Lord of Shadows

Written by Cassandra Clare

Narrated by James Marsters

A #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller

Sunny Los Angeles can be a dark place indeed in Cassandra Clare’s Lord of Shadows, the bestselling sequel to Lady Midnight. Lord of Shadows is a Shadowhunters novel.

Emma Carstairs has just learned that the love she shares with her warrior partner and parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, isn’t just forbidden—it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian. But how can she when the Blackthorn family is threatened by enemies on all sides?

Their only hope is the Black Volume of the Dead, a spell book of terrible power. Everyone wants it. Only the Blackthorns can find it. Spurred on by a dark bargain with the Seelie Queen, Emma; her best friend, Cristina; and Mark and Julian Blackthorn embark on a journey into the Courts of Faerie, where glittering revels hide bloody danger and no promise can be trusted.

As dangers close in, Julian devises a risky new scheme that depends on the cooperation of an unpredictable enemy. But success may come with a price he and Emma cannot even imagine, one that will have repercussions for everyone and everything they hold dear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: May 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781442357143

Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is the author of the #1 New York Times, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles. She is also the coauthor of the bestselling fantasy series Magisterium with Holly Black. The Shadowhunter Chronicles have been adapted as both a major motion picture and a television series. Her books have more than fifty million copies in print worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Cassandra lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and three fearsome cats. Visit her at CassandraClare.com. Learn more about the world of the Shadowhunters at Shadowhunters.com.

Reviews for Lord of Shadows

[Krystina Gutierrez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Audiobook doesnt match the book. Missing sections from the book

[Lorraine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cassandra Clare is a consummate writer, and she weaves themes of openmindedness and the stupidity of racism and prejudice into her action packed, yet somehow also character driven novel. I have already pre ordered book three!

[Jo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this, particularly because of James Marsters' performance.
Mr. Marsters, please make a recording of Poe poetry readings. Dreamland was so beautifully done that I savored every syllable and replayed it many times.

[Sid L · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my god. The ending of this book made me cry.

[Bethany Turner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The plot dragged a bit and was repetitive but overall it was a fun reread.

[Briquelle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a pretty good series, things seem to be picking up a bit.

[amy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see what the new book has in store.

[Ioanna Tsaprali · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow!!! That was my second read but the narrator did an amazing job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tiffani Smith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think I need a minute before I continue on with this series because that ending was insane.

[reshmi rajeev · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Though one keeps expecting the same kind of heartfelt romance of The infernal devices, the story fails to reach the benchmark set by The mortal instruments.It flows along the predictable story line and lacks the pull as the other Cassandra Claire books had.Emma character gives you a sense of incompleteness.overall the book keeps you in for light reading but fails to capture you within its world, until the end of the book.

[Lacie Moran · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

While i enjoy the book itself, the audiobook has serious flaws in that it keeps jumping to the next chapter and messing up the story. I have to go to the novel on here and read what happens to even understand because of this

[Selena Wallace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So sad of an ending but amazing like everything mrs clare touches.

[Shaila Mahabier · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is so much drama in this part, and, yes I do like it. However, there are parts where I was uuhhh... WHY?

[Nuryta · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Lord of Shadows, by Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare once again captivates us in this second part of the Renascence saga. She takes us through love, memories, mysteries, revenge, and intrigue, culminating in a heartbreaking ending that was completely unexpected. Her way of developing events keeps our attention constant, allowing us to form hypotheses about what may happen and teaching us to love or hate the different characters that are skillfully developed. Because they have all matured and clarified both their abilities and their feelings, which applies to both the Blackthorn family and their friends, but also to their enemies.

There are so many details that unfold in the plot and each of the sub-worlds that you must be careful not to overlook any reference that appears along the way. For example, something is affecting the magicians and witches, while a strange plague affects the weapons and gifts of the Nephilim. Who could be interested in affecting both sides? Because while the cohort begins to gain strength, its goal is to eliminate the rights of the downworlders and restore order where the shadowhunters are more powerful.

On the other hand, when it finally seemed that Emma and Julian were going to clarify everything in the Clave in favor of their family while looking for an alternative solution to the problem of their bond as parabatai, everything complicates, things spiral out of control, and the ending leaves us shocked, unable to believe what happens, with a lump in our throats and tears on the brink of spilling.

A novel we read to know, but above all to feel. And once again, we search for the next book, to find out what happens next.
QUOTES
When some die, our dreams of what they could have been die with them. Even when it is our hand that ends their lives.
With fear of the new and different, and burdened by a hatred as cold as ice. Such hatred can destroy the world. (Translated from Spanish)

[paulagalvan-323293 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second in The Dark Artifices series, Lord of Shadows, refers to the King of the Unseelie Faerie Court, who hunts for The Black Book of the Dead, hoping it will unlock the power to destroy the Shadowhunters he hates. With the wizard Malcolm Fade finally destroyed, Julian Blackthorn returns to running the Los Angeles Institute and looking after his siblings, Tavvy, Ty, Livvy, and Dru. Of course, the peace doesn’t last long. Soon, giant squid demons are threatening the southern California coast. They are the least of the Blackthorn’s problems since the Cohort, a radical faction inside the Clave, seeks war with the Downworlders. There’s lots of action and supernatural shenanigans as good Shadowhunters face off against evil ones once again; however, I believe the author spends way too much time in this book, immersing the reader in the romantic entanglement of the characters. Jules and Emma (parabatai) fight their forbidden love, while Kieran, Mark, and Cristina have an awkward threesome blooming. I know these relationships are essential to the plot. However, I can only read about how cloudy someone’s eyes are or how soft their hair is so many times. I felt this much time spent on every sexual desire the characters experience distracted from the story.

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Listened to this one as an audiobook and I really liked the narrator (it just might have been James Marsters). The story, of course, was great too - I enjoy this fantasy world and I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Rachbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Review:
Emma decides to continue her false relationship with Mark to avoid the parabatai curse. While maintaining this lie, she also has to face new demon attacks that apparently come from the depths of the sea. Julian and Diana are also in trouble due to Julian's uncle, who has fallen back into madness without the medicine Malcom prepared for him, putting more weight on the shoulders of Diana and Julian. Julian and the others must undertake a new mission in secret to retrieve the black book for the Seelie queen, who promised to end the cold law and bring Mark's sister back. However, they must confront what emerged from Malcom's plan, Annabel Blackthorn, who refuses to let the black book continue causing so much harm.

Personal opinion:
We continue with the romantic problems; Emma's lie is spiraling out of control, creating issues for Mark. Mark has to face his feelings, especially towards Cristina and Kieran, as his lies have caused harm to them.

What I liked most about this book is the relationship that has formed between Ty and Kit; I love that Kit has become someone so special, just like Liv. Also, the story behind Diana has undoubtedly struck me as admirable, along with the trust she gains to share it. (Translated from Spanish)

[Alecc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I never thought this book would bring me a little tears, due to that incomplete ending. I just hope that with the last installment of this trilogy it will be less chaotic. (Translated from Spanish)

[Gilbeliz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mechanic Princess and City of Heavenly Fire were books that made me shed some tears. However, with this book, Cassandra made me cry a river like I never thought I would. (Translated from Spanish)

[albamaria91 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have a lot to say and few organized ideas about my experience with this second volume ? So I'll divide it into the aspects I liked and those I didn't.

With this second book, I confirm that it is not the best trilogy by Cassandra Clare, but it retains the elements that make the reading enjoyable.

Now, for the positive aspects or what I liked:

☑️Diana and Gwyn: although they don't appear as much as I would have liked, they stole my heart and attention. Diana has a very sad life story that I could empathize with. I just wanted to give her a hug and thank her for her bravery. Gwyn… my man ❤️❤️❤️❤️ That’s all I can say ❤️❤️✨✨
☑️Cristina, Kieran, and Mark: since book 1, a sort of love triangle has been established with Mark as the central axis. However, here it changes a bit as it stops being a love triangle and gives way to a sort of relationship of three ???
☑️Kit, Livvy, and Ty: Kit is fully introduced in this book, and with the help of Livvy and Ty, he adapts to his new environment as the new Shadowhunter. The three work quite well together, and Kit becomes a fundamental part of the twins, following their crazy adventures. Honestly, I quite liked Kit. He’s a true Herondale without being a copy of his ancestors.
☑️The representation: I believe diversity is important to Cassandra; she has demonstrated this since her early books and does it quite well. It never feels forced or filled with stereotypes, so here Cassandra always shines ❤️

Now for the aspects I didn't like:
?Long chapters: The chapters felt endless ? they became a bit tedious, especially because of the short breaks between chapters to change scenes. It stressed me out since it took too long to get back to the cut part, and I lost interest, making it hard to get hooked at the start.
?Excessive number of characters: I don't know why Cassandra thought including a cast more extensive than that of the Avengers was relevant, but to be honest, this made the reading slow. I was hardly interested in half of those characters because they appeared two or three times and contributed nothing. Others who seemed relevant became unbearable and filler. Here, the saying "the fewer, the better" would apply.
?Vague conflicts: I think with so many characters, the lack of a clear conflict made the story have no direction until halfway through the book. Even then, I didn’t perceive it as a great threat because the lack of development in that aspect doesn’t generate much fear as expected.
?Emma and Julian: For being the protagonists, they are quite flat. Emma is the typical badass with an annoying attitude who has little development, which is reflected in this book since her arc was fulfilled in the first book, and here she doesn’t feel like a useful element except for just being… badass :v And Julian, although we see he has a more concise arc here, I still don’t like him too much.

With the heartbreaking ending of this volume ??? I will continue with the third and final book ❤️ (Translated from Spanish)

[RaynierTenas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It had been a while since I read Shadowhunters and I had forgotten how skilled Cassandra Clare is at breaking your heart in the final stage of each book. I wasn’t prepared. (Translated from Spanish)

[kaath.f · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Unlike what most people think, I was excited at first to continue the story; Lady Midnight made me quite fond of the characters and the plot, but this book was somewhat disappointing... The first 400 pages felt eternal, and I set it aside for a while. Now I've finished it, and although I liked the story more in the final pages, I still expected more. It felt lacking in action and full of unnecessary filler. I really hope the third book is different because I love CDS, and this one felt very tedious and hard to read. (Translated from Spanish)

[Ann - Into My Books · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We continue to see how Cassie's writing evolves over time. We have a more mature, very descriptive style that makes you imagine the world of fairies and Alacante as it truly is.

We will learn more about the fairy court and especially about the history of the Blackthorn family.

In this second installment, we find a book that, more than an action, war, or revenge novel like the first, delves deeper into the characters.

Emma and Julian remain the main characters, but we will start to see how other characters become more important.

Characters like Ty, Livvy, and Kit give us another perspective on the story. Though I admit my eternal love for the twins and this trio in general. We will also get to know Kit better and see how he navigates the shadow world.

We will finally understand why Diana cannot be the director of the institute (Thank you, Cassie, once again for being so wonderful), and through her, we will learn more about Gwyn, the leader of the Wild Hunt.

Kieran, Cristina, and Mark continue their same push and pull as in the first part.

Magnus and Alec reappear with their little ones, which makes me very happy to see how their relationship evolves. Clary and Jace also make appearances but are less relevant.

I could talk about each character and all the developments they have in this book because absolutely everyone is wonderful. But I belong to the group that has a special weakness for Ty ?.

And if I talk about the ending, the writer once again chooses to show us her cruelest and most twisted side and gives us a horrible ending that happens in the last two or three pages, leaving an open conclusion. (Translated from Spanish)

[LaChicadelGuion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think I have a second favorite Shadowhunters book; this second part of Rebirth had me hanging by a thread, the ending was simply spectacular. I think back on it and tears want to return to my eyes; the tension in the story increased, and I can't wait to read the third and final book. (Translated from Spanish)

[mariagatorres · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am devastated? the ending of this book is simply c r u e l ?

"Fiction is truth, even if it’s not a fact. If you only believe in facts and forget stories, your brain will live, but your heart will die."

After the end of Lady Midnight, Malcolm is gone, the Black Book of the Dead has left with him, and the Blackthorn are safe (for now). Emma already knows the reason why falling in love between parabatai is forbidden by the Law. She and Julian cannot be together, not only because they would break one of the main laws among Shadowhunters but because they could destroy each other and all those they love due to a terrible curse.

"Everyone is afraid of something. We have things because we appreciate them. We fear losing people because we love them. We fear dying because we value being alive. Don’t wish to be unafraid; that would only mean you feel nothing."

In Lord of Shadows, Emma and Julian will realize that the only hope they have to save their relationship and keep the Blackthorn family together is to find the Black Book of the Dead.

"Julian was the kind of person who could descend into hell and come back with the devil himself owing him a favor."

From how Lady Midnight ended, I was sure I would suffer a lot in this book because of Emma and Julian's situation, but the truth is that Cassandra Clare handled it very well. The selflessness that exists between Emma and Julian makes me love them with all my heart❤.

"We chose each other when we were children. I chose you and you chose me. That’s what the parabatai ceremony represents, doesn’t it? It’s a way to seal a promise. The one that says I will always choose you."

One of the strangest and most charming situations is the relationship between Mark-Kieran and Cristina. Mark is the half-fae brother of the Blackthorn, who was kidnapped during the Dark War by the Wild Hunt and was returned on the condition that his family help find the killer of the Downworlders, who turned out to also be the killer of Emma’s parents. Cristina is a Shadowhunter from the Mexico City Institute who has become a very close friend of the Blackthorn and Emma's best friend.
After being rescued, Kieran (Mark's ex-faerie boyfriend) offers them his help to avoid the impending war and promises loyalty to Cristina as part of his faerie oath. After that, they will grow closer, even developing a strange friendship that I found adorable. Something funny is that in the first book I couldn’t stand Kieran and his fae intensity, but I have come to love him and understand him better❤.

"There was no careful way to separate Jules from Emma. The simple act of separating them felt like an act of violence, a tearing in the fabric of the world."

To find the book in time, the Blackthorn will be forced to separate. Thus, Livvy, Ty, and Kit will have their own adventures. The friendship that forms between them is the most adorable thing ever. I have literally fallen in love with this golden trio❤. The way Kit’s sarcasm and cynicism complements the dynamic established by the twins’ solidarity and mischief is beautiful.
The closeness that develops between Kitty was one of my favorite parts of the book. The feelings between them are so innocent and adorable that they made me die of love❤. They are not really aware of how important they are to each other, but that only made it all more heartwarming. I want to protect them at all costs from any danger and suffering❤.

"He smiled, and in doing so, his face changed completely. Ty, when still and expressionless, had an intensity that fascinated Kit; when he smiled, it was extraordinary."

Despite the intensity and imminent danger, this book was filled with funny scenes that made me laugh out loud. That’s something I love about all these characters; they always know how to make me smile. The Blackthorn brothers have a forever-earned place in my heart❤. Another plus is being able to reunite with old characters I love, like: Magnus and Alec❤.

"People say it's a shame we don’t have parents. But I think what’s a shame is that they don’t have a brother like mine."

The love and loyalty among the Blackthorn siblings will always amaze and fill my heart; those kids have suffered too much, and I hope they can soon be happy together. That ending truly broke my heart; enough of making them suffer. It’s not fair?.

"We are forever, no matter what happens, Emma, no matter what you call what we have, it will always be... Break my heart. Break it into pieces. I give you my permission." (Translated from Spanish)

[leila.khouane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh, crap.

here... just take my heart already, I don't think I can cope with the emotional trauma this book has given me *cry intensely in my quarantined state*

[linyarai · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was such a roller coaster. I laughed, I almost cried, and I'm still not sure how to put the ending into words. I'm almost not wanting to read the next one because it's going to hurt more.

[fergiefabrina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I only have to say that... that ending ?. (Translated from Spanish)

[GuissellCarstairs · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cassandra always surpasses herself with the endings of her books; the second is always better than the first. Will the third be just as brilliant? I don’t know, it's a very good story, although I must admit that the writer has a certain hatred for the Blackthorns. Please, Cassandra, give the next characters a worthy ending. I hope Emma and Julian find what they're looking for, and for God's sake, someone give Zara a smack on my behalf. That woman drives me crazy, and all her nonsense makes my blood boil. Before, I didn’t understand why people hated her; now if I had her in front of me, I’d make ceviche out of her.
SPOILER READ AT YOUR OWN RISK OF KNOWING THE ENDING OF THIS STORY

Hail and farewell, Livia Blackthorn, young one who fell at the hands of Annabell Blackthorn, brave shadow hunter, beloved sister and friend. (Translated from Spanish)

[Paz7M · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just finished, and even with tears streaming down my cheeks and my heart pounding in pain, I’ve reread the two updates I made before finishing it... To rectify is wise, and I have to do so in part. I still think that the love between Julián and Emma feels too forced, maybe because of how both acknowledged it in the first book of this trilogy, especially Emma, who didn’t realize until Julián kissed her for the first time, although I understand it’s because they are forbidden from loving each other... Even though Julián always knew he loved her. Besides this, Emma is everything that is right in a female character; if you like Jace Herondale, since Emma is his female version—strong, reckless, bold, intelligent, and driven by emotions in a way that sometimes makes you want to slap her, as she puts herself in danger and pretends that no one else knows it as well. On the other hand, Julián is THE character of this specific trilogy in the shadow world of Cassandra, his dark heart fascinates me; far from having it, I adore his blind love for his family, as, in order to protect them, he would sell his soul to the devil or kill every living being (something I see him capable of doing in the last book of the trilogy after reading the end of this one). Julián’s cold intelligence, the lies and the darkness surrounding him, and the love he feels for his own that justifies everything for him, takes you and doesn’t let go throughout the entire book. As for the other characters, I still stand by what I said before; I adore all of them. Diana seems to me a wonderful character for whom a book could be written just for her and Gwyn. Mark, Kieran, and Cristina are one of the best literary trios I’m reading (along with my beloved unicorn, dragon, and shek from the same Cassandra, Jem, Tessa, and Will). And what to say about you, Kit (whom I’m eager to read his own trilogy by Cassandra) and my beloved Livvy... I hate and love that Cassandra made me love her because the end of this book is exquisite and painful, like the famous epilogue she wrote for Clockwork Princess; that last sentence has made me break into pieces and I hope in the last book that Julián burns the whole world and loses his mind like his ancestor. I won't say more, just that I’m about to devour the third part, not without first saying that I’ve always heard that sequels were never good, but this one, just with the last chapter, far exceeds Lady Midnight. (Translated from Spanish)