What Is The Correct Mortal Instruments Book Order To Read First?

I just picked up the first Mortal Instruments novel but saw there are prequels and spin-offs. For full worldbuilding, should I start with City of Bones or The Infernal Devices trilogy?
2026-08-03 09:42:51
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7 الإجابات

TrueMoon
TrueMoon
Plot Explainer Lawyer
A friend of mine only read 'The Dark Artifices' because she loved the cover art. She understood enough to enjoy Emma and Julian's story but had a million questions about the backstory. She ended up going back to TMI and TID with the unique perspective of knowing how certain things turned out, which she said was like reading a tragic history book. She knew the 'how' but not the 'why', and uncovering the 'why' was her driving motivation.

There's no wrong door into this universe. Even a 'spoiled' read can be engaging if the characters grab you.
2026-08-04 11:16:00
11
OrlaHale
OrlaHale
Story Interpreter Worker
For visual learners, here's a simple list: 1. City of Bones, 2. City of Ashes, 3. City of Glass, 4. City of Fallen Angels, 5. City of Lost Souls, 6. City of Heavenly Fire. That's The Mortal Instruments. Done.

Then: 7. Clockwork Angel, 8. Clockwork Prince, 9. Clockwork Princess. That's The Infernal Devices.

Then the others. Print this out and stick it on your fridge. It's not that complicated once you ignore the noise. The sequels and short stories all fall into place after these nine core books. Just follow the numbers.
2026-08-06 17:21:11
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AnnaNash
AnnaNash
Helpful Reader Doctor
The Portuguese translation of 'City of Glass' had a typo on page 204 that completely changed the meaning of a key line about Sebastian. It took the fandom months to figure it out! Makes you wonder how many people in non-English speaking countries experienced a different story based on translation quirks. Order is important, but so is the text itself.
2026-08-07 06:23:15
16
DanReed
DanReed
Novel Fan Veterinarian
For a purely character-driven experience, consider this: follow Magnus Bane's timeline. He's the immortal warlock who appears in almost every series. Start with 'The Bane Chronicles' (short stories) to get snippets of his long life, then read 'The Infernal Devices' where he's a supporting character, then 'The Mortal Instruments' where he's more prominent, then 'Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy', and finally 'The Dark Artifices' and 'The Last Hours'.

It's a wild, non-linear ride that highlights how this one character witnesses and shapes centuries of history. It's not the recommended first-read order, but it's a fascinating way to re-read the entire universe. It turns the sprawling series into a massive character study of its most charming immortal.
2026-08-08 21:59:45
9
LuxVargas
LuxVargas
Active Reader Librarian
Is there even a wrong order? You could start with 'The Dark Artifices' if you really wanted to. It's set five years after the original series and focuses on a new cast. You'd be confused about some past events and legacy characters, but the core story of Emma and Julian is relatively self-contained.

That said, you'd miss so much context about the Clave's politics, the parabatai curse, and why everyone is so wary of certain family names. The emotional weight of certain cameos would be lost on you. So while technically possible, it's like starting a TV show in season 7. You might follow the plot, but you won't feel the history in the room.
2026-08-09 01:15:49
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What is the correct Mortal Instruments order of books to read?

4 الإجابات2026-08-03 13:53:07
Okay, but what about the graphic novel adaptations or the TV show? Do they change the reading order? Not at all. The books are the source. The Freeform show 'Shadowhunters' is a loose adaptation that remixes elements from across the series, but it's not a substitute. The graphic novels are cool, but they follow the same plot as the novels. For the true, detailed, canonical story, the prose novels in publication order are the only path. Any adaptation assumes you either know the book plot or don't care about spoilers. Protect your first-read experience by sticking to the original text sequence.

What is the correct order to read the Mortal Instruments books?

9 الإجابات2026-08-03 18:14:34
If you're coming from the TV show 'Shadowhunters' or the movie 'City of Bones', the book order is still the same. Those adaptations took liberties and condensed plots, so don't assume you know what will happen. Start from book one, 'City of Bones'. The book introduces characters and relationships differently, and the lore is much more detailed. The show, in particular, incorporated elements from later books and other series very early on. So reading in the standard 1-6 order will still feel fresh, even if you know some major plot points. You'll get the fuller, richer version of the story as it was originally written. Consider the adaptations as separate, alternate-universe versions.

What is the correct Mortal Instruments book reading order?

4 الإجابات2026-08-03 04:15:46
What about the newer series like 'The Last Hours' (starting with 'Chain of Gold')? That's set after 'The Infernal Devices' but before 'The Mortal Instruments'. See, it never ends! If you're going for full chronology, it gets even more complex. My advice to new readers: Stick to the completed series first. Do 'Mortal Instruments', then 'Infernal Devices', then 'Dark Artifices'. Worry about 'The Last Hours' and 'The Wicked Powers' later, once you're sure you're in for the long haul.

What order should I read The Mortal Instruments books?

4 الإجابات2026-05-03 01:54:07
If you're diving into Cassandra Clare's shadowy, demon-filled world for the first time, I'd absolutely recommend starting with 'City of Bones'—it’s the gateway to the entire Mortal Instruments series. The books follow a pretty intense arc, and jumping in later might leave you scratching your head at the lore. After the original trilogy ('City of Bones,' 'City of Ashes,' 'City of Glass'), you can move into the second set ('City of Fallen Angels,' 'City of Lost Souls,' 'City of Heavenly Fire'). Some fans argue you could pivot to 'The Infernal Devices' prequel trilogy after book three for chronological depth, but honestly? Stick with publication order first—it preserves all the twists. One thing I love about this series is how Clare layers her universe. If you get hooked, there’s 'The Dark Artifices' and other spin-offs waiting, but Mortal Instruments is the heart of it. The characters’ growth feels so organic when read in order, especially Clary and Jace’s messy, heartbreaking dynamic. Pro tip: avoid spoilers like the plague—this series thrives on its reveals.

What is the correct order of The Mortal Instruments books?

5 الإجابات2026-08-03 07:22:56
The order is straightforward, but my hot take is that the series peaks at 'City of Glass'. The first trilogy has a cohesive mystery and a well-paced arc. The second trilogy (books 4-6) has its moments, but it sometimes feels like it's stretching the story. That said, you need to read 'City of Fallen Angels' and 'City of Lost Souls' to appreciate the finale in 'City of Heavenly Fire'. The later books do a lot of work setting up the wider universe for 'The Dark Artifices'. So read them in order, but maybe temper your expectations after book three. The focus shifts more to the internal politics of the Clave and less on the initial 'who is Clary' mystery that drives the early plot.
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