Shadowhunters are the hidden world’s demon-hunting warriors in Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones.
Shadowhunters are humans with angelic blood who protect the mundane world from demons and regulate relationships among supernatural communities. They use runes, which grant abilities such as strength, healing, and improved combat skill. Clary Fray discovers this hidden society after witnessing a demon-hunting encounter in New York City.
The term can be confused with Nephilim, a related name used for the same angel-blooded people, or with Downworlders, which refers broadly to supernatural beings such as vampires, werewolves, and warlocks. City of Bones was published in 2007 and launched Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series.