Welcome, everyone!! This is the first official discussion post for the #READshadowhunter readathon! Be sure to visit Stephanie at Books in the Skye. First, let’s learn a little about what #READshadowhunter is.

 

The world is full of people who love the Shadowhunter series written by Cassandra Clare. Stephanie decided that she wanted to reread the series and better yet, she wanted all Shadowhunter fans to join in. Thus, #READshadowhunter was created. This is no ordinary readathon though. We are only reading one book a month so that everyone can keep up even if their lives are busy with blogging or reading other books. I know the #OWLsreadathon2019 is going on as well so we are all busy this month.

 

Although these book series’ were published in a specific order, many of us agree they read better in a different order. Therefore we are starting with the Infernal Devices. The first book is Clockwork Angel and although you don’t need to follow along, there is a reading schedule for the entire readathon as well as each book to make it a little easier.

Readathon Schedule

 

 

Clockwork Angel Reading Schedule

 

 

Isn’t that super easy to follow along with?!?! That is roughly 100 pages a week! My husband does a chapter a night. Sometimes I do one, others I do two. Each Monday there will be a discussion post with two questions provided by Stephanie and then the discussion post host will expand with any further thoughts they might have. So, let’s get to our first ever #READshadowhunter Discussion Post!

 

There will be spoilers so do not read if you do not want to see them!

 

1. Tessa is thrown into this new world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders. As we find out, Shadowhunters fight to keep the peace between all creatures and keep the mundanes, or humans, safe. Tessa at one point says “fairies are stories of children and vampires of Penny Dreadful.” Overall, finding out about this world Tessa has pretty much kept it together. Do you think you would have kept it together as well as her?

 

In all honesty, I think I would have been excited rather than scared. Excited to know these things exist but let’s be honest…I’d be a little scared. There cannot be good without bad and some of these bad are terrible. When they first told me about it, I’d probably be a bit shocked. If you know me, you know I love to research. Much like Tessa, I have a thirst for knowledge and a love for books. I would have probably done something similar and dove right into the Shadowhunter Codex to learn all that I could about this new world I’d been thrust into. Ask my husband…I love doing research! I am a bit strange I suppose in that regard.

 

I believe that some of the reason behind why she handled this new world so well was that the Dark Sisters had already introduced her to it in a way. Showing her that she is an Eidolon (shapechanger). How could you not believe in other things such as demons or warlocks when you know that you can change your body to look like an entirely different person. I think that would have freaked me out until I was able to research or learn about what I was. What about you?

 

2. During the scene before Tessa and Jessamine went dress shopping, Jessamine had stated that a lady does not read the newspaper. In which Charlotte responses that she’s a Shadowhunter first and a lady second. From what we’ve learned about this world so far, do you think Jessamine is wrong for wanting to be a lady first and not a Shadowhunter?

 

I was a little upset by this because I see where Charlotte is coming from and I know her reasoning but I don’t agree with her. I understand that being a Shadowhunter is more than a job, it is a way of life but they are each their own person as well. I do not often talk about sexism but I think I see a little bit of it here. Will seems like he tends to get into trouble, go to bars, brothels, etc. People roll their eyes as if it is expected but when Jessamine refuses to read a newspaper she is told that being a lady should not come first. Almost as if she cannot be her own person, that she needs to put everything aside for this.

On Charlotte’s view, I understand her. Being a Shadowhunter is more than a job, it is a lifestyle and more than just their lives are at risk. They are responsible for protecting all mundanes (humans) and downworlders alike, well aside from those who choose to break the accords. The newspaper is a vital source of information for them that Jessamine should be up to date on. I suppose if they discuss it at dinners and someone informs her that is fine but she should step up and take responsibility for the role she plays in the world.

 

That being said, I can’t really say she is for sure all wrong or all right. This is such a tough question and I really have a hard time choosing a side here. Maybe part of it is that I am a mother or my strong idea that you need to do what your job requires regardless of how you feel about it. But as an individual, I know how it feels to have to become an entirely different person, to become someone you’re not because of a job. All I can think about is her mental health in the long run or the mistakes she makes for not putting being a Shadowhunter first. Ugh, I am sorry because I just don’t know. What do you think?

 

Further Thoughts

Let’s talk characters for a today.

 

Tessa: If I was written as a character I think I would be a lot like her. I love how her life was in danger and Will was saving her but she was more concerned with leaving her books behind. Even my husband told me that Tessa reminds him of me.

 

Will: Will…he seems so arrogant and full of himself but something makes me feel that there is a lot more to him and we just haven’t found out about it yet. Especially when he said he was at a bar and had a pitcher of alcohol broken over his head but he did not smell of alcohol at all……

 

Jem: Jem…I really like him, mostly because I’ve read the series already but still… As of right now, he keeps to himself mostly but he intrigues me. I want to know more about him and his illness. I think I like him so much right now because he is mysterious, something I need to understand.

 

The Black Sisters: I hate these women so much. They are cruel, kidnapping and shaping a woman into something just so they can sell her off to someone for power?

 

Who is your favorite character so far? I would really like to see more of the relationship between Will and Jem.

 

There is so much more I’d love to talk about but I don’t want to keep you here all day. I’m really excited to see how these newly formed relationships grow and develop. Let me know what you think so far, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I think one of my favorite things so far is that this feels so true to the times. Especially when they discuss using Christian names and how it implies an intimate connection. I really just fell in love with the times and the world that Tessa has been thrust into.