ensure that Mark will be able to stay in the Shadowhunter world and not have to return to the fae. Julian will have part of his family back, something he has always wanted.
Once again, Cassandra Clare gives us a story of youth facing a daunting task, that should be well over their heads, and yet they attack it with courage and determination that is unbelieveable at times, they do not give up. Their faith in each other and belief in what is right supersedes anything else. You will fall for these characters!
Book Two: Lord of Shadows Review Link
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The Bane Chronicles
by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Bane Chronicles is a collection of stories about the life and adventures of Mangus Bane, everyone's favorite Warlock. Word of warning - DO NOT READ this until you have finished the Mortal Instruments AND the Infernal Devices, unless you want them to be spoiled for you! Some of the stories occur during the periods of those series and you get Mangus point of view of what was going on, where in the other books you got it from only the Shadowhunters point of view.
Mangus Bane is character quite unto himself and is a joy to read about. He is not self-centered or as egotistical as you would think a centuries old Warlock would be, but he has a calm outlook on life.
There are also a lot of things that Mangus' stories fills in. There is a story about Valentine's Circle, the moment that Joyceln first comes to him with Clary and many others, so you find that in reading about Mangus he fills in some gaps and gives you more details. Which is why you would hate to read it before you read the original stories.
Definitely another must read by Cassandra Clare.
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Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, Book Two)
by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Clockwork Prince is the second book in the Infernal Devices series, which is a precursor to the Mortal Instruments series.
In the Clockwork Prince we continue to follow Tessa Gray as she tries to discover more about who and what she is, and the London Institute as they try to find and defeat Mortmain.
This book grows each of the characters in age and maturity. We learn more about Tessa and her brother Nate, Jem and Will and even Jessamine. We watch the friendships and affections between the people grow and become more and shape and influence decisions that they make.
Familiar family names from the Mortal Instruments series can be found in this book, but as the shadowhunters are an elite lineage that should be expected. We find some bad apples in some family trees.
I found myself hoping for and enjoying the development of a relationship with Tessa and Jem, I found it true and innocent and refreshing, especially in a world filled with demons and conflict. i long for the next book and the resolution to the story, and the hopes for a happy ending.
Book One: Clockwork Angel Review Link
Book Two: Clockwork Prince
Book Three: Clockwork Princess
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Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book One)
by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clockwork Angel is the first book in the Infernal Devices series, which is a precursor to the Mortal Instruments series. This book and series is set in London area in the late 1800's. All your favorite character types from the Mortal Instruments are there, werewolves and vampires, demons and shadowhunters, it is just more the beginnings. You will also recognize some familiar last names.
Clockwork Angel revolves around a young girl named Tessa, who has always though she was a normal (mundane) girl and never imagined anything more to life, until her Aunt dies and she moves to London to be with her brother, only all is not what it seems. Tessa is more than what she thought, and someone knows more about her than she does, and they have plans to use her.
Welcome to the London Institute, where young James Carstairs or Jem and William Herondale or Will are living and training to be Shadowhunters. They follow a trail that leads them to unknowingly to young Miss Tessa, and she has to decide if they are worth trusting after all she has been through. And is she willing to help them save the world.
If you have already read the Mortal Instruments series, you will see some similarities in some of the characters. If you haven't then have no fear, you will still enjoy this book. The layers of story that weave throughout are wonderful, it is not all on the top, but there are under currents upon under currents of stories in the book.
I personally enjoyed the first three books of the Mortal Instruments, which is why i started reading this series, and i find that I like the characters, was glad to see Magnus Bane in this book as well, and find that the struggles are the same this century and last.
I almost find myself enjoying this series a little more than the Mortal Instruments, and maybe that is the time period, i have always had a thing for historical books.
Book Two: Clockwork Prince Review Lin
Book Three: Clockwork Princess Review Link
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