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Mortal Instruments

by Cassandra Clare

7 books Started 2007 Latest 2017
Publication Reading Order

The Mortal Instruments is a YA Fantasy / Urban Fantasy series by Cassandra Clare, made up of 7 books published between 2007 and 2017. It begins with City of Bones (2007), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is A Long Conversation (Short Story) (2017), spanning 10 years of storytelling.

7books
10years active
2decades
~1.7yrs between books
2017latest release

Mortal Instruments series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Mortal Instruments series?

Start with City of Bones (2007), the first book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Mortal Instruments series?

There are 7 books in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, published between 2007 and 2017.

What is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series?

The first book in the Mortal Instruments series is City of Bones, published in 2007 by Cassandra Clare.

What is the latest book in the Mortal Instruments series?

The most recent book in the Mortal Instruments series is A Long Conversation (Short Story) (2017) by Cassandra Clare.

Cassandra Clare, born Judith Rumelt, is an American author renowned for her fantasy novels, particularly The Mortal Instruments series. Her passion for writing emerged in high school, where she participated in a creative writing program. Clare's literary debut arrived in 2004 with "City of Bones," the first installment of The Mortal Instruments. The series gained widespread popularity, selling over 50 million copies worldwide and capturing the hearts of young adult readers. Her other notable works include The Infernal Devices trilogy, The Dark Artifices trilogy, and The Last Hours trilogy. Clare's exceptional writing has earned her critical acclaim. The Mortal Instruments series has won numerous awards, including the Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy in 2010 and 2016. Her works have been translated into over 35 languages and adapted into television series, films, and graphic novels, solidifying her status as one of the most successful fantasy authors of our time.

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About the Mortal Instruments series

Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments is the cornerstone of the sprawling Shadowhunter Chronicles — a contemporary urban fantasy where half-angel "Shadowhunters" secretly hunt demons in modern New York. Clary Fray's ordinary life shatters when she's pulled into this hidden world and learns shocking truths about her own family.

The series blends demon-hunting action, a tangled romance, and a richly built secret society of warlocks, vampires and faeries. It launched a franchise of interconnected series (including The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices) with a devoted fandom.

Start with "City of Bones." Read in publication order; once hooked, the prequel Infernal Devices and the many connected series open up a huge shared world.