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Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices, #2)

Cassandra Clare

Start date: July 1, 2017

Finish date: July 31, 2017

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the series BOTM
[close] Won the poll for the series BOTM

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Series

* Continuing Series- Nightbane
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last updated Aug 12, 2025 07:32AM

* New Series- The Princess Trials
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What Members Thought

Apr 18, 2021 Desa rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, sci-fi-fantasy, series, urban-fantasy, read-in-2021

4’5⭐️

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May 25, 2017 E. Ardell rated it really liked it

**Major Spoiler Alerts. This whole review is full of spoilers!**

Yes, I did buy this book the day of release, and yes, I read it all within a 24 hour period. I would have read it quicker than that, but unfortunately adulting gets in the way of a lot of my plans. I've been waiting for a year for this book to come out. No, the first one didn't end on a huge cliffhanger, but Cassandra Clare books are my annual thing (Please never quit writing Shadow Hunters novels, Cassandra!) So, on to the review a **Major Spoiler Alerts. This whole review is full of spoilers!**

Yes, I did buy this book the day of release, and yes, I read it all within a 24 hour period. I would have read it quicker than that, but unfortunately adulting gets in the way of a lot of my plans. I've been waiting for a year for this book to come out. No, the first one didn't end on a huge cliffhanger, but Cassandra Clare books are my annual thing (Please never quit writing Shadow Hunters novels, Cassandra!) So, on to the review after I gave you the background set-up that I've been waiting on bated breath for this book...

Did I love it? Yes, I did. I feel the author gets better with each book when it comes to plot and character development. Her prose is tighter, cleaner. Each section always had some sort of arc that made me turn the page to see what was next.

The book does divide itself between a lot of characters, as lesser known characters get more POV to deepen reader attachments to them. Certain characters in particular, I believe, are being primed to be the stars of their own Shadow Hunter novel trilogy in the future (keep writing them Cassandra!)

I'm in love with Mark Blackthorne. He cracks me up without even trying to be funny. I love his almost innocence at times because things are done so differently in Faerie. I'm also interested in Kit, I want to know why so many people recognize his face. There are so many characters to love, love to learn, and to hate....

This book is more political than the others and parallels what some people fear is going on in American government right now. Cassandra also broadens the types of characters in the Shadow Hunter community, as it is a very antiquated society. Now they are having to open up and accept their LGBTQA/Downworlder/hybrid friendly community and some aren't having it. There are so many layers that feed into the larger plot.

Did I have some complaints about the book? Of course, but I don't think any book is perfect, so there will always be things I could have done without. Such as, Perfect Cristina (forget Perfect Diego--we heard about his flaws and jerkish manners enough to know he isn't actually perfect at all, but Cristina?) I got very annoyed with her being constantly heralded as being so good and so fair, and I trust you because Cristina does. Ugh. Now, I'm not opposed to the faerie threesome Clare is flirting with. If she, Mark and Kieran decide to go for it, I'm in too :D.

I also found Julian and Emma scenes to be a little boring after a while. They went on too long and I wanted to skim through them a points. Also, I wanted more Julian and Mark scenes where they weren't interrupted by Emma or Cristina. I wanted more Blackthorne family bonding.

An emerging character that I truly liked is Dru. Pretty, but plump, often call fat, handed the tasks of babysitting and cast off with the children when she is ready for more. I also liked the development of this relationship between Kit and Ty. I'm so curious to know where Cassandra is going with all of this. I did get a little frustrated at times with all the various relationships being introduced, like I was being pulled into too many directions, but it was okay. It'll all tie together in the end I'm sure.

I adore that Alec, Magnus and Jace are in the book so much. I love that Alec got to go off on Zara (ugh). I did want to actually see Tessa and Jem. I loved going to the old house and seeing height markings and pictures of Jem and Will. It made me happy that I've read all the books, so I got all the references. It's like a special treat for devoted fans. However, what is this thing with Herondales being able to see ghost and that it's a well-known fact. That must be in the short stories, because I don't remember Will, Jace or Cecily talking to ghosts..

And now we get to the part I want to talk about, the end. Here are my thoughts: HOW DARE YOU DO THAT CASSANDRA!!!!! NOW I HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR!!! EVILNESS, I TELL YOU!!!!! ROOOOOAR!!! ARGH!!!!

:D. So yes, I loved the book and am anxiously awaiting what's next. Will be reading Tales from the Shadow Hunter Academy to see if I can find out about Herondales and ghost whispering. To all my fellow Shadow Hunters fans, you won't be disappointed. To those who aren't into the books, and read my review full of spoilers, well, I warned you that I was going to spoil the book. This was my place to rant and praise more than review :D. I don't have many book-talking friends, so this is my haven.

Take care~ ...more

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Jul 20, 2020 Kate H rated it liked it

Shelves: goodreads-yajuvenile

Cassandra Clare is an author whos books I d0n't exactly enjoy but who I cannot seem to stop reading. Everything aobut her stories, characters, and writing style should appeal to me and yet something about it just doesn't work. I have tried them as physical books, e-books, and audios and they don't really hold my interest and still I soldier on hoping I will enjoy them... ...more

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Jun 26, 2017 Sara rated it really liked it

4.5

A bit chilling - Parts reminded me of the political climate in reality now with all the bigots appearing out of the woodworks.

Next book doesn't come out until 2019?!? 😫😫😫😫😫 ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 Courtney rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: teens, fantasy, audio

3.5. Not a lot seems to really happen in these really long books, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Just waiting to see the fate of our young lovers. I enjoy the characters, but not as much as the original series.

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Mar 14, 2012 Lauren⁷ 💜 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library-has-a-copy, favorites, young-adult-teen-new-adult, fantasy-science-fiction, best-books-read-in-2017

This was, goshdarn, I'm not even sure I have words. It was just so good! And so epic! And changed so much for the Shadowhunters universe! The plot was, there is no other word for it, amazing! There were so many awesome twists and turns and I was absolutely glued to the pages! And the character growth and development was excellent! I don't know how Clare does it, but she always manages to top herself with each new installment. I can't wait for Queen of Air and Darkness! ...more

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