The Dark Artifices #2 - Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

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I can't believe it took me two months to finish this novel. The explanation must simply be that work has taken over most of my time, but honestly, I think I was just dreading the thought of actually finishing Lord of Shadows because I love the stories and all the characters in it. I've always been madly in love with the Shadowhunter-universe and I couldn't bear the thought of leaving it. But last night it did end (just a for while, you know, until the next book comes out). I cried so hard. I can honestly say that my heart HURT. I wept and cried because of how tragically the book ended. I was so shocked that I had to leave the livingroom to cry peacefully within the four walls of my bedroom. Cassandra Clare is insanely intelligent and her writing is brilliant. She never ceases to amaze me. In fact, she keeps amazing me. So here it is, my thoughts on this wonderful book: 

The story begins right where we left off in the series' first installment, Lady Midnight. Emma Carstairs finally got her revenge on Malcolm Fade, but she feels no better. Julian Blacktorn is still the head of his family while secretly possessing the role as the Los Angeles Institute's leader. He keeps many secrets, but soon there will be no more secrets to keep. Mark Blackthorn and Emma have started dating in order for Emma to hide her feelings for her parabatai, Julian. For as she discovered in the last novel, being in love with your parabatai is not only illegal, but it will also be the end of both her and Julian. Other factores start to threaten the family. The Unseelie King wants to start a war on Shadowhunters while a group of Nephilim, known as the Cohort, start going against downworlders. Meanwhile, the chaos of both friendships and love has overtaken everyone. 

Okay, so I could not get enough of Emma and Julian. Their relationship is extremely complicated yet their love for each other never ever fails. I adore how much they admire one another. What's also beautiful is how much they know about each other. They grew up together, being best friends. Now they're in love. They're soulmates. Meant to be. Although, they can't be together because of a bond they made when they were too young to understand the reality of their feelings. It's both unfair and tragic. As much as the two love birds try to deny and forget their love for each other, they always end up together. They're a mess. A beautiful and painful one. They deserve to be together with all that they've been through. So please, Cassandra Clare. Let Emma and Julian be able to express their love openly without having to hide it from anyone and without the fear of being condemned. 

Kit and Ty is another story. Is their story actually one about love? I can't seem to figure it out. In this novel, they're just friends. Friends who are interested in one another. They care for each other too. It's beautiful reading about Kit being patient with Ty when it comes to his autism. I love how captivated Kit is by Ty and his whole being. He doesn't find Ty strange. He admires him. Ty's family loves him for who he is, but  autism isn't acknowledged by Shadowhunters. They find it a weakness. That is why it's so vital that Kit accepts and likes Ty for who he is. It seems as if Ty is some sort of treasure to Kit. That is why, I'm sure that their relationship will develop into something else as time goes by. 

Throughout Lady Midnight, we never really got to know the youngest sister of the Blackthorn family, Drusilla. In this novel, a brighter light is cast upon her. Dru doesn't have a slim body like most Shadowhunters. She is more to the curvy side which certain people have pointed out. This has certainly made Drusilla upset, but other things concern her more. For instance, she's tired of being seen as a child. She's very mature for her age and she wants to be acknowledged. She hates being sent away to babysit the youngest, Tavyy. Instead she wants to be a part of the group with the older members of the family. She's finally stepping out and I'm excited to see her grow.

There are many more characters that I absolutely love and adore in this novel. To mention a few, there's Livia, Christina, Mark and Diana. Cassandra Clare has created so many unique characters that have inspired me, but also left me in shock. 

Lord of Shadows is a great piece of work. A favourite of mine. As are all other books by Cassandra Clare. This novel is about love and loss, family and honesty. Its great content has taught me a great deal and left me shaking. And crying, as you know. I can't wait for the final book of this series. 

Cassandra Clare... please be gentle with my heart.

Simon and Schuster, 699 pages, 2017

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