BR: Lord of Shadows

So, I spent the past few days reading Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare. Lord of Shadows is the second book in the Dark Artifices trilogy. I loved it. While I was too scared to read it, the more I read, the more intense the ride got.

Plot

The story picks up where it left off in the previous books. In these books, I feel like Cassandra Clare tests the world that she built. She includes LGBT+ characters, neurodivergent characters, and characters of color. Then, she shows the inefficiency of the Shadowhunter community to cope with diverse groups. While, thankfully, racism is not directly common in this world there is species-ism (if that’s the correct term).

The tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters certainly reflect problems in our world that are similar. In some ways, this book in particular had a political undertone to it.

Because of this, sometimes reading this book felt uncomfortable. It’s the middle of the trilogy, so resolution is not really a thing. Things seem grim right now for my Shadowhunter babies.

Relationships

Okay. So the story’s premise was forbidden love between parabati. This is Julian and Emma trying to cope with their attraction to each other. But, it is also more than that.

It is about Mark finding his identity and place as a Shadowhunter and Fae. He grapples with his attraction to Cristina and Kieran. I am hoping for a polyamorous relationship. But, you know. I love them all and I want them happy.

I am happy to see Magnus and Alec, and their little family growing. Jace and Clary warmed up my heart too.

Yet, nothing is safe, and Cassandra Clare definitely proved that the stakes are higher now.

Look, dude, she killed characters just when I thought everyone was safe. She was like, “*Devilish laugh* You thought so an so was going to live? Okay. *Kills them*”

Um. I am not angry or anything. Okay, I am just shocked.

Characters

I fell in love with Kit Herondale and his struggle to accept his Shadowhunter status. And, like, I am here shipping Ty and Kit. I hope they get their own series, and Cassandra Clare can explore more of Ty’s coping with Shadowhunter’s oblivious attitude towards neurodivergent people. I love how respectful Kit is. It spoke volumes to me about supporting others who are simply wired differently.

Another person I truly adored was Julian, my Slytherin buddy. My goodness, he is so…driven? Sometimes, he was kind of cruel. But, it comes from a good place?

Cristina and Perfect Diego were fascinating and complicated. Cristina is QUEEN of my heart. Diana is another FANTASTIC person, and I just love her backstory.

Mark is obviously the best. But, truly, Emma and the ants was brilliant. Finally: ARTHUR, ANNABELLE.

So many feelings right now.