Quotes from work
The Mortal Instruments

The Mortal Instruments is a series of six young adult fantasy novels written by Cassandra Clare, the last of which was published on May 27, 2014. The Mortal Instruments is chronologically the third series of a proposed five in The Shadowhunter Chronicles but it was the first one published. It follows Clary Fray while also discovering her own heritage. The Shadowhunters protect the world of mundane people, who are also called mundanes or "mundies", from dark forces beyond their world.


Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo

“It's not often you get to see someone drool. Especially with such total abandon. Mouth wide open and everything.”

Jace to Clary, pg. 185
The Mortal Instruments, City of Ashes (2008)

Cassandra Clare photo

“Nearly unlimited supernatural power, and all you do is use it to watch reruns. What a waste.”

Jace to Magnus, pg. 136
The Mortal Instruments, City of Ashes (2008)

Cassandra Clare photo

“"When did you get that?"
"The shirt? At Macy's. Winter sale."”

Imogen and Jace, pg. 390
The Mortal Instruments, City of Ashes (2008)

Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo

“If you're calling me up just to chat, mundane, you must be lonelier than I thought.”

Jace to Simon, pg. 225
The Mortal Instruments, City of Ashes (2008)

Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo

“Are we long-lost friends, by chance?”

"No, we never got along all that well. Long-lost acquaintances? Compadres? My cat liked you."
Simon Lewis and Magnus Bane, pg. 689
The Mortal Instruments, City of Heavenly Fire (2014)

Cassandra Clare photo

“I really was sick. I swear. I almost died back there on the ship, you know.”

"I know. Every time you almost die, I almost die myself."
Clary and Jace, pg.449
The Mortal Instruments, City of Ashes (2008)

Cassandra Clare photo

“Do you want to tell me what this is about, or should I just call the police?”

"And tell them what?" Jace said witheringly. "That invisible people are bothering you? Trust me, little girl, the police aren't going to arrest someone they can't see."
Clary and Jace, pg. 44
The Mortal Instruments, City of Bones (2007)

Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo

“It's the Mortal Cup, Jace, not the Mortal Toilet Bowl.”

Isabelle to Jace, pg. 349
The Mortal Instruments, City of Bones (2007)

Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo

“There might be a God, Clary, and there might not, but I don't think it matters. Either way, we're on our own.”

Jace to Clary, pg. 257
The Mortal Instruments, City of Bones (2007)

Cassandra Clare photo
Cassandra Clare photo

“Don't look pleased with yourself. When Will says 'enterprising, ' he means 'morally deficient. '" "No, I mean enterprising, " said Will. "When I mean morally deficient, I say, 'Now, that's something I would have done.”

Variant: When Will says 'enterprising', he means 'morally deficient.'"
"No, I mean enterprising," said Will. "When I mean morally deficient, I say, 'Now, that's something I would have done.
Source: The Mortal Instruments

Cassandra Clare photo