10 Epic Book Storylines That Could Still Be Adapted by Shadowhunters Fans!

Summary

Shadowhunters successfully adapted the main storylines from Cassandra Clare's novels, but there were some storylines that were left out.

Content fragments that require rewriting:

1. "Missed storylines include Jonathan and the Seelie Queen's relationship, Max Lightwood's death, Jace's Herondale connections, the Endarkened Shadowhunters, and the Blackthorns' role."

2. "The series did not fully develop Simon and Izzy's relationship, and Clary and Jace did not get their happy ending like in the books."

Rewritten content:

1. Key storylines left unexplored encompassed the relationship between Jonathan and the Seelie Queen, Max Lightwood's tragic demise, Jace's Herondale lineage, the Enarkened Shadowhunters, and the pivotal role played by the Blackthorns.

2. Insufficient attention was given to nurturing the connection between Simon and Izzy, while Clary and Jace's ultimate happiness remained unattained, deviating from the satisfying conclusion depicted in the books.

Adapting six lengthy novels into three television seasons is undeniably challenging, often leading to the omission of certain book storylines. This was the case with Shadowhunters and its source material "The Mortal Instruments." Despite the show's efforts to incorporate the thrilling highs and lows of Cassandra Clare's young adult novels, there are still untold storylines that fans may never witness due to the show's cancellation. Although seemingly minor, these storylines hold significant importance as they serve as a gateway to Clare's other Shadowhunter novels.

Despite its setbacks, Shadowhunters largely achieved the task of bringing Cassandra Clare's story to the small screen. While a film adaptation titled The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones was released in 2013, it failed to thrive beyond its initial installment, leaving Shadowhunters as the torchbearer for the remaining "Mortal Instruments" books. The series successfully portrayed vital storylines, such as the intricate relationship between Clary and Jace, the emergence of Valentine and Jonathan, and the intense war between the Shadowhunters and Jonathan's demonic forces. Nevertheless, there remain some overlooked storylines that deserved more attention and may never find their way onto the screen.

7 Jonathan And The Seelie Queen's Relationship

6 Max Lightwood's Death And Its Consequences

: While Shadowhunters depicted Jonathan's fall into darkness as a swift progression, triggered by his intimate encounter and subsequent murder of the Seelie Queen, the books delved into this transformation in a more gradual and intricate manner. Jonathan and the Seelie Queen shared a profound and enduring relationship, far surpassing what was portrayed on the show. This narrative development omission resulted in crucial nuances being overlooked in Jonathan's character. Showrunners themselves acknowledge that the connection between Jonathan and the Seelie Queen was a pivotal plot point that they would have explored further had the series been granted another season, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. With additional time, Shadowhunters had the potential to depict the complex interplay of sexuality and strategy that existed between these characters.

Max, the younger brother of Alec and Isabelle in Shadowhunters, manages to survive the Dark War and relocates to the L.A. Institute alongside his mother. However, the storyline takes a much darker turn in the books, wherein Max meets a tragic demise, a crucial event that significantly impacts the other characters. In Cassandra Clare's third book of the "Mortal Instruments" series, Max succumbs to Jonathan's, also known as Sebastian's, merciless hands. While preserving Max's life in Shadowhunters may appear as a compassionate act, it profoundly influences the character development of the Lightwood family.

5 Jace's Herondale Connections In Shadowhunters

: The tragic loss of Max undeniably shatters the Lightwood family dynamics. While Alec's romance with Magnus strains his relationship with his father, Max's untimely demise serves as a tipping point for the already fractured family. Paradoxically, his death also brings some unforeseen benefits. The Shadowhunters are able to unearth Sebastian's true identity, thanks to Max's sacrifice, and it serves as a stark reminder of the impending war's escalating consequences. Isabelle, once characterized by her carefree and party-going demeanor, undergoes a profound transformation due to her brother's tragic fate. Regrettably, the intricate web of Lightwood family discord remains unexplored, forever confined within the walls of the Shadowhunters' domain.

In both "The Mortal Instruments" and Shadowhunters, a major revelation occurs regarding Jace's true lineage. Instead of being a Wayland or a Morgenstern, Jace is revealed to be a Herondale. This revelation carries significant weight as it dispels the notion that Jace and Clary are siblings, allowing their romantic relationship to progress. However, within the context of the "The Mortal Instruments" series, the name Herondale holds even greater importance. It repeatedly emerges as a significant element throughout the books, particularly when new characters such as Brother Zachariah and Emma Carstairs are introduced, both of whom maintain strong ties to Jace and his familial name.

4 The Endarkened Shadowhunters

Although Brother Zachariah has limited appearances in the Shadowhunters TV series, his importance is significantly greater in the books. Not only does he possess knowledge and abilities that can aid the characters, but he also shares a direct connection with Jace and his family. Specifically, Zachariah was previously the best friend of Jace's ancestor, Will Herondale. This particular detail holds immense significance as it forms the basis of another series penned by Cassandra Clare, titled "The Infernal Devices." Consequently, by not fully exploring Brother Zachariah's character, Shadowhunters effectively avoids the potential for an "Infernal Devices" spinoff or, at the very least, references that would satisfy fans of the series.

One factor that exacerbated Jonathan's reign of terror was the utilization of Endarkened Shadowhunters, who were distinct from regular Shadowhunters. The Endarkened were former Shadowhunters who turned to the path of evil after consuming a concoction made with Lilith's demonic blood and Jonathan's blood from the Infernal Cup. In most cases, these Shadowhunters unwillingly succumbed to the mixture and became agents of darkness. Consequently, the Endarkened posed as formidable adversaries for the Shadowhunters, serving as a tragic manifestation of Jonathan's malevolence. Without their presence, Shadowhunters are spared the anguish of battling their own beloved ones who had fallen to the darkness.

3 The Blackthorns And The L.A. Institute

Another Shadowhunter family that Cassandra Clare explores in a spinoff book series is the Blackthorns in "The Last Hours." In Shadowhunters, audiences are introduced to glimpses of the Blackthorns through Helen, who assists the Shadowhunters characters in solving supernatural problems and has a romantic relationship with fellow shadowhunter, Aline. However, Helen's narrative extends beyond her supportive role during the Dark War. In the books, Helen endures a devastating tragedy when her home, the L.A. Institute, is brutally attacked by Jonathan, resulting in the death of everyone except her younger siblings. Moreover, due to Helen's faerie heritage, she faces exile for a period of time throughout the book series.

Just like Brother Zachariah's marginal significance in the Shadowhunters episodes, Helen could have contributed to the development of Cassandra Clare's other Shadowhunter stories. The Blackthorn family represents a particularly intriguing faction of shadowhunter history, and their role in the Dark War holds particular importance. Shadowhunters missed out on captivating subplots by neglecting to explore Helen and Aline's romance, the tragedy that befalls Helen's family, and the involvement of the Blackthorns in the fight against Jonathan, especially the transformation of the Blackthorn patriarch to become Endarkened.

2 Simon And Izzy's Shadowhunters Relationship

Although Simon and Izzy ultimately end up together in Shadowhunters, their relationship lacked the necessary development. The series deliberately delayed their romance, pairing them with different individuals in earlier seasons. However, this separation was not the sole obstacle in their book romance. In "The Mortal Instruments," Simon and Izzy faced a challenge early on when Isabelle considered herself to be superior to Simon and was unsure about pursuing a genuine relationship with him. The way they navigate their differences and prioritize their love adds depth to their romance, and without it, their relationship in Shadowhunters feels hasty.

1 Jace And Clary Ending Up Together For Good

Regrettably, the unfulfilled narrative of Shadowhunters lies in the unison of Clary and Jace. In the series' finale, Clary undergoes derunishment and subsequently forfeits her recollections of the Shadow realm. Grasping for any indication that her memories may resurface, Jace gazes upon Clary during the closing moments. Conversely, within "The Mortal Instruments," Clary remains unaffected by memory loss and her and Jace's union culminates in eternal bliss. Clearly, this outcome offers a more gratifying resolution to their romance. It remains lamentable that no authentic adaptation of Shadowhunters has yet provided the couple with their well-deserved happy ending.