Point of View

The novel is written from a third-person perspective, though the view remains limited throughout the novel with the focus on one character at a time. This is necessary for the author to maintain the twists in the action and the plot. The perspective alternates between Magnus and Alec, with the opening chapter from Magnus's perspective. The reader sees only one chapter from an alternative point of view.

The final chapter of the novel is written from the perspective of Shinyun, an evil warlock who was briefly in Shadowhunter custody until Alec, in a moment of trust, set her free. Except for that scene, the reader only knows what Alec and Magnus see and experience. The limited perspective is necessary because the author has several surprises near the end. One of the most important is the name of Magnus's father. Everyone knows that he is the...