 Cassandra Clare

In this first book of the Dark Artifices series, "Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs and her parabatai Julian Blackthorn race to stop a demonic plot that threatens Los Angeles"--

The Dark Artifices. Book one

Lady Midnight

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.

(The Dark Artifices #1)

ja’leasa

Allyssa Fritz

Lara 

Sintia

"Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs and her parabatai Julian Blackthorn race to stop a demonic plot that threatens Los Angeles"--

Mell

Kirsten Maliepaard

Antonia Reida

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.

anna ˖*°࿐

Flueras Cosmina

Giggled, kicked my feet everytime jem or tessa were mentioned<333 honestly such a great continuation of this universe 

The first 50% wasn’t it but the last 50% was like a completely different book. So yeah I’ll continue on. 

Priscilla Stanfield

4/5⭐️

The first 50% wasn’t it but the last 50% was like a completely different book. So yeah I’ll continue on. 

Shannon C

This was way more amazing than I expected. What do I even read now? :( lol

arwen

Ellie M.

“Why all these paintings of you? Because I’m an artist, Emma. These pictures of you are my heart. And if my heart was a canvas, every square inch of it would be painted over with you.”

I laughed. I screamed. I fucking cried. Cassandra Clare, you fucking OUTDID yourself with this. This was just the beginning of a beautiful trilogy that’s perfection everywhere, in terms of the writing style, the rich plot and action-filled execution, not to mention how loveable she writes her characters?? NEVER FAILS 💯 the Blackthorn children are so adorable and a comforting bunch. I would give Julian the world, the stars, the entire fucking universe. Emma effectively ripped my heart out, and can Cristina please make me her sister? 🤍🤍🤍 The LA Institute is now my home 🫶🏻 There is actually NO WAY for me to describe how much I love and would die for them (I’m serious leave me alone). Also, I know Cassie has a kink for the trope (She did take it too far with Clace lmao), but this is definitely one of those soul-touching, heartbreaking stories of forbidden love because it’s the “i want to be with you and i want to touch you but it’s never going to happen” tropes you would always go back to. I love how everything about this book was so morally grey you can’t really wholely hate nor love and condone anyone for their actions. And I like how she always incorporates the beauty of poetry and literature into her writing. And so far, this is definitely the best shadowhunters book she’s put out there. More so, I appreciate the great rep she’s put into this. It was beautiful and very touching. Also, the Jessa cameos? And we got to see the TMI gang all grown up (I may have teared up). This entire book was such a roller coaster ride and I lowkey didn’t want it to end. I read so hard to get to this trilogy and I am a mess because of those last few hundred pages. This actually made me want to fucking rip my hair out and I was told multiple times that it gets more painful from there 😭😭 why is cassie so great at angst my fucking god I have the urge to bang my head against the wall 🫠

Helena

I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH 
i loved the murder plot, i loved mark coming back, i loved every blackthorn sibling and i loved my jem and tessa !! 
also.. blackstairs. i can’t make a proper review about this but 5 big stars for you miss clare.

Monicap

Post-reading:

Also known as the best thing to ever happen to my soul.

Pre-reading
Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Did I miss something?

Emma Carstairs?

I am currently reading the Clockwork Princess and will enclose the next bit in a spoiler catcher so as not to spoil those who have not gotten to just about halfway thru CP2
(view spoiler)[I thought Jem and his family were the last Carstairs. His parents died, he was an only child, no aunts or uncles that I'm aware of (if he had aunts or uncles, wouldn't he have gone to them instead of to the Institute? Or, wait a minute... was there something about he wanted to stay out of Idris? Now I've gone and confused myself) anyways, that aside, and then Jem went and died without having any children. SO THEN HOW IS THERE AN EMMA CARSTAIRS??? YOU DO REALIZE THIS WILL DRIVE ME INSANE UNTIL I FIGURE IT OUT??? THANKS A LOT, CASSANDRA CLARE. (hide spoiler)]

So, yeah, this will most DEFINITELY drive me insane until I get to the bottom of it.

God. I love it so much. Unbelievable. Cannot believe i’ll love this series. I mean.. oh. I totally have no words.

Maria

This book could easily be 200 pages shorter. My main issue with this was the pacing. It was so slow that by the time I reached the 50% mark I had to put it on hold for a while, because we were barely just finally getting into the plot. Like things were happening, but it was taking such a long time, that it was hard to pay attention. I did however pick up the audiobook at this point, and that really made everything better for me. Morena Baccarin does a wonderful job at giving life to this story and characters. So I would really recommend giving the audiobook a try.
My other problem with this book was that I barely connected to the main characters. Emma was nice, but overall just okay. And I really didn’t care about the main romance going on. That being said I liked the Blackthorn siblings and all the secondary characters, and would’ve much rather preferred to read from their POVs (I guess we’ll get more into them in the next books, but you know..). I’m not sure if I’m going to pick up the other two books in the series, at least not now. Overall somewhere in between a 2.5/3 out of 5 stars.

Julia Lundberg 

the ending sUUUcked, so i will give it a 3.5

my favorite couple didnt last (i rooted for you). 
i absolutely adored julian's character before he had a complete personality change at the end. 
i felt absolutely nothing for emma's caracter. i felt like emma's character and clary's character could basically be the same person. she did not have any original traits what so ever beside fighting & revenging her parents death. 
i loved ty and mark to death. (but what kind of name is mark tho, it doesn's suit him at all). 
i loved the writing & the plot as always but the ending and some of the personality changes or the lack there of a personality threw me off a bit and left me kinda disappointed.,

Tatiana

Lady Midnight: 4/5 

“Lex malla, lex nulla. A bad law is no law.”

I finally have gotten through the novellas and am onto The Dark Artifices. I was nervous about this book because I was not attached to either Emma Carstairs or the Blackthorns from their previous cameos. Everyone seemed to have already been in love, while I felt... nothing for them. This book changed everything. 

Lady Midnight is the start of a brand new shadowhunter trilogy called The Dark Artifices. It takes place a few years after The Mortal Instruments in the Los Angeles Institute. Although you do not NEED to read the previous shadowhunter books to understand this, I highly suggest you at least read The Infernal Devices. I honestly cannot imagine reading this without my knowledge of prior events and books. I don't think this would be anywhere near as enjoyable as it was without that background. Something that is 100% needed before you read this book is Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy. Some of those stories directly lead into The Dark Artifices and provide some extremely necessary background.

We follow Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn, now 17 or 18 (thank god), who are thrown into a plot of solving a series of murders that Emma believes could have been linked to her parents' untimely death. Furthermore, we know there is a complicated relationship between parabatai Emma and Julian, and as their feelings for each other grow, so does the confusion around forbidden love. 

I loved everything about this plot. Although this book is long, it is fast-paced. Not only do we get a new and exciting plot full of new twists and turns, but a new cast of characters in a new setting. I loved the banter between the Blackthorn children and really fell in love with them all. This book feels like a breath of fresh air in the shadowhunter world. Cassandra Clare never fails to bring characters to life and make the reader feel SO MUCH.

The one thing I didn't love about this book was the combat scenes. I am unsure why since I have had no trouble with previous combat scenes in shadowhunter novels, but these felt a bit different. They just were not up to par with her previous battle work.

I am so nervous for the second book based on how this one ended. ANOTHER LOVE TRIANGLE?! Cassandra Clare please have mercy on me!!!

** spoiler alert **
           i love blackstairs. that's it.

nina 

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! I LOVE THE CHARACTERS!

(view spoiler)[ Finding out about the parabatai spell was so interesting. That ending....What Emma had to say to Julian reminded me of the Infernal Devices of what Will did with Tessa. How they had to hide their feelings. I saw a picture on pinterest with Emma and Will on it and now I understand why they were both on it and how they are the same. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens with Annabel . 

I loved seeing Tessa and Jem again, and I was so glad we got Mark back. How Julian looks after his siblings is so cute and wonderful! What a family this Blackthorn family is. I absolutely love their motto, it's so rebellious: "A bad law is no law"
 (hide spoiler)]

i love this book so much huhu the blackthorns and their fierce love, julian blackthorn with his ruthless heart that i couldn't even dare to hate, because he consumed my entire being. this truly deserves a reread from time to time.

Gianna Kristen

Melissa Palmer

Book #25 Read in 2016
Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

This is the first in a new series by an author I love. In this book, we become familiar with Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn, shadowhunters. People are being murdered and there is a paranormal connection to the murders which Emma and Jules are investigating, with the help of family and friends. This book was an excellent read and I cannot wait for the next one. Highly recommended for high school and adult readers alike!

Denaiir

For the most part I liked the Blackthorn family. Unfortunately, I liked the side characters way more than the main ones (Emma and Julian, meeh). I didn't really like Julian's sense of responsibility which made him frankly quite boring. I also loved Cristina and Diana, basically all the side characters. Too bad the book focused on Emma and Julian...

The book kept talking about how a love story between parabatai was forbidden and I wanted to know why and how and have it more central to the story. But the way it was handled was extremely underwhelming. And cliche. I didn't like Emma before, but by the end she made me extremely frustrated and I started really disliking her. She's so selfish, and I'm done with the miscommunication trope. 

Another (huge) problem was the overall plot, which was just very boring. I didn't really care about anything going on, plus the villain is supposed to be super shocking but I didn't know enough about him to actually care. The only things I enjoyed were the parts that hinted to the next books with appearances from characters of the other trilogies.

The last thing was that the narration of the audiobook just didn't wok for me at all. It was so dull!! I think I'm not the only one who thinks that since they changed the narrator for the 2 other books in the trilogy, and thank gawd they did because the ONLY reason that will make me pick up those books is that JAMES MARSTERS is narrating them. Freaking James Marsters. I'm going to pee my pants!

Natalie 

So. Funny story, really. This was actually... My First Shadowhunters book??

I know, I know "Gasp! Why did you start here?! Why didn't you start with City of Bones or Clockwork Angel?!"

Answer?? Because I have no interest in City of Bones (DNFed it), and I tried Clockwork Angel a few years ago and put it down (though I plan to give it another go now). Maybe I should have been going based on the "correct order," but I just wanted to have fun, and for years, Lady Midnight has tempted me to pick it up.

So I said screw it, I bought it, and I read it. And I LOVED IT!!

I fell in love with these characters and their world. It was full of magic and mystery and darkness and drama. It read like a soap opera but in a good way! There were twists and lots of angst and deep characters that I couldn't help but love.

I got emotional at multiple points in this book, which normally doesn't happen to me. Before I'd even finished this book, I went and bought the sequels. I now am honestly considering binge-reading this series, and I normally don't have the energy to do that. THAT is how much I enjoyed it. It's broken my tried and true reading habits.

If I could, I'd give this book 5 stars just for enjoyment alone, but I did have one issue with it. It could have been shorter. I just felt like the plot was dragged out to a point where some parts were a slog. 

But I forgive it because of how much I grew to love these characters. Emma, Ty, Livvy, Cristina, Dru, Tavvy, Mark, Kieran, Julian (ESPECIALLY Julian) and so many others. I laughed, I nearly cried, and I screamed into my pillow multiple times.

I am greatly looking forward to reading more from CC. I get why some people might not like her writing, but for me, this was just such a fun time! Highly recommend!

Emily B

4.25 STARS:

So. Funny story, really. This was actually... My First Shadowhunters book??

I know, I know "Gasp! Why did you start here?! Why didn't you start with City of Bones or Clockwork Angel?!"

Answer?? Because I have no interest in City of Bones (DNFed it), and I tried Clockwork Angel a few years ago and put it down (though I plan to give it another go now). Maybe I should have been going based on the "correct order," but I just wanted to have fun, and for years, Lady Midnight has tempted me to pick it up.

So I said screw it, I bought it, and I read it. And I LOVED IT!!

I fell in love with these characters and their world. It was full of magic and mystery and darkness and drama. It read like a soap opera but in a good way! There were twists and lots of angst and deep characters that I couldn't help but love.

I got emotional at multiple points in this book, which normally doesn't happen to me. Before I'd even finished this book, I went and bought the sequels. I now am honestly considering binge-reading this series, and I normally don't have the energy to do that. THAT is how much I enjoyed it. It's broken my tried and true reading habits.

If I could, I'd give this book 5 stars just for enjoyment alone, but I did have one issue with it. It could have been shorter. I just felt like the plot was dragged out to a point where some parts were a slog. 

But I forgive it because of how much I grew to love these characters. Emma, Ty, Livvy, Cristina, Dru, Tavvy, Mark, Kieran, Julian (ESPECIALLY Julian) and so many others. I laughed, I nearly cried, and I screamed into my pillow multiple times.

I am greatly looking forward to reading more from CC. I get why some people might not like her writing, but for me, this was just such a fun time! Highly recommend!

this book felt like it was all gas, no brakes - which isnt bad but now i need a nap and a break 

samantha lias

alexandra

FULL REVIEW + DISCUSSION ON twirlingpages.com!

2/2/2016 : well, i feel like my soul shattered into a billion pieces and blew into the ocean. how will i ever recover from this novel???? or this ending?????? i won't. good bye world. i drowned in my own tears and my entire being fell into shambles thanks to this FANTASTIC novel. i need the next one NOW, even though this one hasn't even released yet... oops.

*clears throat* okay, saying LADY MIDNGHT is an emotional rollercoaster ride is an understatement. i'm shell-shocked by cassandra clare's improvement in writing, world building, character development, EVERYTHING. especially since i just finished rereading her first two novels, it's so obviously clear as to how much she's grown as an author. she keeps getting better and better.

my favorite part of LADY MIDNIGHT is not the intricately thought out plot – which is very intricate and very fantastic – but the depth of our cast. i remember reading THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS and finding everyone a bit flat or "too perfect." clary and jace (from TMI) were both born to be legends and, to me, they were cutouts of The Chosen One. our main characters in LM, emma and julian, aren't naturally "special" but work to where they're at. i could easily connect with them because they're just regular people, erm, shadowhunters, who are trying to make the most out of what's come out of the war. and it's not only our two leads who i adore; EVERYONE is incredibly fleshed out and unique. clare made it so easy for me to connect with all of them, which led me to feel ALL THE FEELZ. i also love how there are many diverse characters and aspects, but they weren't the main focus; it's there and it's important but it's not flung in your face.

cassandra clare's ability to create more depth in the shadow world never fazes to amaze me. i personally don't find the writing to be very special, but THE WORLD is so incredible. we see characters we know from TMI and TID (which made me SO GIDDY), but also see the back story to minor characters in the other series. more secrets about their government unravel, more family relationships explained, and MORE ANGST. it's also nice because it's written in a way that doesn't require you to read the companion series. 

the plot has such a nice balance between action, romance, suspense, and magic. although the book is the size of a monster, there weren't many parts that felt dragged or unnecessary (a few, but not many). one of the conflicts of the story follows family relationships and the like, which i LOVE because i feel like there's more to YA drama than romance and monsters; LADY MIDNIGHT has all three! *sly grin* but yes, this book has a perfect mix of everything.

if you couldn't tell from my paragraphs of gushing, I LOVE THIS NOVEL. i usually try to be very picky and critical with my books, but i honestly couldn't find anything i truly disliked. it made me fall in love with the world and characters and everything about everything. (it also made me feel like i was being stabbed in the heart a few million times, but i suppose i'm a bit masochistic.) and now, i'm going to reread all of cassie clare's other novels and allow this world to consume my soul <3333

Andrea Pais

This book made me laugh and cry and fall in love with this world once again. And once again Cassie ripped my chest open and pulled my heart out with just some words. I don't have much more to say besides that I absolutely adored this book and I CANT WAIT to see how everything unfolds later on in this story

“this is me trying” and “you’re on your own kid” are julian’s song 

starlight by taylor swift - “I love you, Julian Blackthorn. I love you more than starlight.”

“She wondered idly what they would think if they knew the two teenagers in the Toyota were actually demon hunters with a trunk full of crossbows, polearms, daggers, katanas, and throwing knives.”

<b>“You have stayed strong not just through training but through the people around you—loving them and being loved."</b>

OMG THE ENDING GOT ME SCREAMING!!!!! WTFF NOOOOOOO

I’ve been wanting to read more about emma and julian ever since the ending of the mortal instruments series! This is such a wonderful introduction to the la institute with the blacktorn family 

emma carstairs has become one of my favorite female characters! not only is she effortlessly hilarious she also shows her strength in her loyalty and determination. 

I still love will herondale but UGH julian blackthorn!! he’s been through so much yet remains a devoted guardian to his siblings and partner to emma

one of my favorite friendships were cristina and emma!! i love the support they have for each other!  

a world alone by lorde

arcade by duncan laurence

rip 2 my youth by the neighourhood

a drop in the ocean by ron pope

“this is me trying” and “you’re on your own kid” are julian’s song brb crying

starlight by taylor swift - “I love you, Julian Blackthorn. I love you more than starlight.”

“She wondered idly what they would think if they knew the two teenagers in the Toyota were actually demon hunters with a trunk full of crossbows, polearms, daggers, katanas, and throwing knives.”

<b>“You have stayed strong not just through training but through the people around you—loving them and being loved."</b>

OMG THE ENDING GOT ME SCREAMING!!!!! WTFF NOOOOOOO

I’ve been wanting to read more about emma and julian ever since the ending of the mortal instruments series! This is such a wonderful introduction to the la institute with the blacktorn family 

emma carstairs has become one of my favorite female characters! not only is she effortlessly hilarious she also shows her strength in her loyalty and determination. 

I still love will herondale but UGH julian blackthorn!! he’s been through so much yet remains a devoted guardian to his siblings and partner to emma

julianemma are truly everything!!!

one of my favorite friendships were cristina and emma!! i love the support they have for each other!  

I didn't believe everyone when they said it was one of her best books but damnnnn, it took me a little to get into (my reading slumps fault) but I read the remaining 500ish pages in one sitting!! 

I actually wasn't expecting the ~bad guy~ tbh so the end of the book was so good! I need to get my hands on LoS soooon. 

Also I'm so weak at and mention or appearance of Tessa and Jem so the end was extra good for me :') 

I just don't know what to say apart from I love it so much, 5* etc etc etc

Aishling

** spoiler alert **
           *spoilers* I didn't think it was possible to love any series more than I did the mortal instruments. But I am so in love with this series, that at the ending all I wanted to do was run and scream about the fact that I'd have to wait another year to know what was to happen next. I love Emma's character. She reminds me of a more tame girl version of Jace. And some of Marks moments are just too funny. Cristina is a welcome character, she's brings a motherly figure into the story, someone else that Emma can rely one. In the relation of the Mark x Cristina x Perfect Diego love triangle, in not sure where I lye. But that's the great thing, usually there's one side you always choose it there's such great moments between Cristina and both the boys that I'd hard to decide. Although after that cliffhanger now it seems more like a love pentagon. I'm so excited to find out what way the story goes with Mark and Emma, especially after Marks last words "Why lie?" It just threw a total spanner in the works, a great way to end the book on a minor cliffhanger rather a major one. Not that I didn't scream over those 2 words. Who knows what drama they'll bring? The twist about two parabatai being unable to love is also quite interesting. Obviously in the next book there must be something done that will either break they're parabatai bond or nullify the over exertion of power between two lovers. It'll be highly interesting to see how either of those situations could be managed. I doubt that much else will happen as we all know Emma and Jules belong together, not its just a long wait to find out how it will al come to end. I cannot thank Cassandra Clare enough for continuing this series and I will be distraught once they end.

Lady Midnight The Dark Artifices. Book one

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