SPOILER AND AWESOMENESS ALERT!
A few weeks ago I received a package wrapped in thick cardboard stamped with the Book Depository logo. As I (carefully) tore open the packaging – which was hard work for some crazy reason, so it took me almost 5 minutes to get the flap open and the whole side of the box fell back to reveal….
The spine of Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare!!!
It was such a great relief to finally have the book in front of me, I kinda just stared at it for a few seconds, before emptying the box and flicking through the box.
On the left are the contents of the box; 7/8 colouring bookmarks (from the new collection based of art therapy books), Lady Midnight in hardcover, a one-month free subscription to audible and a $35 Hello Fresh voucher.
On the right is the second page of the book, signed by Cassie. I was in excitement overload by the time I finished hugging the book, so I nearly died when I saw this.
REVIEW TIME!!!
The Shadowhunters of Los Angeles star in the first novel in Cassandra Clare’s newest series, The Dark Artifices, a sequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series. Lady Midnight is a Shadowhunters novel.
It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses.
Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…
Making things even more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark—who was captured by the faeries five years ago—has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind—and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?
Glitz, glamours, and Shadowhunters abound in this heartrending opening to Cassandra Clare’s Dark Artifices series.
OH MY HOLY MOZZARELLA!!! THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING I EXPECTED AND MORE!! Cassandra Clare really loves curses. Let’s just say that much. From the ending of City of Heavenly Fire and whenever Emma and Julian were mentioned in Tales of The Shadowhunter Academy, It had become painfully obvious that they were destined to fall into a forbidden kind of love, especially after Julian tied himself to Emma with the most powerful bond a Shadowhunter can make. The parabati ceremony was done so Emma wasn’t taken away from the Blackthorns; but at what cost to Julian’s heart?
So it seems Julian’s heart and mind were torn between regretting ever becoming parabati with Emma and being greatful that because of his decision, she had been allowed to stay. It ate at him everyday, when eventually he couldnt take it anymore and kissed her. He kissed her so hard and full of love, that they were breathless and invigorated, craving the touch of one another until one thing lead to another… and they ended up sleeping on the beach. LETS ALL BE GLAD CLARY INVENTED A BIRTH CONROL RUNE AYE? Otherwise we could have had a baby Blackstairs. Just the whole climax leading up to this scene, was intense. I was trapped. This succession demonstrated the true bonds of parabati and how intense love for a parabati can affect the bonds of the relationship.
And then there is this whole thing with Kit, who we all were lead to assume was just the son of a nephilim-hater and con-man, who had little importance to the story. Oh how wrong I was. BECAUSE HE IS THE LOST HERONDALE!!!! Who – other than the angel – would’ve seen that coming???
Although I do not know how big a part Kit will play as he is not a descendant of Will Herondale. Considering he moved in to the institute – and there has been an evident connection between him and Ty – it would be interesting to see what Cassandra has planned for the rest of the series.
Who remembers Malcolm Fade from City of Heavenly Fire? Well I did. I remembered his as the smart but ditzy warlock, who (as mentioned in LM), sometimes ties his shoelaces together. He kept up that facade until the third (or second?) last chapter in the book until the Blackthorn kids began to suspect that their friendly neighbourhood warlock was behind the murders popping up in LA. Yep that’s right; MALCOLM FADE IS A MURDERER!!
His transformations was just so sudden. But his intentions prevented me from dispising him. I pittied him, because he thought what he was doing was the right thing. He thought he had been betrayed by everyone he loved. He died believeing this, and that is the saddest thing above all else.
And Mark. Our precious half-fey. The boy who lived in a land frozen in time, and fell in love with an outcast prince. He found freedom amongst the clouds, riding with the Hunt. BUT THE FEY GAVE HIM BCK!!! as a bargaining chip, but he was back in the arms of his loving family. There were hard times, like when he was left in charge of the chidren and let Tavvy sit in a giant bag of sugar – much to Julian’s dismay. Although he stll has the wildness of the Hunt in his eyes, he has developed into more of a shadowhunter, letting his skin bare runes again.
JUST ALL THE FEELS!!! SO MANY FEEL!!!!
TL;DR
This post is my longest one yet. So for those who didn’t read the whole post, here is a brief run down (with spoilers).
~ LADY MIDNIGHT CAME IN THE MAIL AND I COULDN’T DEAL.
~ It is a story that follows the Blackthorns’s and Emma, 5 years after the Dark War
~ Emma and Julian are parabati and Julian regrets it
~ There’s a kid named Kit who happens to be THE Lost Herondale (and I think there’s something between him and Ty)
~ Malcolm Fade is a MURDERER
~ and MARK! MARK IS BACK!
~ Magnus and Alec have a shadowhunter child named Rafael Santiago Lightwood-Bane
Love;
Bree xx
© Jasper+Spice 2015. All Rights Reserved. Please do not use without permission. I was not asked to do this review by anyone and it is purely for my own entertainment. I do not own any rights to any characters, names or plotlines mentioned in this post (but I do own the book). All credit goes to the wonderful and amazing, Cassandra Clare. The gifs were taken from Google, and the photos were taken by me. Please do not use photos without credit or permission.
*whispers* I hate to admit this, but I’m not really a fan of Cassie Clare’s books. *hides* However, seeing how much you liked this one makes me want to give her books another try. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
Thank you very much and your should give it a try definitely. Whereas it might me hard to get into the story, as it progresses it will get harder to put down. Hope you enjoy xx
I TOTALLY CONCUR WITH YOUR FANGIRLING FLAILING FEELS HERE. *shrieks* I just finished it on the weekend and omgggg it was beyond perfect. (I’m laughing at the potential baby Blackstairs though. xD AHEM.) Zomg, I loved everything…except for how long it was. I mean, I did love it?? I got so totally immersed in the world. bUT IT ALSO LIKE BROKE MY WRISTS. Your hardcover is so so beautiful though. Squee!!! 😀 Now we only have to wait a year for the next one. TOTALLY EASY. #lies
I know I don’t know how I’m going to be able to hold on for that long!! Aha it would be quite awkward if she hadn’t had that rune ^0^ I love big books so I can’t quite complain but I’m so happy you loved my post (and the book) thank you for you r comment xx