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The Shadowhunter's Codex

(Shadowhunter Chronicles)

Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author) (Compiler),

Joshua Lewis (Compiler)

3.94 · Rating details · 33,638 ratings · 2,418 reviews

The Clave is pleased to announce the newest edition of the Nephilim’s oldest and most famous training manual: the Shadowhunter’s Codex. Since the thirteenth century, the Codex has been the young Shadowhunter’s best friend. When you’re being swarmed by demons it can be easy to forget the finer points of obscure demon languages or the fastest way to stop an attack of Raum de The Clave is pleased to announce the newest edition of the Nephilim’s oldest and most famous training manual: the Shadowhunter’s Codex. Since the thirteenth century, the Codex has been the young Shadowhunter’s best friend. When you’re being swarmed by demons it can be easy to forget the finer points of obscure demon languages or the fastest way to stop an attack of Raum demons. With the Codex by your side, you never have to worry.

Now in its twenty-seventh edition, the Codex covers it all: the history and the laws of our world; how to identify, interact with, and if necessary, kill that world’s many colorful denizens; which end of the stele is the end you write with. No more will your attempt to fight off rogue vampires and warlocks be slowed by the need to answer endless questions from your new recruits: What is a Pyxis? Why don’t we use guns? If I can’t see a warlock’s mark, is there a polite way to ask him where it is? Where do we get all our holy water? Geography, History, Magic, and Zoology textbook all rolled into one, the Codex is here to help new Shadowhunters navigate the beautiful, often brutal world that we inhabit.

Do not let it be said that the Clave is outdated or, as the younger Shadowhunters say, “uncool”: this new edition of the Codex will be available not only in the usual magically-sealed demonskin binding, but also in a smart, modern edition using all of today’s most exciting printing techniques, including such new features as a sturdy clothbound cover, a protective dust jacket, and information about title, author, publisher, and so on conveniently available right on the cover. You’ll be pleased to know that it fits neatly into most satchels, and unlike previous editions, it rarely sets off alarm wards.

The old woodcuts and engravings have been replaced as well: instead, you’ll find lavish modern illustrations by some of the brightest luminaries of the fantastic. Creatures, weapons, people, and places have been carefully and accurately rendered by the likes of Rebecca Guay, Charles Vess, Jim Nelson, Theo Black, Elisabeth Alba, and Cassandra Jean. Chapters are beautifully introduced by the drawings of Michael Kaluta, and along with our condensation of the classic 2,450-page tome, A History of the Nephilim, you will find a selection of the best of the lovely illustrations of that volume by John Dollar.

This edition of the Codex will be available in Institute libraries and what mundanes sometimes call “book stores” in October 2013. ...more

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Hardcover, 274 pages

Published October 29th 2013 by Simon and Schuster

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· 33,638 ratings · 2,418 reviews

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Apr 04, 2013 Hanna rated it it was amazing

I don't care if some people think that this book is annoying or unnecessary, I'm excited. I'm going to add it to my Shadowhunter collection and I'm going to love reading it, too.

my book blog: https://pagehaven.tumblr.com ...more

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May 30, 2013 Della Dwindaputri marked it as put-down-for-a-while

I feel sorry for everyone who dislike the idea of Cassandra Clare writing another series about shadowhunters. I think the synopsis explain the book itself, THIS Shadowhunters Codex is for only only ONLY for the fandom of the mortal instruments (tmi) and the infernal devices (tid), and if you have a problem with that just don't buy this book okay? THIS book has mentioned in clockwork angel with Tessa's arrival at the institute (spoiler but not really) and Will gave her The Shadowhunters Codex to ...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Beth marked it as to-read

Yes. Yes!!! YESS!!!!
Best thing ever. Can't wait. I love the Mortal Instruments. I love the Infernal Devices. I can't wait for the Dark Artifices. I can't wait for the Bane Chronicles. And now I can't wait for this!!!
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Dec 27, 2018 Melanie rated it it was ok

Shelves: young-adult, vampires, angels, shifters, paranormal, fae, read-in-2018, fantasy, demons

1.) City of Bones ★★★
2.) City of Ashes ★★
3.) City of Glass ★★★
1.) Clockwork Angel ★★★
4.) City of Fallen Angels ★
2.) Clockwork Prince ★★★★
5.) City of Lost Souls ★★★★
3.) Clockwork Princess ★★★★★
6.) City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★★
*.) The Bane Chronicles ★★★
*.) Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy ★★★
1.) Lady Midnight ★★★★★
2.) Lord of Shadows ★★★★
3.) Queen of Air and Darkness ★★★★

Okay, I’m not going to write up a big review for this because honestly? I was a little bored while reading this and I kept for ...more

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Oct 17, 2013 Parmida Asadi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Can i just say something to all of you who are complaining out there?!
If you don't like Cassie's work then feel free not to read them! Because a lot of us are very interested in her work and she worked very hard to create this amazing world and she has the rights to create as many novels about it as she wants because she created them all herself.
Cassandra's books mean the world to me and i would love to thank her everyday for luring me into the adventure of my life with her books.
And to have a b ...more

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May 15, 2012 Eunice added it

YESSSS! *pumps fist in triumph* I can now have a reference for when I am bored and have a pen-knife and want to carve some runes into my skin for funsies!!!

flag 51 likes · Like · see review

Dec 04, 2012 Vi Vi marked it as to-read

Shelves: will-never-read-due-to-author, lol, intellectually-stimulating

The Codex is the Codex itself, a textbook for new Shadowhunters, and also notes and art added in by Clary, commenting and updating things. (For one thing, the Codex’s official take on things is often not quite the same as what Clary knows to be true. The facts it claims about warlocks alone are outrageously incorrect!)

We've heard this before.

We've heard this shit before.

God damn it Clare. STOP. JUST STOP.

This will never be Hogwarts A History (aka the Encyclopedia that JK may hopefully someday w ...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Jon rated it liked it

Shelves: angels-demons, paranormal

I was scrolling through my to read list when I saw The Shadowhunters' Codex's cover. Why was I not informed that there was a cover and a release date?? September 2013!?!?! That's so far away and I have so little patience.

...more

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Oct 20, 2015 Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile rated it liked it

3.5 stars. A rundown of everything you could possibly need to know about the Shadowhunter world with some funny commentary. It was a good refresher as I prepare to read the entire works.

flag 35 likes · Like · see review

Jan 13, 2013 Emily added it

** DURING THE READING **
The Shadowhunter's Codex reads like a Wikipedia article on broccoli.
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Jun 15, 2012 Alice Bane marked it as to-read

I love the Shadowhunter world and all of Cassie's novels, and I expect to be a life-long fan of her novels. A book like this is absolutely brilliant, and is ment to be used as a reference guide or an addition to the Shadowhunter tales (though I will most likely devour the entire book in a day or two, as is my usual for novels by Cassie.). Can't wait to start reading this, though my current reading list already consists of Stephen King's Firestarter, Cassie's Clockwork Prince, and V. C. Andrew's ...more

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Jun 28, 2021 Hamad rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, ya, 2021-reads, paperbacks

This Review ✍️ Blog 📖 Twitter 🐦 Instagram 📷 Support me ☕

City of Bones ★★★ 1/2
City of Ashes ★★ 1/2
City of Glass ★★★ 3/4
Clockwork Angel ★★★ 1/2
Clockwork Prince ★★★ 3/4
Clockwork Princess ★★★★ 1/2
City of Fallen Angels ★★
City of Lost Souls ★★ 1/2
City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★ 1/4
The Shadowhunter’s Codex ★★★

I got a physical copy of the codex because I thought it is a book better read in a physical form. I already finished TMI series (both trilogies) and TID and so this book didn’t add much into the world. ...more

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Dec 19, 2019 Zoe Stewart (Zoe's All Booked) added it · review of another edition

I have no idea how to rate this, to be quite honest. It was enjoyable for the most part, but it did get pretty dry in places. Dry to the point where I'd read five pages and fall the fuck asleep. At 10 am. There were times where it tried to read like a textbook but didn't at all, and it was pretty jarring, and not in a good way.

This does have me wishing for some sort of spinoff where we learn more about the Silent Brothers and the Iron Sisters though. Those two groups are cool as fuck.

Again, no ...more

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Dec 17, 2017 Azbaqiyah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

Oh my gosh.
I'm truly excited to start reading ShadowHunters series by next year.
I'm finally joining this fandom! ...more

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

May 20, 2012 Lucy Qhuay marked it as on-hold

I want to know everything there is to know about the shadowhunter world! +.+ ...more

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

Nov 02, 2013 Andre rated it did not like it

Shelves: beastmen, vampires, don-t-read-it, fantasy

This book was too stupid for too many reasons (listing them alone would hit the character limit so I will only mention a selected few examples in the spoiler sections, you can find a longer list here: http://fav.me/d6w6853). I hope I will never again read such a bad book.
The start reads like the beginning of a Pokemon game, which is good for those games but not for a book like this(view spoiler) This book was too stupid for too many reasons (listing them alone would hit the character limit so I will only mention a selected few examples in the spoiler sections, you can find a longer list here: http://fav.me/d6w6853). I hope I will never again read such a bad book.
The start reads like the beginning of a Pokemon game, which is good for those games but not for a book like this(view spoiler) It definitely isn't "the young Shadowhunter's best friend" as the advertisement claims.

I guess the book is supposed to be some sort of field manual for warriors but apart from having the labels "milking the cash cow" and "self-insertion fantasy" written all over it I cannot say anything for sure. The space isn't even used well. (view spoiler) And based on the book itself this is a "corrected" version by Clary, which only highlights her stupidity/egoism because her "corrections" are either non-present(view spoiler) or what she wrote clashed with what was written in the other books(view spoiler), respectively it was stuff only fans would care about(view spoiler).

I guess some stuff is supposed to be comic relief, but it is so idiotic that they let the Hunters appear like lunatics (view spoiler). Or it's completely useless, like the banter of Clary & Co.
Some flaws and quirks in a made up world (view spoiler) could actually flesh out a world, make it look more real, but if there was such an attempt here, it was rendered meaningless by the sheer amount of flaws this world-building has. And apart from its flaws, the whole book often screamed laziness. (view spoiler)

There is also this constant theme that the Hunters are better than the "mundanes"(view spoiler) And naturally the book states them to be connected to all world religions, despite it being obvious that this franchise does not acknowledge the legitimacy of those belief systems(view spoiler).

Every halfway decent idea(view spoiler) is ruined by the Hunters' incredible incompetence that makes them look even more idiotic than previous books already did (no global order of warriors would ever act this way).(view spoiler)
Basically according to this book there are several things that could aid them against the demons. But do these morons use that to their full advantage? Not according to this book.
(view spoiler)

The artwork is of decent quality but for the most part totally misplaced and often nothing but fan-service since it adds nothing to the book(view spoiler). At least the grammar was ok, even if the wording was often weird.

Actually I don't know when this book is supposed to have been read by Clary in-universe, I guess between City of Glass and City of Fallen Angels(view spoiler) but I have my doubts due to the convoluted material.
And convoluted fits this book to the last letter. A book like this is there to answer questions that were raised while reading the novels. But this book doesn't do that, at all. It flat out contradicts several elements of the other books of the franchise. (view spoiler)
It is remarkable how little these Hunters know based on this book. How is it possible to fight demons and Downworlder for about a millennium and still know so little? On the other hand if they have no actual record of any summoning and even claim to know least about angels than any other supernatural creature, then how do they know all these does and don'ts and other stuff regarding angels?

The book contradicts itself several times so often I lost count in fact. (view spoiler)

There is no sense over the course of several chapters and basically way more questions are raised than answered. (view spoiler)

What you see of world building here is basically what you already know from the other books and the new stuff mostly either contradicts these books, doesn't add anything or clearly wasn't reflected in the books. As a matter of fact it is incredible how little they know about so many topics. (view spoiler)

Real world history and psychology is basically ransacked(view spoiler) and the Hunters come along as incompetent idiots that should have been wiped out a long time ago, or better they would be if the demons weren't even bigger idiots.

The main heroes of the franchise come along either as idiots as well or simply assholes who care about nothing but themselves (based on what is presented here all of them should react quite differently (view spoiler)).
And thank gosh I am not one of Raziel's chosen. (view spoiler) That angel seems to be the biggest idiot and/or asshole in the entire universe.
I guess often the book tried to be "different"(view spoiler) but the result is that huge sections of the book screamed of bad-copying, unoriginal ideas, rip-offs, lip service to diversity and equality(view spoiler), pure laziness and lack of a competent editor and constructive criticism.
Would I be a fan of these characters, I would hate this book.

PS: This is not a rip-off of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them". That book was a nice short mix of information and comic relief. This here was a worse example of world-building than Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Guide. ...more

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Oct 25, 2013 Donna rated it really liked it

I enjoyed reading this so, so much! I will be making a video review so I won't say much here, except if you're a fan of Cassandra Clare I'd definitely recommend getting this in some format.
The commentary throughout was really funny (and also included some great Jimon moments- those two just have the best banter) and it is beautifully designed and illustrated.
My favourite part of the codex came in the last two sections, the 'History of the Nephilm' (so much cool stuff about Johnathon Shadowhunter ...more

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Jun 12, 2017 Renata rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5

This shows the complex world Cassandra Clare created and it's amazing, I mean she has a great cretivity and this book just shows you that it's not something that she dreamed about and done. It's a lot of work and wow.

To be honest some parts you already know (80% let's be honest) from the books since I've read all of them so far and also some things could have been explained better but in general it was really fast to read (if you have time because it took me months omg). ...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Reza rated it liked it

I know the book is not really necessary, but..

The cover is so awesome! I will probably buy (and read) it just for the cover.

Yes. I have a problem.

EDIT: So I gave in.. and I bought it. It's a nice read though and the illustrations are beautiful. ...more

flag 16 likes · Like · see review

Mar 29, 2021 Avani ✨ rated it liked it

I agree the codex is necessary from the information point of view. But as a book it was blahh !!

The comments by Clary, Jace & Simon actually kept the book moving ahead.

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Nov 08, 2014 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal, ya, paranormal-romance, ebooks-i-own, fantasy, guides-and-stuff

This was oh lord so so good.
It was funny and interesting and informative as hell. Cassandra Jean is such an amazing artist and Joshua and the rest of them!
Clary, Jace, Magnus and Simon's notes were hilarious. Ah, what a delight. ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Aug 17, 2012 Zero vi Britannia marked it as to-read

Shelves: just-stop-it-already, why, no, what-the-hell-fuck-crap, no-just-not, why-rowling-had-to-use-her-initials, mythology-what-mythology, why-is-the-rating-so-high

Why? Why? Why? We've had enough of this crap, Clare. Move on. Why don't you ~~Write a book about mermaids or trolls or witches or zombies...demon fairy warriors from the Edo period. Anything other than these $#%@ing Nephilim!~~ just retire comfortably and live off the ~~completely undeserved~~ money you earned from your ~~piece of shit~~ series? ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2017 _racheljane_ rated it really liked it

Okay, I was really excited for his book when I bought it just because I love the shadowhunter world that Cassandra Clare created. It was a very quick book to get through and it doesn't take up all that much brain space. I am excited just to flip through it now and then and I would definitely recommend for diehard fans. ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Oct 22, 2014 Elena rated it it was amazing

I'm a die hard Shadowhunter fan, so duuh of course I loved this! :D ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Feb 12, 2013 Carolina Carriço rated it it was amazing

The Shadowhunter's Codex was so, so good!

I started the book thinking that it was for Shadowhunter's like some kind of Bible, and then I understood that the point of creating a Codex was for new Shadowhunter's, mundanes who became Shadowhunters, or for kids adopted by Shadowhunters, and I was kinda disappointed. But when I got truly sucked up into it, I was in love!

The way the Codex shows us the Shadow World is truly magical, and if I wanted to Shadowhunter's to be real first, and became one of t ...more

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Oct 15, 2018 Irene△⃒⃘➰ rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2018, cover-love

4.3/5

Short story: I finally finished this book. Here is why it took me this long lol
So I was reading this book on my train trip when I went to the Shadowhunters convention this July. Then the post convention depression got me and this book reminded me too much of that period. So I put it on hold even because I was missing the last two chapters full of history dates and infos and the Law chapter which was as everything interesting but "heavier" as a subject.
Now I found motivation to finish it, so ...more

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Mar 27, 2017 Iris rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned-books

5 Out of 5 stars

This taught me so much more of the Shadow world, it's very renjoyuable and the illustrations and little scribbles of Jace, Clary and Simon are amazing. It made the book feel much more alive and because of this it was very enjoyable.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys TMI :)

...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2014 Katerina rated it really liked it

Shelves: fae, urban-fantasy

So,I'm reading the demonology part in the bus (you know,the one with the demon sketches etc) and the guy next to me curiously asks what book is this,and after I explain I rush to reassure him that I don't worship satan and perform bloody rituals under the full moon.Still not sure if he believed me ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Jun 28, 2012 Liz marked it as to-read

OH MY GOD desprately NEED to get this!! cant wait!! :D gah!

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2013 Alexa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, books-i-own

I love it! I think it's such a great idea! :) ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

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YA Spanish Reads: Sorteo de un ejemplar de The Shadowhunter's Codex	3	36	Oct 10, 2016 03:55PM
YA Buddy Readers'...: The Shadowhunter's Codex by Cassandra Clare - Starting August 7th, 2015	32	18	Aug 14, 2015 02:15PM
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About Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare

253,855 followers

Hello Goodreadsers. Here's my official bio:

"Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilo ...more

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Shadowhunter Chronicles (1 - 10 of 21 books)

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City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3)

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)

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Trivia About The Shadowhunter'...

1 trivia question
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Quotes from The Shadowhunter'...

“The Great and Tragic Love of Jonathan Shadowhunter and David the Silent, by ~~Clary Fray, Aged 17~~.
SIMON IT WAS BY SIMON NOT ME

(...) Jonathan Shadowhunter: Oh, David, I would trust you with my life!
David: Oh, Jonathan, I would sacrifice my own life for your holy mission! (He almost does)
Jonathan: (weeping) David, you must return to me! I need you! I cannot do this thing without you!
David: Lo, I return!
Jonathan: Zounds! I feel a great stirring in my pantaloons!
David: What doth thy pantalo
SIMON I WILL KILL YOU” — 59 likes

“NYC Institute has one. I'll show you sometime if you want.
It's a date.
It is maybe the least romantic spot in the Institute, by the way.
You'll make up for that, I'm sure.
(Jeez, get a locked room on unsanctified ground, you two.)” — 41 likes

More quotes…