✦ Urban Fantasy / YA📚 20+ Books🌑 Shadowhunter Chronicles⭐ #1 New York Times Bestseller
About Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare (born Judith Lewis) grew up splitting her childhood between Los Angeles and London, with a father who is a novelist. She began writing fan fiction online in the late 1990s and early 2000s before transitioning to original fiction. She published City of Bones in 2007, launching The Mortal Instruments and the broader Shadowhunter Chronicles — a universe that has since expanded into five companion series, a 2013 feature film, and the Freeform television series Shadowhunters (three seasons, 2016–2019). Clare has collaborated with several co-authors on spinoff series. She is one of the bestselling young adult authors of the past two decades, with the Shadowhunter Chronicles collectively selling tens of millions of copies worldwide. New series continue to be announced, making the Shadowhunter universe one of the most expansive in contemporary YA fiction.
Overwhelmed by 20+ Books? Start Here.
You do not need to read everything at once. The Mortal Instruments Books 1–3 (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass) form a complete, satisfying arc. Start there. If you love them, the rest of the Shadowhunter universe will be waiting for you.
The Shadowhunter Chronicles
Six interconnected series set in the same world of Shadowhunters, Downworlders, and the Shadow World. Start with The Mortal Instruments — everything else follows.
Best Starting Point
The entry point to the entire Shadowhunter universe. Set in contemporary New York City. Books 1–3 are a self-contained trilogy; Books 4–6 continue the story with an expanded cast.
Victorian Prequel Trilogy
Set in 1878 London. A prequel to The Mortal Instruments — can be read before or after TMI. Many readers consider this the best Shadowhunter series.
Sequel to TMI
Set five years after City of Heavenly Fire. Features a new lead cast in Los Angeles. Read TMI first — this trilogy contains major spoilers for the original series.
1903 London — Sequel to The Infernal Devices
Follows the children of the Infernal Devices characters. Set in Edwardian London. Reading The Infernal Devices first is strongly recommended.
Co-written with Wesley Chu
Follows Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood from The Mortal Instruments. Can be read after TMI, though the second and third books contain TDA spoilers.
The recommended reading order for new readers is: The Mortal Instruments (Books 1–6) → The Infernal Devices (Books 1–3) → The Dark Artifices (Books 1–3) → The Last Hours (Books 1–3) → The Eldest Curses (Books 1–3) → The Wicked Powers. The Infernal Devices can also be read directly after TMI Books 1–3 as a Victorian prequel. Many readers interleave the series based on character connections — but publication order is the safest path for spoiler avoidance.
Can I start with The Infernal Devices instead of The Mortal Instruments?
Yes — The Infernal Devices is set in 1878 and works as a standalone trilogy. Some readers find it a better entry point because it is widely considered the strongest writing in the series. However, starting with The Mortal Instruments means certain emotional payoffs in The Infernal Devices will land harder, as some character connections have more weight if you know the later timeline first. Both approaches have passionate advocates.
How many Shadowhunter books are there?
As of 2025 there are over 20 novels across six main series, plus multiple companion collections, short story anthologies (Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, Ghosts of the Shadow Market), and graphic novel adaptations. The count depends on whether you include co-authored works and short fiction collections. The six main numbered series together total 19 novels.
Is the Shadowhunters TV show a good substitute for the books?
The Freeform series Shadowhunters (2016–2019) adapts The Mortal Instruments loosely. It covers roughly the same events as Books 1–3 in its first season, then diverges significantly. Many fans of the books found the show a mixed experience — it has its own audience and tone. The 2013 film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones was not successful and a sequel was not made. Neither screen adaptation is a substitute for the books' depth and world-building.
Do I need to read all the companion books and anthologies?
No. The six main series are complete stories. Companion anthologies like Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy and Ghosts of the Shadow Market add backstory and bridge scenes between series, and some readers find them valuable context — but they are not required reading. If you are new to the series, focus on the six main series first and revisit the companions if you want more of the world.