Lady Midnight Series: The Dark Artifices #1 by Cassandra Clare
Narrator: Morena Baccarin
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio on March 8, 2016
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy
Length: 19 hours and 45 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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In a kingdom by the sea…
In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai is a sacred word.
A parabatai is your partner in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other—but they can never fall in love.
Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter, and the best in her generation. She lives for battle. Shoulder to shoulder with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols the streets of Los Angeles, where vampires party on the Sunset Strip, and faeries—the most powerful of supernatural creatures—teeter on the edge of open war with Shadowhunters. When the bodies of humans and faeries turn up murdered in the same way Emma’s parents were when she was a child, an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma’s chance for revenge—and Julian’s chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held prisoner by the faerie Courts. All Emma, Mark, and Julian have to do is solve the murders within two weeks…and before the murderer targets them.
Their search takes Emma from sea caves full of sorcery to a dark lottery where death is dispensed. And each clue she unravels uncovers more secrets. What has Julian been hiding from her all these years? Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love? Who really killed her parents—and can she bear to know the truth?
The darkly magical world of Shadowhunters has captured the imaginations of millions of readers across the globe. Join the adventure in Lady Midnight, the long-awaited first volume of a new trilogy from Cassandra Clare.
What did I like?
- Lady Midnight is a new generation of shadowhunters with the excitement and action I loved about The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.
- My favorite characters from the other series make an appearance and it was fun to catch up with what they have been doing since the end of The Moral Instruments.
- The romance is slow building and forbidden which adds passion and drama to the story.
- I loved all the characters and their unique personalities. Julian Blackthorn is my hero and I admire him for how he raised his younger siblings.
- The story gives fans a glimpse into the faerie court and other areas of the shadowhunters society. These details open creative possibilities for future books (which I cannot wait to read).
What didn’t I like?
- I thought the first half of the book was really slow.
- The narrator Morena Baccarin’s performance was monotone and boring. She brought no life or excitement to the story. I was tempted to stop listening so I hope they select a different narrator for the next book.
Final words
Overall I thought this book was good and a must read for all shadowhunter fans. The ending has a cliffhanger that had me gasping, so I can’t wait for the next book!
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About Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2016 Audiobook Challenge
- 2016 New Release Challenge
I love seeing characters from previous books make appearances in newer books. Too bad about the narrator. Great mini review, Kathy!
I’ve had so much fun listening to the Charley Davidson series so I’m always looking for that same excitement in other audiobooks lol. Thanks Grace!