Cassandra Clare ​

Judith Rumelt, better known by her pen name Cassandra Clare, is an American author of young adult fiction. She is best known for her series The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, which are set in a universe where angels, demons, vampires, werewolves, and faeries interact with the ordinary world.

Quick Facts ​

• Authored popular young adult series including "The Mortal Instruments" and "The Infernal Devices".
• Her books have been translated into over 34 languages.
• Sold over 50 million books worldwide.
• Constant on USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal best seller lists.
• Several of her series are being adapted into television series and movies.
• Collaborates with fellow authors, such as Holly Black, on multiple projects.

Background ​

Clare was born in Tehran, Iran in 1973. She spent much of her early life travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father's backpack. Her family returned to the United States when she was 10 and she spent her teenage years in Los Angeles, where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates. Clare started her writing career in her 20s, working as a tabloid journalist for The Star-Ledger in New York City. However, she quickly left this job to focus on her fictional writing. In 2004, she started writing her first young adult novel, City of Bones, which was a New York Times Best Seller and was later turned into a major motion picture and tv series. City of Bones is the first novel in the series The Shadowhunters. Her other fantasy series include The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices, and The Last Hours.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Clare is known for her captivating storytelling style with young adult fantasy novels chock-full of rich descriptions, intricate plot twists and diverse, multidimensional characters. She also deftly balances complex fantasy worlds with relatable teenage issues. She has been praised for her negotiation with themes such as identity, family, and love. Her stories help readers delve into a world of shadowhunters, demons and other mystical beings, while also exploring contemporary social issues.

Notable Works ​

• The Mortal Instruments series (2007-2014)
• The Infernal Devices trilogy (2010-2013)
• The Dark Artifices trilogy (2016-2018)
• The Eldest Curses series (2019-2021)
• The Last Hours trilogy (2020-2022)