Cassandra Clare books in order
The Shadowhunter Chronicles is huge, and the two common orders give you very different experiences. Here's both, and which one I'd pick.
Where to start
Publication order: The Mortal Instruments first, then The Infernal Devices. Chronological order starts with The Infernal Devices in Victorian London — prettier, but it spoils a few Mortal Instruments reveals.
Ghosts of the Shadow Market
- 1
Ghosts of the Shadow Market2019
**What secrets does the Shadow Market hold?** The Shadow Market is a meeting point for faeries, werewolves, warlocks, and vampires. There, the Downworlders buy and sell magical objects, make dark bargains, and whisper secrets they do not want the Nephilim to know. Through two centuries, however, there has been a frequent visitor to the Shadow Market from the City of Bones, the very heart of the Shadowhunters' world. As a Silent Brother, Brother Zachariah is a sworn keeper of the laws and lore of the Nephilim.
Sword Catcher
- 1
Sword Catcher2023
The first book in Cassandra Clare's adult Chronicles of Castellane. Kel Saren is the Sword Catcher - a body double raised to die for Prince Conor - and when palace intrigue drags him into the city's underworld, he discovers Castellane is ruled by more than its king.
- 2
The Ragpicker King2025
The sequel to Sword Catcher. As Castellane fractures under rebellion and rival powers, Kel, Lin and Conor are pulled deeper into conspiracy, forbidden magic and the price of the roles they were born into.
The Bane Chronicles
- 1
The Bane Chronicles2014
A collection of eleven short stories, previously published online, that illuminate the life of the enigmatic, flashy, and flamboyant High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane, a character in The Mortal Instruments series.
The Dark Artifices
- 1
Lady Midnight2016
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.
- 2
Lord of Shadows
Would you trade your soul mate for your soul? A Shadowhunter's life is bound by duty. Constrained by honor. the word of a Shadowhunter is a solemn pledge, and no vow is more sacred than the vow that binds *parabatai*, warrior partners--sworn to fight together, die together, but to never fall in love. Emma Carstairs has learned that the love she shares with her *parabatai*, Julia Blackthorn, isn't just forbidden--it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian.
- 3
Queen of Air and Darkness
**What if damnation is the price of true love?** Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the disease that is destroying the race of warlocks.
The Eldest Curses
- 1
The Red Scrolls of Magic2019
**All Magnus Bane wanted was a vacation.** A lavish trip across Europe with Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter who, against all odds, is finally his boyfriend. It doesn't seem like too much for the centuries-old High Warlock to ask for. But no sooner have they settled in Paris than an old friend arrives with news about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that is bent on causing chaos around the world.
- 2
The Lost Book of the White2020
Book two of The Eldest Curses. Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood's Paris honeymoon is cut short when a stolen spellbook drags them to Shanghai, where an old enemy and a very dangerous magic are waiting.
The Infernal Devices
- 1
Clockwork Angel2010
When Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother in Victorian England, something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld. Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark sisters, who are members of a secret organization called the Pandemonium club, Tessa soon learns that she has the power to transform into another person. The Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
- 2
Clockwork Prince
Book two of The Infernal Devices. Tessa Gray is safe at the London Institute, but the Magister's plot is far from over. As Will Herondale's secrets threaten to destroy him and Jem's illness worsens, Tessa is torn between two boys who would give their lives for her.
- 3
Clockwork Princess
The conclusion to The Infernal Devices. With Mortmain's clockwork army closing in and Jem's life slipping away, Tessa, Will and the Shadowhunters of the London Institute face a final battle - and a choice between love and duty that will change them all forever.
The Last Hours
- 1
Chain of Gold2020
Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior with the blood of the angel Raziel. When her father is accused of a crime, she, her mother, and her brother travel to London, where she hopes to prove his innocence. She soon encounters James and Lucie Herondale, her childhood friends, and is drawn into their exciting, glittering, world. All the while she must hide her love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.
- 2
Chain of Iron
Book two of The Last Hours. A serial killer stalks Shadowhunter London, targeting the Enclave with a demon blade. As Cordelia settles into an uneasy marriage of convenience with James Herondale, secrets, longing and murder threaten to unravel them all.
- 3
Chain of Thorns
Love, duty and danger collide in Edwardian London, as the Shadowhunters face the greatest threat they’ve ever known in the thrilling conclusion to the Last Hours trilogy.
The Mortal Instruments
- 1
City of Bones2007
Clary Fray is seeing things : Vampires in Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn by a group of sexy demon hunters, Clary encounters the dark side of new york city - and the dangers of forbidden love.
- 2
City of Ashes
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace.
- 3
City of Glass
To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that enter-ing the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
- 4
City of Fallen Angels
Trust is dangerous, and to love is to destroy. Plunge into the fourth installment in the internationally bestselling **Mortal Instruments** series and *"prepare to be hooked" (Entertainment Weekly).* The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last.
- 5
City of Lost Souls
What price is too high to pay, even for love? Plunge into the fifth installment of the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly). The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues -- and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon. What price is too high to pay, even for love?
- 6
City of Heavenly Fire
Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian--but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance."
Reading through a whole series? build a mystery bundle of three for €25.99 pre-loved or €39.99 new, posted from Ireland in 5–7 days. Check Irish postage times and costs before you order.
Every title above links to my full spoiler-safe review. If you've finished Cassandra Clare and want something with the same feeling, the guide that pairs best is Best romantasy books, or Books like ACOTAR. You'll find the physical copies I own on my bookshelf, and more author orders on the series reading order hub.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I read The Mortal Instruments or The Infernal Devices first?
- The Mortal Instruments first. The Infernal Devices is set earlier, but reading it first spoils some late reveals in the main series.
- Do I need to read every Shadowhunters series?
- No. The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices together are a complete, satisfying read. The later series are for when you want more of the world.
- Where do the short-story collections fit?
- After the main series they relate to. They're companion reading, not required.