I was 16 when City of Heavenly Fire came out in 2014. I remember exactly where I was when I read the plot twist at the end of City of Bones and while reading Lady Midnight on a roadtrip. I made my family go visit Blackfriars Bridge when we were in London. I got out of my comfort zone and went to a signing event for Queen of Air and Darkness all by myself. My first tattoo was a fearless rune. Now in 2026, on release day, I picked up the first book of the latest series set in this amazing world.
It amazing how much a book world can stick with you and that an author can grow with you as their series does. I haven’t thought about or read a shadowhunter book in years. I still haven’t caught up with The Last Hours or the side stories like Tales from Blackthorn Hall and Better in Black, but I will and I know the world and characters will welcome me as much as they did when I was a teenager.
To those starting this large and intimidating series, two things. One, do not stress over the reading order too much. There’s plenty of readers offering their take. So, either pick one (My take to the right) or just go in publication order, which is how Cassandra Clare suggests that you read her books if you want the safest, spoiler-free way. Two, the first two to three books of The Mortal Instruments are very of their time, very 2014 Young Adult. Please do not have that turn you off of continuing. Cassie Clare’s writing grows and matures as the series continues and it is worth a little nostalgic cringe.
I am so excited to be diving back into the shadowhunter world, especially after the ending of Queen of Air and Darkness. I want to catch up with Magnus and Alec and the others, but I’m so excited to be back with older Dru, Ash, Kit, and Ty and go on their adventures with them. I know I am not emotionally ready, but I don’t think I’ll ever be. There isn’t a series that hits with as much nostalgia for me as this one because I grew up with it, am still reading it at 28 after starting at 16. It touched so many stages of my life and made me the person, the author, I am today. Series like this are rare, as are authors able to keep it going. I am already dreading the end in a few years. It’ll be the end of an era, the end of a journey for a generation of readers.
Thank you, Cassandra Clare, for everything you have given us (Like Magnus). We got to see generations of shadowhunters grow, love, and overcome whatever challenge was put in front of them. Here’s to another tale of Herondales and Lightwoods and Fairchilds.
How to read the Shadowhunter chronicles (by me):
City of Bones (TMI)
City of Ashes (TMI)
City of Glass (TMI)
Clockwork Angel (TID)
Clockwork Prince (TID)
Clockwork Princess (TID)
City of Fallen Angels (TMI)
City of Lost Souls (TMI)
The Bane Chronicles
City of Heavenly Fire (TMI)
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy
The Red Scrolls of Magic (TEC)
The Lost Book of the White (TEC)
Lady Midnight (TDA)
Lord of Shadows (TDA)
Queen of Air and Darkness (TDA)
Ghosts of the Shadow Market
Better in Black
Secrets of Blackthorn Hall
Chain of Gold (TLH)
Chain of Iron (TLH)
Chain of Thorns (TLH)
A Sea of Change
The Last King of Faerie (TWP)
Coming soon…
The Last Prince of Hell (TWP)
The Last Shadowhunter (TWP)
Series code:
TMI - The Mortal Instruments
TID - The Infernal Devices
TDA - The Dark Artifices
TBC - The Bane Chronicles
TFTSA - Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy
TLH - The Last Hours
TEC - The Eldest Curses
TWP - The Wicked Powers
NOTE:
TMI was originally supposed to be a trilogy, but Cassie Clare decided she wanted to continue with the story, so it does have a distinct mid-point. The end of City of Glass feels complete with few loose ends so it’s easy to move on and pick up TID before continuing with City of Fallen Angels. Also you can read TBC on either side of City of Heavenly Fire.
Do’s and Don’t’s:
DO NOT read the last story on TBC before City of Lost Souls. It’ll spoil you.
DO read TFTSA before Lady Midnight. You’ll get more feels that way and you’ll understand things you might not pick up on. Similarly, reading TID before City of Heavenly Fire will do the same.
DO NOT start with TDA. Lady Midnight is a more character driven story where they send less time explaining about things like the magic system, how past events shaped the current situation, etc. Also TMI and TID follows characters who are new to the Shadowworld, just like you, while the characters in TDA have been in this world their whole lives.