Not gonna lie, I am a wild fan of all things Shadowhunters.
Everything about them is perfect and fills my heart so so much, and there are only two things I dread about these books: (1) that Cassandra Clare will mURDER MY SOUL, and (2) that they’ll be over one day!! I seriously am okay for 50 more books. I am just saying.
Obsessed you say?? Haha you sweet summer grape.
Today I’m teaming up with Simon & Schuster to give away a copy of Lord of Shadows to celebrate the paperback’s release!
But before we get to that fun, I’m going to delight your lives by telling you why I love The Dark Artifices so so much! As hard as it is to choose, I do think this is my favourite series out of all the Shadowhunter books! Which is saying a lot because I practically broke my wrists reading all 600+ pages of City of Heavenly Fire, so that says what serious dedication I have right there. But ahem.
Also you can catch my full reviews of Lady Midnight and Lord of Shadows!
☆ SPOILER FREE ZONE ☆
1. THEY BALANCE BEING FANTASTICALLY FUNNY WITH FANTASTICALLY DEVASTATING SO WELL.
As I always say: what are books for if not to mAKE YOU CRY?!? I mean obviously they can have other uses like being informing, showing you the world, expanding your mind, etc etc blah. But pain. We’re here to be emotionally manipulated by books of course. And I also absolutely love to laugh and I crack up so many times reading these! All the Shadowhunter books are funny, but Lady Midnight and Lord of Shadows are just EXTRA SASSY.
2. I LOVE BASICALLY ALL THE CHARACTERS.
You know when you read a book with a huge cast and there’s always someone’s narration who ticks you off? NOT HERE. I mean, I have my lesser-liked-characters, but ultimately I frikkin’ love everyone. I love to hate the badies! I love the secondary characters! I love the narrators!
My utter top favourites are: Mark, Julian, Emma, Ty, Malcolm, and all the reprising old faves from The Mortal Instruments! (Magnus, Clary and Jace all make appearences!)
3. THE SLYTHERIN LEVEL OF SCHEMING IS SO BEAUTIFUL.
Hello my name is SLYTHERIN and I can appreciate a good schemer. Oh woooow can I. Julian Blackthorn is a soft Slytherin™ and I absolutely adore him. He schemes and plots and manipulates the entire time. And YES he’s a hero. And YES he’s still good. I mean, he’s totally dubious at all times, but he does it for good reasons. And I’m 500% sure this is going to backfire aND END IN DEATH AND PAIN. But I love this soft slytherin scheme master.
4. IT HAS A MURDER MYSTERY PLOTLINE!
Which is a bit unusual for a fantasy series, right?! We have fey and magic and werewolves and angels and….MURDER MYSTERY INVESTIGATIONS. There’s Sherlock references and Emma has a “wall of crazy” where she pins all the clues to try and figure out her parents murderer in Lady Midnight. And OH WOW you never see the twist coming. It’s so well done.
5. SIBLING APPRECIATION
Because hello Julian Blackthorn, 17 year old anxious mother of 5. He’s been raising his little siblings since he was 12 (!! MY BABY !!) and they are his whole universe. Unfortunately he is so so tired from this, but the amount of sibling and family love her just does strange things to my Vulcan heart. I can almost….ugh…feel things.
There are 4 younger Blackthorn siblings (Ty, Livia, Dru, and Tavvy) and then when Mark gets back he’s basically a child too so BOOM another son. And then they pick up Kit in Lord of Shadows, who is an angsty unwilling 15 year old Nephilim that Julian also gets to tell when to go to bed.
Julian needs a holiday and a cup of tea.
6. IT FEATURES FAERIES!
I’m kind of obsessed with faeries so (!!) this just makes everything perfect. All the Shadowhunter books have tons of paranormal creatures, but The Dark Artifices focus on the faeries because one of the Blackthorn boys, Mark, is half-fey. He was also kidnapped by the Wild Hunt and is JUST returned in Lady Midnight and he is a tortured piece of cinnamon scroll whom I LOVE THE MOST.
7. THERE IS A LOT OF SHIPPING TO BE DONE.
Romance is always a big deal in the Shadowhunter books, and I like how it’s done?! It’s never rushed! And this one is particularly angsty because Julian and Emma are Parabatai and forbidden to ever fall in love. So LOL @ RULES guess what they’re doing. Well trying not to do.
I ship ’em so bad.
I also ship Ty/Kit and Mark/Kieren (I’m sorry…Cristina really annoys me in that triangle because I don’t think she’d care for Mark except for the fact she’s obsessed with faeries soooo).
8. IT REALLY CARES ABOUT DIVERSITY.
There’s a TON of diversity rep here and it feels so so respectful. Not all of it I relate to (obviously!) but the ones I’m part of have A+ rep! THIS FILLS MY HEART LIKE YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE. This is the first time I’ve ever gotten to read an autistic Shadowhunter (who is 500% respected and loved for who he is). It actually also explores mental illnesses and their affect on lives. Especially anxiety, depression, and PTSD. There’s also POC, queer, and trans characters.
9. THERE’S LOTS OF CUTE SCENES TOO.
They’re huge books, ok, like 600+ pages. BUT IT’S WORTH IT because we get (a) plot, (b) action, and (c) cute fluff scenes that literally slay for levels of adorableness. They make pancakes or batter around witty dialogue or just sit on the beach to talk sometimes. And it’s so good. It balances everything and makes me feel like I KNOW THESE CHARACTERS SO WELL.
I’m so sucked in. I can’t even.
10. THEY’RE GOOD BOOKS, BRENT, JUST GO READ THEM.
We gotcha feels destroying moments and faeries boys and tragic plot twists and (me) screaming into the night. We have magic and murder and mayhem. We have swords and battles and schemes and lies. Complex characters and twisted morales.
EVERYTHING IS PERFECT. PUT IT IN A BOX AND BRING IT WITH US, LET’S GO.
Also the finale, Queen of Air And Darkness is everything I’m waiting for and out December 2018!
(Australian only!)
I’m not really interested in Cassandra Clare anymore haha but I definitely had a Clockwork Princess moment when I LOVED that book. but this sounds like fun if you like wonderful characters and emotional damage. I feel like maybe at some point in the distant future I will do a huge Cassandra Clare Binge and it will be exciting.
I seriously want to do a full series reread, but my TBR is literally screaming at me whenever I contemplate it.😂
Ooh! I tried reading The Mortal Instruments when I was a kid, but didn’t really enjoy it that much…. then again, it was probably because I was 8 and didn’t understand English as well yet (multilingual problems!). But I will re-try! Partly because everyone’s basically screaming at me to do so 😂
haha, maaaaybe the language was part of it! I mean, not every book suits everyone, of course, but I am a huge fan of this series.😂
I love all of Cassandra Clare’s books, but I think the dark artifices are my favourite too! I just love the characters sooooo much😍
THE BLACKTHORNS ARE SO PRECIOUS, I WOULD LITERALLY GIVE THEM THE WORLD.
I’ll go ahead and say this (and hope you won’t kill me): I am not a Cassandra Clare fan.
I love the Shadownhunter universe and I certainly enjoy her sassy dialogues but Cassandra Clare and I just have a love-hate relationship. I personally think TMI should’ve ended in City of Glass. I really dislike Jace and Clary too so I find it hard to finish the whole series. I just pushed through book 4 for Simon’s sake but I took a break from TMI after that. I’m probably going to read book 5 in the future but for now, I’m taking a TMI break. (again, don’t kill me pls)
I still read The Infernal Devices though and I absolutely loved that more that TMI. I cried like a baby while reading Clockwork Princess (because of Jem really). I just found it hard to keep reading especially during Will and Tessa’s steamy scene(s). I love Will but I ship Jem and Tessa. You can just imagine my frustration when I was reading about Tessa and Will. The ending calmed me down eventually. At least I didn’t need to establish a “JEM DESERVED BETTER” petition. For now, I can say the infernal devices is my favorite Shadownhunter series.
I haven’t read The Dark Artifices yet but I will read it when I’m done with TMI. I just don’t know when that will be. But you encourage me to read more. This blog post definitely motivated me to finish tmi. I love the sound of a parabatai forbidden romance and I’m such a fan of murder mysteries. The mention of sherlock references made me weak too. I guess I’ll finish TMI sooner rather than later, then.
Looool well I have to disagree with all your thoughts on TMI but like, that’s the bookworm life!😂Not everything suits everyone!
OH MY GOSH. *facedesk*
I just realized this is for Aussie only. So sorry Cait!! I’m just a confused egg here. XD You can remove my entries if you want. 🙂
Haha don’t worry, I usually have to draw my Aussie-only giveaways a few times before I pull an Aussie winner.😂😂It’s easy to get confused!
Lol thanks! Just take me off your list of entrants and we’re good. 🙂
I definitely agree that The Dark Artifices are the best series yet! I love the other two, but… The Dark Artifices has the Blackthorns. What more needs to be said? They’re all just so precious, and I love them, and now I want to reread these!
Exactly! Like they’re all good books bUT NOTHING COMPARES TO OUR PRECIOUS FAVOURITE BLACKTHORNS. *sobs wildly*
I totally get behind mocking with sugar cravings! (except the joke is really on me, which is no fun as I’m now walking 5 days a week in order to do battle against my waistline…) I’ve super enjoyed The Dark Artifices series so far, but confession: I haven’t read City of Heavenly Fire yet! =| I Need to get on that!
Ahh City of Heavenly Fire is SO GOOD THOUGH. It does set up a lot for TDA, but I actually like how you can read this series and not know *Too* much backstory from the other books?! It stands well on its own!
You know how every time you post about Shadowhunters I appear in a cloud of incense and say that I will pick City of Bones back up again some day?
* Appears in a cloud of incense * I will pick City of Bones back up again some day,
(How many years have I been saying this now? How many? * Hides face *)
SO MANY, OKAY, SO MANY. I’M WAITING IMPATIENTLY NOW.😂😂 (But honestly if we could all just magically be granted 9 more hours per day for reading only, that’d be great. *nods*)
I’m going with The Mortal Instruments.
They’re my second favourite of all her series!
Well, Bloglovin let me enter the raffle, just not comment again lol. It’s so temperamental, but no worries, I don’t blame you at all!
So back to my original response… right now I have to say my favorite Shadowhunter series has to be The Mortal Instruments because I haven’t read the others yet {I actually have 2 books left of TMI to be honest}. I am so far behind, but to be fair I came to the party really late. I have next series and part of the 3rd though, so I’ll get there! This series sounds so freaking awesome, so I might have to reorganize my TBR because I can’t wait to dive in!
The comment showed up though! I’m not sure what’s going on gahh, but I promise I’m trying to get it fixed.
And I’m so glad you love TMI!! And honestly, it’s kind of daunting to catch up!? 😂 I haven’t read the Shadowhunter short stories or the new short stories she’s self publishing but I will!! SOMEDAY I NEED 9 MORE LIVES.
Ahhhh! I’ve just started reading Mortal instruments. Am I emotionally prepared to join another fandom? probably not! oh well! here goes…..
You’ll be FINE. There’s only a bit of heart-mangling that goes on.😂
I haven’t read any of the books in the Dark Artifice series, but I devoured the first series when it was first released. And I loved Clare and the world that was partly hidden from her in the beginning. Maybe I need to pick up this one as well – you sure do sell it well, Cait.
Ahhh I’m so glad I’m convincing.😂 My job here is DONE.😂
I have to admit, I’m a bit sick of shadowhunters after reading the TMI and TID books. *coughs* BUT YOU MAKE THE DARK ARTIFICES SOUND SO GOOD? I mean, I already know Cassie Clare writes so witty-ly (I tried) and has the best characters, but I’m also all for diversity and cutesy moments?! GAH I FEEL SO CONFLICTED NOW.
Nooo Aimee, make me cry why don’t you. 😭😂 (hehe I understand! I’m the person who loves spinoffs after spinoffs. 😂)
Erm…favourite Cassandra Clare book?
DEFINITELY THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS.
(because I haven’t read any others, she says quietly into her beard)
😂You haaave to read the others too someday!! But honestly I adore TMI a LOT still.
Okay, so I only read the first three TMI books, and I thought they were okay?? I enjoyed them but compared to all the hype surrounding them they just didn’t exactly meet my expectations. BUT I have full intentions of reading the rest of Cassandra Clare’s books because I hear that they get better as they go along and The Dark Artifices sounds soso good. I’m just scared to keep going because I remember very little of the plot twists revolving around who Jace is and am worried I won’t be able to follow any of the references in The Infernal Devices…
YOU’RE MAKING ME CRY. 😭😂😂 Hehe. I mean I guess they appeal to different people, of course, but I do think The Dark Artifices stands out from the rest a bit. Ahhhh. Maybe there are some series recaps online you could just read instead of having to reread TMI?
A giveaway! 🙂 How exciting!
I agree with your reasons to love this series. For me it is definitely the romance!
My favourite series is the Lady Midnight series (though I haven’t read Lord of the Shadows yet). I think I liked this one most because of the romance, it is very slow build, and I love drawn out romance where they don’t rush things. I think this author is a bit of a master of those elements! 🙂
The romances in this one are soooo good and I’m not even that much of a romantic at heart haha. But omg it’s very complex and never predictable, so I love that?!
There’s also the fact that like Julian is my baby but also I have a massive crush because I truly LOVE anyone who cares that much for their siblings and I was an emotional wreck the whole book because THEY’RE ALL my babies. Plus, I was peeved because Dru was always like ” i want to help, people!” yet always on the back-burner. And also everyone’s funny. Livvy and Ty’s dynamic made me SO happy! Like I kind of wish they HAD been Parabatai because who would be better after all??? They’re already practically parabatai but whatever fine. There’s also all those cute FAMILY moments. Pretty sure Cristina will marry a fey or something. I kinda like the Hunt like they’re awesome although you know…flawed, and scary. The only thing I hate is there’s another book coming and I’m still VERY MUCH PISSED ABOUT THE ENDING OF Lord of Shadows. I tried showing someone the ending (cus they’ll never read it) and I cried (it’s been months) BUT I CAN’T HANDLE THAT KIND OF PAIN.
OMG I AGREE SO MUCH. MY HEART. JULIAAAAAN. He is so precious and also terrifying and I love him so much. And I love Livvy/Ty so much afjdskal. I’m still annoyed at Cristina though because she’s ruining my Kieran/Mark ship.😂However I THINK they’re going to end up in a three-way relationship lol lol. I just feel like that’s coming.
*sends cake for your pain about the ending of LoS* I mean it’s not like we wanted our hearts INTACT ANYWAY DID WE. *sobbing*
I totally see them becoming a trio / thruple/ whatever. It’s gonna happen, I feel like the Kieran and Cristina dynamic is heading towards “okay, you don’t completely suck.” so I’d be okay with that if they all just get together, I can accept that. I need some people to die, but ZARA I mean, errr those people, probably won’t sadly. And just the Nephilim need to get their heads out of their own asses and get to accepting that idk… WE’RE IN THE 21ST CENTURY PEOPLE GET WITH THE PROGRAM YOU’RE NOT GODS. YOU’RE JUST ASSES ON A MADE UP CLOUD OF HIGH AND MIGHTYNESS THAT YOU CREATED. So much anger with this entire system!
But the Blackthorns are legit m new favorite family. I have way too many feels here. Thanks for the cake!
I absolutely love the dark artifices… And Characters are the best part of every Cassandra Clare book… The plot and action are great.
And seriously Julian is a cinnamon roll with awesome master planning skills… emphasize on the ‘cinnamon roll’.
Yesss they are so good and perfect and I can’t get enough of them all!!
My friend has been recommending these books to me for a while now, but I’ve never read any yet. Now that I know more of what it’s about, I need to snag a copy! (except I have like 22 other books I need to read first lol)
Ah haha that TBR pile.😂But yes these are soo good! And I actually think you could read them without having read all the other Shadowhunter books (although it’s better having read them all😂).