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Author Cassandra Clare Will Bring More Diversity in THE DARK ARTIFICES

The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices author Cassandra Clare not only writes characters that are diverse in race, as that is a major underlying tone in her book series, but Cassie also does not shy away from creating LGBT characters, even so much as making them significant supporting characters.

Now it has just been recently revealed that she’s introducing another aspect of the human condition, and that is creating a character with a specific disorder that may not be well known to many people.  Here’s what she had to say on her Tumblr when someone asked her about Tiberius Blackthorn, one of the Blackthorn children “seen” in the newly released #TMITuesday prologue to City of Heavenly Fire, possibly having Asperger Syndrome:

Yes, Ty places on the autistic spectrum. I’m glad that that was picked up as it is a part of his character. My stepbrother is autistic (I know there is debate within the neuroatypical community as to whether to say “autistic” or “person with autism” so I try to go with what people want to call themselves) and it is partly through that relationship that I decided that I would like to write a neuroatypical hero. Ty has a loving and supportive family but certainly lives within a society that is intolerant of difference, and which has a specific poor relationship with neuroatypicality among its members. Ty is a favorite of mine and a big part of TDA. I wanted to make it clear that he was just as intelligent and skilled, and just as worthy and capable of love, respect and admiration as his neurotypical peers, when he is struggling and when he is not, and I hope you will like him.

blackthorn-tiberius-thegenius2-cropped

I find this really fascinating on many levels and I really am interested in how she will deal with Ty’s autistic side in The Dark Artifices.  I’m not very familiar with it myself, however, I have been involved in a conversation in which one person with Asperger Syndrome was involved, and it definitely made for an interesting conversation, to say the least.

Considering how Cassie has dealt with her previous characters, I’m sure she’ll find a way for us to love Tiberius for who he is and regardless of what type of disorder he has.  (I love that she mentions that he will play a big part in the next Shadowhunter trilogy, although we’ll have to wait probably a year or so for the Lady Midnight to come out!)

I mean, if fans can make room in their hearts to like Sebastian, despite (or due to) the fact that he’s evil, then I’m sure fans everywhere will do the same for Ty (even if we hardly know anything about him – or his brothers for that matter).

Interested in knowing more about autism?  Go here.

By Kait

Kait is a New Englander, a YA book and adaptation lover, and a Slythindor, as well as a red velvet and red wine enthusiast. She likes to like things. Catch her on Twitter: @kaitmary