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Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare, book cover

Book 2 of 3 in The Dark Artifices

Lord of Shadows

by Cassandra Clare

Spice 2 out of 5, Simmer2/5 · Simmer: Closed door

Would you trade your soul mate for your soul?

A Shadowhunter's life is bound by duty. Constrained by honor. the word of a Shadowhunter is a solemn pledge, and no vow is more sacred than the vow that binds parabatai, warrior partners--sworn to fight together, die together, but to never fall in love.

Emma Carstairs has learned that the love she shares with her parabatai, Julia Blackthorn, isn't just forbidden--it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian. But how can she when the Blackthorns are threatened by enemies on all sides?

Their only hope is the Black Volume of the Dead, a spell book of terrible power. Everyone wants it. Only the Blackthorns can find it. Spurred on by a dark bargain with the Seelie Queen, Emma; her best friend, Cristina; and Mark and Julian Blackthorn journey into the Courts of Faerie, where glittering revels hide bloody danger and no promise can be trusted. Meanwhile, rising tension between Shadowhunters and Downworlders has produced the Cohort, an extremist group of Shadowhunters dedicated to registering Downworlders and "unsuitable" Nephilim. They'll do anything in their power to expose Julian's secrets and take the Los Angeles Institute for their own.

When Downworlders turn against the Clave, a new threat arises in the form of the Lord of Shadows--the Unseelie King, who sends his greatest warriors to slaughter those with Blackthorn blood and seize the Black Volume. As dangers close in, Julian devises a risky scheme that depends on the cooperation of an unpredictable enemy. But success may come with a price he and Emma cannot even imagine, one that will bring with it a reckoning of blood that could have repercussions for everyone and everything they hold dear.

Spice
2/5
Burn
Slow
Pages
~699
Ending
Cliffy

Cliffhanger, but Book 3 is already out.

KU Is it on Kindle Unlimited? Check on Amazon

How spicy is Lord of Shadows?

Lord of Shadows is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.

  • Steam: Behind closed doors
  • Burn: Slow burn
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: Third person, multiple POVs
  • Ending: Cliffhanger

Content warnings

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Show 4 content warnings
  • Murder
  • Death of a loved one
  • Graphic violence
  • War

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    Lord of Shadows: quick answers

    How spicy is Lord of Shadows?

    Lord of Shadows is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.

    Is Lord of Shadows a standalone?

    No. Lord of Shadows is book 2 of 3 in The Dark Artifices. Start with Lady Midnight. The series is complete.

    What tropes are in Lord of Shadows?

    Lord of Shadows features forbidden love, angels, fae. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a cliffhanger.

    Does Lord of Shadows have content warnings?

    Our notes for Lord of Shadows include: murder, death of a loved one, graphic violence, war. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after Lord of Shadows?

    If you loved Lord of Shadows, try Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. They share its forbidden love and angels energy at a similar spice level.