Lady Midnight

Lady Midnight is the first book of Cassandra Clare's The Dark Artifices series.

In a Kingdom by the sea...

In secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai is a sacred word.

A parabatia 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 the sea caves full of sorcery to dark lottery where death is dispensed.  And each clue she unravels, uncovers more secrets.  What has Julian hiding from her all these years?  Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love?  Who really killed her parents- and she bear to know the truth?

The Breakdown:
1.  This is much anticipated next book in Clare's Shadowhunter saga.  In City of Heavenly Fire, Clare first introduced Emma and Julian, and much of there back story in explained in that book.  This book is five years later, and I personally loved seeing who they have be come.  I loved the fast story, and seeing how Clare had everything come together.

2.  Along with Emma and the Blackthorns, Clare introduces a  few new characters.  Cristina is a visit Shadowhunter, that is running from something.  She and Emma are great together.  I really enjoyed their friendship, and learning more about Cristina.  Diana is the institute's tutor.  She is protective of everyone there but she is definitely hiding something big.  Then there is Malcom Fade, who is the High Warlock of L.A.  He is a bit scatter brained, and believer in true love.

3.  Along with murder and mayhem, the other big story is that Emma and Julian are falling in love.  This is one of the biggest no-no's of Shadowhunter law.  It was a little heartbreaking to watch them deny it, and then struggle to figure out if it can work anyway.  Oh, and finally Clare revels what it is forbidden for parabatai to fall in love.

4. Another thing that I liked about this story was Clare addressing how the Shadowhunter community as a whole deals with those who are different, i.e. some kind mental handicap.  It is clear from the start that there is something wrong with Julian's uncle.  He is no longer mentally competent, and Julian is the one running the institute.  Then there is Ty Blackthorn.  He is smart, but he is like a high functioning asperger syndrome child.  Clare makes it clear that the Shadowhunter community does not deal well with those who are different.  She hints that they are hidden away from the world.

5. This story is full of secrets, mysteries, betrayals, and revelations.  I love how Clare makes it seem so easy as the story comes together, and still leaves me wanting more.  I cannot wait for the next book, and to see how things will progress based of what she revels in this book.

To Read or Not to Read:
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