The Shadowhunter Chronicles

The Shadowhunter Chronicles is a media franchise based on the writings of American young adult fiction writer Cassandra Clare, which encompasses three novel series, two short-story collections, four graphic novels, one film, a television series, and other media. These works are set in a universe where fairy tales and mythologies, both pagan and Judeo-Christian, exist with its figures existing alongside the mundanes (normal humans). A race of humans who possess angel blood, the Nephilim or Shadowhunters, is organized to patrol the Shadow World and prevent demons as well as Downworlders, including warlocks, faeries, werewolves, and vampires from attacking the mundanes. There is an uneasy peace, a treaty known as The Accords, between the governing body of the Nephilim, known as the Clave, and the Downworlders, not all of whom want peace or respect the Clave's authority.

Novel Titles

The following books, both published and yet to be, are arranged in order of their respective timelines.

1) The Infernal Devices

The Infernal Devices is a trilogy of young adult fantasy novels written by Cassandra Clare and is the second set of books to be published. Set in 1878 in Victorian era London, it revolves around Tessa Gray, a teenager who comes to London following her brother's invitation but ends up thrust into the shadow world upon learning she is not a mundane but a warlock.

2) The Last Hours

The Last Hours is an upcoming trilogy written by Cassandra Clare. It will be the fourth set of books to be published. The sequel to The Infernal Devices series, it will be set in 1903 London and Paris and will revolve around the children of the previous series's main characters, including those of Tessa Gray. The first book, tentatively named Chain of Gold , is set to be released in 2018 ^[1]

3) The Mortal Instruments

The Mortal Instruments is a series of six young adult fantasy novels written by Cassandra Clare. It is the first set of books to be published. The series is mainly set in the year 2007 and revolves around the Shadowhunter Clary Fray. She and her friends are confronted with two wars: the first against Valentine Morgenstern, and the second against his son Jonathan Morgenstern.

4) The Dark Artifices

The Dark Artifices is a trilogy of young adult fantasy novels written by Cassandra Clare. It is the third set of books to be published. The sequel to The Mortal Instruments series, it takes place in 2012, five years after the events of that series's final book, City of Heavenly Fire. It revolves around the Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs, first introduced in City of Heavenly Fire, as she seeks the answer for her parents' mysterious deaths. The first book, Lady Midnight, was released on March 8, 2016. It brings in many of the previously introduced characters such as Magnus Bane, James Carstairs, and Tessa Gray. The second book, Lord of Shadows, was released on May 23, 2017. The final book in the trilogy, "The Queen of Air and Darkness", is set to come out sometime in 2019.

5) The Wicked Powers

The Wicked Powers is an upcoming trilogy written by Cassandra Clare. It will be fifth set of books to be published and it wraps up The Shadowhunter Chronicles for good.^[2]

Companion Titles

The following books are listed in order of their publication dates, since the chronology of each is difficult to determine.

Shadowhunters and Downworlders

Shadowhunters and Downworlders is a collection of YA authors writing about the series and its world. It was released on January 29, 2013.

The Shadowhunter's Codex

The Shadowhunter's Codex is a companion book to The Shadowhunter Chronicles series released on October 29, 2013. It explains the terminology and the lore of the series as well as other extras and special features.

The Bane Chronicles

The Bane Chronicles is an anthology book consisting of eleven novellas revolving around the character Magnus Bane. Ten of the novellas were previously released online in a period of a year and were jointly written by Cassandra Clare and other young-adult writers. It was released on November 11, 2014.

A History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld: Told in the Language of Flowers

A History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld: Told in the Language of Flowers is a collection of artwork by Cassandra Jean, who created The Shadowhunter Tarot Cards. Inspired by the Victorian language of flowers, this hardbound volume features characters from The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, and The Last Hours, each with a beautifully illustrated portrait and a selection of never before known details and notes about the characters. It was released on February 18, 2016.^[3]

Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy

Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy is an anthology book that, like The Bane Chronicles, consists of ten novellas released online in a period of nine months revolving around Simon Lewis, first introduced in The Mortal Instruments as Clary Fray's best friend, as he gets the chance to become a Shadowhunter. The anthology was released in November 15, 2016.^[4]

The Eldest Curses

The Eldest Curses is an upcoming trilogy co-written by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu. It is set to revolve around High Warlock Magnus Bane's story and secrets, such as his past, his future, and his present, his first love, his parentage and his childhood, the beginning of his relationship with Alec, his relationship with his parents, Magnus and Alec's vacation in City of Fallen Angels, a big mystery, and many more.^[5]

Film adaptation

Television adaptation

On October 12, 2014 at Mipcom, Constantin confirmed that The Mortal Instruments will return as a television series, and has reportedly hired showrunner Ed Decter of Los Angeles to start production for next year on at least two or three international shows.^[6] Constantin Film and TV head Martin Moszkowicz told The Hollywood Reporter that "It actually makes sense to do (the novels) as a TV series. There was so much from the book that we had to leave out of the Mortal Instruments film. In the series we'll be able to go deeper and explore this world in greater detail and depth." ^[6][7] The television adaption premiered on January 12, 2016 on Freeform and was renewed for Season 2 in January 2017.

References