Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare -- Restarting November 5th 2024

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Chapter 6
The plot in this book is quite interesting. I wonder if Mark will have enough time to come to terms with what’s happening before he has to choose. Emma and ..."

I agree.
The characters have got big, interesting personalities, and it leaves the readers to perceive them in their own way.

[Akshita]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[9 books and how am I JUST realising that demons can't stand sunlight?? So they mean it was always nighttime whenever something related to demons happened in the previous books?... How did I not notice this until now!

The Clave part made me very angry and sad. Sending kids with mental health issues faraway, as if there's something wrong with them is horrible.
It's about time they start changing their ways and stop making everyone's life miserable. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 9

Isn't Necromancy about raising the dead? We've already done that before so many times. I hope it isn't the same recycled plot all over again.

I would like to get out of the institute a ..."

(view spoiler)[ Necromancy is raising the dead and speaking to the dead right. We’ve had both of those things before. I hope she has found something else to do with it.
I thought the plot would’ve moved further by now. It’d be nice if they started solving the mystery and interacting with others. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 10
9 books and how am I JUST realising that demons can't stand sunlight?? So they mean it was always nighttime whenever something related to demons happened in the previous books?... How d..."

(view spoiler)[ huh. I didn’t notice that either. I guess because it’s never been mentioned? Makes a lot of sense.
It would benefit shadow hunters to get to know more about the mundane world. Not only would it help them to understand people they see as different, it would give them a better sense of who they are protecting the world for. I’m glad Ty has a computer. It’ll allow him to see the wide range of people in the world. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Chapter 10
9 books and how am I JUST realising that demons can't stand sunlight?? So they mean it was always nighttime whenever something related to demons happened in the previous..."

(view spoiler)[Hmm that's a very interesting point.
Like instead of viewing the mundanes and their lifestyle with contempt, there's a lot they can learn from them. But they are so stuck in their own age-old ways. Like Julian said, there's no room for individuality. They have this superiority complex thing going on where they fail to realise that, after all, they themselves are humans beings, complicated and diverse. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ I’m glad we’re learning more about what happened to Mark whilst he was away. This makes it a lot harder for him to stay with his family than it first seemed.
They haven’t made much progress on this mystery yet. I hope they aren’t gonna stretch it out over all 3 books. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

I don't feel like reading today. But I'll catch up by tomorrow evening.

[Aaron]

That’s cool. I’ve got a pretty busy day tomorrow anyway.

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 12
I’m glad we’re learning more about what happened to Mark whilst he..."


(view spoiler)[I don't really like Mark as a character. But getting his POV or learning more about him is still interesting.

There's not much I can think of to write in the updates. I can't even properly remember what all happened in the previous chapters. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Chapter 12
I’m glad we’re learning more about what happened to Mark whilst he..."


I don't really like Mark as a character. But getting his POV or learning more about him is still i..."

(view spoiler)[ they are long chapters and not much has happened yet. Hopefully the story will pick up soon. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ Is it just me, or did the part about Followers and the Lottery not make any sense?
Maybe I should stop reading late into the night because I'm seriously struggling to remember the details here.
It feels like they started investigating one thing, found a bunch of unrelated leads, and it all just got mashed up and evolved into something else entirely...but not in a good mystery way?

I hope it starts making a bit more sense as I read further. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 15
..."

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[Nvm. they explained it now. (hide spoiler)]

I am done till Chapter 17.
I have got a test on Sunday, so I'll probably won't read anything until after that. You can go ahead tho.

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Chapter 15
..."

Chapter 16
[spoilers removed]

I am done till Chapter 17.
I have got a test on Sunday, so I'll probably won't read anything until after that. You can go ahead tho."

(view spoiler)[ I still don’t know how they figured all that out in the brief time they were there.
I like that Ty went with them to prove himself. 15 is pretty much the age when lots of the other shadow hunters we’ve followed started taking part in big dangerous tasks. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ This has picked up a bit. I guess I should’ve expected Diego to show up eventually because of how much he’s been mentioned but that was a surprise. I’m guessing we’re gonna find out more about what happened between him and Cristina now. I hope they still solve the mystery in this book.
Julian and Emma’s relationship is a bit annoying. Both of them are kinda dumb. I feel like, in the last book of the series, the laws are gonna be looked at and changed. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[I had already looked at your update before reading the chapter, so the Diego part didn't surprise me much. Judging from what we know about him so far, he doesn't seem like a character I want to read more of.
You're right. Their relationship brings nothing new to the table. It's the same "forbidden love" thing we have seen in TID and TMI. And so far, it's being dealt with in the exact same way.

I kinda liked Julian's character in the beginning. But now he's almost always complaining about stuff, lashing out at people for little reason, and just overall giving off not-so-positive vibes.

In the flashback scene, Jem mentioned about going with Tessa to look for something very important. I wonder if that will be a sub-plot in later books. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry. I broke my phone a few days back, so I wasn't able to read until today.

[Akshita]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[Honestly, the truth about what happened in Mexico was a bit underwhelming.
Diego and Cristina's relationship is kinda similar to what Maia and Jordan had, except, Diego's explanation was not at all convincing.

The mystery still remains confusing to me until one of them sums it up in simpler words. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 18
I had already looked at your update before reading the chapter, so the Diego part didn't surprise me much. Judging from what we know about him so far, he doesn't seem like a character I ..."

(view spoiler)[ I hope the Jem and Tessa thing does become a sub plot. I like them more than some of these characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 20
Honestly, the truth about what happened in Mexico was a bit underwhelming.
Diego and Cristina's relationship is kinda similar to what Maia and Jordan had, except, Diego's explanation was..."

(view spoiler)[ I’m also still a bit confused with what’s going on. It might not have helped that I was a little tired when reading last night. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 22
(view spoiler)[ well, I guess that will make Mark’s choice a little easier. I’d have rather seen him battle the conflict when it was time. It felt like a bit of a cop out. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[Okay, wow. I did not expect that at all. I didn't fully get how they connected the dots with poison arrows and stuff and reached the conclusion. But it's all starting to make so much more sense now. I love it.

And they mentioned England!! Maybe they'll go there sometime to investigate more? Visit the TID institute as well or maybe Jem and Tessa plot gets introduced from there? I'm really looking forward to it. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

We only have around 100 pages left to read, and it's also starting to pick up. So I might end up finishing tonight.

[Akshita]

Done!

[Aaron]

Also done

[Aaron]

(view spoiler)[ I really liked the last few chapters. I’m glad there’s a reason for the law against parabatai dating and that we got to see the old characters again. Finding out who Kit is was a bit of a surprise. I wonder what will happen with his character now. I’m glad the mystery was solved in this book. I don’t really get how Annabel is awake though when the ritual wasn’t finished. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, the last few chapter were fun.
I loved to see Jem and Tessa, though now I have a lot of questions about them and Kit. I surprisingly really liked Jace and Clary now. Their characters have really matured.

I didn't like the very last chapter. Tessa giving Emma that advice about love seemed a bit odd considering what had happened between Will and her. And I hated the way Emma decided to handle that situation. It really seemed like for once we would see a happy, healthy relationship between the MCs, with just them hiding it from Clave, but oh well.

I was a bit confused about Annabel part too. It was like Sebastian waking up when the ritual wasn't carried out fully in 4th TMI book. (I'm sorry if I'm annoying you with these similarities).
Though I'm looking forward to read about her, i would be particularly mad if she tries to resurrect Malcolm now.

Also, just a thought, but we've seen faeries, vampires and even some Shadowhunters plot against the Clave. I wonder why warlocks never tried. They are obviously VERY powerful, and since they have magic, they can attack from a distance. Malcolm was just one warlock. If they all got together, i think they have real potential to win against the Shadowhunters. Plus, out of the four, from what i noticed, they are the ones most respected among other downworlders. There's a high chance many others would join them... (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: " Yeah, the last few chapter were fun.
I loved to see Jem and Tessa, though now I have a lot of questions about them and Kit. I surprisingly really liked Jace and Clary now. Their characters have r..."

(view spoiler)[ There are a lot of similarities between the books. All three sets of main characters have resembled each other very closely at the start. I get the feeling that the author just got good at one thing so decided to reuse it. I’m glad Clary and Jace have matured but all the mature characters are written in the same way just like all the younger characters are written in the same way. I appreciated having Mark and Ty in this book with different views on the world.

Malcolm better not come back now. It’d make this book feel redundant.
You’re right about a warlock uprising. Surely they’d be unstoppable. I’ve never really thought of that before. I’m guessing the author also hasn’t as they would win. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

(view spoiler)[Hmm, I really hope the author does something new in the next book. At least, let the villains have some solid motives.
(hide spoiler)]

When do you wanna start the next book? I'm up for anytime after the 13th.

[Aaron]

Sounds good. I’m free whenever. What about the 14th?

[Akshita]

Yes, that works.
Here's the thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Aaron]

Cool thanks

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting September 9th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

14%

(view spoiler)[Emma will stop at nothing to find out who murdered her parents. Even if it means going against the Clave’s rules. I like Diana. I think that she really cares about the Blackthorns and Emma and that she is trying to do her best by them.

I like Cristina too. I am curious about her secrets though. Why did she choose to stay in the LA Institute and why hasn’t she told Emma?

If it wasn’t obvious that Emma and Julian are in love then Malcolm Fade’s comment about love to Julian would have given it away. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

32%

(view spoiler)[So the fae want their help to find the killer of all those fae. And they are giving Mark back in payment. I think that the whole part about Mark choosing whether to stay with them or return to the hunt is a trick of some kind. And Mark is in a bad way. I feel so bad for him and for his family. And now they all have to keep this from the Clave or they will be in deep trouble. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Claire wrote: "Chapter 4"

(view spoiler)[I love all the cameos too. And seeing Church again is awesome. That cat is so freaking old.

No matter what happens in this world I honestly never get tired of it. I love all the new stories! (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

HeatherH wrote: "ch 4"

(view spoiler)[I love the inclusion of ley lines too! And yes, my mind automatically goes to Raven Boys any time they are mentioned. Haha. =P (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

41%

(view spoiler)[I can understand why Julian doesn’t want to tell his brother that he is different. Ti is clearly autistic though no one ever comes out and says as much. But it is there in his behavior and habits. Julian just wants what is best for Ti but he can’t keep him caged forever. Even if the Clave isn’t welcoming to those that are different.

So someone is having demons guard the convergence spot for the ley lines. It’s a good thing that Julian and Cristina showed up. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

48%

(view spoiler)[Cristina caught Mark and Kieran kissing!

Poor Julian. So much on his shoulders.

It’s curious that Emma was able to save Julian’s life with the demon poisoning but she shouldn’t have been able to.

Oh, poor Julian and Emma. They are both so clearly in love with the other even if Emma sort of won’t admit it to herself it seems like. And they could never be together romantically since it is forbidden for parabatai to be involved that way. So much would be at stake if they tried. They could lose everything. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 12"

(view spoiler)[I also really like seeing what happened to Mark when he was in Fairy. He is so conflicted now because both sides are a part of him. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 10"

(view spoiler)[I also hate how closed-minded the Clave seems to be. They are traditional and old school but they should respect the values of everyone. I think that they would definitely treat Ti differently because of his autism. And that is just so sad. They need some new blood in the Clave to shake things up. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

71%

(view spoiler)[I think that Mark is falling for Cristina even though he loves Kieran too. And Kieran is so jealous.

Oh no, Julian and Emma had sex on the beach. It really was a pretty emotional moment since she almost died and he saved her by pulling her out of the ocean.

So Emma finally admits that she is in love with Julian. Though she thinks that he doesn’t feel the same. I can’t believe that she told all this to Cristina.

Oh crap, the lottery is to pick the killer not the victim. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

82%

(view spoiler)[Kieran tattled on Mark in hopes that as punishment for divulging faerie secrets he would be sent back to the Hunt. But no. They are gong to whip him. And now Mark hates Kieran for his betrayal. I can’t blame him. What he did was selfish and out of jealousy of Cristina. And of course, Julian said he would take Mark’s place. And OMG, Emma, you beautiful, brave creature. I got so emotional when she put Julian to sleep and made them whip her instead.

Julian confessed to Emma that he loves her. And all those drawings and paintings of her? My heart. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 18"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, it was good to start unraveling the mystery of Perfect Diego. And I kind of assumed that something will eventually sever the parabatai bond between Emma and Julian so they can be together. I still want to know why it's forbidden though. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[It really sucks that Malcolm was the murderer all along. Someone that the Blackthorns trusted. Someone close to them. He’s so despicable.

So sad about Johnny Rook.

Kit’s a Shadowhunter!

Well, now Emma knows why parabatai can’t be together romantically. It sounds ominous. Instead of telling Julian she decides to push him away. She should have just told him.

I can see why she would want to do the whole fake dating thing with Mark. But it is going to cause Julian so much pain seeing them together like that.

Uh oh. Annabelle is awake. I wonder if Malcolm is really dead? And how is Annabelle awake if a Blackthorn didn’t die? (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Akshita wrote: "spoiler"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I had the same thought about Annabelle. How can she be awake if the ritual didn't take place in the right way. A Blackthorn didn't die so what's going on? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting December 2nd 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[Ashley W]

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[ I just have to say before I forget that it so weird going from just having read City of Glass to Emma saying that Jace and Clary are the most famous Shadowhunters in the world. It makes sense, but it's strange at the same time. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting November 5th 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Yolbooks]

Prologue
(view spoiler)[ Kit - "The clave doesn't like anything." That is so true.

Okay a new series so new characters.

Why is Kit a secret? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

I have started reading it, but I am not so far yet. I have totally forgotten what a drag the Dark Artifices Trilogy is.
Lady Midnight is still the best I'd them

[Yolbooks]

My favorite of the shadowhunter series is the Mortal Instruments this is my second time reading the Dark Artifices and must say not too bad but yeah could be a lot less pages. Unpopular opinion my least favorite of all the series is the Infernal Devices maybe on a reread I will enjoy them and then the Last Hours I have not yet read have all the books but want to read the Infernal devices after the Dark Artifices and then I will go onto the Last Hours hopefully I will be all caught up before wicked powers gets released