Review: SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS from Smart Pop Books

SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS from Smart Pop Books is just a few days away from its Jan. 29 release and we couldn't be more excited for it. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC a few months back and I'm unveiling my review just in time for the release. I loved everything about this book. Obviously anything focused in or around the Shadowhunter world is appealing. But when you throw in a group of incredibly-talented, best-selling authors writing about what they love -- which just happens to be everything fans love -- about THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, the book rises to a whole new level of epicness. This reader touched on some of the most talked about aspects of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, including the incest issue, Malec, why Jace is Jace, the importance of friendship, our favorite Jewish vampire Simon and much more. These essays were so well-written, thought-out and passionate. Each author took their topic and really delved into the heart of it, giving the reader something to think about when they finish each essay. There's wit, thoughtfulness, admiration in these essays that jumps off the page. This book is a must-read for fans of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS and is sure to have you mentally high-fiving each author that wrote an essay for this reader. Authors that contributed to this book are: Holly Black, Michelle Hodkin, Kami Garcia, Sarah Rees Brennan, Kendare Blake, Robin Wasserman, Rachel Caine, Scott Tracey, Kate Milford, Sarah Ryan, Kelly Link, Sarah Cross, Gwenda Bond and Diane Peterfreund. Below I've briefly previewed each of the 13 stories in the companion:

“Unhomely Places” by Kate Milford: In this essay, Kate Milford discusses the important role that New York plays in Clary Fray’s journey through THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS.

“The Art of War” by Sarah Cross: In this essay, Sarah Cross talks about Clary wielding art as her weapon of choice and her connection with it throughout THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS.

“Sharper Than a Seraph Blade” by Diana Peterfreund: In this essay, Diana Peterfreund breaks down why Jace is, as Cassandra Clare says in her introduction, “the Jace we know, love, and occasionally want to strangle.”

“When Laws Are Made to Be Broken” by Robin Wasserman: In this essay, Robin Wasserman talks about the Shadowhunters’ unwavering loyalty to the Clave and in how some ways the Clave resembles a cult.

“Simon Lewis: Jewish, Vampire, Hero” by Michelle Hodkin: In this essay, Michelle Hodkin discusses how Simon tries to adhere to his Jewish faith despite becoming the one thing that stands against it: a vampire.

“Why the Best Friend Never Gets the Girl” by Kami Garcia: In this essay, Kami Garcia explains why Simon never stood a chance of ending up with Clary.

“Brotherly Love” by Kendare Blake: In this essay Kendare Blake discusses one of the most controversial aspects of the first cycle of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS — the Jace and Clary incest issue — and how the drama of it all served to only make the reader even more invested in them.

“Asking for a Friend” by Gwenda Bond: In this essay, Gwenda Bond preaches the power of friendship in THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS and why the friendships are just as important as the romantic involvements of Cassandra Clare’s characters.

“(Not) For Illustration Purposes Only” by Rachel Caine: In this essay, Rachel Caine talks about the epicness of the Shadowhunters’ runes and about the importance of tattoos throughout history.

“The Importance of Being Malec” by Sarah Ryan: In this essay, Sarah Ryan discusses the importance of Magnus and Alec, their sexuality and how readers have connected with them.

“Villains, Valentine and Virtue” by Scott Tracey: In this essay, Scott Tracey delves into the many complexities of villain Valentine Morgenstern and why he, like many, love a good villain like Valentine.

“Immortality and Its Discontents” by Kelly Link and Holly Black: In this essay conversation, Kelly Link and Holly Black have an entertaining, in-depth discussion about various plot lines and characters in THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS in front of Cassandra Clare, who occasionally has some input.

“What Does That Deviant Wench Think She’s Doing? Or, Shadowhunters Gone Wild” by Sarah Rees Brennan: In this essay, you can check out Sarah Rees Brennan’s hilarious take on the characters in THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS.

You can order SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

To celebrate SHADOWHUNTERS AND DOWNWORLDERS upcoming release we will be giving away a copy to one lucky fan.

All you have to do is fill out the form below and we will announce the winner in the coming days. Giveaway ends Jan. 29 at 12AM EST and is open to U.S. and international fans.