Welcome to the Shadowhunters Showdown! Every week, YOU narrowed down who is the official, fan-favorite character in all of Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters books. Did your fave make it to the end? See below for the results!

The Shadowhunters Showdown Results Are In!

We started with 32 Shadowhunters characters:

Those were narrowed down to 16:

From there, we got the top 8:

Which narrowed down to the top 4 fave Shadowhunters characters:

And so many of you voted on the final match-up:

To find the ultimate fan-favorite Shadowhunters character:

It was a close one, but the ultimate fan-favorite character is Will Herondale!

Get more of Will (and Tessa and their kids James & Lucie) in Chain of Gold and Chain of Iron before the final installment of the Last Hours Series, Chain of Thorns, comes out January 31, 2023!

Queen Bea is back at it and adding to her discography with another fantastic album! If you’re like me and can’t stop listening to RENAISSANCE, you’ll definitely want to add these books to your TBR.

Books to Read While Listening to Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE On Repeat

1. I’M THAT GIRL – These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

The song title is really all we need to say in this match-up – Juliette Cai is THAT GIRL, and she knows it. Confident and powerful, Juliette embodies this first song perfectly throughout this entire book and well into the second in this duology, Our Violent Ends.

2. COZY – Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

“She’s a god. She’s a hero. She survived all she been through. Confident, damn, she lethal.” If this doesn’t describe Bree from Legendborn, I don’t know what does! When Bree witnesses a demon attack at her new school, she is thrown into a secret society of all white descendants of the Round Table.

3. ALIEN SUPERSTAR – Bright by Jessica Jung

ALIEN SUPERSTAR is all about being classy and taking names, and it reflects the life Rachel Kim lives in Bright. Once her K-Pop group reaches number five in the world, Rachel’s fame skyrockets. Her life is a swirl of technicolor glamour and adoring fans.

4. CUFF IT – The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott

CUFF IT is all about the carefree, time-to-have-fun vibes, and I am here for it! While The Lucky List does have emotional moments, the main character, Emily, is trying to adopt the adventurous attitude her late mother had when she was her age. And, in the meantime, Emily discovers much more about herself than she thought she would.

5. ENERGY (FEAT BEAM) – Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

ENERGY is giving big crew vibes, and I’m loving it. What else is giving big crew vibes? None other than Chain of Gold, the first book in the Last Hours Shadowhunters series by Cassandra Clare! The Merry Thieves is a friend group everyone wishes they were cool enough to join.

6. BREAK MY SOUL – Wings of Ebony of J. Elle

In this hit song, Beyonce swears that no one will break her soul, a declaration Rue lives by in Wings of Ebony by J. Elle. Stuck between two worlds—her beloved neighborhood and a magical society—Rue is determined to protect herself and her people from others seeking to destroy them.

7. CHURCH GIRL – The Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad

“I’ve been up, I been down. Feel like I move mountains. Got friends that cried fountains.” CHURCH GIRL is a song about letting loose despite what others might expect of you. The Wild Ones are a group of girls who have been through some seriously tough stuff in their lives, but now, they are strong and refuse to be put in those roles that tore them down again.

8. PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA – Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

One of the only slower songs in the album, Beyonce sings about a sensitive boy she loves, and I swear, it’s almost like she’s singing from Ari’s POV about Dante. Dante definitely is the kind to wear his emotions on his sleeve, and as they develop their friendship (and something beyond that!), Ari can’t help but fall for his sensitive boy.

9. VIRGO’S GROOVE – Come Back to Me by Mila Gray

VIRGO’s GROOVE is a sex-positive jam that pairs well with Mila Gray’s sex-positive read, Come Back to Me. If you love this song, you’ll fall for Kit and Jessa’s steamy, passionate romance.

10. MOVE (FEAT GRACE JONES & TEMS) – We are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian

“Me and my girls come out to play” is exactly what the Wildcat varsity field hockey squad does in We are the Wildcats. In this suspenseful novel, the girls are all about forging the bonds of trust, loyalty, and friendship necessary to win the first game of the new season.

11. HEATED – Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

“Whole lotta playing victim and villain at the same time” – it is almost as if Beyonce is calling out the Revenant in Vespertine in her song HEATED! The Revenant is a powerful spirit (with questionable moral values) bound to Artemisia, and to keep it in place, she must keep her cool.

12. THIQUE – There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

This is an anthem for all the THIQUE girls out there! In this song, Beyonce sings about how proud she is of her thick body, something Sweetie Nair struggles with big-time in There’s Something About Sweetie. Sweetie is many things: a formidable track athlete, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.

13. ALL UP IN YOUR MIND – Together We Caught Fire by Eva V. Gibson

“Is my love a crime ‘cause I wanna make you mine?” This song is about being obsessed with your love…a little too obsessed. It is a great pair for Together We Caught Fire, a novel about Lane’s forbidden attraction that grows even more complicated when her crush becomes her stepbrother.

14. AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM – Roxy by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Is Beyonce singing about drugs or is she the drug in AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM? A similar concept springs up in Neal and Jarrod Shusterman’s thriller, Roxy.  Told from the perspective of the drugs Oxycontin (Roxy) and Adderall (Addison), two siblings are tempted to take that step past helpful to harmful…and the troubled places that lie beyond.

15. PURE/HONEY – Period Power by Nadya Okamoto

PURE/HONEY embraces that which others like to shy away from: sexual liberation and self-love. Period Power also embraces a heavily stigmatized topic surrounding women’s health: periods. This nonfiction book is a self-proclaimed manifesto for the menstrual movement. Are you joining?

16. SUMMER RENAISSANCE – Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

The last song on this fantastic album is SUMMER RENAISSANCE: another sex-positive song about love. Which means, we have to pair this with a sex-positive romance we love: Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett. In enemies-to-lovers fashion, the one guy Bailey Rydell can’t stand is actually the boy of her dreams—she just doesn’t know it yet.

Love these song and book pairings? Check out what books you should read while listening to Fearless (Taylor’s Version)

Sometimes all you need is a good book, some mood lighting, and a comfy chair to make your reading experience *chef’s kiss* perfect. But with so many great reading accessories that will seriously upgrade your reading game out there, why not take your experience to the next level? Check out these reading tools you NEED to grab!

10 Reading Accessories You Need

1. Bookmarks

We’re starting this list with the obvious reading necessity: every reader needs a beautiful, reliable bookmark! Whether it’s made of paper, plastic, or silk, a bookmark is essential if you’re looking to keep your place while protecting the fragile corners of your book pages. Check out some fancy bookmark options on Etsy here!

Photo from Etsy creator @midislanddivy!

2. Annotation Tools

I’ve recently started annotating, and it has completely changed my reading game! I use little annotation tabs while reading, like these from Amazon, and they help me stay fully focused on what I’m reading. I find I am much more connected to the text when I annotate, and I will not be going back to my pre-annotation discovery ways. If you have many thoughts and feelings while reading, annotating your books might just be for you!

3. Page Holders

We’ve all faced those annoying hand cramps from holding a book open for too long, but that pain is completely avoidable with nifty page holders like these on Etsy. These little guys help you keep your book open with little to no discomfort. You know what that means…longer reading marathons are in your future!

Photo above from Etsy user @HighlandConcepts.

4. Physical & Electronic Reading Journals

Reading journals can be whatever you make it. I have two kinds of reading journals: a physical one and an electric one. There are many reading journals out on the market right now that are already filled with prompts and lists for you to fill out your TBR and reflect on the books you’re reading.

You can also get more creative and make your own reading journals, either physical or electronic. My electronic reading journal of choice is the note-taking app Goodnotes, and through the app I track my TBR, the books I’ve read this year, and more! I’ve found reading journals to be so helpful, especially in helping me keep track of my books and reflect on the books I’ve already read.

5. Goodreads & The Storygraph

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This is another obvious but important reading tool every reader should utilize: sites like Goodreads and The Storygraph. Both sites have millions of readers reviewing and rating books, and they are usually super reliable sources of book recommendations! Whenever I go to the bookstore, I have my Goodreads account up to check ratings of books before I commit to buying one.

Another amazing feature that both Goodreads and The Storygraph have are their Reading Challenges. You set your goal every year, and both sites help you track your progress, letting you know by how many books you are ahead or behind (or right on track) of your reading schedule. Plus, with these apps you’re able to see your progress through every read – you can enter in what page you’re on in a certain book, and both sites will give you an estimated percentage of how much you’ve completed!

6. BookBuddy+

If you are a huge book collector like me, you know how difficult it can be to keep track of all the books you own. BookBuddy+ is an app that has seriously helped me with keeping my library organized. BookBuddy+ is a book database app that allows you to scan all the books you own, organize them through various categories, and more! Another helpful feature is the ability to make note of when you’ve lent books out – BookBuddy+ can connect to your contacts so you don’t forget who has borrowed books from you.

7. Mini Books

One of my favorite bookish trends is creating mini books to track the books you’ve read! They are so cute, and using them as a reading tracker is such a unique and creative idea. Watch this TikTok from creator @stevieandjohn to learn how to make your own mini books.

8. Reading Lights

Good lighting is an obvious essential for any reader. You can use any lamp or natural lighting, or you can invest in lighting made specifically for reading, like these lights from Amazon. These lights are so convenient and can tag along with you wherever you want to read.

9. Headphones

Reading doesn’t only include taking in stories and words visually – audiobooks can also be a great way to read! If you are an audiobook fan, you will definitely need a good pair of headphones so you can completely focus on the story without outside noises distracting you.

10. Coffee/Tea

Coffee and tea are the BEST reading accessory, and completely necessary for those long nights when you don’t want to put down your book. Drink up, and enjoy your latest read!

Now that you have all the necessary reading accessories, check out these bookends that will upgrade your bookshelf game!

Cute boys in suspenders, beautiful dresses of the times—and not a cell phone in sight! If you can’t get enough of slow-burn historical romances or have binge-watched both seasons of Bridgerton, like I did, you’ll want to put these books at the top of your TBR!

11 Historical Fiction Romances You Need to Read ASAP

1. Your Heart, My Sky by Margarita Engle

This book in verse is set in Cuba during the historical time period referred to by the Cuban government as el period especial en tiempos de paz – the special period in times of peace. What happened in “the special period in times of peace?” Mass starvation of Cubans. Your Heart, My Sky follows two teens, Liana and Amado, in their struggle to scavenge for food and the love story that unfolds.

2. Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron

In the Jim Crow South, Evalene Deschamps has two little sisters to look after, an overworked single mother, and a longtime crush who is finally making a move. On top of that, Evvie’s magical abilities are growing stronger every day. Her family calls it jubilation, a gift passed down from generations of Black women since the time of slavery. But as Evvie’s powers awaken, something dark comes loose and threatens to surface.

3. For All Time by Shanna Miles

Set in many historical time periods, this book follows Tamar and Fayard, who have lived a thousand lives. They have seen the world build itself from nothing and tear it apart again in civil war. They’ve even witnessed mankind take to the stars. But the one thing that remains a constant in every life is their love and their fight to be together. One love story after another, through history and beyond. When they discover what it takes to break the cycle, will they be able to make the sacrifice?

4. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

This Romeo and Juliet retelling is set in Shanghai during the Roaring 20s. Juliette Cai is the heir to the Scarlet Gang, and her ex-boyfriend is Roma Montagov, heir to the rivaling White Flowers gang. Juliette returns from her American school just as a deadly plague hits Shanghai. As this plague attacks gangsters on both sides, and with rumors of a monster roaming the streets, Juliette and Roma are forced to come together once again to save their people.

5. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

Time travel back to 1902 (literally!) with talented time-traveling, magical-artifact-thieving Esta. Esta is a very talented thief, and all her training has led up to one monumental job: travel to 1902 and steal the ancient book containing the secrets and the order before the Magician can destroy it. In this perilous mission, Esta falls for a boy in the past. Cute boys in suspenders? Sign me up!

6. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Set in Victorian London, Tessa Gray is thrown into the Shadowhunter world when she is kidnapped by two evil warlock sisters and her brother is held for ransom. Held captive, she discovers her shape-shifting abilities, but before the sisters can use her powers for evil, Will Herondale saves her. With his and his parabatai Jem’s help, Tessa seeks to save her brother and the world from evils that threaten to destroy the Shadowhunters.

7. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

It isn’t easy to be different in the 1980s, something Aristotle and Dante understand in this coming of age novel. Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison, Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. As the loners spend more and more time together, they discover they share a special friendship, the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime.

8. Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Who doesn’t love a good historical Shadowhunter book? Chain of Gold takes place in 1903, 25 years after the events in the last book of the Infernal Devices series left off. We meet Cordelia Carstairs as she and her brother travel to London after her father is accused of a terrible crime. She meets her childhood friends and must hide her secret love for James Herondale, who is sworn to marry someone else. Worse yet, Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London.

9. The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett

Travel to the 1930s and meet Theodora, who has always dreamed of treasure hunting with her father. However, her father is completely against Theodora coming along, opting instead for her once-upon-a-time love, Huck Gallagher. That is, until Huck returns from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him.

10. The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith

The Last Magician meets The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy in this thrilling and atmospheric historical fantasy following a young woman who discovers she has magical powers and is thrust into a battle between witches and wizards.

11. Rima’s Rebellion by Margarita Engle

An inspiring coming-of-age story from award-winning author Margarita Engle about a girl falling in love for the first time while finding the courage to protest for women’s right to vote in 1920s Cuba.

Looking for more? Check out these contemporary romances you should read next!

I love two things in this world: books and video games. Whenever I’m bored, or sad, or even happy, I’m either reading a book or playing a video game! If you’re like me, you’re always searching for new book recs–and what better way to pick your next read than to base it on your fave video game? Here’s a list of fantastic books you should read if you’re a video game fan!

Pick Your Fave Video Game and Get a Book Rec

Legend of Zelda – Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess is the PERFECT read for fans of Zelda. The Infernal Devices trilogy follows Tessa as she discovers the Shadowhunter world and navigates strange powers. As she and her Shadowhunter friends fight against clockwork creatures, she learns more about who she really is.

Pokemon – Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman

If you love bonding with your favorite Pokemon, you will LOVE this magical new middle grade series by A.F. Steadman. Skandar has always wanted to leave the Mainland and escape to the secretive Island where wild unicorns roam free, so when he gets his chance, he will do anything and everything to get there and to stay. A thrilling journey filled with epic sky battles, dangerous clashes with unicorns, and a shadowy villain amassing a unicorn army, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is the perfect read for Pokemon fans!

Animal Crossing – To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

If Lara Jean had a video game she was obsessed with, Animal Crossing would be IT. Animal Crossing is filled with ADORABLE villagers, and the game has a distinctive look that is perfect for people who love crafts and art, just Lara Jean, the protagonist of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Not only is this book a super fun, must-read classic, its aesthetics totally match this cute video game.

Call of Duty – Trigger by N. Griffin

If you enjoy how intense Call of Duty is, Trigger would be a perfect read for you. This harrowing thriller follows a teen girl whose abusive father is obsessed with teaching her two things: how to hunt and how to play chess. But these aren’t simple father-daughter lessons, and Didi can’t do anything to escape being threatened with the Hurt Stick when she isn’t learning quickly enough. This story is super intense with a shocking twist ending!

Madden – Game Changer by Abbi Glines

If you love Madden, you’re probably a huge football fan, which means you’ll love Game Changer (and the entire Field Party series). Game Changer is a southern soap opera with football, cute boys, and pick-up trucks. What’s not to love?

League of Legends – Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

If this battle area video game is your game of choice, you NEED to read Legendborn. After her mother dies tragically in an accident, Bree escapes to a residential pre-college program for gifted high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill. Just as Bree is starting to settle in, everything changes when she witnesses a demon feeding on human energies on campus. With her new friend Nick’s help, Bree infiltrates a secret society of “Legendborn” to find more answers about her mother’s death.

World of Warcraft – Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto

The best part of World of Warcraft for me is when you’re able to fly all the cool mounts available to players. If you love the fighting and flying that comes with WoW, you need to pick up Crown of Feathers! Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of being a Phoenix Rider – so when her controlling sister betrays her, she goes out to find the legendary riders by herself and won’t let anything stand in her way, even if it means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.

Mario Kart – Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

If you love racing to first place in Mario Kart, you will love Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour. After her father’s sudden death, Amy’s mom decided to start anew in Connecticut, and she’s decided it’s Amy’s job to get the car all the way from California to their new home state. The problem? She hasn’t driven since a car accident that took her father’s life. Enter Roger, a family friend who helps Amy drive across the country.

Super Smash Bros – Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Chain of Gold is the perfect read for anyone who loves to play Super Smash Bros. With all of the iconic characters to choose from, SSB is a game that brings friends together. Chain of Gold is a Shadowhunters book with a TON of characters who join together to fight the strange demons attacking 1930s London. This Shadowhunters series is a classic, just like Super Smash Bros, and will keep you glued to the pages from the very beginning.

Skyrim – Cursed by Frank Miller and Thomas Wheeler

If you love being Dragonborn, fighting bandits, and destroying Alduin in Skyrim, Cursed is the book for you! Nimue wields a sword meant for the true king and battles the armies of a corrupt king. Just like the Dragonborn, she is the chosen one who struggles to unite her people, avenge her family, and discover the truth about her destiny. Plus, this book matches the medieval aesthetics of Skyrim perfectly!

Genshin Impact – Shine by Jessica Jung

If you love this fun gacha game, you need to read Shine! Shine follows seventeen-year-old Korean American Rachel Kim as she strives to be the world’s biggest K-pop star. As the dark scandals of an industry bent on controlling and commodifying beautiful girls begin to bubble up, Rachel wonders if she’s strong enough to be a winner, or if she’ll end up crushed.

Valorant – The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

The Bones of Ruin is perfect for anyone who is highly competitive and loves Valorant. Iris is a tightrope dancer who agrees to enter a tournament to the death, a competition is made up of vicious fighters with fantastical abilities (just like each character in Valorant who has a special ability to help them win the match)! To make matters more interesting, Iris cannot die, and has no memories of how she ended up this way.

Halo – Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Halo is chock full of aliens, just like Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything! Three years ago, Sia’s mom disappeared. Then one night, Sia’s life cracks wide open when a blue-lit spacecraft crashes in front of Sia’s car – and it’s carrying Sia’s mom. If you’re a fan of sci-fi video games like Halo, this book will keep you riveted!

Final Fantasy – SLAY by Brittney Morris

If you love role playing games like Final Fantasy, you’ll love reading about another RPG in SLAY. Kiera Johnson is the secret game developer of an online role-playing game named SLAY. But, when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, and SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals.

Kingdom Hearts – Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao

If you love how fun and action-packed Kingdom Hearts is, you’ll love Xiran Jay Zhao’s new middle grade book, Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor! Zachary Ying is woefully unprepared when he discovers that he was born to host the spirit of the First Emperor of China for a vital mission: sealing the leaking portal to the Chinese underworld before the upcoming Ghost Month blows it wide open.

Street Fighter – Wrecked by Heather Henson

If you love this gritty fighting game, you’ll love Wrecked. For as long as Miri can remember it’s been her and her dad, Poe, in Paradise—what Poe calls their home, hidden away from prying eyes in rural Kentucky. She knows what her dad does, why people call his “the Wizard,” and why Clay, Poe’s right hand-man, patrols the grounds with a machine gun. But lately, Paradise feels like a prison. That is, until Fen moves to town, and his DEA agent father is a little too interested in Miri’s family.

Want more book recs based on your favorite things? Pick your fave Girls Scout cookie and get the perfect read for you!

Are you as obsessed with collecting Squishmallows as you are with collecting books? Then this quiz is PERFECT for you! Pick one of these adorable Squishmallows and get a YA book that you should add to your TBR!

Pick a Squishmallow and Get a Book Rec

*Cover photo and quiz photos of Squishmallows courtesy of Squishmallow Wiki

Ready for another book rec? Find out which book matches your favorite winter sport!

Is there a more epic love story than Will and Tessa’s in Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters series? If you are a Wessa stan, these top Will and Tessa moments will make you fall in love with their swoonworthy love story all over again!

Top 10 Will and Tessa Moments in the Shadowhunters Books

10. Will’s Confession in Clockwork Prince

“It’s too late,” she said.

“Don’t say that.” His voice was half a whisper. “I love you, Tessa. I love you.”

9. Will and Tessa’s first kiss in Clockwork Angel

When he leaned toward her and brushed his lips across hers, she reached for him as if she would otherwise drown.

8. Their first library visit in Clockwork Angel

“But the books are all behind bars!” she said. “Like a literary sort of prison!”

Will grinned. “Some of these books are dangerous,” he said. “It’s wise to be careful.”

“One must always be careful of books,” said Tessa, “and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”

7. Will’s love letter in Clockwork Princess

Tess, Tess, Tessa. 

Was there ever a more beautiful sound than your name? To speak it aloud makes my heart ring like a bell.

6. Will and Tessa’s Wedding Night in “Fairy Tale of London,” Chain of Gold

There was only this moment, only this night, only the two of them–only Will and Tessa Herondale and the beginning of their life together.

5. Their first meeting in Clockwork Angel

“By the Angel, it’s like the ninth circle of Hell down here–”

“The ninth circle of Hell is cold,” Tessa said automatically…

“As for the temperature of Hell, Miss Gray,” he said, “Let me give you a piece of advice. The handsome young fellow who’s trying to rescue you from a hideous fate is never wrong. Not even if he says the sky is purple and made of hedgehogs.”

4. Will Attempts to Rescue Tessa in Clockwork Princess

“I am catastrophically in love with you.”

3. Will’s Confession on the Balcony at the Lightwoods’ Party in Clockwork Prince

“I have wanted to do this,” he said, “every moment of every hour of every day I have been with you since the day I met you.”

2. Will offers Tessa’s his name in Clockwork Princess

“Of course you can have a true Shadowhunter name,” Will said. “You can have mine.”

1. Will’s marriage proposal in Clockwork Princess

“Marry me,” he said. “Marry me, Tess. Marry me and be Tessa Herondale. Or be Tessa Gray, or be whatever you wish to call yourself, but marry me and stay with me and never leave me, for I cannot bear another day of my life to go by that does not have you in it.”

Can’t get enough of Will Herondale? Check out the top Will quotes in the Shadowhunters series!

Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters books have pretty iconic quotes from all notable characters in each series, and Will Herondale quotes are definitely on the top of that list! From declarations of love to his dry, sarcastic humor we love, check out these Top 10 Will Herondale quotes, decided by the fans! Beware: spoilers for the Infernal Devices series ahead!

Top 10 Will Herondale Quotes from the Shadowhunters Books

10. Will to Charlotte and Jessamine in Clockwork Angel

“Dear me…Such harsh truths so early in the morning cannot be good for the digestion.”

9. Will in Clockwork Prince

“I’ve never swum naked in the Thames before but I know I wouldn’t like it.”

8. Will to Jem in Clockwork Princess

“If there is a life after this one…let me meet you in it, James Carstairs.”

7. Will in a note to Tessa in Clockwork Princess

Was there ever a more beautiful sound than your name? 

6. Will to Tessa in Clockwork Prince

“It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.”

5. Will to Tessa in Clockwork Princess

“Of course you can have a true Shadowhunter name…You can have mine.”

4. Will and Tessa in Clockwork Prince

Tessa snorted, “And what color do you suppose the inner depths of your soul are, Will Herondale?”

“Mauve,” said Will.

3. Will to Jem and Tessa in Clockwork Angel

“Bloodthirsty little beasts. Never trust a duck.”

2. Will to Tessa in Clockwork Princess

“I am catastrophically in love with you.”

1. Will to Tessa in Clockwork Princess

“Life is a book and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read.”

Want more Shadowhunters content? Check out the top Shadowhunters quotes about books! 

Halloween is coming up, and we have been diving into a ton of eerie reads perfect for the season. One of our favorite kind of scary books are ones that include ghosts, spirits, and the undead! These books have so many great ghostly characters that you will absolutely love.

Our Favorite Bookish Ghosts

1. Jesse from Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

When Lucie Herondale was a little girl, she met a boy in the forest. When she is older, she meets the same boy in the ballroom of the London Institute — except no one sees him besides her. Jesse is a ghost…but is he really? This is one of many exciting plot lines in Cassandra Clare’s newest Shadowhunters series, Chain of Gold.

2. The Revenant from Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

The Revenant is not only one of our favorite bookish ghosts, it is also one of our all time favorite Margaret Rogerson characters. Sarcastic and witty, the Revenant and Artemisia’s dynamic is super fun to follow, and as their relationship grows, you learn to love the Revenant more and more.

3. Blob Ghost from Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne

We only need one word to describe the Blob Ghost from Beetle and the Hollowbones: A-DOR-A-BLE. This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel gives us everything we could ever want in a witch story, including a delightful little spirit sidekick. Join Beetle and her childhood friend, Kat, as they fight to protect Blob Ghost’s home before Kat’s mentor destroys it for good!

4. Shari from Remember Me by Christopher Pike

Teenage angst thrives even in the afterlife. In Remember Me, we only know Shari for a few chapters before she is murdered. But Shari is determined, even as a spirit, to figure out who ended her life way too soon. Joined with another friendly ghost, Shari spies on her friends and family to investigate her own death, all while evading contact with a terrifying spiritual monster, the Shadow.

5. Nami from The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Just like Remember Me, we only know Nami for a couple of chapters before she, too, is murdered. But Nami isn’t a ghost in the way we’re used to. There’s no transparent specters or scary hauntings here. Rather, we join Nami as she awakens in a new world–the afterlife. Only, this afterlife has been hacked by an evil AI who is determined to ending human afterlife forever.

6. Owen from Magic Dark and Strange by Kelly Powell

Catherine Daly has an unusual talent: she can awaken the dead for a few precious moments for loved ones to say their final goodbyes. Only, with Owen, it doesn’t quite work out that way. When Owen mysteriously comes to life as a living, breathing boy, Catherine must unravel the connection between Owen and a missing timepiece, a connection that can mean the difference between life and death.

7. July from The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson

Dino is used to death. His family owns a funeral home and, well, death is literally his family’s business. That is, until his ex-best friend July is brought back from the dead (stuck somewhere between alive and unalive). In July and Dino’s attempt to figure out what is happening, they both must also confront how their friendship completely fell apart.

8. Mama Jova from Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

Voya is a witch…at least she will be when she passes her ancestors’ test, which will trigger her true powers. But this task isn’t so easy, especially when the ancestor who shows up to give Voya her task is Mama Jova. Mama Jova demands Voya kill her one true love, or else she and the rest of her family’s witchy powers will go away forever.

Want more recs perfect for Halloween? Check out these creepy and spooky reads! 

Big fans of Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters series know to expect Shadowhunters characters who love books as much as we do. Not only does every series have references to classics, every Shadowhunters series represent book lovers everywhere with these outstanding quotes about books.

Top 7 Shadowhunters Quotes About Books

7. In City of Bones

Jocelyn recognized reading as a sacred pastime and usually wouldn’t interrupt Clary in the middle of a book, even to yell at her.

6. Tessa in Clockwork Angel

“Books are for reading, not for turning oneself into livestock.”

5. Cordelia in Chain of Gold

“The point of stories is not that they are objectively true, but that the soul of the story is truer than reality.”

4. Magnus in Chain of Gold

“There is no better distraction in the world than losing oneself in books for a while.”

3. Will in Clockwork Prince

“We live and breathe words…It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.”

2. Will in Clockwork Princess

“Life is a book, and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read.”

1. Tessa in Clockwork Angel

“One must always be careful of books,” said Tessa, “and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”

Want more Shadowhunters content? Check out these top quotes from the Mortal Instruments series!