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Simon's journey to become a Shadowhunter nears its end as his Ascension ceremony draws closer.This standalone e-only short story follows the adventures of Simon Lewis, star of the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments, as he trains to become a Shadowhunter. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy features characters from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices, and the upcoming Dark Artifices and Last Hours series. Angels Twice Descending is written by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman.

62 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2015

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13507 people want to read

About the author

Cassandra Clare

198 books277k followers
Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old.

Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).

After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.

City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.

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5 stars
7,324 (56%)
4 stars
3,784 (29%)
3 stars
1,513 (11%)
2 stars
272 (2%)
1 star
105 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,944 reviews
Profile Image for Sasha Alsberg.
Author 8 books64.8k followers
March 1, 2016
I am feeling so many emotions now I can't ever process all of them.
I will talk more about these tales in my review which will be up next week on my channel. Oh gosh. My heart hurts.
Profile Image for Zoë.
328 reviews63.8k followers
March 8, 2016
WHAT THE HECK CASSANDRA CLARE!? Why are you always making me care so much about these fictional people and then tearing my heart out?? I'm honestly such a mess right now and I'm typing through my tears which won't stop flowing. UGH IT HURTS SO GOOD. This novella series is definitely worth the read before Lady Midnight, I highly recommend for beautiful George Lovelace and friends!
Profile Image for Maureen.
584 reviews4,165 followers
March 14, 2016
I'M NOT CRYING YOU'RE CRYING BUT ALSO WHY, WHY??
1,065 reviews69 followers
Read
January 12, 2016
I AM SO ANGRY AND SO UPSET RIGHT NOW

I'M CRYING AND I HATE EVERYTHING

edit: okay but literally why, there was no reason for this, it was purely for the emotional pain and DIDN'T SERVE A PROPER NARRATIVE PURPOSE AND I'M ANGRY

now i'm going to go and find happy fanfic and live in denial forever
Profile Image for Laura.
471 reviews578 followers
January 9, 2020
I am a mess. I’m a really ugly mess and my face is swollen for all the crying and it was awful and beautiful and I don’t even know how I’m typing this but I just wanted to let y’all know that this was the perfect ending.

description

Cassandra is a pro at wrapping up stories and I just can’t talk about it right now.

Review to come in the morning. If I can manage to write one without crying my eyes out.

description
Profile Image for Melanie (meltotheany).
1,175 reviews102k followers
October 23, 2018
“That they would drink from the Mortal Cup. That they would, like the first of the warrior race, Jonathan Shadowhunter, sip the blood of an angel. That they would, if they were lucky, be transformed on the spot into real, full-blooded Shadowhunters.”

The character death in this was just so… pointless. It completely ruined the story for me and ruined all the previous happiness that happened on Magnus’ couch. This is the final story in the anthology, and it concludes Simon’s two-year journey of being in the academy. All the enjoyment that I had from the start of this one just really just fell flat by that ending. And I think it really left the entire collection off on a bad and sour note, if I’m being completely honest. I don’t even know how I feel about him honoring the last name. Yikes.

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Youtube | Twitch

(I read this in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy!) ✨
Profile Image for Alexa ❤️.
253 reviews138 followers
March 9, 2017
4.5 Stars

NOOOOOOOOOOO! How could Clare do this to me!?

I'm actually crying!
Profile Image for April (Aprilius Maximus).
1,168 reviews6,400 followers
March 17, 2016
I guessed what was going to happen early on in this novella series, but it still hurt :(

Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge Notes:
5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name
Profile Image for Icy.
194 reviews15 followers
November 19, 2015
SPOILERS SUCK.

IF I WASN'T SPOLED BY OTHER REVIEWERS I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SHOCKED BY THE END AND I WOULD HAVE LIKED THIS MORE.

AVE ATQUE VALE.
Profile Image for Haley.
5 reviews
Want to read
March 1, 2015
IF CLARY, A HERONDALE, A LIGHTWOOD, OR MAGNUS BANE DIES IM GONNA LOSE IT.
Profile Image for Anastasia.
209 reviews55 followers
March 23, 2016
5/5 stars
Angels Twice Descending was the perfect ending to an outstandingly written and thought out collection of novellas. Cassandra Clare has done it again; she has killed me and at the last second made it all worth it. The twists and turns that this novella took kept me up way past midnight and crying to into my pillow once it was over. Reading this book was like saying goodbye to the old cast of characters and saying hello to the new cast in Los Angeles. Cassandra Clare rapped up all of the loose ends and even frayed a couple that were perfectly packed at the end of City of Heavenly Fire. The writing was beautiful, Robin Wasserman is definitely my favorite co-author. They encompass Simon's voice perfectly and their style compliments Cassandra Clare's perfectly. I'm really sad to see these characters go, even if we do see them a couple of times in The Dark Artifices. I may not have always loved Clary some of them, but they will always hold a special place in my heart.
I will write a full review on the bind up.
Profile Image for Joana.
603 reviews54 followers
December 9, 2018
*** SPOILERS ***

Seriously... I don't know what to say about this one.

Let me start by the easy part. As it should and as usual, I have to fangirl over every little Malec moments.

I am so proud of my babies!!! They took baby Max on their 1st family vacations.. I'm so emotional. :')

Seeing Magnus and Alec's loft full of toys and baby stuff... It was so beautiful. I want to see more!!

(I wonder where Chairman Meow was...)

I want to see more of their lives with little blueberry!

And I loved seeing the three of them at Simon's ceremony even if just briefly.

I love my babies so much and I'm so proud.

Now... Simon is an idiot... I'm sorry but even after all this time I still can't like him. And I'm not the biggest *not even close* Sizzy shipper but finally, Sizzy sex!!

The bad part now. I was not surprised really.. But SERIOUSLY CASSIE????? AGAIN?? WHY?? WHY GEORGE?? WASN'T JORDAN ENOUGH??

My god I don't even! Poor George. It brought me some peace knowing that he is in the London Institute, though. That Institute is a good home and George deserves to be part of it.

Still can't believe that Simon is a Shadowhunter.

Simon Lovelace... I don't know what to think.

Well these stories are over... Can I have The Dark Artifices and The Last Hours now? Please??

What about that possible Malec book ? Pretty please Cassie?

And please don't kill more people that I like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora).
1,009 reviews43.6k followers
December 16, 2017
“The point wasn’t that you tried to live forever; the point was that you lived, and did everything you could to live well. The point was the choices you made and the people you loved".

"El punto no era que intentaras vivir para siempre; el punto era que vivieras, e hicieras todo lo que pudieras por vivir bien. El punto estaba en las decisiones que tomabas y en las personas que amabas".


Angels Twice Descending es el relato en el que Simon, finalmente, después de dos años, intentará Ascender como Shadowhunter para recordar todo lo que olvidó por salvar a sus amigos en la dimensión del infierno y reunirse con ellos en el Instituto. Y sí, hasta ahí todo bien, hay nostalgia, ansiedad y, en el fondo, miedo. No todos los mundanos logran Ascender y, de hecho, pueden morir en el intento.

Cuando piensas que todo va a ir bien en este relato y que Simon por fin va a tener el final feliz que se merece con Isabelle, Clary, Jace, Magnus, Alec y sus recuerdos... CASSANDRA CLARE TE ARRANCA EL CORAZÓN DEL PECHO.

Aún sigo en shock por lo que sucedió. Esa persona no se lo merecía, Cassandra. No podías dejarnos terminar un libro con una sonrisa en la cara, ¿verdad?

Profile Image for Simona B.
926 reviews3,140 followers
December 23, 2015
This novella is a masterpiece in the tough and gruelling genre of the storytelling of convenience and easy choices.
Practical example made by showing you a sample of an easy-writer's aka Cassandra Clare thought:



So, who cares? Who cares if I do nonsensical and opportunistic choices without even trying to be subtle?"

Flash news: I, for one, do. And I am appalled. I really thought Clare knew better than this.
Profile Image for Giulia.
212 reviews258 followers
April 16, 2016
This review contains spoilers


See, this was a good short story. The writing was pretty great, but that's to be expected when we're talking about Cassandra Clare, and everything was going well until... until Clare did the thing. You see, there is sort of an unspoken agreement between an author and their readers, that makes the readers trust that the author won't recur to cheap tricks to solve a situation, and that they won't do unnecessary things just to see their readers gasp and look at them with wide eyes. Whenever an author breaks this agreement, it makes me angry. I got angry at J.K. Rowling, I got mildly angry at Veronica Roth (only "mildly" because I'm one of the few people who didn't really like the Divergent trilogy) and, this time, I got angry at Cassandra Clare. Because you don't randomly kill a character just to see your readers go ohhh I can't believe she did it! Because it's not fair that people and characters like George, who are described as sweet and gentle, must also be seen as weak and unworthy. Why was Simon good enough to Ascend? Why wasn't George? Just because he wasn't your typical cocky and arrogant warrior? Or because Clare wanted him out of the way, since he could have represented a problem for the whole Simon and Clary parabatai situation? CHEAP. Still, the story was good up until that point so... whatever. Two very disappointed stars.
Profile Image for Pinky.
613 reviews646 followers
March 25, 2016
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINISHED THIS! I AM SO HEART-BROKEN, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THIS TO ME? Cassie sure knows how to play with a readers feelings. :) This was a bitter-sweet ending to the Shadowhunter Academy series and I loved it so much, although I am hurt, it was all worth it because I expanded my knowledge in this world. I got to see more of the characters I loved and saw the things I wanted to see in City of Heavenly Fire.

All I want to say is:


“The point wasn’t that you tried to live forever; the point was that you lived, and did everything you could to live well. The point was the choices you made and the people you loved.”

This is the 10th time I have said this but if you don't know what this is about, it takes place of City of Heavenly Fire. It follows Simon Lewis, the guy who is confused with his life, forgotten his loved ones and wishes to find himself again. He goes to Shadowhunter Academy where he is put through so many things. He goes on many adventures and the reader gets to learn more about the past and the present of the Shadowhunter world. We also see our favorite characters, so if you have not read this, you are missing out....

“It's not Cowardly to make a choice about what you want your life to be. Choosing what's right for you, maybe that's the bravest thing you can do.”

This shows a lot of character development with all of the characters. Simon has moved on so much, his character developed so much. George and the way his character developed was so nice. I loved George so much, I loved his character. :( We know what Magnus and Alec's future is going to be like. Isabelle's character never changed, she's the same girl that we all love. Clary never gave up on Simon and Jace is hilariously charming as always.

“Nice old ladies don’t throw your Pokémon cards in the trash,” Simon pointed out.”

The bonds and relationships between the characters were so strong. Simon and Isabelle, Simon and Clary, Simon and George, Alec and Magnus, Alec and Jace. Everything felt so nice, I couldn't help but feel this warm feeling in my heart. It felt so nice to see everything and how far everyone has come ever since City of Heavenly Fire.

“Also, for the record, only one of us has actually been a rat—and you’ll note he’s not the one crying.”

I was so heart-broken in the end, I knew there was something that would make me heart-broken in the end because everything felt too good to be true. I just wish it didn't happen and you'll know what I am talking about once you have read the series. The pacing for the series was super fast and I finished it within 15 minutes.

When I sensed the ending of this book I was like:


I highly highly recommend this series to those who have already read TMI and TID. And those who haven't read TMI or TID, I highly recommend you read those series because it is awesome! There was lots of laughing, crying, and happiness. It was a bitter-sweet ending and I can't wait to move on to Lady Midnight. I feel like I went through a huge journey and I have finally caught up, or almost caught up. Anyway, I'll be off!
Profile Image for Kinga.
680 reviews65 followers
November 21, 2015
description

description


A tribute to a wonderful character.
Profile Image for AkiraHeartnet.
36 reviews23 followers
December 2, 2015
I'm happy for Simon has finally being a Shadowhunter :) The real one. Yet

WHHHHHYYYYYY???? (/_\) OH CASSIE WWHHHHHHYYY!!??

My poor Simon :( he didn't deserved to have another lost after what he has been through it's utterly unfair enough for him.

Happy yet brokenhearted..that's how I can describe to this final one :)
Profile Image for katia.
351 reviews569 followers
May 7, 2023
that ending was so fucked.
Profile Image for Souma BookAddict.
213 reviews101 followers
July 23, 2016

“The point wasn’t that you tried to live forever; the point was that you lived, and did everything you could to live well. The point was the choices you made and the people you loved.”


I knew Cassie would do this! Because as we all know it wouldn’t be a Cassandra Clare’s book if she didn’t rip our hearts out in the end .
Even though I predicted what happened. I still wasn't prepared. My heart hurts.

Also Simon's Shadowhunter name is perfect !
Profile Image for Angigames.
1,395 reviews
January 12, 2016
No, no, no, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO, NO E NO.
NO. Mi sembrava troppo bello!
Questa novella si presenta come una lettura tranquilla, leggendola una si rilassa, si tranquillizza… finalmente tutto bene. Anzi, va anche meglio! Ci sono fiori, cuori, arcobaleni e unicorni. C’è la perfezione fatta e finita. Una ci rimane a bocca spalancata, il cuore palpita, si trasforma in un brodo di giuggiole, pensa pure “stavolta la Clare ha fatto troppo bene, tutto perfettissimo! Mamma mia!”.
Invece NO, invece la beffa sta dietro l’angolo. Anzi, non è una beffa è una vera e propria coltellata al cuore, di quelle profonde, di quelle che ti fanno venire le lacrime agli occhi.
Sono quel tipo di decisioni proprie dell’autrici sadiche, che cambiano le carte in tavola e spaccano i cuori con una sola frase. Sono sconvolta. Sono anni che leggo la Clare, ormai dovrei essere abituata alla sua vena sadica e invece niente… non mi abituo mai… perché colpisce sempre i personaggi che amo di più!
Colpisce in fretta, a tradimento… come un killer professionista. Ogni volta la Clare mi frantuma il cuore e io ogni volta la perdono... perché mi tiene sempre sul filo del rasoio, sa creare una storia sempre fantastica, sempre struggente… sempre giusta!
Comunque, non so se mi riprenderò mai da questa novella… è sicuro! ç.ç
Profile Image for Anny.
811 reviews404 followers
July 17, 2016
Gracias, Cassie, por el sufrimiento. :((((((
Ya estoy preparada para Lady Midnight.
Profile Image for GRIS.
467 reviews100 followers
February 3, 2016
Un inesperado final, por lo menos para mi, de una muy buena serie de mini-novelas. ¡Tengo muchas ganas de leer Lady Midnight!

“The point wasn’t that you tried to live forever; the point was that you lived, and did everything you could to live well. The point was the choices you made and the people you loved.”
Profile Image for Yukino.
1,100 reviews
February 7, 2017
LE CRONACHE DELL'ACCADEMIA SHADOWHUNTERS n. 10

Lettura di gruppo E&L

NO NO NO
Avviso non sono lucida!!!!
Non è giusto!!! Tutto troppo bello fino a che alla fine, ma George no!!!!
Sto male, davvero.
Quando Simon a Londra alla fine vede Jessamine e George è stato davvero strappalacrime. E anche la scelta del suo cognome. Si ci sta. Bello davvero. Anche se volevo vedere Simon e Clary diventare parabatai.
Mi mancheranno molto i personaggi. Spero davvero di rivederli prossimamente. Soprattutto Jon e Marisol ^_^
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Fatima  Havilliard.
116 reviews35 followers
November 29, 2015
Why? WHY CASSANDRA? ;-;

Profile Image for Marija.
483 reviews87 followers
November 19, 2015
What.
The.
Fuck.
Just.
Happened?

I am torn because on one side I am extremly happy that Simon finally became a shadowhunter but I am not okay with the death described in the sinopsis. Was it really necessary? I really liked that character and his personality. Couldn't Cassie just this one time stick with a happy ending? I still don't know who the lost Herondale is and it seems to me like this whole series was pointless. She creates a wonderful relationship only to destroy it in the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,944 reviews

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