Read Shadowhunters Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!

In the sprawling world of young adult fantasy literature, few series have captured the imagination of readers quite like Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters saga. A blend of magic, mystery, romance, and dark intrigue, the series transports readers into a richly woven universe where humans with angelic blood-known as Shadowhunters-fight to protect the world from demons. It’s a universe that is simultaneously epic in scale and intimate in its emotional depth, where every character grapples with love, loss, and the moral complexities of their extraordinary lives. For both long-time fans of urban fantasy and newcomers seeking an immersive reading experience, understanding the intricate world of Shadowhunters and the proper order to approach its stories is essential to fully appreciating its narrative brilliance.

List Of Shadowhunters Books In Order

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2007)	Details
The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes (2008)	Details
The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass (2009)	Details
The Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels (2011)	Details
The Mortal Instruments: City of Lost Souls (2012)	Details
The Mortal Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire (2014)	Details
The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel (2010)	Details
The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Prince (2011)	Details
The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Princess (2013)	Details
The Dark Artifices: Lady Midnight (2016)	Details
The Dark Artifices: Lord of Shadows (2017)	Details
The Dark Artifices: Queen of Air and Darkness (2018)	Details
The Last Hours: Chain of Gold (2020)	Details
The Last Hours: Chain of Iron (2021)	Details
The Last Hours: Chain of Thorns (2023)	Details

More On Shadowhunters Books In Chronological Order

1. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2007)

Okay, so we start with *City of Bones*, where we meet Clary Fray, a seemingly normal girl who discovers she’s anything but when she gets thrown into the world of Shadowhunters. She’s suddenly tangled in this whole hidden world of demons, angels, and half-angel warriors. If you’re like me, you’ll fall for Jace’s sarcastic charm and, of course, the drama that comes with her family’s secrets. This book sets the stage for an epic series that’s hard to put down!

2. The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes (2008)

This is where things really heat up! *City of Ashes* is intense-there are betrayals, heartbreak, and deeper revelations about Clary’s family and her connection to the Shadowhunter world. We get more of the deadly, yet swoon-worthy, Jace, and an even darker tone as the stakes rise. The love triangle, the moral dilemmas, and the epic action really turn things up to eleven here.

3. The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass (2009)

*City of Glass* feels like a massive turning point. Clary travels to the Shadowhunter city of Alicante, and we get answers about her mother’s past, her powers, and the truth about her connection to Jace. Tension is at an all-time high, especially with the whole ’I might be in love with my sibling’ thing. Plus, there’s some insane battle action that will have your heart racing.

4. The Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels (2011)

Things calm down a bit… just kidding! *City of Fallen Angels* picks up right after the big revelations, and now Clary and Jace are trying to live a semi-normal life. But, of course, they’re dragged back into a dark conspiracy, and the past keeps haunting them. There’s an eerie vibe as old enemies resurface, and it’s clear that no one can escape their destiny in the Shadowhunter world.

5. The Mortal Instruments: City of Lost Souls (2012)

This one is a bit of a heartbreaker-there’s a lot of loss and deep emotional exploration. *City of Lost Souls* dives deeper into the relationships, especially Clary and Jace’s complicated situation. We also get more from Sebastian-he’s seriously the creepiest villain, and his role just gets darker. By the end, you’ll be holding your breath for the next chapter!

6. The Mortal Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire (2014)

It all comes to a head in *City of Heavenly Fire*. The Shadowhunters face their greatest threat yet-Sebastian, who’s all about destruction. The entire gang is in full-on war mode, and there are some major sacrifices. The world-building is massive, and it’s the emotional, action-packed climax to everything that’s come before. It’s hard to say goodbye to these characters, but the ending feels like a well-earned conclusion to their stories.

7. The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel (2010)

Now, *Clockwork Angel* is like a step back in time, set in Victorian London. Meet Tessa Gray, a girl with mysterious powers, who finds herself caught in a war between the Shadowhunters and evil forces of the Underworld. What’s cool about this series is how it links to *The Mortal Instruments*, but with a whole new group of characters and a steampunk vibe. Tessa’s journey, the love triangle with Will and Jem-it’s all just a whirlwind of emotions!

8. The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Prince (2011)

So, *Clockwork Prince* takes everything to the next level. The love triangle gets even messier, and we learn so much more about Will and Jem’s tortured pasts. There’s a lot of mystery, danger, and heartbreaking moments as Tessa figures out where her heart really lies. Plus, the stakes are much higher as the battle against the forces of evil intensifies. You’ll love the drama and the slow-burn romance!

9. The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Princess (2013)

Ah, *Clockwork Princess*-the conclusion that will make you cry in the best and worst ways. This book wraps up everything from Tessa’s love triangle to the battle with the Clockwork Army. There are sacrifices, intense moments, and of course, the kind of twisty drama that only Clare can pull off. It’s beautifully bittersweet, and you won’t be able to stop reading until the very last page.

10. The Dark Artifices: Lady Midnight (2016)

Now we’re in *Lady Midnight*, set in the Los Angeles Institute. The next generation of Shadowhunters comes into play here, with Emma Carstairs leading the charge. She’s trying to figure out the mystery of her parents’ deaths while also dealing with some seriously complicated emotions. This book is dark and twisty, with complex relationships, and it really digs into themes of family, revenge, and love. And don’t even get me started on the *Mortal Instruments* cameos-those are always fun!

11. The Dark Artifices: Lord of Shadows (2017)

*Lord of Shadows* is just pure chaos in the best way possible. The stakes are higher, the battles are more intense, and there’s a lot of personal conflict. Emma and Julian’s relationship continues to be complicated, and the world they live in is getting more dangerous by the minute. There’s a lot of emotional baggage too, and trust me, you won’t see some of the twists coming. The darkness of this series makes it so gripping.

12. The Dark Artifices: Queen of Air and Darkness (2018)

Everything culminates in *Queen of Air and Darkness*, where the Shadowhunters face some of their greatest challenges yet. The stakes are absolutely massive, and there are huge sacrifices to be made. The relationships are tested in some brutal ways, and you’ll be at the edge of your seat. It’s epic, heartbreaking, and all kinds of intense-definitely a conclusion worth waiting for!

13. The Last Hours: Chain of Gold (2020)

Finally, *Chain of Gold* starts the *Last Hours* trilogy, and it’s another whirlwind! Set in Edwardian London, we meet the next generation of Shadowhunters-these characters are tied to the ones we know and love, and the drama just keeps escalating. The love stories are as complicated as ever, and there’s a fresh set of villains, all wrapped up in a world of magic, mystery, and danger.

14. The Last Hours: Chain of Iron (2021)

*Chain of Iron* takes things to darker depths. The story dives deeper into the personal struggles of the new generation, especially James and Lucie. There are plenty of heart-wrenching moments, secrets revealed, and of course, more epic Shadowhunter battles. The entire family dynamic is pushed to the limit, and things get messy in the best way possible.

15. The Last Hours: Chain of Thorns (2023)

And here we are with *Chain of Thorns*, the final book in *The Last Hours* series! The story wraps up all the loose threads and takes the stakes to their highest point yet. Expect lots of tension, emotional closure, and a few surprises that will leave you thinking about these characters long after you finish. It’s the perfect ending to the new generation’s epic journey.

Background On Shadowhunters Books

The Shadowhunters universe, also called the Shadowhunter Chronicles, is a sprawling literary phenomenon composed of multiple series, spin-offs, and companion books. It began with The Mortal Instruments series, first published in 2007, which follows Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenage girl who discovers her true heritage as a Shadowhunter. From that point on, readers are swept into a world of hidden societies, magical creatures, ancient prophecies, and battles that span both the mortal and supernatural realms.

Following the success of The Mortal Instruments, Cassandra Clare expanded her universe with prequel series such as The Infernal Devices, set in Victorian London, and The Dark Artifices, which continues the story in a modern setting but explores a darker, more mature side of the Shadowhunter world. In addition to the main novels, Clare has published short stories and novellas, such as The Bane Chronicles and Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, which provide deeper insight into secondary characters and pivotal events that enrich the main narrative. Each book builds upon the previous, creating a complex web of interrelated storylines that reward attentive readers with subtle connections and recurring characters that appear across generations.

Reading Order Explained

One of the unique aspects of the Shadowhunters series is the multiple ways to approach the books. While the publication order is the sequence in which readers first experienced the stories, there is also a chronological reading order that follows the timeline of events in the Shadowhunter universe.

• Publication Order: Reading in the order the books were released allows readers to experience the series as the world unfolded in real time, preserving the suspense and surprises as Cassandra Clare originally intended. For instance, The Mortal Instruments introduces the modern Shadowhunter world, and prequels like The Infernal Devices are best appreciated later for context and historical background.
• Chronological Order: This order follows the internal timeline of the universe, starting with The Infernal Devices, which is set in the Victorian era, moving through The Mortal Instruments, and continuing with The Dark Artifices. This approach can provide a clearer understanding of character backstories and historical developments, although it may reduce the suspense of certain revelations if readers are already familiar with the original publication sequence.

Additionally, the short stories and novellas can be sprinkled throughout the main series, offering additional depth to side characters and enriching the reader’s understanding of the Shadowhunter world. Deciding which order to follow often depends on whether a reader prioritizes narrative suspense or historical continuity.

What I Like About The Series?

What makes the Shadowhunters books truly remarkable is their ability to blend high-stakes fantasy with deeply human stories. Clare excels at crafting characters who are complex, flawed, and relatable, even amidst angelic powers and magical duels. Clary’s journey of self-discovery, Jace’s inner struggle with identity and destiny, and the friendships and romances that intertwine throughout the series give the fantastical narrative a grounding in genuine emotion.

The series also stands out for its imaginative world-building. The Shadowhunter universe is intricately detailed, with elaborate rules, histories, and mythologies. Magical artifacts, hidden portals, and ancient texts populate a world that feels both dangerous and wondrous. Furthermore, Clare’s writing is emotionally charged and often lyrical, balancing thrilling action sequences with introspective moments that allow readers to connect with characters on a profound level. Themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice resonate throughout, making the series more than just a tale of battles and demons-it’s a meditation on the human experience, seen through a fantastical lens.

Should You Read Shadowhunters Books In Order?

Absolutely-but the definition of ’order’ depends on your reading preference. For newcomers, I recommend starting with the publication order, beginning with The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, because it preserves the surprises, plot twists, and suspenseful reveals that Cassandra Clare originally crafted for her audience. This approach mirrors how the world gradually expanded and allows readers to experience the thrill of discovery alongside the characters.

For those who enjoy a historical perspective and want to see the story unfold chronologically, beginning with The Infernal Devices is also rewarding, though some narrative suspense from The Mortal Instruments may be diminished. In either case, reading the series in a structured order-rather than jumping randomly between novels-is highly advisable, as the books frequently reference events, characters, and prophecies from earlier works. Skipping around can lead to confusion and missed connections that enrich the overall experience.