Lady Midnight
#1 of 3 in The Dark Artifices Series
on Goodreads (237,905)
What’s inside...
In a kingdom by the sea, half-angel warriors called Shadowhunters fight demons and defend the world from supernatural threats. Emma Carstairs, a skilled Shadowhunter, joins forces with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn to patrol the streets of Los Angeles. Together, they investigate a series of murders that resemble the way Emma's parents were killed, forming an uneasy alliance with faeries to solve the crimes and rescue Julian's brother Mark from the faerie Courts. This first novel in Cassandra Clare’s Dark Artifices series explores themes of friendship, love, and betrayal in a world filled with dangerous magic and dark secrets.
Character compass
Emma Carstairs
Mark Blackthorn
Julian Blackthorn
Diego Rosales
Kieran
Tiberius Blackthorn
Cristina Rosales
Livia Blackthorn
Malcolm Fade
Drusilla Blackthorn
Octavius Blackthorn
Ariadne Blackthorn
Arthur Blackthorn
Helen Blackthorn
Julian Atticus Blackthorn
Emma Cordelia Carstairs
Aline Penhallow
Discussion points
What do you think motivates each character's actions? Can you relate to any of them?
How do the relationships between the characters develop throughout the story?
What are some key themes of the book, and how do they relate to our everyday lives?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently in key situations?
How do the settings impact the story? Can you describe how they make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book's events and characters without interruption. Ask them to draw parallels between the story and their own experiences or situations they observe in the world around them. Discuss the moral dilemmas the characters face and relate them to age-appropriate ethical questions. Use descriptive language from the book to expand your child's vocabulary and understanding. Lastly, emphasize the importance of different perspectives by asking your child how they might feel if they were in each character’s shoes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of family and loyalty
Explanation: Throughout 'Lady Midnight,' characters display strong family ties and demonstrate loyalty, especially in the face of adversity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of supporting family and friends, understanding the significance of sticking together through difficult times.
Example Lesson: The impact of choices and consequences
Explanation: The protagonist, Emma, makes various choices, each with significant consequences that affect not only herself but those around her.
Real-World Application: This can teach children about accountability and the importance of thoughtful decision-making.
Example Lesson: The power of love and friendship
Explanation: Characters in the book navigate complex relationships, highlighting how love and friendship can overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of nurturing relationships and the strength that can be drawn from close bonds with others.
Example Lesson: The strength in diversity
Explanation: The story features a cast of diverse characters, each bringing their unique abilities and perspectives to solve problems.
Real-World Application: This lesson underscores the importance of inclusivity and appreciating everyone's uniqueness in a community or classroom setting.
Example Lesson: Dealing with loss and grief
Explanation: Characters in the novel experience loss, and the narrative explores their journey through grief and recovery.
Real-World Application: It provides a platform for children to understand and cope with loss in their own lives, highlighting the importance of emotional expression and support systems.