Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2) By Cassandra Clare - Restarting November 17th 2022

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 9
It's so good so far! There's been a great balance between focusing on the characters and the plot.
I wasn't expecting to get Arthur's PoV. It was brief, but I liked what we got.
I am li..."

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ This is shaping up to be my favourite Shadowhunter book so far. I also really like the parts with Ty, Livvy and Kit. I like that they are a little younger so they bring a bit more fun whilst also working together really well.
I forgot where Jace and Clary were heading. You’re right. Something must be building.
I hope the Blackthorn’s manage to keep the institute as well. Surely Julian should be able to officially take over as head of the institute when he’s an adult. He’s already 17 so that shouldn’t be far away. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ That was an eventful couple of chapters. I really like the pace the story is moving at. Not much to say here as everything that happened was pretty self explanatory. I wouldn’t like the job of explaining what had happened to Kieran (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[So Malcolm did come back after all...
But it's fine ig. With everything else that's going on, i didn't mind it much.

You're right about this being the best Shadowhunter book so far. I can't really point out any flaws. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

I won't have time to read on Sunday, so I'll try finishing 6 chapters tomorrow itself.

[Akshita]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[Is this the same Seelie Queen we also saw in TMI? I can't remember whether she was dead or not.

I found it funny how Annabel came back to life and immediately killed Malcolm. Good that he's permanently out of the way now.

I like that we are in London Institute rn. (How is Bridget still alive??)
Tho it won't be wise to leave the Los Angeles institute alone with the Centurions for long. I wonder what they've been doing all this time. Especially Diego. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 15
Is this the same Seelie Queen we also saw in TMI? I can't remember whether she was dead or not.

I found it funny how Annabel came back to life and immediately killed Malcolm. Good that..."

(view spoiler)[ I can’t remember if the seelie queen died or not but this queen seems like a different person?
I’m glad she got rid of Malcom. I liked how Arthur managed to come through for the family and save everyone else. It must’ve been hard for him not being able to look after everyone.
I like this new adventure and I’m glad all the characters are back together. Someone needs to tell Julian about the parabatai curse though. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ Looks like Kit, Ty and Livvy are gonna have to fight their way out of this one.
I wonder what is stopping Dianna from taking over the institute. I hope we find out about the secrets she’s keeping at some point.
I liked that we got to see Jessamine again. I don’t know how the author has managed to keep track of all these characters and keep bringing them together. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 18
..."

(view spoiler)[I was about to mention how wise Kit is, but then he suggested visiting the Shadow Market, as if THAT was a good idea. I don't blame him tho. He's just been thrown into this new life, so different from what he grew up in, and where everyone has all these expectations from him just because he's Herondale.
I still think he's a very wise character. As in. he doesn't always know things, but still understands well. I appreciate that.

I *think* I know the secrets Diana is referring to here. So I'll keep quiet about that.

Yes! It's amazing how she's able to weave all these stories together. Characters and a few references from Chain of Gold were also mentioned here, and that book was published 3 yrs after this one. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Chapter 18
..."

I was about to mention how wise Kit is, but then he suggested visiting the Shadow Market, as if THAT was a good idea. I don't blame him tho. He's just been thrown in..."

(view spoiler)[ I didn’t know that. I wonder if I’ll recognise anything when we get to Chain of Gold then. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Three chapters in this book are going way faster than 3 chapters in any other shadowhunter books we’ve read did. I’ve gotten pretty invested in this series.

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Three chapters in this book are going way faster than 3 chapters in any other shadowhunter books we’ve read did. I’ve gotten pretty invested in this series."

You're right.
And I get genuinely excited to read further and know what'll happen next every time i pick it up. That hadn't happened in a long time.

[Akshita]

i don't understand one thing tho
(view spoiler)[If Diana isn't a part of their family, and she is allowed to take over the institute, that means that ANY shadownhuter can do that too. (What I mean is that they don't necessarily have to be a Blackthorn, unlike I had initially assumed).
So is there not even a single Shadowhunter willing to help the Blackthorns by offering to be their institute head for a while until Julian turns eighteen? Not even the people who DO care about their safety, like the old characters from TMI?

Surely separating the family can't be Clave's first and only option. They can't be doing this every time something happens to an institute head, with only minors left behind. That's stupid. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "i don't understand one thing tho
If Diana isn't a part of their family, and she is allowed to take over the institute, that means that ANY shadownhuter can do that too. (What I mean is that they do..."

(view spoiler)[ you’re right. Clary and Jace care about them. Surely they know someone who would want to help even temporarily. I’m surprised nobody has mentioned that Julian is almost old enough to take over. They don’t need a permanent solution. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[I'm glad Mark realised that his relationship with Kieran may not be all that healthy. It had started to seem a bit toxic to me ever since Kieran got Emma and Jules punished out of jealousy.

I kinda feel bad for Dru. There's no one around her age whom she can talk to. And the older siblings never really include her in on their plans.
I think it's actually pretty harmful, the way she's ready to confide in strangers who've just been a bit nice to her. The interactions between Jaime and Dru, and the way he keeps winking at her, it's making me feel very uncomfortable. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 21
I'm glad Mark realised that his relationship with Kieran may not be all that healthy. It had started to seem a bit toxic to me ever since Kieran got Emma and Jules punished out of jealou..."

(view spoiler)[ I do think Dru needs someone her own age. I think the situation with Jaime could get dangerous if he found out her age. I can understand why she’s so desperate for someone to be close to. It must be hard for her. It’ll be hard for Tavvy in a few years too. That’s a big drawback of shadowhunter kids being educated at their institutes so not meeting as many people.

I wonder when Ty and Kit are gonna get together. I’m glad Ty has met someone other than his sister who can understand him.

I’ve got an idea of what Diana’s secret could be however that might just be me projecting my experiences onto her since it fits so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[ The engagement makes a lot more sense now. They really didn’t think far ahead though. They’re gonna have to find an end point eventually so Jaime doesn’t have to keep running. As I’ve kept reading Jaime has started to seem nicer and a little less creepy. I’m glad he’s gone though for Dru’s sake.

Emma needs to tell Julian about the curse. Especially since their love for each other keeps growing whilst they’re trying to ignore it. There has to be a solution.

That was a fast paced couple of chapters. Only 2 days until we’re done with this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

So to let you know, I've been reading the chapters according to what we'd planned. But I'll write the updates tomorrow. I don't feel like typing a lot rn.

[Aaron]

That’s cool. I’ve not gotten around to today’s chapters yet. I’m gonna read them tonight.

[Aaron]

I’m like half way through chapter 25
(view spoiler)[ I was right about Diana. That was a surprise. This is the first shadowhunter book that has made me cry. Finally some representation where being trans isn’t the focal point of the character the whole time. I don’t know why I didn’t know this existed. Gonna take a little break and then I’ll finish these 3 chapters. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 27
(view spoiler)[ so much has happened/ is happening. It seems impossible that we are nearing the end of this book. I don’t know how they’re gonna get out of this battle. I don’t know what Emma’s plan was.
Emma and Jules were a bit annoying at the start but it feels like they’ve grown as the books gone on.
I hope we find out more about where Dru went as well. I feel like we’ll see more of Ash at some point since he was given a name. I’m glad Julian didn’t send Dru away as well. She needed to feel included. Julian made the right decision with setting his worry aside in that case.
I like that it’s not just a little cameo from Magnus in this one. I like seeing him interacting with the other characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 27
..."

Aaron wrote: "I’m like half way through chapter 25
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
Yes, you were right. I wasn't surprised because I kinda knew it already. But I am so happy that you loved that part so much.

I'm a bit overwhelmed with all that's happening. This is so far the most plot heavy shadowhunter book. It'll probably end on some major cliffhanger.
I am mostly struggling to remember who knows what information and what's still secret from them. It's like they have discussed the same things about the Unseelie King, faeries, Annabel, the curse etc. over and over, but someone or the other is always surprised as if they are revealing new information.

The exile thing is not making much sense to me rn. And with everything else going on, I doubt they'll be able to go forward with that plan anytime soon?

I agree about Magnus. He's like a constant in all these series, and his presence is always comforting. (hide spoiler)]

I should be able to finish either tonight or by tomorrow morning.
Tho they just updated Google Play Books, and the new format is annoying me way too much to read rn.

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Chapter 27
..."

Aaron wrote: "I’m like half way through chapter 25
[spoilers removed]"


Yes, you were right. I wasn't surprised because I kinda knew it already. But I am so happy th..."

(view spoiler)[ It seems to me that exile can mean whatever the people in charge want it to mean. They shipped Helen off indefinitely but Emma might just have to move to a different institute for a little bit? It’s not much of a punishment. I reckon they’re gonna end up ending parabatai in the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 28
(view spoiler)[So the plan is to prove that Zara didn't kill Malcolm and is a liar. so that the Clave won't listen to anything the Cohort says and agree to end the Cold Peace?
But like, it's just one little lie? I don't know a lot about how law works, but won't just Zara and her friends who posed as "witnesses" to Malcolm's killing be punished, instead of all the members that constitute the Cohort? (And I am assuming there are many members on there, if it alone is responsible for Cold Peace) (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 28
So the plan is to prove that Zara didn't kill Malcolm and is a liar. so that the Clave won't listen to anything the Cohort says and agree to end the Cold Peace?
But like, it's just one ..."

(view spoiler)[ yeah? I can see why changing everyone’s opinion Zara and her father would stop the cohort having any power since they would’ve effectively lost their leader. Without him they would probably fall apart and accomplish nothing. I’m not sure how proving 1 lie changes everyone’s opinions though.
I guess family honour is a pretty big thing in the shadow Hunter world so it would impact people’s opinion on her father as well. And she is an adult and a member of the scholomance. You’d think they’d need to at least prove that she’d lied on a few occasions though to create a pattern of behaviour. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Done
(view spoiler)[So everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Nobody believed Annabel, Kieran didn't get the chance to speak before the Clave, Magnus' magic is weakening, the Black Volume is now with the Unseelie King, Robert was killed so the exile plan is out of the window, and Livvy's dead.
I finished reading two days ago, so the initial shock of her death has faded. I am mostly worried about Ty and Julian now.
Overall, nothing was really resolved in this book. It just made as much mess as it could and left it all for the third book to sort out.
Still, it's my favourite CC book so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Done
So everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Nobody believed Annabel, Kieran didn't get the chance to speak before the Clave, Magnus' magic is weakening, the Black Volume is now with the Uns..."

(view spoiler)[ That was a shocking ending. Livvy’s death was really unexpected. It happened pretty quickly. I don’t know what Ty’s gonna do now. I think he might go to the scholomance since he can’t become her parabatai.
I don’t mind the ending not coming to a resolution as much as I have for the other books. I guess because this one was so good it has just made me more excited for the next one. I hope the momentum isn’t dropped in the next one. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Done
..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah, i hadn't expected Livvy's death either. Tho looking back, there definitely was some foreshadowing.
I'm afraid the rest of the Blackthorns will be separated now since their plan to save the Institute failed. I'm just hoping the Clave wouldn't consider it a priority amidst all the chaos. Tho with Zara there, i doubt that's likely. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up for starting next one sometime in mid-july. 13th maybe? Does that work?

[Aaron]

13th works for me
(view spoiler)[ I hope they think about Kit as well if they do think about keeping the Blackthorns together. I don’t see why they couldn’t all stay together in a different institute like the New York one since the institutes are like safe houses for all shadow hunters in need. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "13th works for me
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[the only reason i can think of as to why they all have to be separated is that maybe the clave thinks it would be too difficult for one family/Institute to "adopt" (Like they did with Jace) so many children at once. (hide spoiler)]

Here's the thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting September 16th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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[Kay-Mika]

Can I join?

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

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Date changed. Restarting November 17, 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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[Kay-Mika]

Sorry, I'm late. I will start it Monday😔

[Kay-Mika]

I sort of don't care for Emma and Julian.
I mean, yes they are nice, but I'm not really that interested in their story🫤

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ Gwyn flirting with Diana is one of the highlights of this book (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ Why can't Kieran remember what happened? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ Gwyn's ideas for dates are just *chief's kiss* (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 25
(view spoiler)[ And this is not your decision to make, just because you don't want to be parabatai any longer, doesn't mean every parabatai pair has to end (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 29
(view spoiler)[Livvy!!!!!!😭 But what is wrong with Magnus? (hide spoiler)]