Cassandra Clare Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Cassandra Clare books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

Cassandra Clare is one of those names that are almost impossible to miss if you are even slightly into fantasy books. A trilogy called “The Mortal Instruments” by Cassandra Clare has gripping plots, magical worlds, and unforgettable characters. Moreover, she has introduced readers from all over the world to the young adult fantasy genre in a way that constantly keeps them inspired. However, the bestselling author that we know today started her writing career in a very different place—online.

Judith Rumelt is the real name of Cassandra Clare. She first appeared in the early 2000s with her fan fiction that was very popular among Potterheads. The “Draco Trilogy”, a series of Harry Potter fanfiction created by Clare, became popular in online communities. Besides this, Clare also wrote a parody that was based on “The Lord of the Rings”. These writings gave her the opportunity to improve her storytelling style and get more readers who craved her next work. Once she switched her focus on the original works, she took down her fan fiction from the internet, however, the desire to create her own magical worlds remained with her.

In the year 2007, when she launched her first work “City of Bones”, which is the first book of “The Mortal Instruments” series, everything changed. The novel tells the tale of Clary Fray, a girl who does not seem to be exceptional but unexpectedly enters an undercover world of demon hunters, warlocks, vampires, and enigmas. The book was immediately a hit and quickly spread across the bestseller lists. Clare’s style of weaving romance, fast-paced action, dark magic, and emotional depth gained readers’ attention and they became hooked.

After that, Cassandra Clare did not take her foot off the gas. “City of Ashes” and “City of Glass”, the second and third books of “The Mortal Instruments” series, were written by her before she finished the first trilogy in 2009. Each novel uncovered new parts of the Shadowhunter world and made the readers even more loyal to the characters such as Jace Wayland, Simon Lewis, Isabelle and Alec Lightwood, and of course, Clary. Besides the three books in the first trilogy, she also published three more books to make the series longer: “City of Fallen Angels” in 2011, “City of Lost Souls” in 2012, and the last and most emotional involving “City of Heavenly Fire” in 2014.

However, Clare’s ambition was not limited to just one world or one timeline. She also generously provided the readers with the trilogy of The Infernal Devices, a set of prequel series in Victorian London. These books—Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess—were the same Shadowhunter books but with a darker, historical theme. The main characters of that story were Tessa Gray, Will Herondale, and Jem Carstairs—characters who would become the readership’s favorites eventually.

How interestingly the series from Clare are linked! The characters of The Mortal Instruments may appear in The Infernal Devices from time to time and every next book keeps on expanding the new world. Surely it is the kind of narrative that continuously attracts fans, not only to one single series but also the whole Shadowhunter Chronicles. Besides, her joint venture with fantasy writer Holly Black for The Magisterium series is an example of Clare’s capacity to co-generate new and appealing worlds, though this time for a somewhat younger audience.

In 2015, The Dark Artifices series was premiered by Clare with a first book, Lady Midnight. The plot of this trilogy is dealing with Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn, it is going over the dark aspects which past Shadowhunter decisions have generated and it is introducing a new generation of heroes.

Cassandra Clare’s books are not only novels; they are an opportunity to get away from the real world. Actually, her stories are very deeply dealing with themes of love, loyalty, identity, family, and sacrifice. People empathize her characters because of their struggle with feelings, and not because they kill demons. She generally merges the elements of thrilling fantasy with the most heartfelt, and sometimes painful truths, and that is a very eerie balance that makes readers love her work so much and keeps them turning pages in the night.

Today, Cassandra Clare is still finding ways to stretch the Shadowhunter world by creating new trilogies and companion stories. Her universe is no longer just a concept in a book but an active, vibrant community that fans come back to time and again. If you happen to be a first-timer with her books or a multiple re-reader, there is always something fresh to unearth.