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Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1)

Cassandra Clare

Start date: April 1, 2016

Finish date: April 30, 2016

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the series BOTM
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* Continuing Series- Nightbane
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What Members Thought

May 31, 2017 AshleyA (MamaNeedsBooks) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned-books-series

Oh.my.God. I am reeling from this book. This is my first experience with a Cassandra Clare book and I am hooked. Totally, completely, not going back hooked. I must read all of her other series at this point.

It took me much, much longer to read this then it normally would have due to life's distractions, certainly not because the book doesn't grab you. ...more

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Mar 09, 2016 E. Ardell rated it really liked it

Shelves: my-favorite-fantasy-books

**This review is full of spoilers!**

I love Mark Blackthorne! When I started this book, I wasn't sure if it was going to have the magic the other books did for me. After all, I'd have to get used to an all new cast, again. I love Jace, Alec, Magnus, Izzy and Simon. I love Will, Jem and Tessa. Would I love these new guys? I mean, I still held a grudge against them for taking up so much air time during City of Heavenly Fire when I wanted to concentrate more on the characters we were about to say go **This review is full of spoilers!**

I love Mark Blackthorne! When I started this book, I wasn't sure if it was going to have the magic the other books did for me. After all, I'd have to get used to an all new cast, again. I love Jace, Alec, Magnus, Izzy and Simon. I love Will, Jem and Tessa. Would I love these new guys? I mean, I still held a grudge against them for taking up so much air time during City of Heavenly Fire when I wanted to concentrate more on the characters we were about to say goodbye to. I understood that the author wanted to set up for the next series, but you'd think Emma was a main character in City of Heavenly Fire. But enough about that.

Lady Midnight. The Blackthorne family is adorable. I love Daddy Julian and feel horrible for him at the same time. His younger siblings are pretty much his children and they look to him as a father at times, especially the youngest. He shoulders everything, and then when his older brother returns, well, Mark's about as good as a kid himself. So, Julian ends up feeling just as responsible for him, when he'd hoped Mark could share or even take the burden. (And, even though he wanted to share or give away the burden, secretly he was jealous that it would be the case and the younger kids might prefer the less serious, more fun Mark.) Though, the only reason Mark could be less serious and more fun was because he's not thought of as "Dad." He's like the fun uncle who has no kids of his own, who sweeps in with presents and games, and then leaves when he's had enough. And Julian is so afraid Mark will leave.

I love the in-depth characters of Julian and Mark and Ty. There was so much to bite into, so many issues, but under it all, you could feel the love. Poor Mark doesn't know where he belongs, how he should act. He's a faerie but he's not, he's a Shadow Hunter, but more than that too. He's been away from the normal world too long. He tries to fit in, but the faerie in him often gets the better of him. I know the ending is going to cause a backlash of hate and a rift in the family and people might blame him, but I don't. I think the author does a good job of actually cushioning Mark's future action, by setting up in advance a faerie's way of thinking when it comes to love and just physical contact. Faeries are pretty much okay with their S.O.'s messing around with other people, so long as they don't give them their "heart" so to speak. So, he may not really think anything is truly wrong with his actions. And because he's feeling so lost and in need of someone to talk to, and he feels he's lost Cristina and he can't share with his siblings, Emma is the next best thing.

I love when authors are not afraid to delve into familial bonds and relationships. The book was long, because those scenes are there. However, if they hadn't have been, I don't know that I would have gotten into Lady Midnight. When I read Cassandra Clare's books, I'm ready to fall for the characters, and I wasn't sure if I would this time. She ensured that I did. I can't wait for the next installment.

Favorite moments: Mark flirting at the restaurant and Livvy saying he has syphilis. Mark in his "semi-formal" drag. His confusion cracked me up. Mark's "babysitting", and how he didn't understand why Julian was mad. Julian taking lashes for Mark. Mark calling his video game controller a "box of lies." (Because they are!) The cameos! Church "judging" Mark.

...more

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