Book Review – Lady Midnight

Book: Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices 1) by Cassandra Clare
Release Date: March 8th 2016
Tags: Urban Fantasy / Fae / Demons / Warlocks / Young Adult
Rating: 3,5 out of 5 stars

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Goodreads

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Synopsis

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

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Review

A few years ago I read The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices. And while I enjoyed TID I had a lot of issues with TMI. Mainly all the endless drama. I said I was unlikely to read on with Cassandra’s Clare after that. Recent good reviews of Lord of Shadows, the sequel to this one, however have swayed me to give Lady Midnight a go. And while there was the romantic drama again, I ended up enjoying a bit more than I was expecting to.

As said I had already read TMI. In the last book, City of Heavenly Fire, we are introduced to Julian and Emma. These two characters I instantly liked. And one of the reasons I let myself be swayed to read this book. As I started this book I immediately fell in love with both of them and their family again. Emma is so unapologetically herself and I love it. Though at times I wish she’d stop throwing herself into every dangerous situation. Julian is such a sweet guy who deserves all the best in the world. But there is also Ty, Christina, Mark and the other Blackthorn siblings that need to be squeezed. I loved the interactions. I got the instant feeling of being absorbed into a loving family despite their differences about certain things. They would always be there for each other. I also loved how understanding Julian was trying to be of Ty and how that was dealt with.

However the book was way too long for the events that happened. Because for many pages not that much happened. There is setting up a story and deepening out your characters, and then there is just not editing enough out. The story in itself was interesting. I was very curious to learn who killed Emma’s parents. Unfortunately I think it was already a bit obvious who it was going to be. If you ticked all the boxes, really only one remained. I also had to suspend my disbelief at moments when it came to the Arthur and Julian situation. Because to me that didn’t seem like a secret. It was obvious.

And I had to sigh a few times when it got to the romance. Okay I was all in for the ships. But then things got weird again, and twisted, and triangley and I became so very frustrated. Especially the ending was too much. I hated it and it kind of spoiled the book for me. I don’t understand why it has to be such an overdramatic way of doing things. Just bloody be honest with each other, you twits. Just communicate properly and it would fix a lot. A LOT. End rant.

Even so I did enjoy the book and I am glad I read it. I will read the rest of the series. Though unlikely to happen soon.