Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Teheran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father's backpack.
She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old. Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called The Beautiful Cassandra based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).
After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina's world travels and Britney Spears' wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
What genres does Cassandra Clare write?
She writes primarily young adult fantasy and urban fantasy with strong supernatural and paranormal elements.
Which book should I start with?
A common starting point is City of Bones, the first book in The Mortal Instruments. Another entry point is Clockwork Angel, the first book of The Infernal Devices.
What is the reading order for her major series?
Major series and their starting books listed here include: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones; The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; The Dark Artifices: Lady Midnight; The Last Hours: Chain of Gold; The Eldest Curses: The Red Scrolls of Magic; Magisterium: The Iron Trial. For each series, read its books in their internal order (Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, etc.).
Are Cassandra Clare's books connected or standalone?
Many of her books are part of an interconnected Shadowhunter universe. Several series and companion volumes share characters, settings, and lore, so reading across series can reveal crossovers and continuing storylines.
What themes and style can I expect from her work?
Expect character-driven YA stories with detailed worldbuilding, supernatural lore, coming-of-age arcs, adventure, and elements of romance set against urban and fantastical backdrops.