SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS gives an in-depth look at some of the themes and ideologies of Cassandra Clare's popular The Mortal Instruments series. With pieces all edited by Cassandra Clare herself ranging from a history of tattoos to why the best friend never gets the girl, this book explores why The Mortal Instruments series is so unique.

Being an English major and loving all things involving literature and analysis, or any combination of the two, as well as loving hearing other authors' opinions on my favorite books, I thought this was a great collection. I've read The Mortal Instruments series numerous times, but many of the topics touched in SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS, I never thought to give any extra thought to.

A topic I particularly enjoyed exploring in this book was Kami Garcia's "Why the Best Friend Never Gets the Girl". Witty and humorous, she compares Simon's losing battle with Jace with a few John Hughes films (Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles). The breakdown of exact reasons why Simon isn't with Clary, in the lens of his social standing with her, is truthful and intriguing. Many of the reasons, such as how the bad boys (or simply non-best friends) like Jace don't pine while the best friends do, I didn't consider before.

I do, however, think a large part of my enjoying this book comes from already enjoying more scholarly articles on literature. Had I just been wanting a little background or bonus information on The Mortal Instruments series, I don't think I would have liked it. The pieces are mostly intellectual works with real research to support their ideas, though well-inserted and not dry. They still manage to be funny and enlightening at the same time. For younger teens reading The Mortal Instruments, I would' t suggest this as a supplemental reading to the series, but for older teens and/or adults who have fallen in love with the series, it would be a nice read, especially for a book club.