Inspiring Author of the Week: Cassandra Claire

Filled with magic, suffering, love with all its wonder, and a lot of action, Cassandra Clare’s books continue to inspire me. She explores depths of emotion as her characters fight to find who they really are and who and what they cannot live without.

As with many fans, I started with the Immortal Instruments. I love the relationships between the characters and how they grow together. The young shadow hunters are thrust into wars of old, where past grudges and secrets propel Clary and her friends to risk themselves to save the people they love and to find the truth. These books are the reason I enjoy reading Young Adult. I loved the books, especially because the characters acted their ages. And, although Clary and Jace were fun to follow, I prefer Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood’s journey. The old soul in love with the young one who was just finding himself, those two captured my heart.

I was very excited when I found out she was following through with their relationship and the adventures the two of them would go on. That Magnus was alive well before the books and had set in progress other challenges, such as a demon-worshiping cult, that he must now track down and stop. Or finding the stolen Book of the White with an injured Magnus. Whatever trouble they are in, they will get through it together. There is the perfect amount of action, love, secrets, and trust to pull anyone through their adventures.

Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess make up the Infernal Devices trilogy. This trilogy goes back in time when the Shadowhunters were a connection of old families that believed all Downworlders were beneath them. Where the separation of humans from the Downworlders was rigidly kept by the Shadowhunters. New to London is Tessa, who is kidnapped upon her arrival. She finds out she is a Downworlder and is taught, under duress, to use her rare ability to transform.

Hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of London. The series weaves its way through Great Britain as Tessa helps the Shadowhunters in exchange for helping her find her missing brother. Tessa is caught between her brother and the darkness he has chosen to be a part of and her new friends. Love is on the line either way.

As a fan, I was caught in the struggle that was tearing Tessa apart. She was brought up with the understanding family comes first, but how can she reconcile it with the truth she sees in London? And beyond that, Tessa is drawn to bonded Shadowhunters, Will and James, both who she feels a connection with, but she does not want to tear them apart. This is one of my favourite love triangles. All three are good people with deep wounds who want the best for each other.

Another beloved series is The Dark Artifices. More young struggling Shadowhunters that are trying to save the world even if it is tearing them apart. So much love and pain contained inside these characters. My heart hurt as I made my way through the series.

There is so much amazing character development, storylines, and the realization there is more grey then black and white in the world. A great way to get a feel for the characters is to go on Cassandra Clare’s blog and enjoy the excerpts and extras she has posted there.

Have you found an author whose characters capture you so well? If so, please share! Happy reading.