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Mortal Instruments Series, The Shadowhunter's Codex Set 7 Books Collection
Sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is an ordinary teenager, who likes hanging out in Brooklyn with her friends. But everything changes the night she witnesses a murder, committed by a group of teens armed with medieval weaponry. Titles in this set includes City of Bones, City of Ashes, City Glass, City of Lost Soul, City of Fallen Angels, The Shadowhunter Codex and City of Heavenly Fire.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
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2146 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Clare
197 books277k followersCassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old.
Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).
After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.
City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.
Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).
After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.
City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 22, 2021
love this series equally
October 8, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
This was...a go back and reread before I get read of all the copies I own on account of the plagiarism. I’ve had these books for a long while, before I ever knew about those issues and, while I cannot fully remove myself from the stain that comes with having given this woman money, I can at least rid myself of the copies in the hopes that someone else will be spared that. Full review to come.
EDIT: I've written a full review, though what is below has been heavily edited due to Goodreads' policies regarding commentary of author behavior within a review. In light of this, you can find the full review on my blog.
My past with City of Bones is actually somewhat of an amusing one at times, but also a rather dejecting one. I cannot even begin with how devastated I was when I first learned of all the issues surrounding these novels and the author who penned them. The interesting thing is that I really enjoyed the books when I first came across them as a teenager, so much so that my first-ever rating of the book was five stars. As I've grown up I find myself feeling more and more embarrassed and disgusted with the fact that I bought these books. Just as I did with Twilight a few months ago, I've decided to re-read Clare's work before ridding myself of the books I've had since high school. I haven't decided yet whether to donate or throw them out, honestly, since I don't know if I want to subject other young readers to them but I definitely don't want these books anymore. And in this sense, I've decided to review each of her books.
As for City of Bones, the fact of the matter is that the novel is largely based around ideas that were borrowed and pulled from a variety of other novels and altered in various, somewhat minute ways in order for the work to transform into Clare's own piece of fiction. Looking below the surface of it all, though, it becomes difficult for me to credit much of the story and the characters to Clare's writing ability as a result of my understanding of where it all came from. I find myself unable to ascertain whether the bits about the story that I enjoyed were actually a result of Clare's own imagination or whether they were borrowed from somewhere else. You really don't have to look far at other reviews to see where the ideas for her story and characters come from, though the majority does appear to be based around Harry Potter.
Clare also has a rather annoying habit of creating extensive love polygons that just become absolutely ridiculous. I've drawn some out before, but just taking a look at this book alone you can see an extensive intermingling of love relationships/pinings. We'll begin with Clary, who can be romantically linked in this novel to both Jace and Simon. Jace can be linked to Clary and Alec. Simon can be linked to Clary and Isabelle. Alec can be linked to Jace and Magnus. Isabelle can be linked to Simon and Meliorn. And that, my friends, is just the first book. It'll get worse later on. Frankly, it's just far too much drama for it to all be necessary.
I can see, at times, why I enjoyed reading this story all those years ago. And I recall becoming emotionally invested enough for this to be the first book I actually threw against a wall upon finishing--I too was thoroughly upset and disgusted with the news brought to light for Clary and Jace via Valentine--and had I not already bought the whole series (I was a little excessive when buying books back then, as I'd not come across the concept that it's perfectly okay to begin a series and not continue on with it) I don't know if I'd have kept reading enough to find out the resolution to this exceedingly disturbing reveal. But I also loved Twilight at this point in my life, to the point that I wasn't aware enough of consent to find the actions of Jacob Black as disgusting as they truly are, so really, can I credit much to the fact that I liked this series? I'm not sure.
Where I'll occasionally find myself rather endeared toward characters, particularly Simon, other characters are frustrating and quick to anger, all of which often ultimately leads to incredibly poor decision making. And I'm left wondering how I liked any of these characters to begin with. There are a lot of problematic pieces to the book as a whole, some of which stem from the blatant ways in which Jace will lash out at anyone, anytime he feels like, others that lie within the unfortunate girl-hate dynamic that exists between Isabelle and Clary, and more that comes from the servant-like roles the gay characters in this novel hold or the power dynamics between an older man in a relationship with a much younger man. I could go on and on about this, but the truth is that others have as well. And you don't have to look far to find it all.
Clare's writing, overall, is inconsistent in quality which often leads me to wonder how much of what I really liked was not her work. While enough was altered for Clare to avoid a plagiarism lawsuit--fair enough--it still leaves me feeling deeply unsure, almost to the point that I hope the parts I like are not hers. Ultimately, though, even I have noticed many grammatical errors and typos throughout the novel. The degree of information that is simply thrown at us rather than shown is immense and often I find that characters don't always act in realistic manners. I'll give her this, though; City of Bones is infinitely better written than Fifty Shades of Gray, so at least she has that merit. All in all, while I was once quite a fan of these books, I'm not as much any longer. Even the show, which I do actually enjoy quite a lot and has fixed numerous issues that the books had, is somewhat seeped in the unfortunate disgrace of the material it is adapted from.
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This was...a go back and reread before I get read of all the copies I own on account of the plagiarism. I’ve had these books for a long while, before I ever knew about those issues and, while I cannot fully remove myself from the stain that comes with having given this woman money, I can at least rid myself of the copies in the hopes that someone else will be spared that. Full review to come.
EDIT: I've written a full review, though what is below has been heavily edited due to Goodreads' policies regarding commentary of author behavior within a review. In light of this, you can find the full review on my blog.
My past with City of Bones is actually somewhat of an amusing one at times, but also a rather dejecting one. I cannot even begin with how devastated I was when I first learned of all the issues surrounding these novels and the author who penned them. The interesting thing is that I really enjoyed the books when I first came across them as a teenager, so much so that my first-ever rating of the book was five stars. As I've grown up I find myself feeling more and more embarrassed and disgusted with the fact that I bought these books. Just as I did with Twilight a few months ago, I've decided to re-read Clare's work before ridding myself of the books I've had since high school. I haven't decided yet whether to donate or throw them out, honestly, since I don't know if I want to subject other young readers to them but I definitely don't want these books anymore. And in this sense, I've decided to review each of her books.
As for City of Bones, the fact of the matter is that the novel is largely based around ideas that were borrowed and pulled from a variety of other novels and altered in various, somewhat minute ways in order for the work to transform into Clare's own piece of fiction. Looking below the surface of it all, though, it becomes difficult for me to credit much of the story and the characters to Clare's writing ability as a result of my understanding of where it all came from. I find myself unable to ascertain whether the bits about the story that I enjoyed were actually a result of Clare's own imagination or whether they were borrowed from somewhere else. You really don't have to look far at other reviews to see where the ideas for her story and characters come from, though the majority does appear to be based around Harry Potter.
Clare also has a rather annoying habit of creating extensive love polygons that just become absolutely ridiculous. I've drawn some out before, but just taking a look at this book alone you can see an extensive intermingling of love relationships/pinings. We'll begin with Clary, who can be romantically linked in this novel to both Jace and Simon. Jace can be linked to Clary and Alec. Simon can be linked to Clary and Isabelle. Alec can be linked to Jace and Magnus. Isabelle can be linked to Simon and Meliorn. And that, my friends, is just the first book. It'll get worse later on. Frankly, it's just far too much drama for it to all be necessary.
I can see, at times, why I enjoyed reading this story all those years ago. And I recall becoming emotionally invested enough for this to be the first book I actually threw against a wall upon finishing--I too was thoroughly upset and disgusted with the news brought to light for Clary and Jace via Valentine--and had I not already bought the whole series (I was a little excessive when buying books back then, as I'd not come across the concept that it's perfectly okay to begin a series and not continue on with it) I don't know if I'd have kept reading enough to find out the resolution to this exceedingly disturbing reveal. But I also loved Twilight at this point in my life, to the point that I wasn't aware enough of consent to find the actions of Jacob Black as disgusting as they truly are, so really, can I credit much to the fact that I liked this series? I'm not sure.
Where I'll occasionally find myself rather endeared toward characters, particularly Simon, other characters are frustrating and quick to anger, all of which often ultimately leads to incredibly poor decision making. And I'm left wondering how I liked any of these characters to begin with. There are a lot of problematic pieces to the book as a whole, some of which stem from the blatant ways in which Jace will lash out at anyone, anytime he feels like, others that lie within the unfortunate girl-hate dynamic that exists between Isabelle and Clary, and more that comes from the servant-like roles the gay characters in this novel hold or the power dynamics between an older man in a relationship with a much younger man. I could go on and on about this, but the truth is that others have as well. And you don't have to look far to find it all.
Clare's writing, overall, is inconsistent in quality which often leads me to wonder how much of what I really liked was not her work. While enough was altered for Clare to avoid a plagiarism lawsuit--fair enough--it still leaves me feeling deeply unsure, almost to the point that I hope the parts I like are not hers. Ultimately, though, even I have noticed many grammatical errors and typos throughout the novel. The degree of information that is simply thrown at us rather than shown is immense and often I find that characters don't always act in realistic manners. I'll give her this, though; City of Bones is infinitely better written than Fifty Shades of Gray, so at least she has that merit. All in all, while I was once quite a fan of these books, I'm not as much any longer. Even the show, which I do actually enjoy quite a lot and has fixed numerous issues that the books had, is somewhat seeped in the unfortunate disgrace of the material it is adapted from.
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January 3, 2020
I have very mixed feelings about these books. When I read the first one I really enjoyed it up until it's revealed that Jace is Johnathon Christopher, Clary's brother, and then I never bothered reading the second one until years later when I'd forgotten whether that was real or I was just imagining a memory.
I googled "why did Cassandra Clare make Clary and Jace siblings?" and saw that you find out that they aren't and I was like thank God and that was the only way I could carry on reading the weird incest vibey books. Sometimes when reading this I was like "wtf am I reading?" It seems like every other paragraph was about how Jace had golden eyes and curly hair and looked like an angel, and I love gushing over fictional characters but it was a bit much for me.
That said I did like a lot of the characters and their relationships and own stories, and the magic and fantasy is cool. These books are a bit of a guilty pleasure, I really enjoyed them but also found myself feeling extremely uncomfortable at the content at times.
I googled "why did Cassandra Clare make Clary and Jace siblings?" and saw that you find out that they aren't and I was like thank God and that was the only way I could carry on reading the weird incest vibey books. Sometimes when reading this I was like "wtf am I reading?" It seems like every other paragraph was about how Jace had golden eyes and curly hair and looked like an angel, and I love gushing over fictional characters but it was a bit much for me.
That said I did like a lot of the characters and their relationships and own stories, and the magic and fantasy is cool. These books are a bit of a guilty pleasure, I really enjoyed them but also found myself feeling extremely uncomfortable at the content at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
I WILL SAY IT AGAIN INCEST IS NOT A PLOT POINT.
I did read them all though
I did read them all though
February 7, 2025
I saw this random movie on Netflix and needed to know more about the characters and found this series. Definitely liked it.
April 16, 2021
I loved this series so much. I’ve read it twice😂. These books are like the red queen series. There’s lots of great characters but don’t worry it’s not like game of thrones where all the good characters die;) If you are into a fantasy, romance, with wolves and vampires then this is 100% the book for you. I loved it. I still love it and all of the people I’ve told to read it have ended up loving it too.
August 14, 2023
I’m not sure I care what anyone says about this series. I understand the hate I do but the world building was just so amazing to my thirteen year old self that I choose to ignore the flaws. I LOVE these books.
January 10, 2024
I read this book originally as a teenager and absolutely loved it. Doing this reread made me remember why I loved it so much the first time around. I definitely mixed this with Infernal Devices in my memories, but once I sorted the memories out, it was such a good reread!
August 28, 2025
If you’re someone who wants to immerse yourself in a world full of demons, vampires, warlocks, and other fantasy beings, then Shadowhunters is the perfect series for you 💜
It is the first saga I read and I remember feeling so captivated by the authors imagination. It was like experiencing a whole new world for the very first time and feeling so excited, nervous, and even scared at certain moments especially when the chapters ended on cliffhangers!
For me, this is where it all started and I don’t believe I can ever forget how good reading this series felt. From turning pages of the very first book in this series, I didn’t realise how soon, I was holding its last book and how it all got over so quickly. 😅
This series introduced me to myriad new concepts and I was in total awe. There is also a netflix show based on it but personally, I found the books better and would always recommend reading them first!
Also, the series helped me get equipped with the fantasy world! So if you’re someone who has just started reading or is new to the fantasy genre, then I definitely recommend this to you!✨🖤
To Jace, Simon, Clary, Alec, Isabelle, and Magnus Bane, the best fantasy “cast” 🥂❤️🩹
Happy reading dear readers 🩶
It is the first saga I read and I remember feeling so captivated by the authors imagination. It was like experiencing a whole new world for the very first time and feeling so excited, nervous, and even scared at certain moments especially when the chapters ended on cliffhangers!
For me, this is where it all started and I don’t believe I can ever forget how good reading this series felt. From turning pages of the very first book in this series, I didn’t realise how soon, I was holding its last book and how it all got over so quickly. 😅
This series introduced me to myriad new concepts and I was in total awe. There is also a netflix show based on it but personally, I found the books better and would always recommend reading them first!
Also, the series helped me get equipped with the fantasy world! So if you’re someone who has just started reading or is new to the fantasy genre, then I definitely recommend this to you!✨🖤
To Jace, Simon, Clary, Alec, Isabelle, and Magnus Bane, the best fantasy “cast” 🥂❤️🩹
Happy reading dear readers 🩶
September 27, 2022
I read this series quite a while ago when I was still a young teen, in junior high using the books as an escape from the life's stress I had. I just started re-reading the series all over again, and I've caught a few things I didn't understand back then. I feel personally the series is good, The books written with beautiful detail, and the characters easy to like and hate, but all mostly relatable even in the unnatural circumstances they go through. The story itself is about young clary fray who has finally realized why she has never felt normal before in her life, and through that journey she goes through many earth shattering, even heartbreaking adventures with the people she has as a chosen family.
There are some pretty senstive things that happen in the series (assault, racism, trauma, murder, etc) especially in the second to last book, not that any of those things make the series less amazing then it is. Just continue reading with caution!
I obviously wouldn't reccommend the movie or the tv show but if I had to pleaseee go with the movie.
There are some pretty senstive things that happen in the series (assault, racism, trauma, murder, etc) especially in the second to last book, not that any of those things make the series less amazing then it is. Just continue reading with caution!
I obviously wouldn't reccommend the movie or the tv show but if I had to pleaseee go with the movie.
June 21, 2023
Love this series. My parents bought it for me years ago and I was like...that series sounds terrible. Then years later after watching the movie for it and finally realising it looked good I decided to read it and OMG I could not stop. Then I watched the TV series because I am literally now in love with Cassandra Clare's books and have read like all of them. I recommend TDI it's AMAZING!! Also if Cassie doesn't finish the wicked powers soon I'm honestly gonna die. I HAVE to read that series!! Anyways, Cassie is a amazing writer and def read this series and ALL her other books!
April 28, 2024
I found this a awsome book to read. First I had seen the series but I also really wanted to read the book, and I was a litte scared that it wouldn't be as good but it actually was. There was never a moment were I felt bored or annoyed to read the book, it stayed exciting and interesting to read. There were more differences in the book than I expected but I still liked the book. I really recommand it.
March 12, 2020
The first 6 books were amazing but I couldn't even get through the 7th one. It dragged on and on and on and never got to a point and was so incredibly boring. So I technically never fully read the series.
August 1, 2020
The writing in these books is beautiful and captivating, with creative plots and diverse characters. Reading this takes you away from typical books with characters who are always the same and introduces you to a brand new world. I would definitely recommend!
August 24, 2023
I know these books have gotten a tough rap over the years but this is the first series that helped me fall in love with fantasy. I love this series and am torn between if I think this or the clockwork series is my favorite
January 4, 2024
I aspire to be like this author. Her writing skills are so good, and the world building was so epic I felt like I was a part of it. I was so unwilling to let this series go that I put off reading the last chapter for a week. Please read this, you won't regret it!
July 14, 2025
I haven’t read this series since I was a teenager but it is still one of my “GOD TIER” favorite series and book worlds of ALL TIME!!
I absolutely adored these books and will always love this world!
I absolutely adored these books and will always love this world!
July 28, 2020
I am totally in love with this series...the books are awesome!
November 13, 2020
I am seriously obsessed with these books!! I have read them over and over. They are full of excitment, and are totally worth reading
January 5, 2022
Amazing couldnt out them down
January 16, 2023
3,75
It starts good, then not
But it still has some charm
It starts good, then not
But it still has some charm
June 28, 2023
Loved every single book! I won't spoil it but easiest way to describe it, I couldn't put it down!
September 16, 2023
This book was a delightful surprise! It's a heartwarming tale filled with charming characters and a beautiful message of friendship. I couldn't put it down.
January 4, 2024
It's literally the best! Love all the characters, and the plot twist had a plot twist!
January 14, 2024
I loved this series it was an amazing read, and I loved every moment of it.
February 13, 2024
im only here for magnus and alec
April 21, 2024
I loved all of these
May 4, 2024
Loved this series
July 29, 2024
I read these books along time ago but such an amazing read I love clary and Jace…finishing this series was sad bc I loved every second reading these books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews