The Mortal Instruments Series

This was a reread for me. I originally read these in 2013 after reading another trilogy in the world that precedes these chronologically. I was head-over-heels for that series and I was looking for more Shadowhunter world goodness.

This time around I had COVID and the movie they made from the first book was mentioned in a book discussion and you know how it goes. I rewatched the movie, then re-binged the TV show (based on this series), and then realized it had been nearly a decade since I actually read the books, so that led to rereading the series. What can you do?

I bet you noticed about lot “re-” in there. Yes, I enjoy this world. The Infernal Devices is my favorite story out of all the ones she’s written so far. If you like steampunk, those might be more your jam.

SO now about the story…The Mortal Instruments is a YA fantasy series across 6 books. The story is YA for two reasons, the main characters are 15-18, and how they handle the challenges they are faced with is informed by their age and attendant maturity.

Clare ties this world together with the simple concept that “All the stories are true.” That means vampires, werewolves, warlocks, faeries, and demons. The additional group the story revolves around is Shadowhunters. Shadowhunters are part human, part angel whose mandate is to protect humans from demons without humans figuring out demons exist.

The main female character is 15, nearly 16, year-old Clary Fray. Clary’s world gets turned upside down in a 24-hour period. The 6 books are everything that happens because of those 24 hours. It’s a lot!

This is Clare’s first publication. These do not exhibit her best writing, but the writing is tolerable. In reality, it’s the world she builds that keeps readers coming back. She’s also good at writing relationships that people want to get behind, romantic and platonic. She doesn’t shy away from challenging relationship combos. Her relationships want to test boundaries.

If you choose this as your entry into her world expect a wild ride.

Book summary of City of Bones (per Goodreads):

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…