The first thing you should know is that I am a permanent rabid Shadowhunter fangirl. EMPHASIS ON THE “RABID” BECAUSE BASICALLY THIS WORLD IS MY LOVE AND I SHALL ADORE EVERYTHING IN IT. Ergo, I was doomed to love Lady Midnight.
So basically I’m about to fangirl ridiculously. #SorryNotSorry But at least I’ll do it in list format so we can pretend my shriekings are sensibly organised.
L O V E S
- HOW INCREDIBLY AWESOME EVERYTHING IS.
Oh shush. I know that explains nothing, but duuuuude: What isn’t glorious here?!?! It has everything a Shadowhunter book should have (fighting demons; sass; complex world; magic; mayhem) — but this time we’re solving a very old murder mystery (the murder of Emma’s parents).- Plus there’s cult stuff going down.
- Plus there’s tons of subplots about “forbidden love”.
- Plus Cassandra Clare’s writing just keeps getting better and BETTER.
- Plus this is like the 12th Shadowhunter book?! And yet it’s fresh and exciting and amazing?! WIZARDRY.
- I LOVED EMMA AND JULIAN…A LOT.
They’re parabatai (a phrase here which means “really really close warrior buddies who aren’t allowed to be in love”) but, hahhahahahhahaha…they so totally are in love. Cue angst and heartbreak. Emma narrates more than Julian, but I did prefer Julian just because he’s a very complex character and kind of devious. But he’s so SWEET and HONOURABLE you really don’t expect it. Whereas Emma is 100% “LET’S SMITE ALL THE THINGS” which is awesome, but she was very easy to understand. Emma was endlessly sassy though and this = I love.
“We are well known for our jests, japes, and ballads,” the faerie said, clearly offended. “Some of our ballads last for weeks.”
“I don’t have that kind of time,” Emma said. “I’m a Shadowhunter. Quip fast, die young.”
- ALSO IT FOCUSES ON BIG FAMILIES!
I was only complaining last week that not enough books have big families. And — BOOM — here is a fantasy Shadowhunter one. Julian has 4 younger siblings that he’s been raising since he was 12. They are like his kids. IT IS SO ADORABLE. Plus his half-fey older brother (Mark) was kidnapped and has now been returned but has ZERO clue how the human world works. Plus all the siblings are unique with distinct personalities. AND they were INVOLVED in the story. My heart.
- ALSO THIS IS THE FIRST FANTASY I’VE READ THAT HAS A WONDERFUL, ACCURATE PORTRAYAL OF AUTISM.
One of Julian’s younger siblings (Ty) has Autism and it’s like the most accurate representation I’ve seen in a LONG time. It’s not stereotyped or cliche, there is more to Ty than his Autism, and he is loved and helped despite it. No one talks about curing him. No one talks about how his life would be better without it. Ty is awesome and capable and intelligent. I ACTUALLY CRY HAPPY TEARS NOW.
Julian had looked at his own inexact, messy work and Ty’s methodical rows, and thought: We both see the same world, but in a different way. Ty feels the same joy I do, the joy of creation. We feel all the same things, only the shape of our feelings are different.
Ty said nothing. His hands were still fluttering in their repetitive movements. There had been a time when Ty’s father had tried to train him to immobility, had held his sons’ hands tightly at his sides when he was upset and said, “Still, still”. It had panicked Ty into throwing up. Julian never did that. He just said everyone got butterflies when they were nervous; some people got them in their stomaches, and Ty showed them in his hands.
- ALSO SECONDARY CHARACTER LOVE! OF COURSE!
We cannot forget them.- Cristina is from Mexico and she’s pretty dang awesome.
- Mark is the estranged Blackthorn brother who’s been kidnapped/tortured by fey for the last 5 years and he is completely tragic AND I LOVED HIM AND IS QUIET PSYCHOTIC SIDE.
- Malcolm, the resident warlock, continues to be entertaining.
- Uncle Arthur was pretty much insane. (And reminds me of those Uncle Arthur bedtime stories. Anyone else? No?)
- Church was there. The cat, I mean.
- DON’T FORGET THE CAMEOS!
So you can definitely read this book WITHOUT having read any other Shadowhunter books. (Isn’t that handy dandy?!) But I do recommend reading at least The Mortal Instruments first. The last book, City of Heavenly Fire, is where Emma/Julian are first introduced. BUT ANYWAY! There are cameos from:- Clary and Jace — Clary is Emma’s hero plus they both make an appearance at the end.
- Jem and Tessa — because Jem is a Carstairs! Emma is a Carstaris! EVERYONE IS RELATED.
- Magnus and Alec — who have adopted two sons. #PerfectShipisPerfect
- Isabelle and Simon — there’s a mini short story at the end about their engagement party.
- I LAUGHED. I CRIED. I AM IN LOVE.
THAT IS ALL.
“You’re too skinny,” she said as brightly as she could. “Too much coffee, not enough pancakes.”
“I hope they put that on my tombstone.”
D I S L I K E S
(There are like only a teen tiny amount because the book was NEARLY perfection.)
- IT WAS FAR TOO LONG. Hmm…I firmly believe a book never needs to be 700-pages. Firstly — IT HURTS MY WRISTS. Secondly I loved being thoroughly immersed in the world but it did go on and on at times when…less is more, you know?
- THERE WAS A VILLAIN MONOLOGUE THAT WAS SO CLICHE. Maybe I’m being nitpicky…but honestly?! An insanely long villain monologue. WUT.
- THE STAKES WEREN’T AS HIGH AS I EXPECTED. Don’t get me wrong! The ending was panic inducing. But I kept being surprised because in previous series the characters were nearly dying when they were much younger.
Basically?!?? I’m so so happy right now and my soul is stuffed with Shadowhunter feels.
Who is that beaming like a Cheshire cat? OH THAT IS ME.
Lady Midnight stole my heart and made me laugh (OUT LOUD COPIOUSLY) and I am not ashamed to be thoroughly rabidly addicted to the Shadowhunter universe. I loved the new characters and how flawlessly Cassandra Clare balanced such a huge cast. I loved the mystery angle. The devious plot twists WERE DEVIOUS. I cannot wait for more.
(Speaking of which, in 2017 we not only get the The Dark Artifices #2: Lord of Shadows BUT! we also get Chain of Thorns! Which is set in 1903 and deals with the next generation after Tessa/Will/Jem. CUE SHRIEKING AND FLAILING. 2017 is going to be glorious.)
THANK YOU TO SIMON & SCHUSTER FOR THE REVIEW-COPY. LADY MIDNIGHT (THE DARK ARTIFICES #1) BY CASSANDRA CLARE WAS PUBLISHED MARCH, 2016.
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.
Goodreads Publisher Purchase Author’s Website
Hmmmm. I have to admit, Shadowhunters just really isn’t my thing. I don’t hate it or anything, but yeah, I had a veeeeeeeery hard time trying to get into it. I do still want to read LM though because my friend ADORED it and she’s pretty much in the same boat as me. I’ll try! AND I HATE LONG BOOKS SO MUCH. In my opinion, every page of a book needs to count. And if it doesn’t… Weeeeellllll I’m not a happy pineapple ^_^ But on a more positive note, AFGHJDGDHJAJDBAKE I am already in love with Ty! I have a brother with Autism and I hate hate HATE how his minority is represented. TY I TOTALLY WANNA GIVE YOU CREEPY TEDDY BEAR CUDDLES RIGHT NOW. Great post! Have a great night dear xx
That’s fair enough! I mean, no series is for everyone right? I feel like Lady Midnight is better written than earlier books, but I honestly think it would mean MORE knowing the Shadowhunter history. (You could still read it without though, I fully think you could.)
I’m not a happy pineapple when things rabble on and on in books too. OOPS. 😂 But at the same time, it was like being fully immersed in the world and THAT was glorious. :’)
Also such endless love for Ty. YEAH GIVE HIM A CREEPY TEDDY BEAR BECAUSE HIS EXISTENCE IS SO ENCOURAGING AND I WISH MORE BOOKS WOULD DO THIS.
yayyy. I am so happy that you loved Lady Midnight. I adored it so when people love it that same way I do 😀 haha. thanks for the review.
Angel @Angel Reads recently posted…Book Review: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
YESSSS. HAPPY FLAILS FOR BOTH OF US, ANGEL!! And then miserable shrieks because we have to wait so long for the next one.
lets not talk about the wait haha.
Angel@ Angel Reads recently posted…Book Review: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
*cue shrieking because I MISS THE CARSTARIS SO MUCH* Your review is PERFECT OMG; it summed up my feelings SO WELL. *throws confetti*
I thought it was long too (great, but long) and for awhile I felt like the only one who felt this because all the reviews I’ve read were like, “I wanted it to carry on forever” and I was like, ‘um. My arms aren’t strong enough for a longer book?!’
But still, I devour Shadowhunter books and LOVE how many wondrous things Cassandra Clare brings to life (like real world things) such as homosexuality, autism family drama, etc.
My favourite series is probably TMI so far (TID is great but my ship sank, so -_- )
Brilliant review, Cait (!) I live for your lists. <3
And your pictures in this review = glorious.
Kat recently posted…THAT TIME I ‘had’ TO READ AHEAD & SPOILED THE BOOK FOR MYSELF (Inside Out tag)
YES. Great but long <-- perfectly sums up my feelings too. 😂 I don't want books to carry on forever, omg. I was actually having to SIT and rest it on my bed. Like that is not comfortable??!?!? No no no. And for the first time in my LIFE I wished I had it on kindle so I wouldn't dislocate my ENTIRE ARMS. *cries* Ahem. Omg the diversity is flawless. It's like she does issues without making it THE issue. I am such a fan of that. :') (TMI is definitely my favourite series!! I actually didn't understand the attraction over Tessa in TID.🙈🙊 I mean, why? She didn't even do anything exciting. 😂 Plus Will/Magnus was my ship in that one...*coughs*) ZOMG THANK YOU. I fought with this photoshoot actually so I'm glad it ended up turning out okay. 😂
Yeah, I was on the ship, too! 😀
Heike recently posted…|Rezension| Josph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor “Willkommen in Night Vale”
I am almost finished with Lady Midnight and I’m loving it, though I agree with you that it is too long. 500-550 pages would have been good as well.
What I really like is that the Faeries are important in this book, because in previous book we focussed on Vampires, Werewolfs and Warlocks, and now it’s the Faeries that are the main downworlders. I am so interested in the Wild Hunt (and maybe a bit attrackted to Gwyn uhm,…). I can’t wait to find out more about them in the next two books.
I also really liked the love in this book. I totally ship Mark and Kieran, dispite what Kieran did. Honestly I have already forgiven him, he was heartbroken and wanted Mark back.
I can’t wait to read the next book ugggghhhh. I do have to say that I was hoping for more Jem and Tessa in this book, but maybe that’s still coming, I’m on page 620 so I still have 100 to go.
Amber, http://thenamelessbookblog.blogspot.nl/
YUP. I think 500 pages would’ve been fine. 😂 Like I don’t exactly know what should’ve been cut? Maybe if they’d just got onto the mystery faster…I mean, with the length, I did get totally IMMERSED in the world and it was wonderful and great. But gah. It took forever.
AND YES YES I LOVED THE FEY EMPHASIS!!! Zomg, faerie folklore is my favourite, so I hope it continues to feature a lot in this series. *shrieks*
I DON’T KNOW WHO I SHIP MARK WITH ANYMORE. *cries* Kieran didn’t mean it…but but but…he’s mean??? SO IDEK. I kind of ship Cristina and Perfect Diego though, so any Cristina/Mark thoughts have sunk. 😂 (Omg and potentially Kit and Ty!!!!)
ARGH I LOVED YOUR REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am also a rabid Shadowhunter fangirl. Sadly I haven’t been able to read Lady Midnight, AND IT’S KILLING ME. I’m trying to finish The Infernal Devices and the Shadowhunter Acadmey novellas(because I’ve heard that the novellas tie into a plot twist in Lady Midnight) so yeah. I probably won’t get to read it until June.
Mironiel Blokzyl recently posted…Writerly Ramblings | Gearbound News and Snippets From Bumble Bee
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT TOOK ME THIS LONG TO READ IT, ERMAGERD, I TOTALLY SHAME MY SHADOWHUNTER FANGIRL BONES. *flails dramatically* Ahem. I haven’t read the Academy novellas yet. Mostly because I’m waiting for them to come out in paperback? Or are they already? Trust them to do it without telling me. Hmph.
Well actually they aren’t out in paperback yet. They come out in paperback sometime is September. I’m audiobooking them, and I swear George’s Scottish accent is giving me life lol 0_o You should read them. They are AMAZING.
Mironiel Blokzyl recently posted…Writerly Ramblings | Gearbound News and Snippets From Bumble Bee
Oh oh audiobooks sound like A STUPENDOUS IDEA. I love audios. :’) (And omg well I’ll just impatiently wait until september also.)
I’m so glad that you enjoyed Lady Midnight. I just purchased this book yesterday and the cover IS gorgeous! I haven’t read City of Heavenly Fire yet and I’ve had it on my shelf since it was released… But, maybe now that I have motivation to complete the series, I will! Definitely! Your enjoyment of this book makes me so excited!
IT’S PROBABLY MY FAVOURITE SHADOWHUNTER COVER YET, TBH. :’) *pets gorgeousness* And omg City of Heavenly Fire is a BEAST of a book…but it goes by fast at least. 😂
See, I love your reviews. I know I am not a fan of Shadowhunters yet – I’m only two books in. BUT… I want to continue and I want to love it. I own all of them, plus Lady Midnight and the Infernal Devices and I plan to read them all. What is your favourite so far? Mortal Instruments? Infernal Devices? Lady Midnight?? I have seen INCREDIBLE reviews for LM, so I am looking forward to getting to it. I’ve also heard that ID is better than MI, so we shall see. I totally agree about long books. I only feel it is ever truly necessary with epic fantasy, but even then I prefer 500 pages MAX. My main issue with City of Bones was the length and pacing of it. So 700 pages will hurt me, but I will deal with it if I am loving the book, the world and the characters – which it sounds like LM ticks all those boxes.
Your Shadowhunter love does give me hope though. I really hope I come to love the series. I love Izzy, Simon and Magnus atm. Not a fan of Clary and Jace. I think my dislike of Clare is the main issue…. I can’t get over the plagiarism stuff, especially since it was proven and she still never apologised 🙁 This makes me sad. Writers work so hard and put everything into their stories and you can’t just take chunks of it – thankfully that was the fanfiction and this isn’t an issue with her novels! ..< Why can't bookworms get compassionate bookworm leave from work?!! THIS SHOULD BE A THING!!!
Ooops… this has cut off a big chunk of my comment… Ooops!!! So the end makes no sense haha. I was just saying that I hope to love the series more as it goes long. Just need to separate my author feelings from my book feelings. I am rather excited for LM though, I have heard too many good things not to be. But, I still have 7 books in the series to go before I can even touch it… THIS MAKES ME SAD!!! I need more time. This is why I feel bookworm compassionate leave should be a thing.
I was also curious who was your fav character in the MI series? So far mine might be Magnus. I thought it would be Jace, because sarcastic people are my favourite… but not atm. We shall see 🙂 🙂 🙂
Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookworm recently posted…Weekly Recap: I’m Back & I Bring Books!
AGH. I’m sorry about the cutting-off-comment thing!! *glares at WordPress*
To be honest…I actually didn’t really like The Infernal Devices. *HIDES* I mean, mostly everyone I meet likes it better! But I found the characters all a bit insufferable and the plot a bit too weak? So The Mortal Instruments is my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE OF EVER. With Lady Midnight tying, because I adored it just as much. <3
And I agree! Epic fantasies often need the time just to build the world. (Althoooough I adore how Rebel of the Sands built and interesting and complex world and kept it under 300-pages. HUZZAH.) And I mean, Shadowhunter books are technically fantasy. So yeah? I don't even know what I'd suggest to be cut. I just know that it gets a bit tedious after 500-pages. For me anyway. 😂 And omg if THIS book is the first of the new series and it's already 700-pages...WHAT IS THE FINAL BOOK GOING TO BE LIKE?
I really don't understand the debacle over the plagiarism. I mean, I've read some articles, but I still don't quite agree. Maybe I'm biased because she's one of my favourite authors! But there aren't that many ideas out there?? And it's obvious people are going to have similar ideas?? And I also think we are human and DO make mistakes (with using chunks of other people's writing in her fanfics) so maybe that was a learning curve? Like, idek. Like I said, I'm probably biased because I love the Shadowhunter world so much!🙈🙊 But I do have a half-written discussion on how we view authors when reading and if we should or not. 😛 BECAUSE IT'S AN INTERESTING TOPIC!!
MAGNUS IS MY FAVOURITE OF EVER ALWAYS. <3 (Closely followed now, by Mark. Oh but Simon. SIMON MY ADORKABLE SIMON.)
Oh, yeah, you’re like opposite to everyone I speak to. They all rave about Infernal Devices more than Mortal Instruments. But characters are super important to me, so if the characters in ID annoy me, then I probably won’t enjoy it as much. We will see. I have a long way to go with this series, 7 books and god knows how many pages that is!!! >.< I am up for this momentous task.
Oh yeah, totally agree that there aren't enough ideas out there and there will always be similarities. I didn't have issues with MI because of plagiarism. I know it was taken from her Draco fanfic – so Jace was originally Draco, Clary was Ginny, Luke was Lupin, Valentine was Voldemort, Circle was Death Eaters and so on. But she changed all of that for the book and she came up with a completely new story for it and made her characters her own. My issue was with the plagiarism of her orginal fanfiction, which got taken down – she took whole chunks from other books and things. And then didn't ever say sorry. Which, just, NO! At least own up to it and apologise. Definitely think it was a learning point for her though, as I don't think that issue has ever occurred again in any of her published books.
I'm going to be discussing it when reviewing the first two books, as I feel it hindered my reading experience a bit. And I don't want to let stupid bias about the author change how I feel about the book as a story or work of fiction, as I'm not sure that's completely fair. Everyone makes me mistakes and I should just take a cue from Elsa and LET IT GO!!!! 🙂 HAHA Which I am sure I will. I own all her books so I'm going to read them all and I might learn to love the MI.
Magnus is what I need more of right now. If he appears more in the next four books then I will be totally and completely happy. I LOVE HIM <3 He is so snarky and sassy and just awesome. I need to learn to love Simon… book two Simon is super clingy haha.
YES!!! Rebel of the Sands totally pulled off the world building in so few pages. AUTHORS NEED TO LEARN A THING OR TWO FROM THAT!!! I hate to think what the final book in the series will look like… some 3,000 page behemoth! Our poor arms will strain under the weight of the thing.
My comments are getting far too long. All these discussion posts I've been typing up or obviously not good. I am clearing just spewing rubbish out, haha.
Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookworm recently posted…Here’s Some Books To Read If You Want To Laugh
Caiiiittt, you are making it super hard for me to stick to my decision to never ever read a Clare book again. *sigh* I binged on her books (I read all the Shadowhunters books except for the last TMI book and I never read any novellas or whatever) and I actually like the tv show, Shadowhunters (so cheesy but so good). But then I felt like everything was repeating itself, I disliked the choices the characters made (SPOILER ALERT: like Tessa ending up with both guys?! END SPOILER) and I decided to quit the Shadowhunters universe once and for all. I wasn’t even tempted to check out Lady Midnight until you wrote this awesome review – seriously, fangirling reviews are the best to read, especially from bloggers who don’t give out a lot of 5-star ratings. 🙂
As for the long book debate: I’ve been discussing this lately with an editor friend and we agreed that any book with over 600 pages could definitely be shorter for at least a 100 pages (we spoke about the second Rothfuss book which has a 1000, I think, and could easily be a full 300 shorter). I think writing long books is okay if the writing, the plot, and everything is TIGHT. But it becomes stretched and boring all too soon. And my editor friend said that small publishing houses like theirs (the largest in Slovenia, but we have a TINY book market) can’t really afford such long books, because even the translation is so expensive because of its sheer length that they’d have to sell a ridiculous number of hardback copies (ridiculous for our market) to break even, let alone make profit. I know most English-speaking writers never think about this when they’re writing their books, but it’s one of the factors that makes foreign publishers decline a translation sometimes.
I might have to write a discussion post on this. 😀
Kaja recently posted…Every Move by Ellie Marney
Awww, I’m sad you decided to quit it all. *sheds several tears* I mean, each to their own of course! I never thought the first books sounded repetitious so I honestly can’t say if this one would or not. SORRY ABOUT THAT. 😂 But it did feel different from the others because it focuses on Fey more? And also the mystery aspect? So idek…I’m probably just making it harder to decide. 😂
AND DUDE YES, OMG I AGREE SO MUCH ABOUT YOU AND YOUR EDITOR FRIEND’S ANALYSIS. I think 500 is the limit, tbh. After that I think the story just needs to be pruned. (George RR Martin is VERY guilty and in need of this too. :P) But wow, I never knew that about translated books. :O I guess most people don’t? I’ve heard, in places like UK/AUS/US they want debut authors to hand in smaller books. But yeah…I didn’t know that about the translations. DEFINITELY WRITE A DISCUSSION ON IT. XD 😂
I need to read this?! I need to read a lot of books, I’m taking two weeks after Camp NaNo to read. xD
BASICALLY YES. Omg and fuelling oneself with books after writing is an EXCELLENT idea.
CAIIIIIT I feel like I haven’t been able to comment in one of your posts in forever! (I remember commenting maybe 2-3 weeks ago but augh real life stuff can be so problematic so I was mostly AWOL from the blogosphere. Anyway…)
I am a HUGE fan of the shadowhunters series and I am SO happy that you enjoyed Lady Midnight! I’ve been putting off reading it for quite a while now (I don’t want to be disappointed! I don’t think I can handle seeing Jem and Tessa’s names without crying because they made my cry so hard beforeeee AHHHH), and seeing a positive review from a trusted reviewer makes me all the more excited to read it! I just KNOW that I am going to fall in love with Emma and Julian and all the characters, and oh gosh I am so excited for all the cameos! Your review is giving me ALL THE FEELS.
And to answer your questions… Jem will always be my favorite shadowhunter. (But Will is a very very very veeeeery close second!) And I love The Infernal Devices with ALL MY HEART AND SOUL.
As always, thank you for this very fun review, Cait! 🙂
Heh but I do agree the book does seem a bit too long!
HELLO. WELCOME BACK THEN. *gives you welcoming cake*
AFJDKSALD I AM JUST HONOURED TO BE CONSIDERED A TRUSTED REVIEWER. 😂 Extra cake for you now. heheh. But omg trust me, if you like the rest of the books you will ADORE this one. It is just everything PLUS MORE. And it was nice seeing the little Tessa/Jem cameo. :’) (Tbh I shipped them more than Tessa/Will so I’m kinda happy how it all worked out in TID. 😂)
I’m gonna sound a bit like a doofus, since I haven’t read any of the books in this series- I mostly read your reviews for entertainment 🙂
But UNCLE ARTHER’S BEDTIME STORIES! Yes I very much know those books 🙂 There is someone else 🙂
Aww, you don’t sound like a doofus. 😂 Anyone who reads my blog is PARTICULARLY AWESOME. ;D
Omgggg, I’m not alone knowing the bedtime stories!! 😂 I had trouble concentrating whenever they called him Uncle Arthur because of that.
I’m on hold for this at my library! I’m SO EXCITED. I loved your review, too, it gave me a taste of what is to come. So Shadowhunters aren’t my favourite favourites, but I do like them, especially the Infernal Devices (read: especially Clockwork Princess). I… like long books. If it’s done well and the plots and subplots and characters hold together, the length doesn’t matter… And sometimes as you go on books get better. But sometimes stuff could be cut out? I don’t know, but I do err on the long side with my own writing, so maybe I’m biased.
Shanti recently posted…What Makes a Setting Good?
True true. *nods* And like I don’t even know WHAT I’d say should’ve been cut…it was all interesting or funny or character-developing…it just DID feel like it went on too long? But that saying, I got completely sucked in and immersed in the world and that was amazing. :’)
(I err on the smaller side with my writing mostly…except for my last book that was 100K but OMG I WILL CUT IT UNTIL IT IS SMALL.)
I’m so damn freakishly excited for this book, Cait. I had a mini heart attack when I saw it sitting on the shelves of my library, because I would’ve thought there’d be 9183747449 reserves on it before me. I so get what you mean by the length, but I’m actually opposite of you there—I LOVE long books (maybe a bit too much, haha.) So fingers crossed this one won’t seem tooooo long for me. but seriously I was re-organising my bookshelves the other day and almost broke my freaking wrist moving around A DANCE WITH DRAGONS (the US hardcover edition that isn’t split into two volumes.) SO I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
OHHHHH DID YOU GET IT FROM THE LIBRARY THEN!?!? *shrieks* I hope you like. Plus if you like humungous books then there’s going to be aaaaall the more reason for you to adore it, right?! 😂 (Although I’m a teeny bit worried, I mean, omg if this is only book ONE…what’s the last book going to be like!??)
A DANCE WITH DRAGONS IS RIDICULOUS. I just have the paperback with it all in one book, but it’s like this square cube omg.
I HAVE read the shadow hunter books! To be honest, I didn’t love them, and I kind of might have stopped at city of glass and decided Valentine’s death was ending enough for me. BUT! Many people in my life (both on and off-line) have told me to read the Infernal Devices and I might just do it one day (they’re on my TBR like Sabriel is, meaning I foresee them in my future but not close future). However that is a very very very very very beautiful cover. And obviously your photos are beautiful (side question: do you try to get your think.write. create. notebook in every post or is that coincidence. And what variety of thinking/writing/creating is in there(if you want to say)) This review was rather convincing! (or maybe it was just the cover…)
shar@Virtually Read recently posted…What Makes a Setting Good?
Ooh, I hope you like The Infernal Devices if you do try them! (I actually preferred TMI but I hear I’m the minority for that. Oooops.) And omg I have so many books on my TBR but not my near-in-the-future TBR. GAH. I need to read more. 😛
(Ohh, and not particularly about the notebook. 🙈🙊 It’s just one of my props and ends up in a lot of photos because it’s pretty? heeh.)
Argh, this is unfair Cait. So unfair. When I found out about this book it wasn’t really on my radar but now that I’ve read your review I NEED THIS NOW. This isn’t the first time this has happened by the way. It happens every. single. time. I read your reviews. (which are wonderful and so enthusiastic and casual yet so on point, and I absolutely love how you write <3 ) You balance content and fangirling like a queen. I think my biggest problem with Cassandra Clare books was their length. I always loved the characters (Isabelle ftw omg) and the world was amazing but there was always a point in the book when I'd start to feel a teensy bit bored because of how long it was., 🙁
YOU ARE MOST WELCOME. I KNOW YOUR TBR THANKS ME. :’) Eeeeep, I’m so glad you like my reviews!! 😂 I CANNOT CONTAIN THE SHRIEKING AT TIMES LIKE THIS. *hyperventilates quietly in the background*
I do agree the books are too long though. They’re really daunting? I actually put off Lady Midnight for quite a while because the length scared me. *gulps* And I’m worried that if this is the length of book ONE…what will the finale be like?!?!??!?
I haven’t read this one but I’m so glad that you love it! It looks soo big! Though I will say that I love a good cameo, that usually makes me fangirl like crazy xD
Great review as always!
Omg aren’t cameos just THE BEST?!? I always flail ecstatically and usually it’s not even funny enough for the amount I fangirl. BUT I CAN’T HELP IT. 😂
I didn’t read through the whole review, just the headings and the quotes since I haven’t read any other Cassandra Clare books aside from City of Bones, which I sadly didn’t enjoy as much as everyone else. But I have to admit, those quotes are interesting, and my little sister has been bugging me to try this one despite my sad history with City of Bones, so I think I’ll give this one a shot! Thanks for this review 🙂
Kim @ Divergent Gryffindor: BLOG || VLOG
Eeep, I hope you like it if you do give it a try!! 😀 I think it’s better written than City of Bones (Although, I admit! I adore CoB too, so so much. 😂)
I just finished Lady Midnight two day ago! The only other shadowhunter series I read is the infernal devices. I missed Jem and Tessa so much (although I liked Will more). Sometimes I feel like super long books are necessary if it’s well written and I really like the book. Like Sarah J. Maas, her books could have infinity pages and I would be like, “Challenge accepted.” I don’t know if I have a favorite Cassandra Clare book. I love that Lady Midnight had Faeries in it. I am obsessed with a good story about faeries. Mark is by far my favorites character. I loved how when he came back and he was always so humorously formal. Like when they had to explain Skype, the Plate of Strawberries, or when he broke Tavvy’s stuffed animal and called himself a murderer. His last line totally freaked me out though *me flailing forever (or until next book)*. I also wish Cristina and Emma were Parbatai, oh how I wish. I do think it is a little stupid how everyone wanted to get lashings, and Diego wasn’t even there but he was like “I should have gotten them, I’m more muscular.” I don’t really like Diego either. Also is anyone else wondering how is Church alive?! Who is your favorite character? I think I’m stuck between Mark and Emma.
AHHHH I’M GLAD YOU’VE READ IT. *hi fives* It was just so so good I want to screech about it with EVERYONE. Eeeep. I actually preferred The Mortal Instruments to The Infernal Devices? But I feel like I’m a minority with that. 😂 And tbh, I’m the same with Maggie Stiefvater: I could read infinity of her writing. But her books are usually only 300-400 pages. I ALWAYS WANT MORE. 😛
ZOMG MARK WAS SO TOTALLY ADORABLE THOUGH. Like how he suddenly talks in all the faerie lingo and everyone is just like “Marrrrrk” or putting Tavvy in the bag of sugar. 😂 I actually didn’t like that Julian got mad at him! MARK WAS ONLY TRYING TO BABYSIT OMG. *loves mark forever* I feel like bk 2 is going to be SO ANGSTY with the romance though. Emma is going to KILL Julian. *cries*
I think Church is MAGICAL.
In Lady Midnight my favourite is Mark. <3
Everyone’s been talking about how great this is. Guess I should try to read it? 😀 I’ve read some of Cassandra Clare’s stuff before and wasn’t a huge fan. But who knows? 😀
Eeeep, well I am a MAMMOTH fan here 😂 so I’m probably just going to prattle on happily with love for all the books, hehe. But if you try it, I hope you like! 😀
That’s great! 😀 Yeah I do too. I’ll be keeping an eye out for it at the library.
Sounds good, I like that you can read it without reading the other ones. I still haven’t gotten through them all yet.
There are a LOT to get through right?! Eeep. It can be intimidating!!
OMG I NEED TO CATCH UP AND READ THIS HNNNNNNNGGGG.
I’ve read the first four books in TMI and the first book in TID, so I won’t be reading Lady Midnight anytime soon. I really want to, thoughhhhhh. I think my favorite book I’ve read so far is TMI #3. It was the perfect wrap up to what was once a trilogy and I just loved it! Favorite character? That’s too hard. But I always think of Simon when I think of this series, so I pick him.
I think super long books are fine, but for a first book in the series? It’s like DAYYYUMMM. I think for YA it’s just out of the ordinary, so that’s probably why it’s so intimidating, but it’s also probably filled with gloriousness (I mean, if your review is any indication, then the answer is yes). I can’t wait to read it!
P.S. Awesome review! <3
Rayna @ Reader Rayna recently posted…Genrethon Wrap Up
YES YES OMG YES YOU NEED TO READ THIS ONE!! Just like cancel life and finish off all the series and then read Lady Midnight. #PerfectLifeAdvice *nods* (But I do so love and adore Simon too!!! I mean, Mangus is almost always my first pick?! BECAUSE MAGNUS. But Simon is just hilarious and cute and adorkable.)
I think one reason I adore YA is because the books are more often short. hehe. 😂
I couldn’t read anything for about a week because I couldn’t get over this book! I still can’t…. And I loved Mark the most – closely followed by Ty. I’m so looking forward to reading more about him.
Maybe you would like to check out my Lady Midnight Soundtrack? When I love books I think about then while listening to music and sometimes it is so perfectly fitting.
MARK WAS SO ADORABLY TRAGICALLY PRECIOUS. <3 I loved him! Basically I loved everyone. 😂 ooh, a soundtrack sounds exciting. 😀
There is nothing left to say other than I TOTALLY AGREE. I stated similar points in my review and I suffered from a very hard reading slump afterwards! Oh.. I do have to contradict in one point: it is NOT LONG enough… it shall NEVER END, please 😉
Cheers from grey & cold Germany
Kati
Hehehe, I’m glad you enjoyed the length!! 😂 I mean, it was awesome that it got me so so fully immersed into the world. I LOVE THE WORLD, I SO VERY MUCH DO. And all the fey emphasis??! <3
I haven’t read any of this series, but my friend has been reading some Cassandra Clare books and says they’re awesome, so perhaps I shall have to try reading them at some point.
As long as they’re well-written, I positively love long books. I adore them. It’s like…actually, I don’t know that I have a good enough metaphor. But you know, you get to stay with the characters longer, and as long as it’s well-written, there’s generally more plots and more characters and just more awesomeness, so it’s even more interesting than shorter books are to me. Also, I find all the world building and stuff interesting.
Some books do need to be that long, and that’s why they’re so good. If they don’t need to be that long, then they shouldn’t be long–it’d just be boring. But when you have a story with a million intricate twists and turns, and characters and plots layered on top of each other and all that wonderfulness, then you need something long enough to show all of that. (Anyhow, apology for the rambling/ranting about that. It just makes me so excited to think about books like that! Ahh.)
YUS LISTEN TO YOUR FRIEND. YOUR FRIEND SPEAKS MAGNIFICENT TRUTH. *shrieks happily* And I do agree that long books help you get immersed really well into the world which is nice. :’) I totally felt IN the Shadowunter world because of the length. And tbh, it only took me 2 days, even though it’s a massive beast. 😂
OH MY GOSH! I NEED TO READ THIS! I have really wanted to, but haven’t and I have no idea why. I love the mortal instruments series and I ABSOLUTELY ADORE the infernal devices! Will Herondale is my love and Tessa is awesome and Jem is awesome and EVERYONE IS SO STINKING AMAZING OH MY! gah. Gotta go read it now…
YESSSS YOU NEED TO READ IT. <3 It is just everything wonderful about the Shadowhunter world. :')
I’ve read The Mortal Instruments, but I have not yet read The Infernal Devices. Which is horrid of me, because SO many people have asked me to read it, and told me I will love it. I really hope I do, because I don’t have the best track record when it comes to people telling me I will love things (by which I mean I usually end up not liking them D:).
I am super keen for Lady Midnight. I feel like I kind of already started it because I read CoHF not that long ago, and that introduced Emma, so I feel like I know her a bit already. YAY. And it sounds pretty awesome, from what I’ve read about it.
As for long books: no. I am not a huge fan, and most of the time when I read them, I think: this could have been shorter. I just don’t really think that some books need to be as long as they are. I mean, some books DO, to fit everything in. But sometimes I read a really long book and it gets stagnant in parts (like CoHF. I felt like that was WAY too long).
I’m super glad that this book lives up to your love of the Shadowhunters world, Cait!
Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity recently posted…Simply Sunday (#29)
*whispers* I secretly prefer not to be pressured into reading books too. So I do understand! I actually didn’t like The Infernal Devices so much?🙈🙊 I’m more of a modern-fantasy person anyway aaaaand my ship (WHICH WAS TOTALLY NOWHERE NEAR GOING TO BE CANON) sunk. So boo. 😂 I have gotten into a bad habit of non-cannon ships lately.
(I also love how COFH introduced Emma already so we’d know her backstory and everything. THE WHOLE SERIES IS SO WELL THOUGHT OUT OMG. I wonder how Cassandra Clare keeps it all together and doesn’t forget stuff!!)
I’ve heard so many amazing things about Lady Midnight! I really want to read it, but a bunch of people have said that you should read Tales from Shadowhunter Academy before Lady Midnight, and I have a rule about not reading ebooks when I’m in school because last time a teacher nearly confiscated my Kindle. It was not a fun day. I’ll have to wait until I have a not-too-busy weekend. And maybe the anticipation will make it even more satisfying when I finally read it! (Also my TBR pile is about to actually crush me and adding a book as big as Lady Midnight would probably topple it over.) I’m even MORE excited for Chain of Thorns, though – I LOVE historical fiction, I loved the little bits of that world we saw in The Bane Chronicles, and basically I need that series right now!
AWK. Nearly getting your kindle confiscated is NOT GOOD. eeep. I actually hadn’t heard you should read Tales from the Academy first, gah, I haven’t read it.🙈🙊 I want to! But I’m waiting for paperback as well. 😛 (And omg the TBR is unforgiving isn’t it?!) THE BANE CHRONICLES MADE ME LAUGH SO SO MUCH.
I read City of Bones ages ago, and whilst I loved the world it was set in, I didn’t absolutely love the book. Seeing this book everywhere recently has kind of made me want to carry on with the series to see if I get into it more though, and I really want to read Lady Midnight because so many people seem to have loved it, but I feel like I should finish the Mortal Instruments series first.
Hopefully I’ll get round to finishing the Mortal Instruments soon! Great review!
Laura recently posted…My Latest Book Bargains
THE WORLD IS EVERYTHING. *shrieks* It’s like my most FAVOURITE thing in the universe that the Shadowhunter world is so amazing and HUGE. I’m so so glad publishers keep going with all her magnificent stories. *flails wildly*
Great review! I COMPLETELY agree with all your points. Especially Emma and Julian, Blackthorn family dynamics and Ty LOVE! Oh and the cameos were perfect. I also understand it was just a bit too long. Though I did like the pacing a lot more than some of the previous books, but it could have been trimmed just a bit. Perhaps the villain monologue could be trimmed 🙂 I generally don’t mind long books, as long as the pacing is PERFECT 🙂
Yes! TOTALLY AGREE! 🎉 The pacing wasn’t awful or anything, in fact, I think it was fine?! I just felt like it went on too long. If that even makes sense.🙈🙊 But then all the “not-so-useful” scenes like the family calamities (TAVVY IN THE BAG OF SUGAR) were my favourite so omg I couldn’t really pick what should’ve been cut!! AHem.
OMG CAIT I’VE BEEN TURNED INTO A RABID SHADOWHUNTER FAN AS WELL. I mean, I still don’t like The Mortal Instruments (the first four that I actually read, I mean). BUT THIS WAS AMAZING. Where has Cassandra Clare been all my life??? I probably won’t read the ones set in 1903 because I pretty much despise historical books, but LORD OF SHADOWS COME AT ME.
THIS PLEASES ME GREATLY. MWAHHAHAHA. Ahem. I honestly don’t know how you didn’t like TMI though.🙈🙊 I think they’re so hilarious! I mean, Clary isn’t the best but Magnuuuuuuus. *hugs him* But I’m still so glad you’ve been partially converted!! 🎉 🎉
Well, you know how I feel about Cassie Claire Cait… 🙈 *hides and runs away*
BUT your enthusiasm for her books makes me want to give her books a second try. (On that note, which series do you think I should start with?)
So glad you found this to be another satisfying read. It’s great when an author lives up to your expectations! Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
Zoe @ Stories on Stage recently posted…Morally Gray Villains
Well, I don’t really recommend them to you since you hated the first one!! 😂 I mean, unless you want to give the books a second chance, of course…buuuut, I mean, I feel like they’re all much for muchness? (BUT I’M A RABID FAN SO THIS IS A GOOD THING FOR ME. 😂)
I am actually now very excited! I have read the first three of the TMI series but that was some time back, so I’m planning to read all six books soon. I wasn’t sure if I would want to read the extended universe – the Tales From The Shadowhunters Academy or TID, but your flailing (and the fact that I absolutely adore the show right now and am hoping they start bringing in more threads from all aspects of the universe) is making me super enthused!