Review: Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader By: Cassandra Clare

Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader

Edited By: Cassandra Clare

Pub. Date: January 29, 2013

Publisher: SmartPop

Pages: 256

Source: Netgalley

Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, epic urban fantasy set in a richly imagined world of shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, fairies, and more, has captured the imaginations and loyalty of hundreds of thousands of YA readers. Originally a trilogy (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass), the series has extended to six titles, plus a prequel trilogy, the Infernal Devices, and a planned sequel series, the Dark Artifices. A feature film is planned for 2013.

Shadowhunters and Downworlders, edited by Clare (who provides an introduction to the book and to each piece), is a collection of YA authors writing about the series and its world.

Authors Who Contributed:
Holly Black / Kendare Blake / Gwenda Bond / Sarah Rees Brennan / Rachel Caine / Sarah Cross / Kami Garcia / Michelle Hodkin / Kelly Link / Kate Milford / Diana Peterfreund / Sara Ryan / Scott Tracey / Robin Wasserman

Shadowhunters and Downworlders is a series of essays written by some fantastic authors about The Mortal Instrument series. The essays are on a variety of topics and each one was insightful and enjoyable!

This review is going to be a short one because even though I did enjoy all of the essays, there are a few that really stood out, so I will talk a bit about those.

Sharper Than A Seraph Blade

By: Diana Peterfreund

Not only is Diana Peterfreund one of my favorite authors, but her essay is all about Jace, one of my favorite YA "bad" boys. This essay is so insightful into his character and what makes Jace exactly who he is.

Simon Lewis: Jewish, Vampire, Hero

By: Michele Hodkin

Michele Hodkin in complete brilliantness combined Simon's Jewish heritage and his new life of being a vampire. I loved learning about the history of the Jewish faith and how Jews are a lot like vampires.

Brotherly Love: Jace, Clary and the Function of Taboo

By: Kendare Blake

I really enjoyed this one because it deals with the taboo of sibling incest. Kendare Blake wrote about what every single one of us was thinking while we were reading it. I didn't feel so alone when I read this essay!

The Importance of Being Malec

By: Sara Ryan

This was just such a fun and insightful essay about Magnus and Alec and their relationship. These two are one of my favorite characters in TMI and one of my favorite YA couples.

I am a huge fan of both of Clare's Shadowhunter series, TMI and The Infernal Devices and Shadowhunters and Downworlders is a must read for every fan!