Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Alec Lightwood, partner of the High Warlock of Brooklyn and father of a warlock child, visits Buenos Aires in the aftermath of the Dark War. When he arrives, he is not welcomed by the Shadowhunters there. He believes it is because of his companion Lily, the head of the New York vampire clan, until a Shadowhunter orphan confides a dark secret to him under cover of the Shadow Market.

95 pages, ebook

First published October 9, 2018

167 people are currently reading
5950 people want to read

About the author

Cassandra Clare

199 books278k followers
Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran, Iran and spent much of her childhood 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. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old.

Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).

After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.

City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
4,314 (69%)
4 stars
1,396 (22%)
3 stars
411 (6%)
2 stars
50 (<1%)
1 star
30 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 979 reviews
Profile Image for ~Calliope~.
248 reviews398 followers
January 31, 2023
“ My bapa is Ultra Magnus, ” Max announced proudly. “And Daddy is a Shadowhunter.”




“I’m very curious to see how the hottest Shadowhunter in the world is doing.”
“I’m great, ” said Jace.
Lily tapped her foot. “Nobody’s talking about you, Jason. Have you heard the phrase ‘tall, dark, and handsome’?”



“At some of the worst and darkest times in my life, you have always known what to say to comfort me,” said Tessa. “I had one of my darkest moments when we were young, and we had only known each other a little while. You came to me and said words that I carried with me like a light. That was one of the moments that made me fall in love with you.”

Profile Image for Melanie (meltotheany).
1,202 reviews102k followers
November 29, 2018
“Your voice is the music I love best in all the world.”

First and foremost, it is very obvious that Lily Chen is not straight, but Cassie Clare confirmed on Tumblr that she is pan! The blessings. The actual blessings. Also, hello, my new favorite character. Lily is half Japanese and half Chinese, and was made a vampire under the saddest of circumstances. And her love for Raphael Santiago warms my black heart like nothing else in the entire Shadowhunter world. And even though I could go on forever about my love for her, this story is more about her and Alec going to the Buenos Aires Institute together because Jem and Tessa are in need of help, and someone requested Alec personally. This story is actually pretty dark, so content and trigger warnings for abandonment, captivity, sex trafficking, sex slavery, and war themes. Nothing is graphic, but it is very much talked about, so please use caution. But Alec soon finds out that the Buenos Aires Institute is being heavily influenced by Horace Dearborn, and they are allowing children whose parents were killed in the Dark War to be orphans living on the street, just because they are Downworlders. Alec then comes across a Shadowhunter child who they are also unwilling to help, and the other Downworlders are too scared to bring in, therefore he must take action. You all, this novella was heartbreaking and heartwarming. Seeing Magnus and Alec be such good fathers to Max, and then adopting their second child, Rafe, it is something I don’t even have words for. And they are allowing their children to be whatever they want to be, Warlock or Shadowhunter, and will never stop giving them unconditional love. Even just seeing glimpses of Jace and Izzy being an uncle and an aunt had me smiling so big! It is a joy to read, pure joy. But we learn so much during this longer addition to the anthology, too. All the information we got of/from Mother Hawthorn? Damn.

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Youtube | Twitch

(I read this in Ghosts of the Shadow Market!) ✨
Profile Image for Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora).
1,009 reviews44k followers
November 26, 2019
“My true love has my heart, and I have his. Never was a fairer bargain made”.

¡Este es uno de los relatos más preciosos que he leído! Todo empieza con Alec y Magnus jugando en casa con su hijo Max. Ya ha pasado un tiempo desde que lo adoptaron y todo es absolutamente perfecto, tierno y especial entre ellos tres. Sin embargo, la burbuja de felicidad se rompe cuando Jem y Tessa le piden a Alec que vaya con ellos a Buenos Aires, pues la Reina del Mercado de las Sombras les ha dicho que sólo entraran si llevan a Alec Lightwood. Él, sabiendo que la misión de Jem y Tessa es importante, accede a acompañarlos, pero una vez llega se da cuenta de que el Instituto está corrupto, muchísimos Subterráneos están desapareciendo y, por ende, hay muchos niños huérfanos a merced del peligro.

Con esta historia no solamente morí de amor por ver a Jem siendo un Cazador de Sombras de nuevo y pudiendo estar con Tessa, sino por Alec. Poco se dice de que Alec es uno de los personajes más complejos que ha escrito Cassandra Clare. Adoro su sentido de la justicia, su sueño de que todo sea mejor en un futuro, su gran capacidad de sacrificio y, sobre todo, me fascina que esté orgulloso de ser él mismo y de amar a las personas que quiera sin miedo a ser juzgado. Alec Lightwood tiene un corazón enorme y en este relato lo vemos en primer plano. No sólo porque se preocupa por acabar con la corrupción del Instituto de Buenos Aires, sino porque se preocupa por los Subterráneos como si fueran su familia. Y qué decir de ese spoiler que me derritió el corazón. Fue precioso verlo crear esa nueva conexión y ver cómo entendió en un instante que no se separaría de esa persona, que ya eran familia.

Y no diré más para no dañarles el relato, pero ¡LÉANLO!
Profile Image for Carrie.
3,582 reviews1,686 followers
October 27, 2018
The Land I Lost by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan is the seventh novella in the young adult paranormal fantasy Ghosts of the Shadow Market series. This series is another companion set of novellas that are brief glimpses into events set in the Shadowhunter world of the Mortal Instruments series.

This seventh book of the series takes place in 2012 when Alec Lightwood is sent to Buenos Aires to tackle a problem with the Shadowhunters there. The best part of this story was getting a better look at Alec's little family that has formed, Max is adorable. These are the little glimpses of something more that I enjoy the most with a collection like this.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Profile Image for Emma.
1,021 reviews1,022 followers
October 12, 2018
I think this was probably the best novella of the series so far. I enjoyed the story surrounding the Buenos Aires Shadow Market and also the mission that Alec took in order to resolve things. Reading about Rafe's adoption was so sweet, he's the perfect addition to the Lightwood-Bane family.
Tessa and Jem were so nice to read about and I'm really happy that they finally got some concrete answers about the lost Herondale and all that stuff.
Profile Image for The Story Girl.
1,626 reviews127 followers
October 22, 2018
"To Alec, love always meant this: his shining city of eternal light. The land of lost dreams reclaimed, his first kiss and his last."


This. was. perfect!!! I never knew I needed to see Alec as a father, but it was the cutest, most heart-warming thing ever! I really came to love his character in this one. He has definitely grown a lot.

Also, Jem/Tessa!!!

And we learn more about the Lost Herondale and why he's so important! Spoilers in this paragraph if you don't want to know: The Unseelie King and Seelie Queen had a child and agreed that it would one day inherit both thrones and unite all Faerie. Mother Hawthorn, a faerie?, was asked to raise the child. A prophecy came saying that the day "the First Heir reached for their full power, all of Faerie would fall under shadow... the faerie folk whispered that the First Heir was cursed. And so she fled, fearing for her life." Her name was Auraline, and one day at the Shadow Market, she met a magician called Roland Loss. He told her they were both lost children, and that they should run away into the mortal world together. This enraged the King, as he wanted Auraline either under his thumb or killed, so he sent hunters to search for her.

One day Mother Hawthorn saw another angel boy, and she knew his parabatai was another Herondale, so she played a cruel trick on him (what Matthew did in one of the earlier stories in this anthology, causing Charlotte to lose her child.)

As Roland grew older and met his end, Auraline met the end with him. But Auraline's child Rosemary had a child, and that child is now the lost Herondale and the First Heir.
(So Catarina raised a Herondale child, and Roland was descended from that child So Roland - Rosemary - Kit.)

[previous update] Takes place after TMI. We'll see Alec and Jace in their 20's.

You can read an excerpt of this story HERE, and another snippet here, posted for Alec's birthday!

From Cassandra Clare:
- We will see Jace and Clary in this one!
- We will also see Jem and Tessa in action.

Blog: The Bookish Expedition and Instagram: @moonspree.

1. Son of the Dawn (takes place in New York City 2000) ★★★★★
2. Cast Long Shadows (takes place in London 1901) ★★★★
3. Every Exquisite Thing (takes place in London 1901) ★★★★
4. Learn about Loss (takes place in Chattanooga, TN 1936) ★★★★
5. A Deeper Love by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson (takes place in 1940 with Tessa)
6. The Wicked Ones (takes place in 1989 with Celine, Jace's mom) ★★★★
7. The Land I Lost by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan
8. Through Blood, Through Fire by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman
Profile Image for Alexandra Elend Wolf.
650 reviews319 followers
April 29, 2019
"Jace, his parabatai, the first person whomever chosen him. The first time Alec had decided to choose someone back, to take on another responsibility. The first choice, opening the door to all the others."

This story was so heartbreakingly beautiful from beginning to end.

The narrations this time are from Jem's - obviously - and Alec's point of view as they are in Buenos Aires trying to solve a couple of situations.

We get to see some of Alec and Magnus's family dynamic - with little Max of course - and it was so perfect. Their little family has so much love, and their interactions warmed my heart.

We're introduced to Rafael, and let me just tell you that little kid is adorable, and the only thing I wanted to do with him was hugged him, even though he has a big personality - his expressions made me laugh so much - he's still a kid and the combination is delightful.

The plot is funny and serious and charming, and I had the best time reading it. Even though at times I wanted to murder someone - my constant feeling in The Dark Artifices - it still felt like a light read and I was able to relax.

Lily's story broke my heart and I feel that it was the best part of this little story.

It's pretty obvious this is one of the last stories since everything is coming together and we can see that our journey is paying and tying itself together pretty neatly.

"If you loved somebody, you trusted them."

I thought that The Wicked Ones was gonna be my favorite story but now The Land I Lost is making a fierce battle to take that place.

I can't wait till The Red Scrolls of Magic comes out and we get Magnus and Alec all the time.
Profile Image for Brittany.
1,019 reviews117 followers
October 9, 2018
SPOILER WARNING FOR THE INFERNAL DEVICES, THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, TALES FROM THE SHADOWHUNTER ACADEMY ALONG WITH PREVIOUS STORIES FROM GHOSTS OF THE SHADOW MARKET AND THE DARK ARTIFICES!

This has to be my favorite short story that has been released in this series. This story follows Alec as he is asked to come to Buenos Aires to help a certain former Shadow Brother and his wife investigate something they have been searching for for a very long time. Thats the general gist of this but I do want to throw out there another spoiler warning. I have a lot to say about this short story and why I loved it but I cannot say it without spoiling so please look away if you are not willing or want to be spoiled.
The main thing I loved about this short story was seeing the growth of Alec Lightwood. I loved Alec in The Mortal Instruments. I thought he was such a complex character who was dealing with so much in his own mind and externally. Was he a dick to Clary? Oh hell yes and I totally recognize that. But this book showed so much growth of a character I loved. Mainly I loved seeing him stand up for himself. Alec was always so timid, followed the rules, was scared to speak out or be seen. And while some of that timidness does present itself in here, he stood up for himself so much and was so confident.
I loved watching his snark in this. Alec has such a distinct voice and such a dry humor and exasperated humor that it's fun to watch it go down. This showed what a loving and caring soul Alec has as well. Whether it's through his interactions with Magnus and Max or with someone he meets in here or Lily, he is a caring soul. I LOVED seeing domestic Magnus and Alec. They both have changed and grown so much through all the series and to see them in this place now, it is magical. They are still fundamentally who they are but they have grown and it is beautiful. There also was a part of this near the end that I could see having major consequences for or in Queen of Air and Darkness. I could write a whole essay on the growth of Alec Lightwood but I will cease for now and turn to the other part of the story.
I, of course, have a deep love for Jem Carstiars. Or Brother Snachariah as Lily calls him. There has been one continuous storyline throughout this whole novella series and it has been so intriguing to me to watch. This book had me actually freaking out and Jem's storyline was no different. I can feel that they are getting near the end but also the beginning of another story in this and I have loved watching it develop. It is so amazing to see even how much Jem has grown throughout this and see how he has changed. The revelations in this made me want to actually start screaming. There was several times I actually put down my Kindle and had to just sit and stare at a wall I was in such shock at the information being given in this. And I loved every second of it. The revelations are going to have consequences in Queen of Air and Darkness and I cannot wait to see how Cassandra Clare handles them.
I was just blown away by this novella. I thought that it was so intricately woven to include stories not only from the previous books but from series to come and even other Ghosts of the Shadow Market stories. I am always in awe of how Cassandra Clare was able to create and weave all these stories together so seamlessly. I am so excited for the final book in this series but sad to see it end as well. I absolutely loved this.
Profile Image for fiona ☁️.
336 reviews143 followers
January 3, 2021
yes yes, Magnus and Alec and their family are very sweet, and yes yes, if Magnus is happy I'm happy, but can we also talk about how awesome Lily was in this ??
Profile Image for Suzzie.
956 reviews173 followers
December 19, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was easily one of my favorite Ghosts of the Shadowhunter Market novellas. It was funny and entertaining. Lily and Alec were so amusing in their banter during their travel. It was also nice to read about Rafe’s first appearance so to speak.

My quick and simple overall: amusing and interesting with some some of the characters we, who are far too into the Shadowhunter world, love! 💓💓💓
Profile Image for jessie.
345 reviews262 followers
July 13, 2020
My words? gone.
My heart? gone.
Me? FUCKING GONE

There’s nothing I don’t love about this novella there is absolutely nothing. I EVEN LIKE JACE IN THIS ONE. I knew its a good sign that Alec takes the spotlight in this novella but oh my God my sweet little child Rafael oh my JESUS my poor weak heart is bursting with all the happiness in the world. I want to hug myself and cry in a bundle of happiness this is too cute SAVE ME.

Also, Malec 5ever fight me.
Profile Image for ambsreads.
818 reviews1,584 followers
October 13, 2018
i read this yesterday (oops) and oh my god this may be my favourite yet????
Profile Image for paige (ptsungirl).
898 reviews1,021 followers
May 22, 2022
"Alec thought of the power to change the Law from a sword that hurt people into a shield to defend them."

°•*⁀➷

Alec's characterization feels so surreal to me because he went from this scared teenager who had no idea who he was to a brave man who wants to change the world. Not only for his love, but for all those that have been hurt by the rules he so desperately wants to change. It's beautiful, encouraging, real, powerful, inspiring and just about as magical as his Magnus.

Sometimes I can't believe how far he truly comes. How much he changes. In this little story we see him stand up for women, help Lily with her grief, help a child to trust, allow the downworlder community to see the changes he's making in New York and what he can do if they trust him. He says no to a job simply because he wants to change the law, which he knows he can't do in certain seats. He brings a lost boy home and essentially brings him home, to a family built off of faith, trust and love.

It's stunning, and I can't believe that I almost didn't try to see who Alec Lightwood could become. It took so long to read these, but I've never been happier to have read something. I should have always trusted Magnus: he would never give his heart fully to someone who didn't deserve it ten fold.

-Paige
Profile Image for Eileanór Bláth.
432 reviews19 followers
October 10, 2018
OMG I'm so excited to read this!
And to all the people who put one star before reading it: you suck, your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.

UPDATE:
Guys.... can I give this 1000 stars? I'm still swooning for all the cute Malec moments, not to mention all the scenes where Alec is a total badass.
And Magnus is the sweetest thing ever.
And Lily is so funny and cute.
And OMG little Max... I don't even like kids in real life but I'm so totally in love with that little blueberry.
This is by far my favourite novella by Cassie. I spent hours reading it with a huge smile on my face... it still hurts xD I wish it never ended. ♥
I'm also glad it has a link to the upcoming new trilogy. *already squeeing for that, too*

I'm sorry. I'm fangirling so hard. I can't even. xD

Profile Image for Lia Carstairs.
565 reviews2,860 followers
January 21, 2021
Omggg!!!! Now I really wish I read this before CoG and TDA!!!
I finally got to see the story of how Rafe came into Alec, Magnus, and Max's life. And Tessa, Jem, and Lily were there!
They were all on a mission and while on that mission, they visited the Shadow Market, where something HUGE was revealed. Lets just say Mother Hawthorn is pure evil.
I love these stories!!!😍
Profile Image for Tina➹ lives in Fandoms.
497 reviews478 followers
October 9, 2025
5 Golden Stars, Complete

this was beautiful!
The best (my favourite) in Ghosts of the Shadow Market short stories so far! (the main thread of plot is continuous from previous stories)
I'm crying! I'm laughing! I'm melting!
so tender.
in tears.

Can we see Max grow up too as a new series in the Shadowhunters world? A teen warlock going through the world. pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee! there's so much potential! (& we get to see Magnus and Alec too!)
Profile Image for Beth.
927 reviews627 followers
November 18, 2018
5 Stars!

This was by far my favourite short story of the series so far, and shock horror it focused on Alec!

1. How he came across Rafe, my god my poor little heart.
2. Is it just me or is there a lot of foreshadowing for QOAaD?!
3. I need that book ASAP please.

Love love love.

Son of the Dawn - 5 Stars
Cast Long Shadows - 3.5 Stars
Every Exquisite Thing - 5 Stars
Learn About Loss - 5 Stars
A Deeper Love - 4 Stars
The Wicked Ones - 4 Stars
The Land I Lost - 5 Stars
Through Blood, Through Fire - 5 Stars
Profile Image for Irene ➰.
972 reviews88 followers
October 10, 2018
5/5 ~ Five Stars cannot explain what I felt during this novella. I wanted to read all of them in printed edition but when I saw that this story was being released I couldn’t wait. I wanted to read about Rafe so much and I found myself so emotional in the end because seeing this new family growing and living happily some moments of daily life is priceless. Hands down they will probably be my favorite characters of the Shadowhunters world probably forever. I kinda grew with them and they have a special place in my heart.

The whole “background” story was amazing as always and we get to see Alec working with Jem and Tessa, but Rafe’s one is simply super cute.
Plus we are reading basically all this novella with Alec’s POV and I loved reading his thoughts, fears and feelings. Definitely need more Alec’s POV material!!!

And shoutout to Lily because she’s too cool!
Profile Image for Dulce María.
958 reviews44 followers
December 6, 2018
SPOILERS

Rafaelito 😍. Amo Malec con todo mi corazón, amo saber que su vida es hermosa también me encanta saber que Alec se a vuelto más cercano a Clary y que Jace e Izzy siempre le cuidarán la espalda con los idiotas de la clave.
Me gustaría saber más sobre Joaquín y Juliette y lo que ocurrirá en Argentina. (Aunque tengo el presentimiento de que sabremos esto en la saga de Malec)
Robert Lidwood nunca, ni por casualidad caería dentro de mis personajes favoritos pero tengo que admitir que ha tenido una gran evolución y les juro que me dolió el corazón cuando le dijo a Alec que la cena que había tenido con ellos y Max fue uno de los momentos más felices de su vida y Alec estaba pensando que fue súper incómoda y nadie hablaba y yo sólo quería llorar de pensar lo poco que pedía Robert para ser feliz en la vida y luego me acorde de Lord of shadows y pues termine llorando hecha bolita.
Profile Image for kerrycat.
1,918 reviews
October 9, 2018
another emotional rollercoaster, and I don't even know where to start . . .

Lily's hilarious nicknames for Jem continue, and when Tessa (who finds them hilarious) uses one when she and Jem are alone together . . .

Rafe - well, our little bluebell Max keeps asking for a 'brother orra sister orra dinosaur'

more on the faerie heir and the Lost Herondale - we're getting closer to TDA and my hands are shaking even as I type this.

references to the TLH children are heart-stopping, as are those of others lost, including Raphael and Max Lightwood.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 979 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.