My love for Cassandra Clare's books is apparent, especially to those who I tell, "ohmygodyouhavetoreadthisbookitsissogoodohmygod." In some cases, this leads to them having an interest in reading those books, and their next question is what order to read them in. Little do they know, unless they are heavily involved in the online book community, that there are many different ways to go about reading these literary miracles.
As of right now, I know of about three of the most commonly used methods, but with the release of a new book (and a new trilogy), it will probably get MUCH more complicated as time goes on.
As of right now, Cassandra Clare has three series out: "The Mortal Instruments" (six books that starts off with the original "trilogy," but was later expanded upon), "The Infernal Devices" (a prequel trilogy to The Mortal Instruments), and "The Dark Artifices" (a sequel trilogy to the Mortal Instruments). She is currently working on three other trilogies, which are to be released within the next four years, so fans of her books have plenty to look forward to.
1. Publication Order
This is the way that Clare recommends, and is one way that you will definitely not be spoiled. Some people do not like this method because it involves "breaking up" your reading between the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices.
1. "City of Bones"
2. "City of Ashes"
3. "City of Glass"
4. "Clockwork Angel"
5. "City of Fallen Angels"
6. "Clockwork Prince"
7. "City of Lost Souls"
8. "Clockwork Princess"
9. "City of Heavenly Fire"
2. TMI Part 1/ Infernal Devices/ TMI Part 2
The way that I read the books was as trilogies. This method involves reading the first "trilogy" of "The Mortal Instruments," then the entire "Infernal Devices" Trilogy, then finishing "The Mortal Instruments."
1. "City of Bones"
2. "City of Ashes"
3. "City of Glass"
4. "Clockwork Angel"
5. "Clockwork Prince"
6. "Clockwork Princess"
7. "City of Fallen Angels"
8. "City of Lost Souls"
9. "City of Heavenly Fire"
3. Each Series Separately
This is probably the least popular method of reading the books because as they go on, the two stories do intertwine (I can't say much else without spoiling things). If this is the method you choose, you could read either one first, but most people choose Infernal Devices because it is the prequel, and will therefore not spoil the Mortal Instruments. However, there are some aspects of the Infernal Devices that will be more meaningful to those who have a background in the Mortal Instruments.
For those of you who have completed both series and are looking for an order for the rest of the books, as of right now the current order is:
1. "The Bane Chronicles"
2. "Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy" (WARNING: Do not read the blurb on the back until you have read ALL the other books, the first sentence is a huge spoiler)
3. "Lady Midnight"
4. "Lord of Shadows"
