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    Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader
    Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader
    Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader
    Audiobook5 hours

    Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader

    Written by Cassandra Clare (Editor)

    Narrated by Emily Beresford, Luke Daniels and Tanya Eby

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Explore the world of the Mortal Instruments with Cassandra Clare and more

    Join Cassandra Clare and a Circle of more than a dozen top YA writers, including New York Times bestsellers Holly Black, Rachel Caine, and Kami Garcia, as they write about the Mortal Instruments series, its characters, and its world.

    Inside you’ll read:

    • A cinematic tutorial on why the best friend (Simon) always loses out to the bad boy (Jace)
    • The unexpected benefits of the incest taboo
    • What we can read between the lines of Alec and Magnus’ European vacation
    • The importance of friendship, art, humor, and rebellion
    • And more, from the virtues of Downworlders to the naughty side of Shadowhunting

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateJan 29, 2013
    ISBN9781469273921
    Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader

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    Reviews for Shadowhunters and Downworlders

    3.5/5

    80 ratings14 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting but this book , to say the least, rocked my world. I found myself reading about things to do with have and clary and the rest of the shadowhunting world and as the author contained with the dissecting of each title , I found myself able to relate to the characters more in everyday life rather than the life full of slaying demons and traveling through portals to the Shadowhunter homeland. Like how Clary may not have been raised to be a warrior but when thrust into that world,instead of hiding and letting the more experienced do all the work,she found a way to be useful by using something she was always good at in the mundane world, and adapting it to fit in this new demon filled world, her art. As I got to each new essay I found my self on the edge of my seat, and being able to relate in a way that I could apply to my life, and not just in my dreams, making a a place that can seem scary into your home , finding where you belong , being a brave worrier without necessarily knowing how to wield a sword, I found myself falling more in love with the characters of the mortal instruments series than I ever thought possible, while also taking some of the things I learned in the book and using it in normal life, just because I am not a Shadowhunter who can wield a sword and slay demons , doesn’t mean I can’t be just as brave as those in the books. Every piece of writing brought me immense joy and I cannot thank Cassandra Clare and the rest of the authors enough.
    • 5/5
      This is the only one I can do with this app for the wu iPhone app I have tried to download it to iOS devices
    • 4/5
      When it comes to the mortal book series this is very much different and the book reads quietly different from many other paranormal novels. But the writer has it own way of bring its own story about paranormal and supernatural power and beings. Although I cannot say that I completely get it after listening for the first time. I will have to listen again to better give another and descent review.
    • 5/5
      A collection of short stories about the characters in Shadowhunters
    • 5/5
      I loved every aspect of the audio! Really good one
    • 5/5
      I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. I mean, I'm a fan of Clare's series about Shadowhunters and Downworlders, but I've never read a collection of essays analyzing a series I'm into like this before. I was pleasantly surprised. I have even made a note to myself of a few of the authors from this collection to check out their books, based on the way the essays impressed me. My favorites were the final two in the book. The conversational style of the essay by Holly Black and Kelly Link was very entertaining. And don't even get me started on how much Sarah Rees Brennan made me laugh. It's nice to see how much other authors enjoy a particular work or series like this. I'm glad I picked it up!
    • 3/5
      I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting from this book. I just know that I was a bit disappointed. I think I was hoping that it would be more entertaining, less serious. However, this was a lot like reading essays for a literature class. The essays were very well-written, it's just that I think the authors were looking WAY too deeply into the world that Clare created. For example, there is an entire essay devoted to Simon and his being a Jewish vampire. Well, having only read the first volume in the series, perhaps I'm not as involved in it as other readers, but quite frankly, I didn't even remember that Simon was Jewish, much less did I give it any deep philosophical contemplation. The essays appealed to my intellectual side, but the side that was really wanting some attention was my "I really don't want to think too hard, I just want to read something entertaining" side.
    • 5/5
      Shadowhunters and DownworldersThe introduction alone is worth the price of admission, to hear how Cassandra Clare came up with the idea for her fantastic world of Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices gives me chills and knowing that the movie is not far behind is even better! Not only does Cassandra introduce the book,but also each story with her thoughts on the authors take on her series. Neat concept for a series of short stories.Kate Milford says it best, "I have developed a preference for tales in which the already existing world is revealed to be wholly other." She likens the shadowhunter world to the world we regular folk take for granted, not looking up to find treasures left behind, not seeing the sign hidden under an awning. Making a place we moved to a home and finding all the hidden treasures that make it your own. This story doesn't disappoint and opens your eyes to a new take on the shadowhunter world.Sarah Cross writes an essay on the kick a$& female heroine. And I loved hearing her take on Isabelle, Clary and the Shadowhunter world. "We can all be heroes at heart, being the heroes we need to be if we look beyond the skills we don't have and focus on the things we do have, we can ultimately save the day." I love the comparison she makes with art and the shadowhunter world. Nuff said.Diana Peterfreund speaks of Jace's weapons and the talents all the shadowhunters have in protecting from evil. And I enjoy Jace's number one weapon being his humor and wit, not necessarily the razor sharp, angel encrusted blades :-) genius writing. What I like best about this story is the ability to pullout all of our favorite Jace moments in one sitting where we can see all of what turns him into super hero status.Robin Wasserman mentions the coming of age saga that happens in the mortal instruments. Ad not just coming of age, but doing it shadowhunter style with weapons, and rebellion, and trying to earn the trust if a group who has been ruling by the same laws indefinitely. "The law is incorruptible even though the adults may twist it to meet their own purposes." It's an interesting spin on the angst and rebellion we readers see in the series and I enjoyed hearing the refrain of "the rule breaking teens" throughout. I adore her conclusion that "you can't just follow the rules. In order to grow up you need to find your own path and change the rules to change the world."Michelle Hodkin addresses Simon as hero, friend, other. And I have to steal Cassandra Clare's quote because it rocks. "[Simon] demonstrate more than any other character in the Mortal Instruments that it is not our blood but our actions that Denise who we are." A beautiful collaboration between Jewish history and Simon friend and hero. Great tale.Kami Garcia explains the phenomenon of why the bet friend never gets the girl. All through the use of 80s movies (think Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles and The Outsiders), the comparison is hilarious, and true to form enjoyable. I loved the ability to have a little fun with the shadowhunters, but still loved reliving those moments! Great way to pull out some favorite scenes!Kendare Blake reminds us that "happy couples are boring, that's why the story ends at happily ever after!" Although throughout the Mortal Istruments you are constantly reminded of two things "dead doesn't necessarily mean dead and you never truly know who's blood is running through your veins." In Gwenda Bond's story we hear how friendship is its own kind of love story. "Romantic love is more dramatic, more edge of your seat. Whereas the connections of friendship are just as exciting, just as important and just as deep. As long as we don't have to face things alone we can triumph especially if we have friends." I love how she picks up on all the intricate details of friendship throughout the mortal instruments.Rachel Caine educates us with a history of tattoos, really 5200 years ago? Craziness! Who knew? Her writing style lends a quirky, fun spin to ancient history of tattooing and why shadowhunter runes are so darn cool.Sara Ryan explains about using literature to break out of your normal life and comfort zone and read something about a different GORP, not just the group you fit into. Ryan makes an interesting case for the Malec relationship and how brilliant it is to represent such an underrepresented section of our culture. In turn, readers can say they can see characters just like them.Scott Tracey talks about our villain Valentine and how all the Downworlders can be classified as villains, but they also have a good side andValentine after all is an evil human. And how we can see parts of history and ourself in his evilness, because we too are human.Kelly Link and Holly Black have a conversation with Casandra Clare about her world and inspiration and who has it better the mortal or immortal. I enjoyed this casual conversation and the ebb and flow to which the ideas rattled off, and who knows maybe we all will become vampires eventually :-)Sarah Rees Brennan informs us that books are really just about the terrible things that happen to good people. Se has a talent for taking Clare's words and turning on the party side of things, but her heart is in the right place and her writing style is one of my very favorites in the book. Love is acceptance and about treating people right. And in the Mortal Instruments we see many examples of both.The way this book is compiled is genius, I was expecting short stories from other authors yelling out shadowhunter pieces. What I got in the end was so much more! I received a story highlighting all the things I love about the series, expanding and twisting it into something more, something that sticks and will last!
    • 3/5
      Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader by Cassandra ClareThis is a very well written book that is comprised of essays by participating authors that discussed their take on the Mortal Instrument Series. It was interesting to hear other people’s perspectives on this Blockbuster series.Contributing Authors Include: Holly Black, Kate Milford, Diana Peterfreund, Sara Ryan, Scott Tracey, Robin Wasserman, Kendare Blake, Gwenda Bond, Sarah Rees Brennan, Rachel Caine, Sarah Cross, Kami Garcia, Michelle Hodkin, Kelly LinkOne of my favorite parts of the book was hearing how Cassandra Clare came up with the ideas of using ruins. Shadowhunters and Downworlders would be an enjoyable read for any fan of the Mortal Instrument Series. ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
    • 3/5
      Definitely not for the casual reader. This book goes in depth into the series' worlds. Lots of essays from authors on what they think about the characters and the world. Lots of philosophies, some goes into psychology, or religion, or occult, etc. that the characters or how the characters are inspired is about. It's really enjoyable to those who would want to get super acquainted with the world of Cassandra Clare, but for those who just want to imagine and daydream about its world, this book is not for you. It will make you think, sometimes too much, about things you wouldn't think about before.I really like how Cassandra would give an intro about why she liked the essay before the essays begun. It gives something to think about as you read through it. Though most feel like one of those senior thesis in college. It was putting me to sleep (but that's just how I am).
    • 3/5
      Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.allthingsuf.comFlipping back and forth between the stories, switching focus from intense analysis of The Mortal Instruments elements to an entertaining look at lovelorn best friends in John Hughes movies, reading SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS felt like nothing so much as my RSS feed on a good day. Though I picked it up expecting short fiction, I found myself enjoying this collection of essays immensely.As quickly as I realized there was no fiction to be had, I also learned that SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS worked best for me when I read in a non-linear fashion. The only issue knocking this book down from 4bats to 3 was how many of the stories I found myself skipping past entirely. Meaty and ultimately satisfying, readers will definitely want to read excerpts or peruse the author list to ensure there’s enough here to satisfy you. For a Mortal Instruments super fan, every one of these essays will be a hit, the kind of detailed, passionate conversations so many readers long for when finishing a beloved book. As a more casual visitor to Clary and Jace’s world, I gravitated to the essays by authors I recognized, or with titles that caught my eye. These essays are a diverse group, spanning everything from insights and personal little gems from authors I already know and adore, to detailed scholarly analyses from names I didn’t immediately recognize. For just that reason, I found myself flipping again, this time to the end of each essay where the author bio was given. For some reason I enjoyed each section better with a sense of the author in my head, a feel for their voice and past and style.SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS was an opportunity to peak behind the curtain, to read how some of Urban Fantasy’s beloved authors were impacted by one of its own. It is by turns analytical and lighthearted, meandering and passionately detailed. It transported me back to the English Literature classroom, surrounded by the product of bring minds and engaged peers.Sexual Content: References to sex and incest.
    • 1/5
      I don’t know exactly what I was expecting when I first started reading this book but I can tell you that I didn’t expect a boring book. I am a huge fan of Cassandra Clare’s series so when I first saw that she had a new book coming out I was so excited. Then when I saw it was going to be a collaboration of authors, I was a bit worried. But I started reading with an open mind only to find I was reading a book that felt a lot like a text book from school. Not something I want to read for enjoyment! While some might enjoy other author’s take on the Immortal Instruments Series I just found it one big disappointment.
    • 3/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: This was an interesting read, some essays were funny, some were very educational, and some were a little confusing.Opening Sentence: There’s a question that every writer both is intimately familiar with and dreads having to answer.The Review: First, I want to start off by saying that I am a huge fan of The Mortal Instruments written by Cassandra Clare. The books have amazing characters, a beautiful world, and very enticing story line, so if you haven’t read any of her books yet you really should. This book is filled with essays written by authors that are also fans of The Mortal Instruments, and they wrote essays talking about their favorite parts of the series.We start with an introduction by Cassandra Clare where she talks about where she first came up with the idea of the mortal Instruments and how she developed all the characters. Then the next essay is written by Kate Milford and she discusses the world within a world that Clare created. She is a New Yorker and she talks about all the amazing things you can miss if you aren’t looking for them, just like Clary did in the book. This essay was interesting but she did get very philosophical and at times I got a little lost.Next we have an essay by Sarah Cross. She wrote about the wonderful heroine Clary Fray. She talks about how Clary is really just an ordinary girl and that is why she is so easy to relate to. But to add to that she really does become a hero in the series by using talents that she has always had like art. I really liked this essay, it showed how we can be heroes in our own lives by using what we have been given.Diana Peterfreund wrote about the witty Jace Wayland and what makes him such a fun character. She discusses how Jace uses humor to hide from his fears and to hide who he really is from everyone else. This was a fun little essay about becoming a true hero and finding yourself through the journey.Robin Wasserman writes about the Clave and how laws are meant to be broken. All the young shadowhunters in Clare’s book bend the rules but usually they stay within the law. Wasserman talks about how people use the law as an excuse to not have to make their own choices, but in the end everyone has a choice. It just depends on if you have the courage to follow your heart and defy the law if that’s what is right. This was a good informative essay.Michelle Hodkins writes an essay about Simon and his life as a Jew and a Vampire. She goes into a little bit of history about Jews and how the idea of vampires came from people being afraid of Jews. She also talks about how Simon stays true to who he really is even though it makes his life as a vampire more difficult to manage. This essay had a great message about staying true to who you are no matter what your circumstances are.Kami Garcia writes about the myth that the best friend never gets the girl. She compares a bunch of films and books that have been made where they have a boy who has been pinning after his best friend for years. But the poor best friend always seems to be passed over for a different boy. This was my favorite essay because it was funny, charming and honestly so true.Kendra Blake writes about Jace and Clary’s relationship and the taboo that goes along with it. She discusses how the idea of incest between the two adds drama and suspense to the story line, because a regular couple is boring to read about. This essay had good humor and some interesting facts.Gwenda Bond talks about the importance of friendship in books and in our lives. She shows how Clare developed the friendships both new and old and how they played a vital part in the story. This was a great essay about friendship and how everyone needs it.Rachel Caine goes into depth about tattoos. She describes what tattoos have meant throughout history and how Clare tied this into her books. She talks about all the different cultures, and meaning of tattoos. This essay had a lot of information in it and it was interesting.Sara Ryan discusses the relationship between Alec and Magnus. She also talks about how reading books that have very different characters from yourself is very beneficial. This was an interesting take on sexuality and how different people look at it.Scott Tracey talks about the importance of a good villain, and how vital they are to a good story. He tells us what makes Valentine such a great villain. I liked this essay mostly because I also enjoy a good villain.Kelly Link and Holly Black talk about the idea of immortality and how it affects different characters, in all different books. They have an interesting discussion with a little input from Clare herself.Last, we have Sarah Rees Brennan and she talks about all the different romantic relationships, friendships, and family issues that goes on in the book. Whoever you are, whatever you are its okay to be yourself. This was a funny, interesting take on the book.This was an interesting read for me and I really liked some of the essays, and some were just ok. I would not recommend reading this book unless you have read all the Mortal Instrument books because there are many major spoilers throughout the essays. If you are a fan of The Mortal Instruments and you like discussion, I think that you would enjoy this.Notable Scene: Clary, though…Clary is like you, or me, or that kid in class who’s always drawing instead of taking notes. We know this girl. And that’s part of what makes Clary such as amazing heroine. Because she manages to do extraordinary things using talents she honed during a mostly ordinary life.Clary is what I think a lot of us hope we could be, if we found ourselves in her situation: someone who becomes a hero out of necessity, who is not on an even playing field with the rest of the players-but who, out of sheer determination, finds a way to turn her natural talents into the tools of her survival.FTC Advisory: Smartpoop provided me with a copy of Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 5/5
      Okay, let's get this one thing out there. I love Cassandra Clare's books and not just because I can. That was what really drew me towards this book because let's be honest here, anything with Cassandra Clare or the Mortal Instruments attached to it is bound to draw a lot of attention. So, getting to read these essays from popular authors about a series I adore was kind of the greatest thing ever. Fangirl moment: This cover is amazing, the essays are amazing, the authors are amazing. Okay, I think I'm good now. I've completed my proverbial happy dance and can now continue on with an actual review.I think a major part of reviewing this book is looking at how I personally responded to the series as I continue to read each book. The honest truth is that I had been randomly walking down an aisle in the bookstore and came across the first two books (yes, I was in the dark for THAT LONG). I don't think I even waited to get home before I started reading the first chapter of the first book, City of Bones. The story itself is so enchanting, enthralling, and well developed that you can't really put them down once you've picked them up. At least, I didn't put it down. Do you want to know the benefit of waiting until a couple of books are published? You don't have to wait those dreaded periods of time between books. Currently, I am going through a Cassandra Clare novel withdrawal. Those of you who haven't experienced it yet, just you wait.The best part of this whole thing? Getting to read other people's opinions, peeves, likes, hates, and ideas about the series I've come to love. And from authors I adore just as much as the books. A just one lovely ball of wonderfulness. I definitely can mark a lot of these essays, especially the one by Michelle Hodkin, as eye opening and awe-inspiring. These authors have put a great deal of effort in considering, developing, and writing these beautiful pieces of insight to the Mortal Instruments series. I had a lot of the "I thought that too!" sort of moments when it came to observations of characters. The writing was both formal and informal, each containing a sense of either humor or reverence. I found a lot of great one liners about the characters and some of the best ones were about Jace. There is no doubt, at least in my mind, that this is a worthwhile read especially for those of us who are attached (to say the least) to the Mortal Instruments and all of the characters in it. If you loved the Mortal Instruments, you will love this book too.