There has been excitement for weeks for Shadowhunters, the new series premiering tonight on Freeform, the former ABC Family network. Shadowhunters is based on a series of young adult novels, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

Shadowhunters is the story of Clary Fray, a hydrid of a human and angel from a family that hunts demons.  After her mother is taken by a demon, Clary locates and joins a band of other Shadowhunters to get her back.

There will be many fans of the book series who will hope that the characters and story plots closely resemble the books.  I know that when novels are adapted for television changes must be made in order to reach a wider audience.  That being said, I still want to see some of the things that made the books special.  Dramatic license is fine as long as the driver of the story is not traveling too far off the road that the are going in an entirely unknown direction.

Like many shows involving a group of young people coming together to fight a larger threat, the theme of Shadowhunters is one of belonging, fighting the feeling of being an outsider and/or different.  This is a feeling most young people can relate to as it is one they face as they approach their teens. However, this is not just a feeling that teens have.  Being accepted can be a problem that older adults face as well.  I believe that’s why these type of shows appeal to all ages. The Shadowhunters are strangers who will come together and form a bond as they battle a common enemy.

The Shadowhunters saga begins Tuesday, January 12 at 9/8c on Freeform.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_P8UiKGMVU