“The choices we make, make us.”
― Diana Wayburn ―

Hello readers! Welcome back to another chapter of "So I Read Hype Books" series where i read a hype books in bookstagram or even booktok now, and rate whether the book is worth the hype or just turns out didn't meet my expectation. Today i'm bringing you to the most beloved series (so far) from lots of my shadowhunter fan friends : The Dark Artifices book 1, Lady Midnight. Let's dive in!

So How Hype is this book?

I think as a fantasy reader, this book got so much hype because the first series, TMI become so successful, got lots of love from readers, plus the second series that released after that : TID  become the most perfect picture of Love Triangle tropes, that usually people hate that tropes but this series become the perfect example for how love triangle should be used in a book. With two times successfully bring a series in shadowhunter world setting, the third series received a lot of hype and yes i guess if you know already, they love this third series too. 

By our book bible Goodreads, this book has received 192.954 ratings by the time i wrote this review and 95% of people like it. This book not only has the usual edition Hardcover and Paperback, which the paperback itself has two size of height of it, but also got spine art cover for paperback also, not only stop in there, Fairyloot subscription box also launched a special edition for this series just few days ago.

Synopsis

The story follow Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn's adventure after the Dark War that happened in TMI caused by Sebastian Morgenstein with the help of Faeries that caused a Cold Peace treaty between Faeries that being excluded from Downworlders with Shadowhunters. All faeries cannot interact with any downwolders also with shadowhunter. 

Emma, still trying to find the person who murdered her parents because she knows that their death isn't caused by Sebastian in Dark War because of the symbol lettering in demon language that carved in their body. Lately 5 years after the war, she find another victims with same similarity to her parents. Decided to find out because it has already 11 murder case, with lots of downworlders as the victim. Mark Blackthorn, Julian's brother who has abducted to the Wild Hunt by the faeries when the Dark  War happened, came to the LA institute one day with the other faeries because they want to know also who the murder behind all that case, since some of the victim also faeries.

Knowing that meeting with faeries are forbidden but in order to get back Mark to them, Julian agrees the term because he also know that Emma also want to know who the murderer of her parents. But of course the mystery is not that easy to be solved.

My Honest Review

I expect a lot from this series that i just so afraid that it will disappoint me. Because i like Julian, a 12 y.o boy who killed his father at that  young age after he knows that that man is no longer his father because he was turned into endarken by Sebastian In TMI. With the burden as the head of the family in with 4 other younger siblings, Julian was forced to be their father and mother also their brother. Such a big burden for such a young age, i already felt sympathy for him.

While i read this book i come to realize that Emma is too obsessed with her parent's murder case  that made her blind at some point about what happened around her, but she still find Julian as her anchor for some reason that she wouldn't do it if it comes to being bad effect to the blackthorn family. But! i have this one thing that i just can't really fathom, how that for 5 years living together, she don't know anything about Julian's uncle Arthur Blackthorn? This describe how she's so blind by the revenge that simple things that in front of her, like Julian's Uncle and even Julian's feelings for her are just unseen for her.

“Revenge isn’t family,Emma. It isn’t a friend, and it’s a cold bedfellow.”
― Diana Wayburn ―

Julian become the type of character that i love a lot in this book, sweet loving boy but actually strong if it's about his family that made him willingly to do everything for his family. So young at 12 years old, hoping that his uncle will be the head of the family, knowing the situation of his uncle just made him bear the burden alone, not also have to keep his family save, but also to keep institute work on.

One thing that made me put down the book immediately because i really need a break by how absurd it is, is when Julian and Emma, after the near death experience, they just kissed and make out. I mean like, what???? you just find out that he loves you, after all this time, then just right away, okay let's sleep together in this open area at the beach! I mean... c'mon!

This pattern is repeating in my opinion. Cassandra Clare always did it! Will and Tessa slept together after knowing Jem is dead, being sad together they slept in the middle of being abducted by Mortmain?! Jace and Clary also had that scene in the middle of super tight situation in demon world. Yes, i know, that they love each other, but at some point it just... uh.. no. For me. Specially Julian and Emma part because they just confess their feeling for like, five minutes ago! 

But surprisingly i just can't really guess the plot twist! maybe i'm being dull from the slump but well i just surprised that the main villain is the man that has been always with them. 

My Verdict

 It's an Uh Yeah for me (please direct to my rating system for further information if you new for my rating system) i find the enjoyment while reading it, the reading rush to finish it, but the love section is just absurd to be, but other than that i love this book. I guess i can say this book indeed live up the hype.

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