How are you?
So for my final Book Review Monday in November, I thought I would talk about one of my favourite reads of the month. As you guys know, I am huge fan of Cassandra Clare- I have a whole blog post talking about my love for her work, the link is here. Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy came out this month in Bind Up form (the eBooks of each individual story have been available since late 2015). This review will be a bit different from my other reviews as I will talk about each story individually and within there I will talk about my opinions and characters. This review will contain spoilers, so if you haven't read this book then don't read this review.
Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare and Others- Contains Spoilers
Cover Review
Personally I am not a huge fan of this cover. The person on it doesn't look like how imagined Simon would look. I do like how it is a mix of the old covers and the new covers. Also, with the UK version you don't get a dust jacket.
Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan
This story follows Simon and his journey to start at the Shadowhunter Academy. It was so heart breaking to read that he wanted to leave New York to leave the others behind because he couldn't remember them. His interactions with Clary and Isabelle were so hard to read because you could see they loved him so much but he couldn't remember them. I loved Simon's new friend George Lovelace, it was nice meeting a non-American Shadowhunter. Also, I liked how he stood up for himself and he didn't want to use his name as a way to get into the best class. The scene were Isabelle comes to the academy to tell everyone Simon is here's was so funny but it was hard to read when Simon rejected her.
The Lost Herondale by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman
This story follows a conversation between Catarina Loss and Simon after they Shadowhunters receive a lecture about a Shadowhunter who left his fellow Shadowhunters. Catarina tells Simon of how the punishment for the Shadowhunter was carried out on his pregnant wife. Catarina saves the baby and raises at her own, before sending him away to protect him. Meanwhile, Simon is trying to apologies to Isabelle and Clary comes to visit. This was one of the stories that didn't add much to overall story arc.
The Whitechapel Fiend by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson
This story follows a lecture that the Shadowhunters receive from Tessa Gray. She tells the story of when they believed Jack the Ripper was at large, but it turned out to be a demon that they killed. Jace is helping out at the academy and on Simon's advice, he speaks to Tessa. Simon writes a letter to Isabelle trying to say sorry. While this story didn't add much to the story arc, I loved being back with the TID gang. You guys now I love The Infernal Devices so much and this story brought back all the feels.Nothing But Shadows by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan
Like The Lost Herondale, this story is told as a conversation between Catarina and Simon. Catarina tells Simon that he is not the first to ask to drop groups. In this story we follow James Herondale (Tessa and Will's son) and his time at the academy. We learn that he doesn't want to be at the academy as he feels as though he is an outsider. He ends up forming an unlikely friendship with Matthew Fairchild (Charlotte and Henry's son) after James turns into smoke. The boys end up being expelled and trained at the London Institute. Simon realizes that Clary is his best friend and he begins to put more effort into their friendship. I really liked this story as we got a first glimpse at the characters that are going to be in the Lost Hours series.The Evil We Love by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman
Like The Whitechapel Fiend, this story was told in lecture form. Robert and Isabelle Lightwood come to the institute to tell the Shadowhunters about the Circle. We learn that when Robert was in the Circle, he couldn't bear runes. Valentine helped him overcome his fear. Valentine, Robert and some other Circle members track down the werewolves that killed Valentine's father and Valentine tortures it. Robert objects but doesn't tell the others. Later in the story, Micheal (Robert's parabati) tells him that he is gay and loves him. Robert reacts badly and tells him he is disgusting. After the lecture, Simon tracks to down Isabelle to apologies but she doesn't want to hear it. She leads a bunch of Simon's friends astray and persuade them to summon demons to a party. Simon tells on them and it turns out to be a plot by Isabelle and her father. They arrange to go on a date. I liked this story as it shows a different side of Robert that we never got to see in TMIPale Kings and Princes by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman
In this story, the Shadowhunters recieve a lecture from Helen Blackthorn who is in Alicante for her wedding to Aline. Helen is forced to tell the story of how her father and uncle were captured by faeries. Her uncle was tortured into insanity and her father had two children with the fae. Isabelle and Simon go on a date but it fails. The rest of the story tells the reconciliation of Simon and Isabelle. I really liked this story, even though it was very emotional.
Bitter of Tongue by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan
This story is about Helen and Aline's wedding. Simon, Isabelle and the other Shadowhunters are out an a routine patrol when they are then captured by the Fae including Mark Blackthorn. Mark tries to get a message to his family through Simon. The Shadowhunters escape in time for the wedding. Simon and Isabelle attend the wedding together, but Simon decides not to tell the family that he saw Mark as he can see they are happy. I loved this story, again for the emotions. I was also super happy that Isabelle and Simon were back together.
The Fiery Trial by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson
In this story, Simon and Clary are asked to be witnesses at Emma and Julian's Parabati ceremony. They are invited to have tea with Jem, Magnus and Catarina but it turns out it is water from Lake Lyn. They both have hallucinations about saving each other from drowning. When they come to they learn they were put through the Fiery Trial and it reveals they are ideal Parabati. They can become Parabati after Simon ascends. They attend Emma and Julian's Parabati ceremony. This was one of my favourite stories as we got to see Simon and Clary become close again. We also got to see Emma and Julian again which made me really happy.
Born To An Endless Night by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan
This story starts in the Shadowhunter Academy with Simon and the others finding a warlock baby (that is blue) abandoned. Simon goes to find Magnus and ends up walking in on him and Alec. Magnus takes the baby, but is reluctant to keep it permanently. Meanwhile, the Lightwoods and Clary, Jace and Simon think that they are keeping it. Magnus finds the idea of parenthood overwhelming but with help from Alec, they decide to keep the baby and call it Max after Alec's dead brother. The ending of the story was so cute!! Magnus telling his son that one day it would be just them and calling him a blueberry! This was my favourite story and I want more stories with Magnus and Alec as parents.
Angels Twice Descending by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman
This is the final story and the most emotional. Simon and the others are ready to ascend. So far everything is going good. Simon goes up and drinks from the cup. He unlocks all of his memories and joins all the other Shadowhunter's who have ascended. George goes to drink but ends up dying because he is not a proper Shadowhunter and his body can't with stand it. My heart honestly broke when George died as I was not expecting any character deaths. It was so sweet how Simon chose his Shadowhunter last name to be Lovelace after George.Overall I gave Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy 5/5 stars. I loved all the stories and was so happy to be back in this world again. I can't wait to read more about Simon as a Shadowhunter.
Love,
Carenza x
