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Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy Books in Order

11 Books
2015 – 2016 Published
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How to Read Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is a collection of ten interconnected novellas set in the massive world of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter Chronicles. Co-written with authors Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman, this series follows Simon Lewis—a central character from The Mortal Instruments—as he enters the prestigious yet rundown Shadowhunter Academy to reclaim his memories and earn his Ascension as a Shadowhunter.

To get the most out of Simon's journey and avoid major narrative spoilers, it is crucial to read these novellas at the right moment within the broader franchise. Reading them out of order can ruin key plot twists from previous books, while skipping them entirely leaves a significant narrative gap before starting the sequel series.

The Recommended Reading Order

The ten novellas in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy were originally released monthly in e-book format during 2015, before being published together in a single print compilation in 2016. Because the overarching narrative is strictly sequential, you should read the novellas in their original publication order:

  1. Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy (co-written with Sarah Rees Brennan) — Simon arrives at the academy and begins his training, confronting the biases of the Nephilim.
  2. The Lost Herondale (co-written with Robin Wasserman) — While training, Simon learns about a dark secret in the Herondale family tree.
  3. The Whitechapel Fiend (co-written with Maureen Johnson) — Tessa Gray visits the academy to share a story about Jack the Ripper and the Herondales in Victorian London.
  4. Nothing but Shadows (co-written with Sarah Rees Brennan) — Simon discovers the history of James Herondale during his time at the Academy in 1899.
  5. The Evil We Love (co-written with Robin Wasserman) — A history lesson reveals the origins of Valentine Morgenstern's Circle in the 1980s.
  6. Pale Kings and Princes (co-written with Robin Wasserman) — Simon learns about the tragic consequences of a forbidden romance between a Shadowhunter and a Faerie.
  7. Bitter of Tongue (co-written with Sarah Rees Brennan) — Simon is kidnapped by the Wild Hunt and reunites with Mark Blackthorn, setting up future conflicts.
  8. The Fiery Trial (co-written with Maureen Johnson) — Simon and Clary travel to Idris for a trial that will test their bond as parabatai.
  9. Born to Endless Night (co-written with Sarah Rees Brennan) — Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood bring a blue warlock baby to the Academy, celebrating love and family.
  10. Angels Twice Descending (co-written with Robin Wasserman) — Simon's cohort undergoes the Ascension, bringing triumph and heartbreaking tragedy.

Where the Academy Fits in the Shadowhunter Chronicles

The events of Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy occur chronologically between 2007 and 2008. This places the series directly after the conclusion of the final book in The Mortal Instruments, City of Heavenly Fire. It serves as an essential bridge leading into The Dark Artifices trilogy (beginning with Lady Midnight).

If you read Lady Midnight first, you will encounter immediate spoilers regarding Simon's fate, his relationships, and the status of several key characters in the Shadowhunter universe. Additionally, because the novellas feature deep dives into the past, they contain references to characters from the Victorian-era prequel series, The Infernal Devices. For the best experience, read the books in this sequence:

  • Read The Mortal Instruments (Books 1 through 6).
  • Read The Infernal Devices trilogy to fully understand the historical flashbacks.
  • Read The Bane Chronicles to get more backstory on Magnus Bane.
  • Read Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy to follow Simon's transformation.
  • Read The Dark Artifices trilogy to see how the seeds planted at the Academy bloom.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

While the framing story of Simon's education is told in chronological order, several novellas act as historical windows. Understanding these shifts helps clarify why certain characters appear and why their backstories matter to the current timeline.

For example, "The Whitechapel Fiend" serves as a historical crossover with the characters of The Infernal Devices, taking place in 1888. "Nothing but Shadows" jumps to 1899, focusing on the generation of characters featured in The Last Hours series. Meanwhile, "The Evil We Love" focuses on the rise of the Circle in 1989, filling in the blanks of the parents' generation from The Mortal Instruments. Rather than trying to read these flashbacks separately, it is best to read them as Simon hears them, letting the past enrich the present.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the Academy, readers should prepare for a shift in format. Unlike the main novels, these are shorter, character-focused episodes. They focus heavily on themes of bigotry, classism within Nephilim society, and the struggles of Downworlders. Since Simon begins the series without his memories, his relationships with Clary, Isabelle, and the rest of the gang start in a fragile place, making his emotional development the primary focus of the collection.

Frequently Asked

QCan I read Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy as a standalone series?

No, it is not recommended to read this series as a standalone. The plot directly continues from the ending of City of Heavenly Fire and contains massive spoilers for the entirety of The Mortal Instruments.

QWho wrote the novellas in the collection?

The series is a collaboration. Cassandra Clare co-authored the stories alongside YA writers Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman.

QHow does this series connect to The Dark Artifices?

It introduces crucial characters and plotlines for The Dark Artifices, including the status of the Blackthorn family, Simon's Ascension, and changes to Clary and Jace's roles in the Shadowhunter hierarchy.

QIs the print compilation different from the e-novellas?

The compiled print volume released in 2016 contains the same ten stories as the 2015 e-novellas but includes exclusive illustrations, making it the preferred version for physical collectors.

QDo I need to read The Infernal Devices before this series?

Yes. Stories like The Whitechapel Fiend and Nothing but Shadows feature flashbacks that heavily involve characters and lore from The Infernal Devices.