As beloved as Cassandra Clare’s books seem among her fans, getting started with the Shadowhunter Chronicles can be intimidating for newcomers.

However, beyond the multiple trilogies and her prolific book output, a fascinating world awaits—all you need is a guide to Cassandra Clare’s Books to begin.

Read on for a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the somewhat treacherous yet infinitely enjoyable journey to the heart of her captivating bibliography.

1. What Are The Shadowhunter Chronicles About?
2. What Is The Order To Read Cassandra Clare Books?
3. Cassandra Clare’s Books in Order, by Series
4. Cassandra Clare’s Books in Order of Publication
5. What About Cassandra Clare’s Sword Catcher?
6. Is Cassandra Clare’s New Book Coming Out Soon?
7. Ready to Get Started?

What Are The Shadowhunter Chronicles About?

The Shadowhunter Chronicles is a YA franchise encompassing multiple series and short stories centered on the same shared universe.

In this urban fantasy world, humans coexist with religious and mythological beings. Humans with angel blood are chosen to join the Shadowhunters, an organization meant to preserve order and keep werewolves, vampires, faeries, and other so-called “Downworlders” from harming mundane humans.

However, peace is fragile, and war is perpetually brewing between the factions.

What Is The Order To Read Cassandra Clare Books?

Fans continuously debate how to read Cassandra Clare’s books in a way that respects her vision while remaining approachable to newcomers to her works.

To summarize, there are two central positions among them: reading by publication order and reading by series clusters. Naturally, each has its advantages and disadvantages, as explained below.

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Cassandra Clare’s Books in Order, by Series

As explained in an interview, Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter books are not exactly one long series, despite fans’ perceptions. Instead, she conceives them as “a universe of connected trilogies and short stories.”

As such, Clare suggests reading her books by series order rather than publication, and many fans consider it the most welcoming approach for newcomers who want to understand the world but are not ready to commit to multiple series at once.

The Mortal Instruments Part 1

Teenager Clary Fray’s life changes forever when she witnesses a murder and discovers the Shadowhunters—a group of warriors dedicated to freeing the world from demons.

Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instrument series kickstarted a whole universe, and she considers it the most appropriate starting point.

1. City of Bones (2007)
2. City of Ashes (2008)
3. City of Glass (2009)

The Infernal Devices Trilogy

In 1878, Tessa Grey joined London’s supernatural underworld while searching for her missing brother. Instead, she found the Shadowhunters—and the path to an ineludible battle.

The Infernal Devices is technically a prequel series, as it features the ancestors of some of the Mortal Instruments characters. However, the series can be read independently from one another.

1. Clockwork Angel (2010)
2. Clockwork Prince (2011)
3. Clockwork Princess (2013)

The Mortal Instruments Part 2

Set after the end of the Mortal War from Part 1, The Mortal Instruments Part 2 once again stars Clary and Jace as new tensions and dangers begin brewing.

While you could read both parts of The Mortal Instruments together for convenience, many readers warn of spoilers for The Infernal Devices in the City of Heavenly Fire; thus, it’s suggested that you read this trilogy after finishing Clockwork Princess.

1. City of Fallen Angels (2011)
2. City of Lost Souls (2012)
3. City of Heavenly Fire (2014)

The Bane Chronicles Trilogy (2014)

The Bane Chronicles Trilogy is a stand-alone collection of eleven short stories featuring eccentric warlock Magnus Bane’s many misadventures, which Cane suggests you should read after finishing The Mortal Instruments.

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy (2016)

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is a collection of ten short stories centered around Simon Lewis and the aftermath of the events in the City of Heavenly Fire. It serves as a connecting bridge between Mortal Instruments and The Dark Artifices.

The Dark Artifices Trilogy

In this new trilogy within the Shadowhunters books set five years after teh City of Heavenly Fire, Clare showcases the Shadowhunters group in Los Angeles through the eyes of Emma Carstairs.

1. Lady Midnight (2016)
2. Lord of Shadows (2017)
3. Queen of Air and Darkness (2018)

Ghosts of the Shadow Market (2019)

Ghosts of the Shadow Market is a collection of ten short stories following a frequent visitor of the Shadow Market—one who has witnessed centuries of history. These short stories spoil multiple points of Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices.

The Last Hours Trilogy

In 1903, Shadowhunter Cordelia Carstairs traveled to London with her brother to protect their family from ruin after a terrible incident. But upon encountering terrible dangers, she might discover something new about herself.

Although it is a sequel to The Infernal Devices, it features content that directly spoils aspects of The Dark Artifices, so it’s best to read it at this stage.

1. Chain of Gold (2020)
2. Chain of Iron (2021)
3. Chain of Thorns (2023)

Secrets of Blackthorn Hall (2021)

While cleaning Blackthorn Hall, Emma and Julian discover long-hidden secrets from their ancestors.

This book was released as part of Cassandra Clare’s Kickstarter project. Although it takes place after The Dark Artifices, fans suggest reading it after The Last Hours, as it may spoil events from said trilogy.

The Eldest Curses Trilogy

The Eldest Curses series follows Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane as they face multiple Princes of Hell. It is conceived as a trilogy that occurs at different points within the universe’s timeline parallel to other books. However, most fans prefer to leave it for last, since the third entry has not been released.

1. The Red Scrolls of Magic (2019)
2. The Lost Book of the White (2020)

Cassandra Clare’s Books in Order of Publication

Proponents of reading books by release order affirm that this is the most efficient way to immerse yourself in Clare’s literary universe, as she intended during publication.

Likewise, they affirm it’s the most efficient way to understand each book, as the trilogies often reference one another, and it can help avoid spoilers.

1. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments Part 1 #1, 2007)
2. City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments Part 1 #2, 2008)
3. City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments Part 1 #3, 2009)
4. Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1, 2010)
5. City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments Part 2 #1, 2011)
6. Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2, 2011)
7. City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments Part 2 #2, 2012)
8. Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3, 2013)
9. City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments Part 2 #3, 2014)
10. The Bane Chronicles (2014)
11. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy (2016)
12. Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1, 2016)
13. Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2, 2017)
14. Ghosts of the Shadow Market (2019)
15. The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1, 2019)
16. Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1, 2020)
17. The Lost Book of the White (The Eldest Curses #2, 2020)
18. Chain of Iron (The Last Hours #2, 2021)
19. Secrets of Blackthorn Hall (2021)
20. Chain of Thorns (The Last Hours #3, 2023)
21. Sword Catcher (The Chronicles of Castellane #1, 2023)

What About Cassandra Clare’s Sword Catcher?

Sharp-eyed readers might have noticed that Clare’s latest book, Sword Catcher, was absent from the reading order recommendation by series.

This is because Sword Catcher is the first of a brand-new series set outside the Shadowhunter’s shared universe. This new project, titled The Chronicles of Castellane, is a high fantasy romantic tale, contrasting the Shadowhunter series’ urban fantasy setting.

As such, there is no reading order involved within Clare’s shared universe—at least thus far!

Is Cassandra Clare’s New Book Coming Out Soon?

Cassandra Clare has plenty of upcoming book releases—some with a given date and others to be determined.

The next part of The Chronicles of Castellane, The Ragpicker King, is set to be released in 2025. Simultaneously, the third installment of The Eldest Curses series has been pushed back indefinitely but has not been canceled yet.

However, of all Cassandra Clare’s new books, the one creating the most expectative is The Last King of Faerie, the first entry of a brand-new trilogy titled The Wicked Powers to be published in 2026.

Ready to Get Started?

If you decide to read all of Cassandra Clare’s books, you’ll have your hands full for quite a while. However, if you’re still eager for more YA fantasy, don’t forget to check the An Ember in the Ashes series. For a change of pace, you can explore the imaginative worlds of steampunk books, filled with intricate machinery and Victorian-inspired adventures. Or you can always take a break from the genre and go back to horror classics by revisiting the best Stephen King books.

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