Reviews

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

krinirin's review against another edition

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4.0

I ALWAYS REGRET HOW FAST I FINISH THESE DAMN BOOKS. DAMN YOU CASSIE CLARE!!!

That ending though. I knew shit was gonna hit the fan but I was not expecting THAT. Holy cow.

becca_is_reading's review against another edition

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5.0

That ending. I need the next one right the second. So good. Love all the characters. Ty is my absolute favorite maybe out of all the Shadowhunter books.

bahopkins's review against another edition

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5.0

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare is Book Two of The Dark Artifices and A Shadowhunter Novel, continuing the epic story that begin in Lady Midnight. The 699 page book actually was a quick read, primarily because it was so engrossing. I had to keep reading and was annoyed when things like work, responsibilities, and the like got in my way. Author Cassandra Clare effortlessly combines heart-stopping action, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters, weaving it all together to create a tale that made me laugh, cheer, think, and feel.

Seriously, so much going on in this book, but don't worry, you will be swept away because Clare keeps things moving along. Lord of Shadows features Emma Carstairs, who has jumped into my Top 10 of favorite female characters of all time. I was impressed with Emma when she was introduced as a child during The Mortal Instruments series, and loved how she matured in Lady Midnight. Emma continues to impress through everything she goes through — she's a loyal friend, loving "sister" to the Blackthorn kids, fierce parabatai, and totally bad-ass shadowhunter.

I'm going to put it out there right now, Emma Carstairs may give Jace Herondale a run for his money on most bad-ass shadowhunter. Because I won't do spoilers, you'll just have to read Lord of Shadows and then come back and tell me if you think I'm right or wrong. Hint: She does something that no other shadowhunter has ever done.

Along with Emma is her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, but this complicated and potentially deadly relationship isn't the only one that Clare is developing. She gives us Mark and the Faerie prince Kieran as well as Mark and Cristina. There's also Diana and Gwynn, and our old favorite Alex and Magnus. But the one relationship that interested me the most and that I can't wait to see how it moves forward is Kit Herondale and Ty Blackthorn. I love their dynamic, I love that Kit sees how special Ty is, and I love how author Clare has written both characters.

But wait, you're going on and on about relationships, I thought Lord of Shadows had action and an epic story line? It does! The action is intense, the plots and subplots twist and turn, keeping the reader interested throughout, but at the heart, it's really about the characters. When you pick up this book, you will become invested in the characters (if you haven't already from Lady Midnight.)

Readers are left hanging at the end of Lord of Shadows. Fortunately, I'm one who loves a good cliff hanger and this qualifies. I really don't think you'll be disappointed with this book. Can you read it before Lady Midnight? I don't recommend that, but you could start The Dark Artifacts series without reading The Mortal Instruments. However, I really encourage you to begin with The Mortal Instruments and just read them all. It's worth it.

And the audiobook for Lord of Shadows, in case you're interested, it's read by James Marsters. Yes, THAT James Marsters. You really don't want to miss that.

Book 3 is The Queen of Air and Darkness. Keep an eye out for a release date.

emmcjulians's review against another edition

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5.0

what the FUCK was that ending

candece's review against another edition

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5.0

This book just like all the other Shadowhunter books was fantastic. It was so complex and unique in dynamic. But that ending….. OMG!!! My heart hurts so much I can’t decide. Just Wow!

treeandme's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was so well constructed, everything just seemed to flow so nicely! The way that Cassandra Clare manages to weave stories together is incredible, like seriously the plot has no flaws. I especially love the integration of characters from previous books as it didn't feel clumsy or like an add on. Her plots have all these twists and turns and intricate details, yet still manage to make complete sense which is rare. That ending was completely unexpected and broke my heart entirely...there may have been a tear shed.

I love these characters so much, I literally love all of them, although I have my issues with Julian at times. They are all so unique and well fleshed out, it's incredible how the author manages to make sure each character is really known, despite there being so many! Having said that there is a special place in my heart for Kit and Ty, I just adore them and their interactions are easily my favourite parts and I can't wait to see how their friendship develops.

All in all this was a great second installment in The Dark Artifices, and I can't wait for the next book!

lisaesmee's review against another edition

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3.0

3 minutes after reading: GODDAMMIT THIS FUCKING BOOK! WHY THIS ENDING!!??? It makes no sense. Seriously NO SENSE at all. I'm so angry right now. Will review this once I call down.

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The good:
-The bromance: I love how Mark and Julian are becoming best buds. Mark deserves it and so does Julian. Jules needs a break from being a parents and perhaps having a better relationship will give him the opportunity to take a few steps back and let Mark take over some times.
-
SpoilerMark+Cristina needs to happen ASAP. So does Ty+Kit. ALL THE SHIPS.

-I also really liked that we got to see more of Drusilla. She seems like one of the most normal people in that entire Blackthorn family.
-All the sexualities!
SpoilerMark's bi-/pansexuality, Diana who comes out to Gwyn as transgender. I'M LIVING FOR THIS!! I really hope that Clare gives Diana more screen time.

-NENE IS THE QUEEN OF SASS AND I LOVE IT!
-How Clare is challenging the Shadowhunter world with its beliefs and close-mindedness.
-The autism representation

The bad:
-What the fuck was that ending?! It came out of nowhere. There was no foreshadowing, no explanation, nothing and that is fucking annoying! I was really enjoying this book until the 2-3 chapters. It felt so rushed. As if 200 pages where compressed into 50 pages. I was so confused and I really wasn't committed to the last chapter.
-The fucking Centurions. Especially Zara. That bitch.
-How mental health or other illnesses to the brain don't exists & if you have dementia, autism, OCD, depression, anxiety (& everything else) you're instantly seen as crazy.

The ugly:
-Zara's Nazi-Germany ideals and dreams. Just no. Get out.
-Emma and Julien are fucking selfish. Seriously just get your shit together and move on (but that's not possible otherwise one of the biggest plots in this series would be gone). Simon got over Clary & Alec got over Jace. It's possible so why don't they just try a little harder.

I really want to ramble more but I'm going to film a spoiler-filled book review which I will post here once that's been uploaded. THIS WILL BE LIVE ON AUGUST 31ST https://www.youtube.com/c/ohthenargles

thejordanjournals's review against another edition

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4.0

2nd Read:4/5 stars
My reread of this was a drastically different experience from my first read. I remember being annoyed and disappointed with every aspect of this book when I first read it. On this read, I found I enjoyed the characters more, the plot more, the setting more. I actually cared what was happening. I could not have said that about the first read. I was in a much different place when I first read this than I am now, and it just goes to show how much that plays into my enjoyment of media. I had essentially given up on Shadowhunters after this book in 2017. Now, I’m already on to the next installment and enjoying myself. My excitement for this has been reignited.

1st Read: 3/5 stars
Ugh, so disappointed. I do not understand the hype and glowing 5 star reviews. I found this to be incredibly boring and strenuous to read. Important things happened way too quickly, and slower bits lasted way too long. As a long, long-time fan of Cassandra Clare and the Shadowhunter Chronicles, to say I'm bummed by this is an understatement.

racheleprince's review against another edition

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4.0

Something about this world just drew me in again, but the book felt terribly long. I feel like it could have been condensed. The relationships between all he characters gets confusing when some have similar names and roles - Malcolm and Magnus, Kit and Kieran.

dani_saavd's review against another edition

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4.0

Nooooo. Porqué pasa esto. Este libro es uno de los mejores que ha escrito la autora. La trama tiene varias subtramas que se vuelven cada vez más complicadas y enrevesadas, los personajes están muy bien desarrollados, y conocí lugares nuevos. Cómo siempre amo a mis Blackthorn sobre todo a mis bebés Julian y Ty. Pero lo que ha hecho Cassandra al final me parece una soberana injusticia. Esta familia ha pasado por muchísimo y viene y les pasa algo mucho peor. Cassie te odio en estos momentos. Porque maltratas a mis chicos de esta manera. El final te crea expectativas suficientes para que te den ganas de leer el siguiente libro. Así que fue un libro de 4.5 para mí