Clary Fray discovers her life is not what she believed when she witnesses a murder by paranormal demon hunters called Shadowhunters. She is drawn into a hidden world of beings and politics that threaten everything she knows. Her bloodline holds secrets that could reshape her entire existence.
Series guide · 6 out
The Mortal Instruments Reading Order: All 6 Books in Order
Urban paranormal fantasy following Clary as she discovers a hidden world of demon hunters and supernatural politics. The series blends action, mystery, and romance across a richly detailed magical New York.
The Mortal Instruments is a complete series by Cassandra Clare. There are 6 numbered books on our shelf.
It starts with City of Bones (2007), and the newest numbered book out now is City of Heavenly Fire (2014). The books came out in the same order as their numbers, so release order is reading order.
On our heat scale the books run from 1 (mild) to 2 (warm). On Goodreads the books average 4.1 stars across 1,800,000 ratings.
Reading order
All 6 Mortal Instruments books in order
Every book, with release date, heat rating and what it is about. Signed in, tick the circle when you finish one.
Clary survives dangerous paranormal mysteries while struggling with complicated feelings and fractured loyalties in a world of shadows and danger. As her abilities grow, so does the weight of secrets she's forced to keep. The supernatural world demands everything she has.
Clary and her allies journey to Idris, the hidden homeland of the Shadowhunters, to confront war and devastating betrayals. Ancient truths about the Shadow World overturn everything they believed. Combat and shocking discoveries converge as the conflict escalates.
New dangers emerge from unexpected supernatural sources as Jace, Clary, and their friends uncover a conspiracy threatening their survival. Multiple perspectives reveal hidden connections and darker truths within the Shadow World. Betrayal and impossible choices collide with supernatural warfare.
Dark secrets surface as the characters face their greatest challenges in a world where paranormal forces demand sacrifice. Bonds are tested and former allies become enemies in the fight for survival. Not everyone will emerge from the darkness intact.
A dark paranormal tale blending supernatural mystery, danger, and intense passion in a city where ancient forces clash with modern chaos. Secrets surface as unlikely allies form to face enemies that threaten everything they love. Power comes with a price written in blood.
Heat across the series
Book 1 is Mild (1), book 2 is Mild (1), book 3 is Mild (1), book 4 is Warm (2), book 5 is Warm (2) and book 6 is Warm (2).
Mortal Instruments gets spicier as it goes. The spiciest are City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire.
How we rate heat →The Mortal Instruments publication order
The books came out in the same order as their numbers, so publication order and reading order are the same list. We do not list a separate in-world chronological order for this series, so we follow the author's numbering.
Publication order
- City of Bones (2007)
- City of Ashes (2008)
- City of Glass (2009)
- City of Fallen Angels (2011)
- City of Lost Souls (2012)
- City of Heavenly Fire (2014)
Where to start
Start with City of Bones. It is book one, and every later book builds on it. Read the numbered books in order, which is also the order they came out.
Book one is Mild (1 of 5), and the series reaches Warm (2) later on, so check the heat chart before you commit.
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The Mortal Instruments reading order FAQ
How many books are in The Mortal Instruments?
The Mortal Instruments has 6 numbered books.
What order should I read The Mortal Instruments in?
Read them in this order: City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, then City of Heavenly Fire. That is also the order they were published.
Is The Mortal Instruments finished?
Yes. The Mortal Instruments is complete at 6 books, so you can read it start to finish without waiting.
How spicy is The Mortal Instruments?
The Mortal Instruments runs from 1 (mild) to 2 (warm) on our 0 to 5 heat scale. The spiciest are City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire. Spice Guide
Where should I start with Cassandra Clare?
If you are new to Cassandra Clare, The Mortal Instruments starts with City of Bones. Cassandra Clare also writes The Infernal Devices. The author page lists every book with its heat rating. Cassandra Clare books
