This post will definitely not come as a surprise to a lot of people who know me. I have been the biggest fan of Cassandra Clare since I was about 13 (I’m 21 now) and my love for her has only grown over the years.
This love started with City of Bones, the first book in The Mortal Instruments series, of which I actually own the original cover but annoyingly it is hours away in Birmingham and I am currently stuck in Brighton. The book had been sitting on a shelf for years before I actually picked it up. The original cover was not appealing to me in the slightest and I hate to admit it, but I often do judge a book by its cover (most people do this right?).
Considering the book came out in 2007, I was actually very late to the party by reading it in 2012 and I wished I had done so sooner. However, you do not need to be the first person to do something to stake a claim in loving it. I’m actually awful at reading new books when they are published and it often takes me months to get around to reading them *cough* Chain of Gold *cough*.
After the final instalment of The Mortal Instruments; City of Heavenly Fire was published there was a two-year wait for Lady Midnight and that wait was painstakingly long. I know what you are thinking Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy was published online first and should have kept me happy until Lady Midnight came out. However I really am not a fan of novellas, I read The Bane Chronicles but I find novellas hard to get into and by the time I’m enjoying the story it’s over. I still to this day have not read Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy and honestly, I’m not sure if or when I will.
Now I think this is an unpopular opinion however The Dark Artifices is actually my favourite series with The Infernal Devices coming up close in second. I believe The Infernal Devices is a firm favourite amongst Cassandra Clare fans however for me The Dark Artifices wins almost on length alone. Those books are huge and I could not get enough of them, I’m actually still kind of upset that it was only a trilogy. I need more Julian Blackthorn in my life!
The Dark Artifices is her most beautifully written series and each book got better and better. Although I think Lord of Shadows was my favourite.
I’m currently just over halfway through Chain of Gold and I’m seriously loving it. Cassandra Clare has a way of creating new characters in every series that I end up loving more than those in the last. Although James Herondale is no competition for Julian Blackthorn in my heart, Will Herondale definitely still holds first place.
Keep your eyes peeled for a Chain of Gold review next week!