Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader (The Mortal Instruments)

Shadowhunters and Downworlders

 Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Kate Milford, Diana Peterfreund, Sara Ryan, Scott Tracey, Robin Wasserman, Kendare Blake, Gwenda Bond, Sarah Rees Brennan, Rachel Caine, Sarah Cross, Kami Garcia, Michelle Hodkin, Kelly Link

Pub: Jan 29th 2013

By Smart Pop

ARC From Publisher

GR’s Summary:

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

“There’s something very magical about them. They look like the letters of an alphabet that exists just on the edge of our imagination: familiar enough to be letters, but unfamiliar enough to be mysterious.” -Cassandra Clare

The way I see it :

Shadowhunters and Downworlders was a very insightful read. All of the authors involved brought very interesting, well researched points of view about the world that Cassandra Clare has created. This book was edited by her personally and the reader can tell each piece represents the Mortal Instrument's different core elements fully and effectively. There are some spoilers involved, so I don't advise one to read this until they've completed the series. Each author provides an essay where they describe an aspect of the book... This is an ingenious idea, both for the author and the reader! Cassandra Clare mentions a certain topic she has received a lot of flack for, it can now be addressed by someone else other than her. Thanks to this Mortal Instruments "reader", Cassandra Clare can see how others relate to her world. The "Readers" can view a more in depth analysis of the story we so cherish and the characters we love! All and all, I must say this book is the perfect anecdote for a case of“Mortal Instruments Withdrawals.”

My Fav's 

Michelle Hodkin

Simon Lewis: Jewish Vampire, Hero: Not only did M. Hodkin do her research but the way she describes Simon is just a delight! She helps us “really” see the side of him we all know is there! “It is not our blood but our actions that define who we are.” -M. Hodkin

Sarah Rees Brennan

The Dirty Side of Demon Hunting: Wow! What a way to end this “GREAT” book! S. Brennan brings a fresh and humorous “take” on Mortal Instruments, without depreciating the value of the characters we love :) I don’t want to give away too much but I couldn’t resist this quote... “Valentine: Stab, stab, XOXOXO, Daddy.” -S. Brennan

My Rating

3.5 Enlightened and thoroughly entertained stars! If you need “extra” Mortal Instruments in your life, go pick up this book!