Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is an American author best known for writing popular young adult fantasy novels, particularly The Mortal Instruments series. Born in 1973 in Tehran, Iran, she spent much of her childhood travelling with her family before eventually settling in the United States. She began her writing career in fandom spaces, where she gained attention for her online stories before moving into professional publishing. Her breakthrough came with City of Bones (2007), the first book in The Mortal Instruments series, which introduced readers to the Shadowhunter world, a hidden universe of demon hunters living among humans. In addition to The Mortal Instruments, Cassandra Clare has authored many other bestselling books set within her Shadowhunter universe. These include The Infernal Devices trilogy (Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess), The Dark Artifices series (Lady Midnight, Lord of Shadows, Queen of Air and Darkness), and The Last Hours trilogy (Chain of Gold, Chain of Iron, Chain of Thorns). She has also co-authored companion series such as The Eldest Curses (with Wesley Chu) and written collections like Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy and Ghosts of the Shadow Market. Beyond the Shadowhunter world, she co-wrote The Magisterium series with Holly Black, beginning with The Iron Trial.

Clare’s books are set in a shared fictional universe often referred to as the “Shadowhunter Chronicles.” This includes multiple interconnected series such as: The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices, and The Last Hours. These stories combine fantasy, romance, and adventure, often exploring themes of identity, friendship, love, and the battle between good and evil. Clare’s work has received significant recognition, with multiple titles appearing on the New York Times Best Seller list. She has also won awards such as the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction, and her books have been widely praised for their contribution to modern young adult fantasy. Her books have also been adapted for screen, including the film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) and the television series Shadowhunters (2016–2019).

Cassandra Clare is considered one of the most influential authors in the genre, with a large international readership. Cassandra Clare continues to write within the Shadowhunter universe, maintaining a large global fanbase and a significant influence on modern young adult fantasy literature.