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Ghosts of the Shadow Market #4
Learn About Loss
In a small town lost to despair, a dark carnival of a market appears. In the fourth in the USA Today bestselling Ghosts of the Shadow Market, faeries and warlocks we know converge, and the fate that will one day produce Kit Herondale is sealed.
Audiobook
First published July 10, 2018
210 people are currently reading
5,897 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Clare
195books275kfollowersCassandra 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 921 reviews
September 5, 2018
3 Stars. Personally, this novella wasn't my favorite.
I think this story had a lot of potential but it wasn't eventful enough. There were a lot of ways a story at this particular point in Brother Zachariah's life could go, but it just fell a little flat. I feel the novella could have benefited from a more fast-paced and action-filled story but it was fairly stagnant throughout. I did read this novella slowly across a few weeks so it’s possible that by dragging out my time reading it, the story felt slower than it actually was.
I enjoyed the prose immensely as always. Cassandra Clare is a talented writer with vivid imagery and lyrical descriptions. I especially love the references and connections to other stories and characters within the Shadowhunter world, but I feel this particular novella relied too heavily on those references and did not have a strong enough story line of it's own.
I think this story had a lot of potential but it wasn't eventful enough. There were a lot of ways a story at this particular point in Brother Zachariah's life could go, but it just fell a little flat. I feel the novella could have benefited from a more fast-paced and action-filled story but it was fairly stagnant throughout. I did read this novella slowly across a few weeks so it’s possible that by dragging out my time reading it, the story felt slower than it actually was.
I enjoyed the prose immensely as always. Cassandra Clare is a talented writer with vivid imagery and lyrical descriptions. I especially love the references and connections to other stories and characters within the Shadowhunter world, but I feel this particular novella relied too heavily on those references and did not have a strong enough story line of it's own.
January 31, 2023
“The face of the one you love is the best mirror of all. It shows you your own happiness and your own pain and it helps you to bear both, because to bear either alone is to be overwhelmed by the flood.�
#teamJem&Will
November 21, 2018
“I want you to give them both a span of time. Both of them in a time and place where they can be young and happy and together.�
Current mood: Forever weeping over the masterpiece that is the end of this short story. You all, Will and Jem will always be best friend goals, and honestly are the definition of platonic unconditional pure love. (I mean, I won’t go into my polyamorous wants because Cassie Clare didn’t bless us!) But friends, this story just has a lot in it that I really appreciated. And I loved this dark carnival Shadow Market. This story is set in 1936 Tennessee, during the end of the Great Depression, and not only do we follow Brother Zachariah, but also the soon-to-be Iron Sister, Emilia, who easily stole my heart. And Sister Emilia’s promise? Goosebumps. Perfection. Also, I think these stories are really going to make an impact for QoAaD.
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(I read this in Ghosts of the Shadow Market!) �
October 23, 2019
“The face of the one you love is the best mirror of all. It shows you your own happiness and your own pain and it helps you to bear both, because to bear either alone is to be overwhelmed by the flood�.
¡Ayyyyy! Mi corazón no puede de felicidad cada que leo algo sobre Will y Jem. Pero bueno, en Learn About Loss nos encontramos con el Hermano Zacariah y con Emilia, una aspirante a ser Hermana de Hierro, paseando por un Mercado de las Sombras de Tennessee justo después de la Gran Depresión del 29. En el relato, Jem sigue intentando despegarse de su parte humana y de sus recuerdos para que los demás Hermanos Silenciosos no tengan acceso a ellos en su mente, pero cada que rememora todos los momentos que vivió con Will, los sentimientos lo golpean como un bola de demolición.
Learn About Loss es un relato bastante lento y con pocos momentos de tensión, pero lo releería mil y un veces sólo por llegar al final y querer llorar de felicidad. Nunca en la historia de los libros y de los shadowhunters he visto una relación tan especial como la que tenían Will y Jem, y cada momento, cada recuerdo robado, que puedan tener esos dos... ay, sencillamente me parte el corazón. Los amo.
¡Ayyyyy! Mi corazón no puede de felicidad cada que leo algo sobre Will y Jem. Pero bueno, en Learn About Loss nos encontramos con el Hermano Zacariah y con Emilia, una aspirante a ser Hermana de Hierro, paseando por un Mercado de las Sombras de Tennessee justo después de la Gran Depresión del 29. En el relato, Jem sigue intentando despegarse de su parte humana y de sus recuerdos para que los demás Hermanos Silenciosos no tengan acceso a ellos en su mente, pero cada que rememora todos los momentos que vivió con Will, los sentimientos lo golpean como un bola de demolición.
Learn About Loss es un relato bastante lento y con pocos momentos de tensión, pero lo releería mil y un veces sólo por llegar al final y querer llorar de felicidad. Nunca en la historia de los libros y de los shadowhunters he visto una relación tan especial como la que tenían Will y Jem, y cada momento, cada recuerdo robado, que puedan tener esos dos... ay, sencillamente me parte el corazón. Los amo.
Want to read
June 20, 2018WILL HERONDALE DAY. Miss my bae so much💔
January 21, 2021
Reread (July 31st, 2020):
Pain.
All I feel is pain.😫😢
Also, I really want to know how Belial becomes in debt to Brother Lipsmackariah.🤔
Original Review:
Omg that ending made me cry.😭😭
💖Will and Jem will always be the best parabatai.💖
I love those two!!!🥰
Art by
Pain.
All I feel is pain.😫😢
Also, I really want to know how Belial becomes in debt to Brother Lipsmackariah.🤔
Original Review:
Omg that ending made me cry.😭😭
💖Will and Jem will always be the best parabatai.💖
I love those two!!!🥰
Art by
August 14, 2018
Really cute story and loved reading about Jem especially. Interesting tale with some a touching ending on Jem & Will. Really short short story but a good fix for shadownhunter fans.
My quick and simple overall: good, quick shadownhunter fix.
My quick and simple overall: good, quick shadownhunter fix.
November 2, 2022
I really think Jem is my favorite character of this whole world. He is so fascinating and multi-faceted, he represents the full spectrum of human emotion. This was an interesting little story about a demonically charged carnival, and what we might choose if we could have anything we want. Would we rewrite history or accept our fate?
July 18, 2018
Don’t you just love brother Zachariah A.K.A James Carstairs. he’s the best
December 9, 2018
Was all set on giving this 3 stars, but then THAT ENDING omg <3 <3 <3
November 19, 2018
This was perfect, and the ending made me so happy, I loved the carnival setting, seeing iron sisters and the last section of the book was just so lovely.
My heart!
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
My heart!
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
December 11, 2018
Let's be real here..the only reason I'm even giving this a 3� is because of the Will and Jem scene at the end. That was so precious and I miss Will so much😭
October 27, 2018
Learn about Loss by Cassandra Clare and Kelly Link is the fourth 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 fourth book is set at the time around the depression with Brother Zachariah and an Iron Sister visiting a carnival in which it was said you could find your way to your greatest wish. As always I enjoyed this short little extra peek at the lives of some of the characters from the stories that I've come to know and love.
For more reviews please visit
This fourth book is set at the time around the depression with Brother Zachariah and an Iron Sister visiting a carnival in which it was said you could find your way to your greatest wish. As always I enjoyed this short little extra peek at the lives of some of the characters from the stories that I've come to know and love.
For more reviews please visit
July 14, 2018
It was okay. I had zero interest in this Shadow Market and the story had really no action at all. I'm giving this 3 stars just because of the feelings created by my favourite trio of Shadowhunters.
October 28, 2018
⭐⭐⭐⭐� � 5 stars
An Iron Sister (in training) and Brother Zachariah had set out on a mission to reclaim some adamas that has ended up in the town of Chattanoogan, Tennessee. Though they didn't expect to be facing a Greater Demon in the midst of a carnival!
Oh, my beautiful Jem and Will, together even for just moments! Gosh, I miss them so much!!!!
Oh the next one is about Tessa! I have to prepare my heart to be broken into tiny million pieces!
┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶
1. Son of Dawn ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
2. Cast Long Shadows ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
3. Every Exquisite Thing ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
4. Learn About Loss ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
5. A Deeper Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
6. The Wicked Ones ⭐⭐�
7. The Land I Lost⭐⭐�
An Iron Sister (in training) and Brother Zachariah had set out on a mission to reclaim some adamas that has ended up in the town of Chattanoogan, Tennessee. Though they didn't expect to be facing a Greater Demon in the midst of a carnival!
"Human beings did terrible things to each other, and the traces of those terrible things were everywhere if you looked"
Oh, my beautiful Jem and Will, together even for just moments! Gosh, I miss them so much!!!!
"The Carstairs owe a life debt to the Herondales. That is my choice."
Oh the next one is about Tessa! I have to prepare my heart to be broken into tiny million pieces!
┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶┶
1. Son of Dawn ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
2. Cast Long Shadows ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
3. Every Exquisite Thing ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
4. Learn About Loss ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
5. A Deeper Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
6. The Wicked Ones ⭐⭐�
7. The Land I Lost⭐⭐�
July 15, 2018
He was Jem again, and he was in the city where he had been born. Shanghai. Someone said, “Jem? Am I dreaming?�
Even before he turned his head, Jem knew who would be sitting there beside him. “Will?� he said.
Even before he turned his head, Jem knew who would be sitting there beside him. “Will?� he said.
November 16, 2018
Will Herondale and James Carstairs will always own my heart.
July 11, 2018
It’s about Jem so obviously I liked it, and we got to meet another badass character 🙊 BUT I can’t say that it’s a very eventful story. So if you don’t want to read every story before the whole collection comes out, I suggest just skipping this one.
October 17, 2018
The last chapter 💔
August 4, 2019
I really enjoyed this, the end almost made me cry on the train while I was going to work, I was not emotionally prepared for that omg! The only problem I found was that the beginning was slow.
July 13, 2020
my heart fucking died
i fucking died
i CANT ANYMORE
Let’s admit it the novella was a bit slow but I really like the narration and the carnivals (though I always liked the idea of carnivals and circuses you know? I just think they seem so magical and exciting. Hence the fact that I feel enamored by it instead of bored). I also feel like the novella has so little plot BUT sister Emilia is my new favorite side character and I just fucking died because because BECAUSE WILL AND JEM!!1! I shit you not I cried and it was like the last three paragraphs or something. My poor heart. It can’t stand this anymore. I hope this is the last novella with heronstairs on it my heart can’t take it right now THANK YOU.
i fucking died
i CANT ANYMORE
Let’s admit it the novella was a bit slow but I really like the narration and the carnivals (though I always liked the idea of carnivals and circuses you know? I just think they seem so magical and exciting. Hence the fact that I feel enamored by it instead of bored). I also feel like the novella has so little plot BUT sister Emilia is my new favorite side character and I just fucking died because because BECAUSE WILL AND JEM!!1! I shit you not I cried and it was like the last three paragraphs or something. My poor heart. It can’t stand this anymore. I hope this is the last novella with heronstairs on it my heart can’t take it right now THANK YOU.
February 17, 2021
extra star for that HeronStairs moment
Read
January 22, 20214 de 5 estrellas.
MALDITA SEA CASSANDRA CLARE, QUÉ ME HICISTE, EMPECÉ ESTA HISTORIA SIN SABER QUÉ IBA A PASAR, AL PRINCIPIO ABURRIDA CON TANTA DESCRIPCIÓN, Y LUEGO ME PONES A JEM SUFRIENDO POR WILL Y TESSA TODA LA PUTA HISTORIA. Y LUEGO JEM Y WILL JÓVENES. LLORÉ MUCHO LPM ESTO NO SE HACE, POR QUÉ SIGUES JUGANDO CON MIS SENTIMIENTOS, DEJA DE ESCRIBIR A WILL A PUNTO DE MORIR QUE ME VAS A DAR UN INFARTO, MORIRÉ DE TRISTEZA, ESO QUIERES CASSIE? ME VOY A SUICIDAR LA PRÓXIMA VEZ QUE LEA ALGO DE WILL VIEJO Y MORIBUNDO ME OYES
#RetoBookTwitter is on. Gracias a eso ya me pude terminar esta historia.
1 leída: 15 de enero 2021.
MALDITA SEA CASSANDRA CLARE, QUÉ ME HICISTE, EMPECÉ ESTA HISTORIA SIN SABER QUÉ IBA A PASAR, AL PRINCIPIO ABURRIDA CON TANTA DESCRIPCIÓN, Y LUEGO ME PONES A JEM SUFRIENDO POR WILL Y TESSA TODA LA PUTA HISTORIA. Y LUEGO JEM Y WILL JÓVENES. LLORÉ MUCHO LPM ESTO NO SE HACE, POR QUÉ SIGUES JUGANDO CON MIS SENTIMIENTOS, DEJA DE ESCRIBIR A WILL A PUNTO DE MORIR QUE ME VAS A DAR UN INFARTO, MORIRÉ DE TRISTEZA, ESO QUIERES CASSIE? ME VOY A SUICIDAR LA PRÓXIMA VEZ QUE LEA ALGO DE WILL VIEJO Y MORIBUNDO ME OYES
#RetoBookTwitter is on. Gracias a eso ya me pude terminar esta historia.
1 leída: 15 de enero 2021.
July 10, 2018
I’m not crying. I swear
July 15, 2018
Me talking about myself:
🔘————————� 00:01:02
Me talking about why Heronstairs is the greatest fictional bromance of the 21st century:
🔘————————� 02:59:47
🔘————————� 00:01:02
Me talking about why Heronstairs is the greatest fictional bromance of the 21st century:
🔘————————� 02:59:47
July 21, 2018
Fuck you, my dear Cassandra. For reaping my heart out in only 50 pages.
November 20, 2018
This is such a Shadowhunter story, it started out with ridiculous jokes and ended with emotional whiplash KNOCK KNOCK I AM FUCKING CRYING
March 18, 2025
This was an ok addition to the series. I just didn’t really care for the story, but I liked how it gives some foreshadowing what’s to come in the Shadowhunter universe.
R.R.
R.R.
July 21, 2018
"The world was its own sort of crucible, and in it all dreams were tempered and tested. Many crumbled away entirely, and then you went on without them."
"Learn about Loss involves a dark carnival, a stylish demon, and Jem solving a mystery."
This fourth short story in the Ghosts of the Shadow Market series takes place in Chattanooga, TN in October 1936, and unlike the previous three stories, this doesn't revolve around any of the Shadowhunter children, just Jem and a soon-to-be Iron Sister, Sister Emilia. They have both come to reclaim some adamas that has ended up here, but they find that someone has already beat them to it.
A lot of people were expecting Will to be in it, and he is, but for only the final moments in the end, and he shows up in a different way than you'd expect. But I loved that scene all the same!
"The first strange thing they saw was a werewolf eating cotton candy out of a paper cone."
Also, Cassandra Clare wrote the absolute most beautiful descriptions of Chattanooga and the carnival. I want to go visit it right now (luckily I don't live too far away). I am thinking of doing a blog post of this: highlighting all of the places she mentioned in a blog post tomorrow, so go follow my blog at so you don't miss out!
You can find an excerpt of this story at the end of Every Exquisite Thing, as well as a tiny teaser .
The audiobook is narrated by Ross Butler, of 13 Reasons Why and Riverdale.
If you enjoyed my review, you can follow me at my blog: and Instagram: .
(takes place in New York City 2000) ★★★★�
(takes place in London 1901) ★★★★
(takes place in London 1901) ★★★★
(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 by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman
7. The Land I Lost by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan
8. Through Blood, Through Fire by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman
July 26, 2019
gonna have a never ending breakdown
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