Note: This post contains spoilers from The Mortal Instruments series.

This post is yet again a little later than predicted, namely due to motivation and procrastination than anything else. I knew I wanted to finally include another female Character of the Month, but deciding on one has been a bit of a struggle. However, this month I completed The Mortal Instruments series and I was blown away by the amount of favourable characters. One in particular stood out to me.

Isabelle Lightwood | The Mortal Instruments Series

I’ll admit, I’ve only recently been introduced to The Mortal Instruments series, however, I binge read them all immediately, falling in love with the characters and the world they inhabit. However, none of them inspired me as much as Isabelle Lightwood, adoring her from the moment she was introduced.

Isabelle may act quite tough and unbreakable, however, what intrigues me most about her is her weaknesses. She might be fierce and sassy and gorgeous, however, she’s also vain, overly-confident and insecure as well. Her weaknesses make the character for me, inspiring me to realise that everyone has a vulnerable side to them, regardless of the traits they show the most. Isabelle is extremely cautious when it comes to love, fearing those around her aspire to hurt her, yet her relationship with Simon Lewis transforms that outlook in the most beautiful way. Personally, that’s why I believe their relationship is the most beautiful throughout the series, being an unlikely match yet one that develops the characters the most.

Who is Isabelle Lightwood?

Isabelle Sophia Lightwood.
A Shadowhunter under the New York Conclave.
The only daughter of Robert and Maryse Lightwood, the sister to Alec and Max, and the adoptive sister of Jace Herondale.
21 years old, as of 2012.
She initially shared the Lightwood family’s snobbish attitude toward mundanes, however, after meeting Clary Fray, her opinion changed for the better.
Very confident in herself and her abilities as a Shadowhunter. She can be vain and somewhat narcissistic, but is also fiercely loyal and warm.
She’s described as flirtatious, dating many different boys, especially those that her parents won’t approve of. She later reveals that she does that to draw attention away from her brother Alec, who is gay.
She’s described as fiercely loyal towards her family, especially her brothers, and defends them passionately when threatened. Her brother, Max’s, death hit her particularly hard, her grief leading her to skip his funeral as she felt that she didn’t deserve to attend.
Cautious when it comes to love. However, that begins to ease slightly after meeting Simon Lewis, learning that those around her aren’t always trying to hurt her.
Described as incredibly gorgeous despite the scars left on her skin from the Shadowhunter runes. She has long, black hair that goes down to her waist, and dark brown eyes that are usually mistaken for black. She’s always seen wearing the Lightwood family necklace, having inherited it from her family. The ruby pendant of the necklace also serves as Izzy’s Sensor, pulsing bright red in the presence of demons.

Note: Isabelle Lightwood is portrayed by Emeraude Toubia in Netflix’s Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments, and Jemima West in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

Favourite Quotes

“But I watch my brothers give their hearts away and I think, Don’t you know better? Hearts are breakable. And I think even when you heal, you’re never what you were before.”
City of Fallen Angels

“Stop it.” Isabelle tapped a booted food in the shallow water at the lake’s edge. “Both of you. In fact, all three of you. If we don’t stick together in the Seelie Court, we’re dead.”
“But I haven’t-,” Clary started.
“Maybe you haven’t, but the way you let those two act…” Isabelle indicated the boys with a disdainful wave of her hand.
“I can’t tell them what to do!”
“Why not?” the other girl demanded. “Honestly, Clary, if you don’t start utilising a bit of your natural feminine superiority, I just don’t know what I’ll do with you.”
City of Ashes

Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Oh, for the Angel’s sake. Look, if there’s no other way of getting out of this, I’ll kiss Simon. I’ve done it before, it wasn’t that bad.”
“Thanks,” said Simon. “That’s very flattering.”
City of Ashes

“What’s all this about yanking poor Magnus and Alec back from their vacation?” Isabelle demanded. “They have opera tickets!”
City of Fallen Angels

“Brother Zachariah,” Isabelle said. “Months January through December of the Hot Silent Brothers Calendar. What’s he doing here?”
“There’s a Hot Silent Brothers Calendar?” Said Alec. “Do they sell it?”
City of Heavenly Fire