The Dark Artifices Series by Cassandra Clare - Restarting November 14th 2018

[Alaina]

In a kingdom by the sea…

In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai is a sacred word.

A parabatai is your partner in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other—but they can never fall in love.

Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter, and the best in her generation. She lives for battle. Shoulder to shoulder with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols the streets of Los Angeles, where vampires party on the Sunset Strip, and faeries—the most powerful of supernatural creatures—teeter on the edge of open war with Shadowhunters. When the bodies of humans and faeries turn up murdered in the same way Emma’s parents were when she was a child, an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma’s chance for revenge—and Julian’s chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held prisoner by the faerie Courts. All Emma, Mark, and Julian have to do is solve the murders within two weeks…and before the murderer targets them.

Their search takes Emma from sea caves full of sorcery to a dark lottery where death is dispensed. And each clue she unravels uncovers more secrets. What has Julian been hiding from her all these years? Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love? Who really killed her parents—and can she bear to know the truth?

The darkly magical world of Shadowhunters has captured the imaginations of millions of readers across the globe. Join the adventure in Lady Midnight, the long-awaited first volume of a new trilogy from Cassandra Clare.

[Jennifer]

Ch 5 1/2:

(view spoiler)[ I'm at the part where the faerie diplomats show up. I must say the Cold Peace is a bit brutal. I'm glad I read the TMI to the end, I can feel Magnus' foreshadowing the problems to come from such harsh punishments.

I also knew that the forbidden romance between Emma and Julian was coming, but I am more than happy to read how that evolves....just please don't tell me that they are brother and sister b/c that part of TMI was nauseating.

I feel bad for Julian, who was forced to grow up and take care of his siblings at such an early age. I wonder if he will ever be able to throw the weight of that responsibility off his shoulders.

Is it just me or did Emma at age 12 seem more mature than Emma at 17?

I feel like the perfect Diego will show up at any moment. Christina is going to need someone in person to put her off balance.

Also, it's been several chapters since we heard from Kit, what's the deal on him?? (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Ch 12 (38%) - (view spoiler)[ Aside from being in love with Julian, Emma doesn't seem like a very good parabatai. Isn't she supposed to feel it when he gets hurt? She didn't even realize it until he is on his way to passing out.

I am also still laughing about how the most valuable rune Clary has come up with in 5 years is a birth control rune. Figures. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

I feel like a terrible human being!! I haven't even picked up this wonderful book yet! I got sucked into Harry Potter's world! But after dinner I will pick up this book and read the crap out of it! I'm so sorry!!! I will catch up to you!

[Jennifer]

Ha! don't feel terrible! Life happens. In fact, I am going to be busy with life this weekend, so I am going to slow up. I'll probably be catching up with you on Monday.

[Jennifer]

Here's my 2 cents for the day. Might finish up the last pages over the weekend. But definitely going to slow up for the next couple of days.

Ch 23 (61%): (view spoiler)[ Man, Julian seems like the perfect strong silent type. Although, I am a little annoyed that Emma doesn't realize that she loves him until she sleeps with him. Speaking of, is it just YA, or is it a little silly that he saves her from the demonic ocean, she coughs up a bunch of water, they have their FIRST kiss ever, and then it immediately escalates to sex? I know they are older than the Jace and Clary characters from TMI, but it seemed really strange for two people to be so imprisoned by their emotions to do what seemed like a careless act.

Wondering if Mark will forgive his lover. Wondering if Ty is some kind of special halfbreed (he seems to "special" to just be autistic). Wondering if anyone in the family will, oh I don't know, actually look into their family history since their BLOOD is mentioned in the damn poem. Silly me, seems like something that should be researched. Oh, and still waiting for Kit to be important. (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

I’m start from the second book, since I’ve already read the 1st one. But I will discuss that too.. ☺️

[Jennifer]

Book One: finished

(view spoiler)[ Emma is a little tramp! I'm frustrated with her. And it is not just her. I feel like there is a common problem with all the characters in this book - they ignore the most obvious solution to their problems!!!! I'm trying to think back to when I was a teenager - I might have behaved that way on occasion, but certainly NOT with every decision I was faced with. I know it adds to the drama, but it is also a little exhausting. GRRRR.

I'm noticing that at the end, LA is left without a High Wizard, with the Head Vampire in custody, Faires that aren't supposed to be there, and a kid still running the institute - what could go wrong in the next book?

Speaking of LA - I actually had a little problem suspending my sense of reality. Since I live here, I kept thinking to myself, there is NO way they would be able to get anywhere without sitting in traffic for hours. I know it's petty, but every time they jumped in the car to go somewhere I had to remind myself "this is just a story, this is how fiction works". There is also very little open space for all these events to happen here. Just sayin'.

I will say that the last page of the book certainly left me hanging on a cliff! I'm ready to start the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Book One: finished

Emma is a little tramp! I'm frustrated with her. And it is not just her. I feel like there is a common problem with all the characters in this book - they ignore the most obvio..."

So jealous! I will definitely post my comments soon!! I just have to finish these two ebooks that are due in a couple of hours!! Sorry I got so behind :(

[Jennifer]

@Alaina - no worries!! Take your time. Looks like we will have @Edit~A joining us for Lord of Shadows too!

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "@Alaina - no worries!! Take your time. Looks like we will have @Edit~A joining us for Lord of Shadows too!"

haha okay! well technically I finished them I just have to type amazing BR comments and then reviews and such. So I should be back at Lady Midnight.. maybe around 1ish? I have to walk my dogs and I figured I'd rather go back to the book without distractions.

[Jennifer]

Book 2 (19%): (view spoiler)[ Wow, lots going on in the beginning of book 2! I do find it ridiculous that so many things have changed in the 2 weeks from when book 1 ended. Of course, the characters are still ignoring the obvious solutions to their problems, so that much hasn't changed.

Emma and Julian: still in love with each other. Other than a kiss, I can't believe he hasn't tried to talk to her about staying with him. I don't think any guy would give up on something they wanted that easily, even if they thought it would hurt the brother they just got back.

Diego and Christina: so he's deep cover or something, right? He doesn't even seem to like his fiance. Christina should never trust him again anyway, no matter what happens in the end. Speaking of the fiance - why doesn't anyone say/notice that the stream of filth coming out of her mouth sounds exactly like Valentine? I mean it isn't ancient history what the Shadowhunters went through with him, and everyone seemed to be pretty against all that Downworlders need to be put down nonsense 5 years ago.

Jace and Cleary: First, Jace seems like a WAY bigger ass in this book than in MI. I mean he was full of himself before, but more in a confident about himself, not really caring what anyone else thought kind of way. This Jace is just kind of disgusting. And Cleary thinks she is going to die on this secret mission. That is a bad idea for an author. I know author's get sick of writing about the same characters at some point, and it isn't realistic to keep everyone alive, BUT....killing off Cleary seems like bad business. I really hope it doesn't come to fruition.

Kit: Finally! We get to see more of him. I'm interested in seeing how his and Ty's friendship progresses and if he chooses to become a trained Shadowhunter. (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Jennifer wrote: "Book One: finished.."

I'd like to join for Lord of shadows! (view spoiler)[ I completely understand feeling frustrated with the characters in this book but I think that is the point is that they are making the worst decisions, especially her choice to use Mark. Not cool. Also, I totally under how you feel you on not feeling like the story is actually taking place in the place where the story is supposed to be located. I live in NYC and while I was reading the Mortal Instruments I kept having moments where I was like "that not how that works here"! (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

@ Melany I am glad I am not alone, ha! -- Glad you are joining us for LOS. Jump in anytime.

Book 2, page 294 (42%) - (view spoiler)[ Well, of course, Malcolm is alive! and now dead again. He did say he would be very tough to kill. Are we really sure he is dead for good this time?

That Sealie Queen has got to be the worst. I don't know how anyone would think the Book would be safe with her. She is evil!

I'm still having a hard time understanding why the Shadowhunters are back to hating all Downworlders. If it hadn't been for the Warlocks, Werewolves and Vampires, they would have lost the Dark War in the first place. That is why those 3 groups ended up with seats on the Council, etc. How many damn seats are there? They wouldn't have fought so hard for seats if their power was so diluted to not make a difference, would they? (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Book 2, pg 448 (62%) - (view spoiler)[ I must be cranky. We find out Diana's big secret, and I'm irritated? exhausted? I'm not sure what the right emotion is. I have no problem with her secret, but I am exasperated that the author is throwing one more sexual issue at me. Is it just me? Does she have a checklist that she is going off of? What's next, bestiality? Seriously, if Ty or Kit falls in love with a donkey or sheep, I'm am DONE!!! Ok....I must be cranky. I do like that there are more sexually diverse characters in her books. I just feel like there is A LOT already going on in this series, and other ways to make the characters different and interesting. Thoughts? (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Book 2, finished - (view spoiler)[ Oh Livvy! Poor Julian, I feel for him. And now things are set up for the next book to be about Julian and Emma using their parabatai powers to defeat the bad guy at any cost. Yet.....I feel disappointed and frustrated with this book. Have we really gotten anywhere? When you look back through 700 pages to see what has been accomplished, it is remarkably little. I guess they know where the book is, and Julian and Emma have finally come clean with each other about their feelings, but everything else is pretty much the same as the beginning of the book. They haven't gotten the book for the Queen, they haven't defeated the Cohort, they haven't solved the curse, they haven't figured out the blight, they don't even have a home, we still don't know what Jace and Clary are doing or Jem and Tessa, and don't even get me started on Christina's 4 boy problems or her mission to end the Cold Peace.

I guess what I am saying is Book 3 is going to have to cover a LOT of ground to tie up these loose ends, and then there is the inevitable big battle scene too. And we have quite a wait to get the answers. Grrrr (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Chapters 1-6: (view spoiler)[HOLY CRAPOLA! Okay I feel like I should briefly mention that this book started off a little bit slow for me but then it picked up really quickly. I really like Emma so far and Julian too! I remember them in one of the novellas (or something like that) and they are parabati's but Julian is basically in love with Emma and Emma is blind af. HOWEVER they love each other and definitely should not be parabati. Also, why can't parabati fall in love? I can't remember if it was explained - but it's a stupid rule. I need more! (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 7-12: (view spoiler)[LOWKEY STILL SHIPPING THE FUCK OUT OF MARK AND CHRISTINA. Also can we just point out the LOVE, which is fucking forbidden for parabati's saved Julian. I'm smirking right now and giving the I told you so look too. WHY CAN'T THEY JUST BE TOGETHER?? I just don't understand... can someone explain it to me? Please? (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 13-18: (view spoiler)[A lot is happening and I can't seem to wrap my head around it. I think it's mostly me coming down from my coffee high or something but I'm confused. Hopefully I can figure everything out that happened before I write my review.

Also, why the hell does Julian have the weight of the world on his shoulders? I mean what the actual hell? I'm so confused. No one should be under that amount of pressure. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 19-24: (view spoiler)[UGH THE CLAVE. I seriously didn't even like the clave while reading the mortal instruments and I hated it even more when the movie came out and when Shadowhunters started. It just seems like every asshole ever invented in this world works there. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 25-27, aka..
Finished: (view spoiler)[Uhm.. WOW. I didn't see a lot of that coming.. I don't know how the hell I didn't but knowing me I'm usually so interested in reading and when I'm so close to the book I just kind of black out.. or something like that. BUT HOT DAMN. Okay Emma, I felt really bad for her but now ... damn. I just feel really bad for Julian. Also, Annabel coming back is fucking insane. I can't wait to read how all of that information will play out in the next book. fdjkljfkljflsalf SO MANY THINGS HAPPENED AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO REACT TO THIS BOOK. (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Chapter 1-7

(view spoiler)[I love it so far. I ship Christina and Mark, hope they will end up together. and this is an interesting journey, a nice beginning (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Chapter 8-14
(view spoiler)[ Can I just say how much I love this family? Maybe a bit more than the original characters.
I am just a bit annoyed about Emma's whining, how much she loves Julian, but not doing anything about it, and offering to Christina that she'll break up with Mark, but right after that almost crying to Mark, that she can't, like wtf. I'f like her to tell Jules about the curse ASAP, not at the end of the book. And can't she see that her selfishness is affecting others. Mark has plenty on his hand already - Christina, Kierran, and lying to his brother would be too much, can't Emma see that? It's not just about her and her feelings and her love-life. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

OK, I just have to tell, I had to google what "ship/shipping" meant. Feel free to laugh! I'm really old. But..... I ship about these characters too! Wait until you get to LOS!!!!

[Edit~A]

Jennifer wrote: "OK, I just have to tell, I had to google what "ship/shipping" meant. Feel free to laugh! I'm really old. But..... I ship about these characters too! Wait until you get to LOS!!!!"

I am reading the LOS, but I shipped them since I read the first book(right when it was released) :D And it's ok dw. I am not a native English speaker, so sometimes, not always, but sometimes I have to search some slang words too :D

[Edit~A]

Chapter 15-21

(view spoiler)[ I love the events happening, but I don't like the fact that there is not enough Mark, Keiran and Christina, while so much Ty, Livvy and Kit... And now Gwyn and Diana OMG!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ OMG, what was this!!! I LOVE and I HATE this book!!! I was surprised that there was so much spotlight at Livvy but not a kind that made her important!! I see why Kit brought to this. His admiration towards Ty, so he will replace her, and they will be parabatai instead. THis really breaks my heart. And finally they were all there... And Helen...
it was too much drama in the end, Magnus, consul knowing that Anabelle is fragile but not letting Jules get to her... Just too much!! Now instead of Robert I bet it's going to be Zara's despicable dad.. ugh.. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[Well, hot damn! A lot has gone down already and I don't really know how to digest it. I feel like my mind is all over the place. I really don't like Diego right now and I'm going to patiently wait for some sort of explanation to come out of his mouth and then wonder if it's complete bullshit or not. Then there's Zara who is also getting some of my hate sent to her. God, she's such a fucking bitch! I wonder if Ty and Kate will become the new parabatai or whatever. And now that I'm thinking about it - there's a bunch of parabatai's now. Or is that just me? Oh, and if Clary dies I'm going to drop this book and walk away. I'll be so pissed. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[Lol! I'm so sorry but Julian's "dark" side just made me laugh. I totally love it too but I'm just apologizing for laughing. I mean, the guy is completely brilliant and I love him to death and I guess I just don't know why I laughed so much.
I might have problems. Other than that, I feel like the King sort of planned this whole entire thing out - maybe?!? But I'm not one hundred percent sure about it either. I wonder what's going to happen next! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[dajklfjksalfa Okay first off, Emma needs to tell Julian about this whole "curse" thing. Because what if it actually isn't a curse and it's like all in her head or something. I don't know but I'm sure her fucking parabatai should know about it because then he could help her with it and everything. Then there's the whole Zara thing and I just don't like the bitch. I don't even know what else to talk about in this comment. OH, the shade warlock is cool and super interesting. I want to know more about him and figure out what side he is actually on - or if he's just playing them both. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[klklfsadklfsdkfsdkdklfsdkdkfdkfsdmklfdmklfklfadmklfdkfmklfklfmklfdmklafmklfamklfdklfklfsad
So much has happened - my brain is all over the place trying to remember everything so that I can get this comment to make sense. So uhm, wow, that fight was pretty much something and completely terrible. Then there's my new ship: Diana and Gwyn, who I seriously want together now. Then there's my old ship: Emma and Julian, who need to get their shit together and ask for some god damn help. GO TO MAGNUS. GO TO GOD. GO TO SOMEONE! (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[I think I'm hyperventilating right now. I don't know how I can accept this ending. I'm crying. I don't know how to move on. I was completely and totally attached to Livvy but still someone dying is completely tragic. THEN seeing Ty collapse from all of this was heartbreaking. I feel like Clare just stabbed me in the heart. I'm just... numb right now. I don't even want to think about the next book right now. (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Are you guys planning to read the 3rd book as well which is coming out really soon??

[Alaina]

YES! I WANT TO READ IT SO BADLY!

[Jennifer]

I could be enticed.

[Melany]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ so far I like Emma and Mark's relationship, I like that they are friend and trying to help the other work through their issues. I worried about Clary and why she is having premonitions about her death. I don't know how I feel about Kit yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Edit~A]

Ok then lets do it together?? :)

[Alaina]

Edit~A wrote: "Ok then lets do it together?? :)"

yeah!

[Jennifer]

When do you want to start? It comes out on the 4th, but I might not get my copy right away.

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "When do you want to start? It comes out on the 4th, but I might not get my copy right away."

OMG IT COMES OUT DECEMBER OF NEXT YEAR?!?! WHY SO FAR AWAY?!?

[Melany]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ Diego is an asshole!!! He has a fiancee!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

(view spoiler)[ YO I though Kit had a thing with Ty why is he kissing Livvy. Also, why am I unsurprised that Mark went after Kieran (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Alaina wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "When do you want to start? It comes out on the 4th, but I might not get my copy right away."

OMG IT COMES OUT DECEMBER OF NEXT YEAR?!?! WHY SO FAR AWAY?!?"

Ha! I saw December 4th and I didn't even look at the year. I guess it really will be a while until I get my copy. LOL

[Alaina]

😂😂😂

[Melany]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ EMMA'S FATHER!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!??!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ I wonder what the Seelie Queen wants with Julien and I kinda feel bad that he was friend zoned again (hide spoiler)]

[Melany]

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ Jessamine!! I can't believe she's back!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

************************************************************************************************************************************

Reading from the 15th of September 2018

************************************************************************************************************************************

[Jenn]

Starting this monster of a book today!

[Em⋆]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Emma and Julian made a deal with the faeries. They will investigate the killings and stop the murderer, and in return Mark will have the opportunity to choose whether to be part of the Hunt or return to his life as a Shadowhunter. (hide spoiler)]

[Em⋆]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Mark and Kieran? I didn't see that coming. (hide spoiler)]

[Em⋆]

Chapter 23(view spoiler)[ Malcolm is the Guardian. He wants to bring his lover back to life. (hide spoiler)]

[Em⋆]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Emma finally discovered who killed her parents.
Annabel woke up. I can't wait to see what happens next!! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Lady midnight:
Chapter 1-4: (view spoiler)[ its nice to see julian and emma again. I really like them but poor julian he is stressing out. And emma is obsessed with her parents murder. Interested in seeing where this goes. (hide spoiler)]

[Em⋆]

Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[ Malcolm revived Annabel. She killed him and left with the Black Volume. (hide spoiler)]

[Em⋆]

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ A faerie cast a binding spell on Mark and Cristina (hide spoiler)]

[Em⋆]

Chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ The Unseelie King sent the Seven Riders to find the Black Volume (hide spoiler)]

[Em⋆]

Chapter 29 (view spoiler)[ Annabel killed Robert Lightwood with the Mortal Sword (hide spoiler)]