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Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #1-10
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy
Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. But the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows he was friends with Clary, and that he convinced the total goddess Isabelle Lightwood to go out with him…but he doesn’t know how. And when Clary and Isabelle look at him, expecting him to be a man he doesn’t remember…Simon can’t take it.
So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. His new self. Whomever this new Simon might be.
But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. And that differences—like being a former vampire—are greatly looked down upon. At least Simon is trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.
Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. These ten short stories give an epilogue to the Mortal Instruments series and provide glimpses of what’s in store in the Dark Artifices.
So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. His new self. Whomever this new Simon might be.
But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. And that differences—like being a former vampire—are greatly looked down upon. At least Simon is trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.
Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. These ten short stories give an epilogue to the Mortal Instruments series and provide glimpses of what’s in store in the Dark Artifices.
655 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 2016
About the author
Cassandra Clare
198 books263k followersHello Goodreadsers. Here's my official bio:
"Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts."
You can find me online at
www.cassandraclare.com
I have a blog:
http://cassandraclare.livejournal.com/
and a Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Cassandraclare
and a Twitter:
www.twitter.com/cassieclare
I'll be available here on Goodreads to answer questions for a Goodreads Author Discussion starting September 18 — http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/3...
Go sign up so you don't miss the conversation when it starts!
"Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts."
You can find me online at
www.cassandraclare.com
I have a blog:
http://cassandraclare.livejournal.com/
and a Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Cassandraclare
and a Twitter:
www.twitter.com/cassieclare
I'll be available here on Goodreads to answer questions for a Goodreads Author Discussion starting September 18 — http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/3...
Go sign up so you don't miss the conversation when it starts!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,860 reviews
March 27, 2016
Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy: 4 stars.
The Lost Herondale: 3 stars.
The Whitechapel Fiend: 5 stars.
Nothing but Shadows: 5 stars.
The Evil We Love: 3 stars.
Pale Kings and Princes: 5 stars.
Bitter of Tongue: 4 stars.
The Fiery Trial: 4 stars.
Born to Endless Night: 5 stars.
Angels Twice Descending: 5 stars.
The Lost Herondale: 3 stars.
The Whitechapel Fiend: 5 stars.
Nothing but Shadows: 5 stars.
The Evil We Love: 3 stars.
Pale Kings and Princes: 5 stars.
Bitter of Tongue: 4 stars.
The Fiery Trial: 4 stars.
Born to Endless Night: 5 stars.
Angels Twice Descending: 5 stars.
November 27, 2020
Individual ratings:
･ The Lost Herondale: 2/5
･ The Whitechapel Fiend: 3/5
･ Nothing but Shadows: 5/5
･ The Evil We Love: 3/5
･ Pale Kings and Princes: 4/5
･ Bitter of Tongue: 4/5
･ The Fiery Trial: 3/5
･ Born to Endless Night: 5/5
･ Angels Twice Descending: 5/5
Favoritos: Nothing but Shadows, Born to Endless Night, Angels Twice Descending
WTF CASSANDRA. ¿POR QUÉ TE EMPEÑAS EN HACERME LLORAR?
･ The Lost Herondale: 2/5
･ The Whitechapel Fiend: 3/5
･ Nothing but Shadows: 5/5
･ The Evil We Love: 3/5
･ Pale Kings and Princes: 4/5
･ Bitter of Tongue: 4/5
･ The Fiery Trial: 3/5
･ Born to Endless Night: 5/5
･ Angels Twice Descending: 5/5
Favoritos: Nothing but Shadows, Born to Endless Night, Angels Twice Descending
WTF CASSANDRA. ¿POR QUÉ TE EMPEÑAS EN HACERME LLORAR?
March 15, 2017
I'm so happy I decided to reread these! While I of course loved these novellas the first time around, I felt I was able to connect to them better the second time. When I originally read them, I quickly forgot the individual stories but it feels so good to have the fresh in my mind.
I would highly recommend the audiobooks for TFTSA. They're all narrated by a different voice actor and it really added to my reading experience. I had the best time rereading these and definitely feel ready for Lord of Shadows this May!
I would highly recommend the audiobooks for TFTSA. They're all narrated by a different voice actor and it really added to my reading experience. I had the best time rereading these and definitely feel ready for Lord of Shadows this May!
December 31, 2016
I AM IN A PUDDLE OF TEARS BUT THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! I LOVE THIS WORLD SO MUCH!!!
*weeps*
BOOKTALK HERE: https://youtu.be/kx0YBT40HrA
*weeps*
BOOKTALK HERE: https://youtu.be/kx0YBT40HrA
November 5, 2018
1.) City of Bones ★★★
2.) City of Ashes ★★
3.) City of Glass ★★★
1.) Clockwork Angel ★★★
4.) City of Fallen Angels ★
2.) Clockwork Prince ★★★★
5.) City of Lost Souls ★★★★
3.) Clockwork Princess ★★★★★
6.) City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★★
*.) The Bane Chronicles ★★★
With the way that City of Heavenly Fire ended, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy! I thought this was going to be everything, but sadly I was a little let down. I mean, a few of the stories in here are the best I’ve read from this universe ( Bitter of Tongue & Born to Endless Night) but most just felt boring to me, if I’m being honest. I know that sounds horrible, but I just feel a little let down, I guess.
This anthology follows Simon during his time in the academy that spans two years and I’m assuming catches the reader up to date for Lady Midnight. But we also get to see so many other beloved characters, both from past and present. But most importantly, we get to see Simon be the person who he wants to be, after so much was taken from him in The Mortal Instruments.
Simon is my second favorite Shadowhunter character. He is Jewish, he is nerdy, he is funny, he is a good friend, he is selfless, and he is so very easy to love. And he really has been through so damn much in his life; none of it he asked for but was just thrust upon him. Him and Izzy are also my favorite ship, even though I think she was a little questionable during some of these stories, too. I feel like a lot of people couldn’t empathize with everything that Simon was struggling with, and it just made me sad every single time.
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this, but again I did think that most of the stories were a little lackluster and left a lot to be desired. Yet, I still had a lot of fun while reading this! But I am going to break down each short story with my thoughts, opinions, and individual star rating!
➽ Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy - ★★
“He waved good-bye to all these people he barely knew and somehow loved anyway, and he hoped they could not tell how relieved he was to be going.”
Yikes, we aren’t off to a good start. Okay, this anthology picks up right after the events of City of Heavenly Fire, but Simon still doesn’t remember everything that happened, but he is now enrolled at the New York Institute. We get to meet so many new students, since the Shadowhunter world is in desperate need to replenish their fighters! I already love George. I already hate Jon. I will say that at first, I was so happy with Izzy’s declaration of love for Simon, but the more and more I kept thinking about it, I kept realizing that I was showing double standards, because if a dude would have done that to a girl I would have really disliked it. I will say that I always appreciated that Simon is the *nerdy one* and Izzy is the *popular one* and how Cassie Clare really plays that opposite trope up to perfection, but Izzy’s speech was a little too much even for me. I want good angst, not forced angst.
➽ The Lost Herondale - ★★★
“We all have our own story of the Dark War. All of us lost something. Some of us lost everything.”
We get to see Simon and twenty of his classmates try and kill their first law breaking Downworlder, but it happens to be a vampire that new Simon before his memories were lost. We get to learn a story about Tobias Herondale, the younger brother of Will, and it is heartbreaking. This story really shows how there are always two sides to a story, and in this case three. I love Catarina so very much, and I really enjoyed the message about how you have to be the person you want to be, and to always listen to your heart. Also, Jon is such a little shit. Also, also, I’m not here for the Izzy pity party, especially with everything Simon has had to go through since he got thrust into this world even though he never asked for any of it. Also, also, also there is an uncharted Herondale line? Lord, help us all.
➽ The Whitechapel Fiend - ★★★★
“The trick to falling is not to fall…”
Oh, my word, there was a lot to like about this one! Not only do we get to see Jace training Shadowhunter kids to jump out of trees, we also get to see Tessa, Will, and Jem solving… get ready for it… the Jack the Ripper murders in 1888 London! Like, I was for sure not expecting to wake up and read that today! But what a gift!
➽ Nothing but Shadows - ★★★★
“James Herondale was the son of angels and demons,” she said softly. “He was always fated to walk a difficult and painful path, to drink bitter water with sweet, to tread where there were thorns as well as flowers. Nobody could save him from that. People did try.”
My favorite thing about the Shadowhunter world? Seeing all these family trees! Like, it is a little hard to keep straight, especially with the Lightwoods, but it just gives me all the warm and fuzzies. Also, seeing James Herondale and Matthew Fairchild become friends gave me all the feels. Again, if you couldn’t tell by my review of The Bane Chronicles! I need The Last Hours immediately! But I also love the growing friendship between George and Simon, too! Also, that letter he wrote to Izzy? Ah, my heart!
➽ The Evil We Love - ★★
“He just knew, on a level beneath reason and memory, that some part of him belonged with Isabelle.”
Easily one of my least favorite short stories set in the Shadowhunter world. Simon and still struggling with his memories, and Izzy is being unnecessarily cruel about it, in my opinion. Then her dad, Robert Lightwood (yuck), and her come to teach the new academy kids an important lesion, while Izzy just goes out of her way to try to lash out and hurt Simon constantly. And Robert gives the kids a flashback to 1984 when Valentine is starting to show his true intentions, but people choose to follow him anyway, for many different reasons. TW for murder, torture, and homophobia.
➽ Pale Kings and Princes - ★★★★★
“This is how a faerie loves: with a gift.”
Easily one of my favorite short stories set in the Shadowhunter world. Summer is over, and Simon is back at the academy for his second year! But Helen Blackthorn and Aline Penhallow mean more to me than 99% of the characters I’ve spent all of 2018 reading about nonstop. But, can we please kill off professor Mayhew already? Like, I’m begging. What an insufferable asshole. But the Institute brings Helen to force her to tell the story of her half fae parentage, while humiliating and belittling her constantly. But she does it so that she can marry the love of her life, who has stuck by her side even when she was exiled to a cold island just because of how she was born. But the reason I loved this story so much was because the true story that even Helen doesn’t know about her mother and Faerie. Like, it was perfect. Everything I’ve ever wanted. Oh, and Simon and Izzy finally make up, but it for sure didn’t mean as much to me, because the last story was so damn painful to read! Like, can Helen and Mark just have their own anthology? Please. I loved this.
➽ Bitter of Tongue - ★★★★★
“I got distracted making out with a boy, and then locked up by a goblin”
Is anyone really surprised that I loved the story about a sapphic marriage between a fae girl and an Asian girl? I have loved these two since their introduction and… their ceremony was everything! Also, this was so amazing because we got to see more of the fae court! Seriously, all I want is more of Mark and Kieran and the Hunt! Please, Cassie Clare, I’m begging you! I honestly just think the Blackthorns are my favorite family. Plus, seeing Izzy and Mark both try to save Simon in very different ways was pretty perfect. This is also the first story that made me feel like Sizzy was back, and it warmed my heart and made me so excited for the final three stories!
➽ The Fiery Trial - ★★★
“True parabatai are linked long before the ceremony takes place.”
This one I feel really on the fence about. Like, drugging people, even with good intentions, isn’t cool. Basically, this is the parabatai short story! We get to see Julie and Beatriz decide to become parabatai. We get to see Emma and Julian become parabatai. And then we get to see Simon and Clary discuss if they want to be parabatai. And… I thought I would like it more than I did. First off, Maureen is the character in this entire Shadowhunter universe that makes me the saddest. Then, add in the drugging situation. Lastly, the feeling weirdness because you know that Emma and Julian are obviously going to eventually have a forbidden romance (even though they are only fourteen in this… yikes!) I don’t know, I am excited to see Simon and Clary become parabatai, but this story wasn’t that great itself.
➽ Born to Endless Night - ★★★★★
“Obviously you would call them Malec,” said Beatriz. “Are you stupid, Simon?”
Best Shadowhunter story ever! EVER! Seriously, this was probably my favorite thing in all of Shadowhunter history. Besides absolutely loving Magnus with everything that I am, seeing him be able to achieve things he never thought possible, even with his immortal life, is just so damn pure and wonderful. I also really appreciated Catarina and Lily in this story, too. Even though I really am dying to know everything about Tobias Herondale’s baby and the past. But yeah, this story was pure joy to read, and really just celebrate the love and honor for family; both blood and found.
➽ Angels Twice Descending - ★★★
“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.
I gave Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy three stars overall, because out of a possible 50 stars (5 stars possible for each of the 10 stories) this collection accumulated 36 stars (72%)!
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Buddy read with Kaya at A Fictional Bookworm! ❤
February 7, 2017
No sé por dónde empezar. Estoy fascinado.
Según fui leyendo los relatos fui añadiendo pequeñas reseñas cuando los terminaba, así que esta reseña no va a ser muy larga. Aquí tenéis cada status update con las mini-opiniones: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
En estas historias nos encontramos un montón de detalles interesantes sobre el mundo de los cazadores de sombras. No solo descubrimos más datos sobre la época del Círculo, o historias que no conocíamos del Instituto de Londres, sino que vamos conociendo aún más a Simon y su día a día en la Academia -la cual, por cierto, me ha encantado cómo estaba ambientada, así como todos los personajes que la habitan, desde Catarina a George, Jon, Marisol...
Realmente los relatos son todos interesantes, algunos más que otros, pero todos me han gustado. Especialmente el de Malec, el de la ceremonia parabatai de Emma y Julian, el de la historia de Robert y Michael en la época del alzamiento de Valentine... En fin, hay historias de todo tipo que nos ayudan a ver con perspectiva a los diferentes personajes y criaturas del mundo de Cassandra Clare.
De hecho, hay relatos esenciales para entender ciertas actitudes. Este libro habría que leerlo antes de Lady Midnight, porque entre otras cosas se nos presentan eventos o personajes que necesitan de esta presentación para que luego en Lady Midnight todo tenga sentido.
No sé, de verdad que estoy fascinado. No he sentido que eran relatos inconexos, sino que todos cumplían un cometido, además de avanzar en el tiempo. Al terminarlo me ha parecido que era un libro más de las saga, pues con toda la información que se nos da lo parece, aunque no tenga una trama central que vaya avanzando.
Para cualquier fan es un libro perfecto. Hay muchas tramas Sizzy, hay referencias que me han hecho emocionarme, y el reencontrarse con los personajes que tanto queremos me ha encantado. La perspectiva en general es diferente al resto de libros de Cazadores de Sombras porque Simon tiene amnesia, y vaya, es todo un redescubrimiento.
Os digo QUE LO LEÁIS YA, QUE ES DEMASIADO MARAVILLOSO.
Según fui leyendo los relatos fui añadiendo pequeñas reseñas cuando los terminaba, así que esta reseña no va a ser muy larga. Aquí tenéis cada status update con las mini-opiniones: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
En estas historias nos encontramos un montón de detalles interesantes sobre el mundo de los cazadores de sombras. No solo descubrimos más datos sobre la época del Círculo, o historias que no conocíamos del Instituto de Londres, sino que vamos conociendo aún más a Simon y su día a día en la Academia -la cual, por cierto, me ha encantado cómo estaba ambientada, así como todos los personajes que la habitan, desde Catarina a George, Jon, Marisol...
Realmente los relatos son todos interesantes, algunos más que otros, pero todos me han gustado. Especialmente el de Malec, el de la ceremonia parabatai de Emma y Julian, el de la historia de Robert y Michael en la época del alzamiento de Valentine... En fin, hay historias de todo tipo que nos ayudan a ver con perspectiva a los diferentes personajes y criaturas del mundo de Cassandra Clare.
De hecho, hay relatos esenciales para entender ciertas actitudes. Este libro habría que leerlo antes de Lady Midnight, porque entre otras cosas se nos presentan eventos o personajes que necesitan de esta presentación para que luego en Lady Midnight todo tenga sentido.
No sé, de verdad que estoy fascinado. No he sentido que eran relatos inconexos, sino que todos cumplían un cometido, además de avanzar en el tiempo. Al terminarlo me ha parecido que era un libro más de las saga, pues con toda la información que se nos da lo parece, aunque no tenga una trama central que vaya avanzando.
Para cualquier fan es un libro perfecto. Hay muchas tramas Sizzy, hay referencias que me han hecho emocionarme, y el reencontrarse con los personajes que tanto queremos me ha encantado. La perspectiva en general es diferente al resto de libros de Cazadores de Sombras porque Simon tiene amnesia, y vaya, es todo un redescubrimiento.
Os digo QUE LO LEÁIS YA, QUE ES DEMASIADO MARAVILLOSO.
October 30, 2018
1. Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy: 2 stars
2. The Lost Herondale: 2.5 stars
3. The Whitechapel Fiend: 2.5 stars
4. Nothing But Shadows: 4 stars
5. The Evil We Love: 3.5 stars
6. Pale Kings and Princes: 3 stars
7. Bitter of Tongue: 3.5 stars
8. The Fiery Trial: 4 stars
9. Born to Endless Night: 4 stars
10. Angels Twice Descending: 4 stars
2. The Lost Herondale: 2.5 stars
3. The Whitechapel Fiend: 2.5 stars
4. Nothing But Shadows: 4 stars
5. The Evil We Love: 3.5 stars
6. Pale Kings and Princes: 3 stars
7. Bitter of Tongue: 3.5 stars
8. The Fiery Trial: 4 stars
9. Born to Endless Night: 4 stars
10. Angels Twice Descending: 4 stars
December 23, 2016
I absolutely LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
Now, I read Lady Midnight before this, not know it would spoil me a bit, but I still loved reading and learning about some of the backstory to the things I read about in LM!
I was so happy to be with Simon again because Simon was easily one of my top three favs in The Mortal Instruments...hell, even in the entirety of The Shadowhunter Chronicles he's my favorite!
What I also enjoyed about this bindup was how many flashbacks there were! We visited Will & Tessa, James Herondale, Robert Lightwood in the days of the Circle, and so many others! I really really loved reading about these past events and getting a look at a different perspective.
And I even loved the new characters we were introduced to just as much! Marisol was easily one of my favorites along with George (which is probably a given with a lot of others.) I loved the humor and the sarcasm and everything about this book and this bindup and these stories. EVERYTHING.
Now, I read Lady Midnight before this, not know it would spoil me a bit, but I still loved reading and learning about some of the backstory to the things I read about in LM!
I was so happy to be with Simon again because Simon was easily one of my top three favs in The Mortal Instruments...hell, even in the entirety of The Shadowhunter Chronicles he's my favorite!
What I also enjoyed about this bindup was how many flashbacks there were! We visited Will & Tessa, James Herondale, Robert Lightwood in the days of the Circle, and so many others! I really really loved reading about these past events and getting a look at a different perspective.
And I even loved the new characters we were introduced to just as much! Marisol was easily one of my favorites along with George (which is probably a given with a lot of others.) I loved the humor and the sarcasm and everything about this book and this bindup and these stories. EVERYTHING.
April 4, 2021
You can always count on Cassandra Clare to deliver a happy ending 💔
November 19, 2020
“It didn’t feel like bravery. It simply felt like taking the next step forward.”
I’m going to bury myself in a hole so that I can scream and cry in peace with my emotions to be whisked away by Lovelace ghosts.
A moment of silence because these stories were so nostalgic but also creative and highly emotional. I feel like all of these short stories were essential in understand the “whys” of the conflicts and just amazing additional content for any shadowhunter fan. In case you are wondering:
I recommend reading this short story collection after you’ve read The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices but before The Dark Artifices and The Last Hours.
also I’m just simply shadowhunter trash.
The stories are so well done in this compilation and the way it kept tying back to the academy was creative. I was crying in every timeline and it gives me joy at how much content this world has. It might be intimidating from the outside but when you're in it... you're in.
everyone constantly points out the aspects of the characters that they don’t like and they find annoying but even though I respect their opinions… I just do not see it 😹 Me reading this and being once again acquainted to the TMI characters after 4 years just supports that. I don’t think there’s a character in this series that I find annoying or hate (yes I’m talking about Jace), I just really am so blinded by love.
“As long as you can find people who spoke the language of your soul, you will never be alone.”
Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy: ★★★★★(4.5)
I feel like it's the nostalgia talking but also the character relationships and dynamics built here was so cute <3
The Lost Herondale: ★★★★☆(4.0)
This was hearbreaking and full of foreshadowing
The Whitechapel Fiend: ★★★★★ (4.5)
James is so adorableee. I want to cry. Love that this goes through a lot of the character dynamics <3
“Danger is appealing, especially to those who have nothing to lose.”
Nothing but Shadows: ★★★★★ (5.0)
PARABATAIS!!! WE LOVE TO SEE IT! Yeah I am actually crying. I am tempted to just skip TDA and go straight to TLH. Emotional as always. James and Matthew have my heart.
“If you saw humanity as I can see it, there is very little brightness and warmth for me... You are who you have always been. And that is enough. That is more than enough.”
The Evil We Love: ★★★★☆ (3.5)
It was so interesting to see this side of the Circle and getting into the mind of Robert Lightwood and Valentine. A lot of these stories are centered around the parabatai bonds and I just love that.
Pale Kings and Princes: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)
That last part though... my emotion
Bitter of Tongue: ★★★★☆ (3.5)
MARK BLACKTHORN <333 all of the blackthorns to be honest
“We have to be what kind of shadowhunters we wanted to be and show them.”
The Fiery Trial: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)
Oh that was FUN! It was nice seeing how the parabatai ceremony works and these short stories really do add a lot to the plot and the build up.
Born to Endless Night: ★★★★★ (4.5)
The highlight of this story is Robert Lightwood suggesting that Alec and Magnus magicked a baby. I also realized that Alec basically inherited Will’s features. Magnus Bane as a constant in every shadowhunter novel is one of the best decisions CC has made.
Angels Twice Descending: ★★★★★ (4.5)
OHMYGOD JESSAMINE. I sobbed
“The point was you lived.”
September 1, 2018
I really enjoyed these stories!! I gave all of the stories 3.5 or 4 stars, but overall I would give it a 4 stars! I am so excited to finally get to Lady Midnight next month AHHHHH!
December 6, 2019
I love you Simon Lewis.
December 16, 2017
"But there had never been a Lightwood who touched his heart, as some Shadowhunters had... Until the Lightwood who was unforgettable; until the Lightwood who had not only touched but taken his heart".
"Pero no había existido un Lightwood que tocara su corazón, como lo habían hecho varios Shadowhunters... Hasta el Lightwood que era inolvidable; hasta el Lightwood que no sólo había tocado su corazón, sino que se lo había robado".
Como les dije desde que leí el primer relato, no le tenía mucha fe a Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy porque se basaba en Simon, uno de mis personajes menos favoritos de Cassandra. Pero, habiéndolo leído, puedo decir que estaba equivocadísima. Amé cada uno de los relatos, de los personajes, las historias, los momentos. Todo. Son relatos en los que aparecen desde Tessa, Jem y Will, hasta Alec, Magnus, Clary, Jace, los miembros del Círculo de Valentine y los chicos de la nueva generación que protagonizarán The Dark Artifices. Hablando de la nueva saga, sí creo que es necesario leer este libro de relatos antes de empezar con ella, pues hay ciertos eventos bastante importantes que no vas a saber de dónde salieron si no lees estas aventuras de la Shadowhunter Academy.
Aquí van mis calificaciones individuales:
Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy: ★★★★☆
The Whitechapel Fiend: ★★★★★
The Lost Herondale: ★★★★☆
Nothing But Shadows: ★★★★★
The Evil We Love: ★★★☆☆
Bitter of Tongue: ★★★★☆
Pale Kings and Princes: ★★★★☆
The Fiery Trial: ★★★★☆
Born to Endless Night: ★★★★★
Angels Twice Descending: ★★★★★
"Pero no había existido un Lightwood que tocara su corazón, como lo habían hecho varios Shadowhunters... Hasta el Lightwood que era inolvidable; hasta el Lightwood que no sólo había tocado su corazón, sino que se lo había robado".
Como les dije desde que leí el primer relato, no le tenía mucha fe a Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy porque se basaba en Simon, uno de mis personajes menos favoritos de Cassandra. Pero, habiéndolo leído, puedo decir que estaba equivocadísima. Amé cada uno de los relatos, de los personajes, las historias, los momentos. Todo. Son relatos en los que aparecen desde Tessa, Jem y Will, hasta Alec, Magnus, Clary, Jace, los miembros del Círculo de Valentine y los chicos de la nueva generación que protagonizarán The Dark Artifices. Hablando de la nueva saga, sí creo que es necesario leer este libro de relatos antes de empezar con ella, pues hay ciertos eventos bastante importantes que no vas a saber de dónde salieron si no lees estas aventuras de la Shadowhunter Academy.
Aquí van mis calificaciones individuales:
Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy: ★★★★☆
The Whitechapel Fiend: ★★★★★
The Lost Herondale: ★★★★☆
Nothing But Shadows: ★★★★★
The Evil We Love: ★★★☆☆
Bitter of Tongue: ★★★★☆
Pale Kings and Princes: ★★★★☆
The Fiery Trial: ★★★★☆
Born to Endless Night: ★★★★★
Angels Twice Descending: ★★★★★
March 17, 2016
Loved reading this! Wish I read it before Lady Midnight but I still really enjoyed it!
July 16, 2017
THIS WAS FANTASTIC!!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!! This is saying a lot because TMI took me over two years to finish. Simon has always been my favorite character and I loved having him as the main focus. I also loved reading about The Last Hour characters and seeing a glimpse of what's to come in The Dark Artifices.
Also, the ending hurt me so much??? Like how could u do that to meeee???
Also, the ending hurt me so much??? Like how could u do that to meeee???
August 14, 2021
ai dor
March 8, 2017
5 Stars
I enjoyed each and every story of Simon's journey through Shadow hunter Academy.
Simon's character really developed throughout the story from an unsure mundane who second guessed all of his relationships and despised his past self to a confident and capable shadow hunter.
Need more stories about Clary, Jace, Simon, Izzy and Malec stories!
I enjoyed each and every story of Simon's journey through Shadow hunter Academy.
Simon's character really developed throughout the story from an unsure mundane who second guessed all of his relationships and despised his past self to a confident and capable shadow hunter.
Need more stories about Clary, Jace, Simon, Izzy and Malec stories!
November 11, 2021
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City of Bones ★★★ 1/2
City of Ashes ★★ 1/2
City of Glass ★★★ 3/4
Clockwork Angel ★★★ 1/2
Clockwork Prince ★★★ 3/4
Clockwork Princess ★★★★ 1/2
City of Fallen Angels ★★
City of Lost Souls ★★ 1/2
City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★ 1/4
The Shadowhunters Codex ★★★
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy ★★★ 1/2
I am gonna be honest here and say I was gonna skip this one for sure. A discussion with -currently my all things CC related advisor- my friend Jess ended up with me convinced that I have to read this one and that it can not be skipped and it looks like Jess was a 100% correct with this and I am glad I listened.
The thing is short stories collections hardly work for me and I learned that the hard way. It seems that they are always stories that never add anything to what we already know and an easy way to milk the cow if I am being totally transparent here. What is different with this one is that the short stories are not that short (some takes an hour to read) and that they did in fact add many things to the plot and it was an actual continuation of the story rather than fillers.
I was a fan of Simon in the first trilogy but then the second trilogy made me like him less but when it finished my love for him was restored and this book just cemented that love. I think Simon is a really cool nerd and I love that for him.
I am not gonna discuss each story alone because I never do that and because better reviewers have already done that. My friend Melanie has an awesome review and I noticed that when it comes to the Shadowhunters world, we almost have the same ratings and thoughts. You can check her full review here.
I initially had a book hangover after finishing The way of kings and the first couple of stories here were meh but then slowly everything got better and I was loving the stories and I almost went for 4 stars but the ending kind of ruined it for me. I am still salty and I think I will never get over it but c’est la vie!
Summary: This book exceeded my expectations and I am glad I read it. I think it should not be skipped because it adds a lot to the other books. The only problem I had with it is the ending which I can not discuss without spoilers.
“You are the flame that cannot be put out. You are the star that cannot be lost. You are who you always have been, and that is enough and more than enough. Anyone who looks at you and sees darkness is blind.”
City of Bones ★★★ 1/2
City of Ashes ★★ 1/2
City of Glass ★★★ 3/4
Clockwork Angel ★★★ 1/2
Clockwork Prince ★★★ 3/4
Clockwork Princess ★★★★ 1/2
City of Fallen Angels ★★
City of Lost Souls ★★ 1/2
City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★ 1/4
The Shadowhunters Codex ★★★
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy ★★★ 1/2
I am gonna be honest here and say I was gonna skip this one for sure. A discussion with -currently my all things CC related advisor- my friend Jess ended up with me convinced that I have to read this one and that it can not be skipped and it looks like Jess was a 100% correct with this and I am glad I listened.
The thing is short stories collections hardly work for me and I learned that the hard way. It seems that they are always stories that never add anything to what we already know and an easy way to milk the cow if I am being totally transparent here. What is different with this one is that the short stories are not that short (some takes an hour to read) and that they did in fact add many things to the plot and it was an actual continuation of the story rather than fillers.
I was a fan of Simon in the first trilogy but then the second trilogy made me like him less but when it finished my love for him was restored and this book just cemented that love. I think Simon is a really cool nerd and I love that for him.
I am not gonna discuss each story alone because I never do that and because better reviewers have already done that. My friend Melanie has an awesome review and I noticed that when it comes to the Shadowhunters world, we almost have the same ratings and thoughts. You can check her full review here.
I initially had a book hangover after finishing The way of kings and the first couple of stories here were meh but then slowly everything got better and I was loving the stories and I almost went for 4 stars but the ending kind of ruined it for me. I am still salty and I think I will never get over it but c’est la vie!
“We all change the world, with every day of living in it,” Magnus said. “You just have to decide HOW you want to change the world.”
Summary: This book exceeded my expectations and I am glad I read it. I think it should not be skipped because it adds a lot to the other books. The only problem I had with it is the ending which I can not discuss without spoilers.
July 11, 2018
I...I'm...oh my Gods. 5*'s! All the stars! The end of the last story just I'm almost in tears ahhh!
This was such a good bind up I'm so happy I finally read these short stories! Simon has always been one of my favourite characters and just reading about him at the academy made me so happy, I'm so content my heart is full, Sizzy has sailed again...ugh!
I can't think of a single story in this that I didn't like, I loved the back story and all of the character development so much (Malec oh my Gods).
I just have Lord of Shadows to read now and I'm all caught up with Cassandra Clare!
This was such a good bind up I'm so happy I finally read these short stories! Simon has always been one of my favourite characters and just reading about him at the academy made me so happy, I'm so content my heart is full, Sizzy has sailed again...ugh!
I can't think of a single story in this that I didn't like, I loved the back story and all of the character development so much (Malec oh my Gods).
I just have Lord of Shadows to read now and I'm all caught up with Cassandra Clare!
March 27, 2016
5/5 stars
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is a collection of ten novellas that follows Simon Lewis after the events of City of Heavenly Fire, the last book in the Mortal Instruments series.
Disclaimer: If you haven’t read the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices series there will be spoilers and references ahead.
Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. The events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. Whomever this new Simon might be.
But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. At least Simon’s trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.
Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. Written by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman, these moving and hilarious short stories are perfect for the fan who just can’t get enough of the Shadowhunters.
If you have not finished all of the novellas and you would like to read my opinion on each novella separately the links are below. Each short summary of my thoughts on the separate novellas are a quick write up I wrote immediately after reading each one. Thus, my thoughts aren’t permanent and all over the place. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy book and review links:
Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Lost Herondale:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Whitechapel Fiend:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nothing but Shadows:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Evil We Love:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pale Kings and Princes:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bitter of Tongue:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Fiery Trial:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Born to Endless Night:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Angels Twice Descending:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
probably burst into flames right then and there. I have been waiting to read these because I wanted to read Lady Midnight immediately after. And boy was that a good choice. After finished all ten of the novellas I was having serious Cassandra Clare withdrawals. All I wanted was more Simon Lewis but I would definitely settle for Emma Carstairs. I absolutely loved all of the novellas, even if some of them had a few bumps in the foundation.
Now for the shadowhunters by blood. The first student, and my favorite out of the shadowhunters, is Beatriz Mendoza, an amazing girl who doesn’t follow the stream of elitists and makes her own path instead. When Simon Lewis speaks up about showing downworlders and dregs respect she is right there beside him. She does remain friends with her fellow students Jon Cartwright and Julie Beauvale, even though their views are very different compare to those. Julie’s mother had been one of the first to be turned into an Endarkened soldier by Sebastian Morgenstern. This fact has noticeably changed her demeanor. She keeps very close to those that she knows will keep her safe and will keep her on top, such as Jon Cartwright. Jon Cartwright is a boastful and extremely rude person. He makes snide remarks about the mundane students, calling them dregs, and always talks down upon Downworlders, even his own teacher Catarina Loss. There is really nothing good to say about Jon Cartwright, except for the last 3 or so novellas when he is befriended by a very good influence.
The co-writing of these novellas were very interesting. Each writing pair had their own writing style and way of portraying Simon Lewis. First there was Sarah Rees Brennan. I thought the way she described the world and situations from Simon’s point of view was a little too stiff and you could definitely tell the difference between Cassandra Clare’s portions are hers. Clare would have quick witted or sassy dialogue and descriptions but then there were stiff and very detailed descriptions with words I would never see Simon using. Maureen Johnson’s and Robin Wasserman’s writing styles on the other hand flowed very nicely with Cassandra Clares. They truly portrayed the nerdy and loveable character that we know and love, each with their own subtle twist.
All in all Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy was an amazing collection of novellas. The novellas take place over the span of two years and each one covered a substantial amount of time. None of them felt rushed or spaced out too much. Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman did a great job writing them and I will definitely be reading The Bane Chronicles now that I know I enjoy the short story bind ups. Each novella gave us new details and characters that I hope will be applied to Lady Midnight because that would make the story ten times better. I recommend this bind up for everyone who has finished the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices. The Infernal Devices isn’t necessary but it does help with some of the flashbacks.
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is a collection of ten novellas that follows Simon Lewis after the events of City of Heavenly Fire, the last book in the Mortal Instruments series.
Disclaimer: If you haven’t read the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices series there will be spoilers and references ahead.
Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. The events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. Whomever this new Simon might be.
But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. At least Simon’s trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.
Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. Written by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman, these moving and hilarious short stories are perfect for the fan who just can’t get enough of the Shadowhunters.
If you have not finished all of the novellas and you would like to read my opinion on each novella separately the links are below. Each short summary of my thoughts on the separate novellas are a quick write up I wrote immediately after reading each one. Thus, my thoughts aren’t permanent and all over the place. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy book and review links:
Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Lost Herondale:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Whitechapel Fiend:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nothing but Shadows:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Evil We Love:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pale Kings and Princes:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bitter of Tongue:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Fiery Trial:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Born to Endless Night:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Angels Twice Descending:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy,” said Catarina Loss, her voice gentle.”If Catarina Loss said this to me I would
“Speaking of people being foxy, do you mean? I’m George Lovelace,” said George. “I say my surname without shame, because I am secure in my masculinity like that.”Our new cast of characters is beautiful. First, we have the, mundane George Lovelace who has completely erased the prior Lovelace legacy in my eyes. He has a gorgeous, sculpted by Angel Raziel himself, body and a sexy as hell scottish drawl. In the first novella I thought he was going to be the new Jace but I was dead wrong. George Lovelace is the kind of guy that you would bring home to your parents. They might be apprehensive at first but when he opens their mouth your parents will be putty in his hands. George has the kind of attitude that complements Simon’s perfectly. He is kind, a little geeky now that Simon has gotten into his mind, and basically the sweetest characters you have ever met. The second mundane we meet is Marisol Garza. She is the youngest of the cast since she is only 15 and oh my goodness she is such a spitfire. She keeps up with the best in her class, including the shadowhunters, and follows the say sorry later instead of ask for permission now , way of life.
Now for the shadowhunters by blood. The first student, and my favorite out of the shadowhunters, is Beatriz Mendoza, an amazing girl who doesn’t follow the stream of elitists and makes her own path instead. When Simon Lewis speaks up about showing downworlders and dregs respect she is right there beside him. She does remain friends with her fellow students Jon Cartwright and Julie Beauvale, even though their views are very different compare to those. Julie’s mother had been one of the first to be turned into an Endarkened soldier by Sebastian Morgenstern. This fact has noticeably changed her demeanor. She keeps very close to those that she knows will keep her safe and will keep her on top, such as Jon Cartwright. Jon Cartwright is a boastful and extremely rude person. He makes snide remarks about the mundane students, calling them dregs, and always talks down upon Downworlders, even his own teacher Catarina Loss. There is really nothing good to say about Jon Cartwright, except for the last 3 or so novellas when he is befriended by a very good influence.
The co-writing of these novellas were very interesting. Each writing pair had their own writing style and way of portraying Simon Lewis. First there was Sarah Rees Brennan. I thought the way she described the world and situations from Simon’s point of view was a little too stiff and you could definitely tell the difference between Cassandra Clare’s portions are hers. Clare would have quick witted or sassy dialogue and descriptions but then there were stiff and very detailed descriptions with words I would never see Simon using. Maureen Johnson’s and Robin Wasserman’s writing styles on the other hand flowed very nicely with Cassandra Clares. They truly portrayed the nerdy and loveable character that we know and love, each with their own subtle twist.
“You love, and tremble, and burn. Do not let any of them tell you who you are. You are the flame that cannot be put out. You are the star that cannot be lost. You are who you have always been, and that is enough and more than enough. Anyone who looks at you and sees darkness is blind.”My favorite parts of each novella were the flashbacks. We were given stories about William Herondale, personally my favorite, Jem Carstairs, Tessa Gray, Robert Lightwood, the Circle, and many others. Each one giving me intense chest pains because of how beautiful they were. If you aren’t fully committed to reading a 600+ page collection of novellas about Simon Lewis do it for the flashbacks.
All in all Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy was an amazing collection of novellas. The novellas take place over the span of two years and each one covered a substantial amount of time. None of them felt rushed or spaced out too much. Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman did a great job writing them and I will definitely be reading The Bane Chronicles now that I know I enjoy the short story bind ups. Each novella gave us new details and characters that I hope will be applied to Lady Midnight because that would make the story ten times better. I recommend this bind up for everyone who has finished the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices. The Infernal Devices isn’t necessary but it does help with some of the flashbacks.
March 27, 2017
Buddy read with Cait!
I'm not going to go into details with each novella because there's a gazillion of them and I've already some forgotten details here and there.
Rating for each novella:
1) Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy: 3 stars
2) The Lost Herondale: 3.5 stars
3) The Whitechapel Fiend: 4 stars
4) Nothing but Shadows: 5 stars
5) The Evil We Love: 3.5 stars
6) Pale Kings and Princes: 4.5 stars
7) Bitter of Tongue: 5 stars
8) The Fiery Trial: 2.5 stars
9) Born to Endless Night: 4 stars
10) Angels Twice Descending: 3 stars
I'm always excited to read anything related to Shadowhunter universe. I adore this world, I adore the characters and I always want more. Now, there's quite a mix in my individual ratings: some novellas were super boring or pointless or I honestly could've been just fine if I hadn't read them and some were great. However, overall, it was good collection! What I liked about these novellas was that they weren't all about Simon's experience in the Academy. Some were focused on characters we know from TMI, TID, and TDA. We see:
- Will, Jem, and Tessa and the next generation, i.e. the kids in both The Whitechapel Fiend and Nothing but Shadows
- Julian Blackthorn and Emma Carstairs and the Blackthorn family in The Fiery Trial and Bitter of Tongue
- Helen Blackthorn in Pale Kings and Princes
- Mark Blackthorn (a.k.a my everything) in Bitter of Tongue; obviously I gave that 5 stars just for him.
- Magnus and Alec in Born to Endless Night
- Isabelle, Clary and Jace in several of these novellas, especially Isabelle since she obviously has a big role in Simon's life.
- Finally, The Evil We Love is focused on Robert Lightwood and his younger days with Valentine and the circle.
The two novellas relating to TID and the next generation? Those were brilliant. I absolutely can't wait for Chain of Thorns (Book 1 - The Last Hours trilogy) because I'm already so in love with these characters! The wait is now painful.
Some novellas provided a base for Lady Midnight. While it's recommended to read this before Lady Midnight, it won't matter at all if you read Lady Midnight first, as I did. Everything is explained either way.
Of course, my favorite novella would be Bitter of Tongue. Why? Mark Blackthorn, of course! I absolutely adore him and I missed him so much, so seeing him again made me smile like an idiot.
My least favorite novella would have to be The Fiery Trial. I found it to be very confusing and utterly pointless, to be honest. What the novella revealed wasn't at all shocking. If anything, I'm pretty sure every single person who's read TMI and knows about the general plot of this book/novella bind-up (even if they haven't read it yet), already know this "reveal" was going to happen. So, yeah. Nah.
I didn't particularly care for any of the new characters introduced except George Lovelace. George is precious. George is adorable. George is an angel.
In addition to that, these novellas also centered around Simon and Isabelle's relationship. So much drama went on, which is 100% understandable. I am absolute trash for this ship and when they finally got together again, I was beyond happy.
Now. The final novella. It would've been a great novella if it weren't for that ending. I basically spoiled myself about the ending and I got pissed at it. I dreaded reaching it and I'm still pissed now. IT WAS SO UNCALLED FOR AND UNNECESSARY. I don't get why it happened?? What was the point??? WHY, WHY, WHY? Things would've been totally fine if it hadn't happened. I'm not happy, okay. Not. happy. at. all. I refuse this ending. This is all.
I'm not going to go into details with each novella because there's a gazillion of them and I've already some forgotten details here and there.
Rating for each novella:
1) Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy: 3 stars
2) The Lost Herondale: 3.5 stars
3) The Whitechapel Fiend: 4 stars
4) Nothing but Shadows: 5 stars
5) The Evil We Love: 3.5 stars
6) Pale Kings and Princes: 4.5 stars
7) Bitter of Tongue: 5 stars
8) The Fiery Trial: 2.5 stars
9) Born to Endless Night: 4 stars
10) Angels Twice Descending: 3 stars
“You are the flame that cannot be put out. You are the star that cannot be lost. You are who you have always been, and that is enough and more than enough. Anyone who looks at you and sees the darkness is blind.”
I'm always excited to read anything related to Shadowhunter universe. I adore this world, I adore the characters and I always want more. Now, there's quite a mix in my individual ratings: some novellas were super boring or pointless or I honestly could've been just fine if I hadn't read them and some were great. However, overall, it was good collection! What I liked about these novellas was that they weren't all about Simon's experience in the Academy. Some were focused on characters we know from TMI, TID, and TDA. We see:
- Will, Jem, and Tessa and the next generation, i.e. the kids in both The Whitechapel Fiend and Nothing but Shadows
- Julian Blackthorn and Emma Carstairs and the Blackthorn family in The Fiery Trial and Bitter of Tongue
- Helen Blackthorn in Pale Kings and Princes
- Mark Blackthorn (a.k.a my everything) in Bitter of Tongue; obviously I gave that 5 stars just for him.
- Magnus and Alec in Born to Endless Night
- Isabelle, Clary and Jace in several of these novellas, especially Isabelle since she obviously has a big role in Simon's life.
- Finally, The Evil We Love is focused on Robert Lightwood and his younger days with Valentine and the circle.
The two novellas relating to TID and the next generation? Those were brilliant. I absolutely can't wait for Chain of Thorns (Book 1 - The Last Hours trilogy) because I'm already so in love with these characters! The wait is now painful.
Some novellas provided a base for Lady Midnight. While it's recommended to read this before Lady Midnight, it won't matter at all if you read Lady Midnight first, as I did. Everything is explained either way.
Of course, my favorite novella would be Bitter of Tongue. Why? Mark Blackthorn, of course! I absolutely adore him and I missed him so much, so seeing him again made me smile like an idiot.
My least favorite novella would have to be The Fiery Trial. I found it to be very confusing and utterly pointless, to be honest. What the novella revealed wasn't at all shocking. If anything, I'm pretty sure every single person who's read TMI and knows about the general plot of this book/novella bind-up (even if they haven't read it yet), already know this "reveal" was going to happen. So, yeah. Nah.
“I think sometimes it's too hard to believe in yourself. You just do the things you're not sure you can do. You just act, in spite of not being certain. I don't believe I can change the world--it sounds stupid to even talk about it--but I'm going to try.”
I didn't particularly care for any of the new characters introduced except George Lovelace. George is precious. George is adorable. George is an angel.
In addition to that, these novellas also centered around Simon and Isabelle's relationship. So much drama went on, which is 100% understandable. I am absolute trash for this ship and when they finally got together again, I was beyond happy.
Now. The final novella. It would've been a great novella if it weren't for that ending. I basically spoiled myself about the ending and I got pissed at it. I dreaded reaching it and I'm still pissed now. IT WAS SO UNCALLED FOR AND UNNECESSARY. I don't get why it happened?? What was the point??? WHY, WHY, WHY? Things would've been totally fine if it hadn't happened. I'm not happy, okay. Not. happy. at. all. I refuse this ending. This is all.
August 26, 2020
Qué libro, me encantó, lo disfruté tanto.
Las 10 historias son espectaculares, mi favorita fue la de Tessa y Will y Jem en Londres, cada vez que aparecía mi reina, mi niña Tessa me daban ganas de llorar y el leerla con sus hijos fue tan hermoso!
Toda la historia de Jack el destripador contada por ella fue asombrosa, si Cassandra saca un libro de dos mil páginas solamente hablando de Tessa y Will en Londres yo lo voy a leer, me encantan estos dos, son preciosos.
Y extrañaba leerlos, no me di cuenta de eso hasta que volví a leer sus nombres y me dije "esto me faltaba".
A partir de aquí hablaré de la trama de todos los relatos, si no lo leíste, no sigas leyendo ..
Simon con amnesia como ya se sabe se apunta a la academia para recordar, entre esto creo que la historia está muy bien construida.
Si bien ya los conozco a todos, siento que se necesitaba un libro para calmar las aguas de lo que fue la guerra oscura.
Es como un libro trascendental para todos los personajes, todos necesitaban tiempo para acomodarse a las situaciones que dejó todo lo pasado y a ver qué querían hacer de sus vidas.
Eso me gustó mucho, porque Simon no fue el único que siguió para delante, todos lo hicieron.
Tessa está con Jem, Isabelle volvió a enamorarse y Simón de ella, Clary tiene un parabatai y sigue con Jace (cosa que amo), y por dios Magnus y Alec tienen un hijo..
No puedo explicar la alegría que tenía al leer ese relato. Rei, llore y me emocioné tanto que llore por todo eso. Magnus preferiría estar tomando un café en Londres antes que encontrarse en esa situación que jamás pensó que tendría. Y esa charla con Alec era necesaria, me encantó.
Max Ligthwood es él bebé más afortunado del mundo y ellos dos también. Cuando lo nombraron frente a todos, los pensamientos de Magnus de no querer perder al bebé de vista. Fue todo hermoso, y llore de Felicidad. Y me emocionó cada vez que lo recuerdo. Adoptar es algo que planeo hacer en un futuro y el ver qué una de mis parejas favoritas lo hace me llena de alegría. Y orgullo.
La unión parabatai de Emma y Julián, eso traerá problemas en el siguiente libro ya me lo imagino. Creo que todos notaron que el amor que en ellos se sentía durante ese momento era más que solo amor de hermanos. Y Mark, pobre chico, que coraje me dio cuando la clave decidió no salvarlo siendo un cazador de sombras. Espero que lo liberen, que algo pase.
Simon piensa tanto como yo en que muchas cosas están mal con la clave y son injustas, al igual que muchas cosas en el mundo. Y fue un puente él para que más personas se dieran cuenta de ello o por lo menos lo notarán y cambiarán su forma de ver a los subterráneos.
Ahora la historia que le contó Catarina a Simón de James Herondale en la academia, me encantó. Leer a Will como padre es hermoso y él niño saco mucho de él y la pasión por la lectura a Tessa, que encantó era leer todo. Matthew fairchild me sorprendió, no se que pasara con ellos. Pero amé también ese relato.
Y ahora yendo al final, Cassandra es cruel, George me encantó desde el principio me cayo bien y que lo matara así, fue doloroso. Lo único que me dio esperanza fue el ver qué en la tumba cuando Simon lo vio salir como fantasma sonriéndole a él y al lado de él la misma Jessamine de los orígenes, como lloré al imaginarme lo. Y Simón Lovelace suena excelente.
Estoy tan orgullosa de Simón. Y del mensaje que deja todo el libro y como termina.
Eres cruel Cassandra, ese final me dolió.
Las 10 historias son espectaculares, mi favorita fue la de Tessa y Will y Jem en Londres, cada vez que aparecía mi reina, mi niña Tessa me daban ganas de llorar y el leerla con sus hijos fue tan hermoso!
Toda la historia de Jack el destripador contada por ella fue asombrosa, si Cassandra saca un libro de dos mil páginas solamente hablando de Tessa y Will en Londres yo lo voy a leer, me encantan estos dos, son preciosos.
Y extrañaba leerlos, no me di cuenta de eso hasta que volví a leer sus nombres y me dije "esto me faltaba".
A partir de aquí hablaré de la trama de todos los relatos, si no lo leíste, no sigas leyendo ..
Simon con amnesia como ya se sabe se apunta a la academia para recordar, entre esto creo que la historia está muy bien construida.
Si bien ya los conozco a todos, siento que se necesitaba un libro para calmar las aguas de lo que fue la guerra oscura.
Es como un libro trascendental para todos los personajes, todos necesitaban tiempo para acomodarse a las situaciones que dejó todo lo pasado y a ver qué querían hacer de sus vidas.
Eso me gustó mucho, porque Simon no fue el único que siguió para delante, todos lo hicieron.
Tessa está con Jem, Isabelle volvió a enamorarse y Simón de ella, Clary tiene un parabatai y sigue con Jace (cosa que amo), y por dios Magnus y Alec tienen un hijo..
No puedo explicar la alegría que tenía al leer ese relato. Rei, llore y me emocioné tanto que llore por todo eso. Magnus preferiría estar tomando un café en Londres antes que encontrarse en esa situación que jamás pensó que tendría. Y esa charla con Alec era necesaria, me encantó.
Max Ligthwood es él bebé más afortunado del mundo y ellos dos también. Cuando lo nombraron frente a todos, los pensamientos de Magnus de no querer perder al bebé de vista. Fue todo hermoso, y llore de Felicidad. Y me emocionó cada vez que lo recuerdo. Adoptar es algo que planeo hacer en un futuro y el ver qué una de mis parejas favoritas lo hace me llena de alegría. Y orgullo.
La unión parabatai de Emma y Julián, eso traerá problemas en el siguiente libro ya me lo imagino. Creo que todos notaron que el amor que en ellos se sentía durante ese momento era más que solo amor de hermanos. Y Mark, pobre chico, que coraje me dio cuando la clave decidió no salvarlo siendo un cazador de sombras. Espero que lo liberen, que algo pase.
Simon piensa tanto como yo en que muchas cosas están mal con la clave y son injustas, al igual que muchas cosas en el mundo. Y fue un puente él para que más personas se dieran cuenta de ello o por lo menos lo notarán y cambiarán su forma de ver a los subterráneos.
Ahora la historia que le contó Catarina a Simón de James Herondale en la academia, me encantó. Leer a Will como padre es hermoso y él niño saco mucho de él y la pasión por la lectura a Tessa, que encantó era leer todo. Matthew fairchild me sorprendió, no se que pasara con ellos. Pero amé también ese relato.
Y ahora yendo al final, Cassandra es cruel, George me encantó desde el principio me cayo bien y que lo matara así, fue doloroso. Lo único que me dio esperanza fue el ver qué en la tumba cuando Simon lo vio salir como fantasma sonriéndole a él y al lado de él la misma Jessamine de los orígenes, como lloré al imaginarme lo. Y Simón Lovelace suena excelente.
Estoy tan orgullosa de Simón. Y del mensaje que deja todo el libro y como termina.
Eres cruel Cassandra, ese final me dolió.
March 23, 2017
Buddy read with Jia!
Okay, I liked this book for the most part but there were definitely sections that dragged on that I gave 0 shits about. I think in the end I ended up actually really liking 3 of these novellas, while the other 7 I didn't overly care for. Basically my main problem was the fact that Simon is my least favourite character from TMI. I find him annoying as all hell and I really struggled to get past that. As you'll see, my favourite novellas were ones that he had very limited role in. I just feel like he's a useless character and I would 10/10 sacrifice him (sorry Amber).
Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy - 2.5 stars
"We all want to be heroes, but you know you can be one. You know in another life, in an alternate universe, however you want to think of it, you were a hero. You can one again."
Basically this novella was just introducing Simon and us as readers to the Shadowhunter Academy which is basically a dump now. We meet a whole bunch of new characters that we will be seeing throughout the novellas - mainly George Lovelace, who is Simon's roommate. We also get more in depth into Izzy and Simon's (lack of a) relationship now that Simon has no memory of them being together basically. Look, this drama pissed me off throughout the entire book.
The Lost Herondale - 2.5 stars
Look, I've got nothing to say about this novella. There's a missing Herondale child somewhere in the world and since I've read Lady Midnight, I know who that is. Amazing. The end.
The Whitechapel Fiend - 4 stars
"I am Tessa Gray and I believe in the importance of stories."
Tessa comes into the Shadowhunter Academy to share some stories and she tells the story of how she actually knows the true identity of Jack the Ripper since they had to deal with those issues back in the day. Look, this was one of the best novellas since a) Tessa and Will are amazing and I love them and b) it's about Jack the Ripper which is always a great story to hear about since I loved reading Stalking Jack the Ripper a little while ago. The best part of this entire novella (and the book in general) was Will and Tessa's son, James, running around yelling "SPOON" at everyone while he held a spoon.
Nothing but Shadows - 4 stars
"You are the flame that cannot be put out. You are the star that cannot be lost. You are who you have always been, and that is enough and more than enough. Anyone who looks at you and sees the darkness is blind."
In this novella we follow James Herondale (the spoon boy) who's now 13 and is now attending the Shadowhunter Academy. It basically tells the story of how Matthew and James went from enemies to parabatai. We also learn a little bit more about James' gifts and how Tessa being a warlock has influenced who he is today.
The Evil We Love - 3 stars
"He would accept Valentine's offer. He would let Valentine choose for him, let Valentine believe for him. He would do whatever he needed to hang on to Valentine, and to the circle and to it's cause. It was all he had left."
We follow Robert Lightwood in reliving the beginnings of the Circle which was run by Valentine and basically started all the shit that happened in TMI. Robert was parabatai to Micahel Wayland and they were best friends until Michael confessed that he was in love with Robert, which basically resulted in Robert being extremely loyal to Valentine and losing his way. It also kinda explains why he would be semi-homophobic when Alec came out all those years later.
Pale Kings and Princes - 3 stars
"Trust a faerie at your own risk, because they are for nothing but themselves. They sow nothing but destruction. And their preferred weapon is human love."
Basically Simon and Izzy's relationship really started to go to shit and it really got on my nerves in this one. Also we had Helen Blackthorn come and tell the students about how she came to be basically and that her dad and uncle were captured by the Fair Folk - thus resulting in both Helen and Mark Blackthorn. I mean, I've heard this story in Lady Midnight, so I was pretty bored in it.
Bitter of Tongue - 3 stars
"You are Mark of the Wild Hunt. You ride on the air, a hundred dizzy wheeling miles above them all. They will never hurt you again, save that you let them. Do not let them."
Simon somehow gets captured by the Fair Folk, where he meets Mark Blackthorn. It was actually interesting to see Mark where he wasn't completely fucked up by the Wild Hunt. Basically he still thinks the Shadowhunters are going to come and save him - but they're definitely not. It really explains why he acted the way he did in Lady Midnight.
The Fiery Trial - 2 stars
"It makes sense. You and me. I feel like it's always been true. It's always what we were."
What the fuck was this novella. I was confused for the entirety of it and when it was explained why it all happened, I eye rolled so hard. What a shocker, Clary and Simon are "true parabatai". Amazing. Never saw that coming. I just eye rolled so hard again thinking about how lame this one was. We also get to see Julian and Emma become parabatai which was good to see them and the gang again. I think this was my least favourite of the novellas tbh.
Born to Endless Night - 4 stars
"He had thought he lived life believing a thousand possibilities were open to him. But he had not thought of this possibility as being open to him: family life like mundanes and Nephilim had, love so secure that it could be shared with someone bran-new to the world and helpless."
This was my favourite novella because Simon and Izzy finally fixed their shitty drama. Also, the best part was obviously Malec moments. A blue baby warlock was randomly found at the Academy and Magnus and Alec decided to adopt him and name him Max (after Alec and Izzy's brother). It was honestly so sweet and adorable and this was the one I've been really looking forward to reading for ages!
Angels Twice Descending - 3.5 stars
"and his veins burn with angel fire and he is the Simon he once was and the Simon he then became and the Simon he now will be, he endures and he is reborn, he is blood and flesh and spark of the divine. He is Nephilim."
Okay, so I already knew how this book was going to end (thanks Jia for the spoiler). I'm actually pretty annoyed that that certain event happened. Like, it was so unnecessary and not at all needed. The only character I god damn liked and now this happens to them. Rude. This is an attack and I would like to know why the hell that needed to happen. Everything could have been fine. But nope. Screw you all.
Okay honestly the more I think about this ending the madder I get. It was pointless. It honestly feels to me that Cassie didn't know how to tie up this one loose end so she took drastic measures to quickly solve the problem. It wasn't needed at all and I'm actually really annoyed by this.
Okay, I liked this book for the most part but there were definitely sections that dragged on that I gave 0 shits about. I think in the end I ended up actually really liking 3 of these novellas, while the other 7 I didn't overly care for. Basically my main problem was the fact that Simon is my least favourite character from TMI. I find him annoying as all hell and I really struggled to get past that. As you'll see, my favourite novellas were ones that he had very limited role in. I just feel like he's a useless character and I would 10/10 sacrifice him (sorry Amber).
Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy - 2.5 stars
"We all want to be heroes, but you know you can be one. You know in another life, in an alternate universe, however you want to think of it, you were a hero. You can one again."
Basically this novella was just introducing Simon and us as readers to the Shadowhunter Academy which is basically a dump now. We meet a whole bunch of new characters that we will be seeing throughout the novellas - mainly George Lovelace, who is Simon's roommate. We also get more in depth into Izzy and Simon's (lack of a) relationship now that Simon has no memory of them being together basically. Look, this drama pissed me off throughout the entire book.
The Lost Herondale - 2.5 stars
Look, I've got nothing to say about this novella. There's a missing Herondale child somewhere in the world and since I've read Lady Midnight, I know who that is. Amazing. The end.
The Whitechapel Fiend - 4 stars
"I am Tessa Gray and I believe in the importance of stories."
Tessa comes into the Shadowhunter Academy to share some stories and she tells the story of how she actually knows the true identity of Jack the Ripper since they had to deal with those issues back in the day. Look, this was one of the best novellas since a) Tessa and Will are amazing and I love them and b) it's about Jack the Ripper which is always a great story to hear about since I loved reading Stalking Jack the Ripper a little while ago. The best part of this entire novella (and the book in general) was Will and Tessa's son, James, running around yelling "SPOON" at everyone while he held a spoon.
Nothing but Shadows - 4 stars
"You are the flame that cannot be put out. You are the star that cannot be lost. You are who you have always been, and that is enough and more than enough. Anyone who looks at you and sees the darkness is blind."
In this novella we follow James Herondale (the spoon boy) who's now 13 and is now attending the Shadowhunter Academy. It basically tells the story of how Matthew and James went from enemies to parabatai. We also learn a little bit more about James' gifts and how Tessa being a warlock has influenced who he is today.
The Evil We Love - 3 stars
"He would accept Valentine's offer. He would let Valentine choose for him, let Valentine believe for him. He would do whatever he needed to hang on to Valentine, and to the circle and to it's cause. It was all he had left."
We follow Robert Lightwood in reliving the beginnings of the Circle which was run by Valentine and basically started all the shit that happened in TMI. Robert was parabatai to Micahel Wayland and they were best friends until Michael confessed that he was in love with Robert, which basically resulted in Robert being extremely loyal to Valentine and losing his way. It also kinda explains why he would be semi-homophobic when Alec came out all those years later.
Pale Kings and Princes - 3 stars
"Trust a faerie at your own risk, because they are for nothing but themselves. They sow nothing but destruction. And their preferred weapon is human love."
Basically Simon and Izzy's relationship really started to go to shit and it really got on my nerves in this one. Also we had Helen Blackthorn come and tell the students about how she came to be basically and that her dad and uncle were captured by the Fair Folk - thus resulting in both Helen and Mark Blackthorn. I mean, I've heard this story in Lady Midnight, so I was pretty bored in it.
Bitter of Tongue - 3 stars
"You are Mark of the Wild Hunt. You ride on the air, a hundred dizzy wheeling miles above them all. They will never hurt you again, save that you let them. Do not let them."
Simon somehow gets captured by the Fair Folk, where he meets Mark Blackthorn. It was actually interesting to see Mark where he wasn't completely fucked up by the Wild Hunt. Basically he still thinks the Shadowhunters are going to come and save him - but they're definitely not. It really explains why he acted the way he did in Lady Midnight.
The Fiery Trial - 2 stars
"It makes sense. You and me. I feel like it's always been true. It's always what we were."
What the fuck was this novella. I was confused for the entirety of it and when it was explained why it all happened, I eye rolled so hard. What a shocker, Clary and Simon are "true parabatai". Amazing. Never saw that coming. I just eye rolled so hard again thinking about how lame this one was. We also get to see Julian and Emma become parabatai which was good to see them and the gang again. I think this was my least favourite of the novellas tbh.
Born to Endless Night - 4 stars
"He had thought he lived life believing a thousand possibilities were open to him. But he had not thought of this possibility as being open to him: family life like mundanes and Nephilim had, love so secure that it could be shared with someone bran-new to the world and helpless."
This was my favourite novella because Simon and Izzy finally fixed their shitty drama. Also, the best part was obviously Malec moments. A blue baby warlock was randomly found at the Academy and Magnus and Alec decided to adopt him and name him Max (after Alec and Izzy's brother). It was honestly so sweet and adorable and this was the one I've been really looking forward to reading for ages!
Angels Twice Descending - 3.5 stars
"and his veins burn with angel fire and he is the Simon he once was and the Simon he then became and the Simon he now will be, he endures and he is reborn, he is blood and flesh and spark of the divine. He is Nephilim."
Okay, so I already knew how this book was going to end (thanks Jia for the spoiler). I'm actually pretty annoyed that that certain event happened. Like, it was so unnecessary and not at all needed. The only character I god damn liked and now this happens to them. Rude. This is an attack and I would like to know why the hell that needed to happen. Everything could have been fine. But nope. Screw you all.
Okay honestly the more I think about this ending the madder I get. It was pointless. It honestly feels to me that Cassie didn't know how to tie up this one loose end so she took drastic measures to quickly solve the problem. It wasn't needed at all and I'm actually really annoyed by this.
September 3, 2020
5/5 ☆ i'm a mess of emotions.
i didn't realize but there are a ton of (i guess you could say) side characters i didn't fully appreciate or understand until reading these novellas and i'm so happy my perspective changed. it shows there are more sides to a person you may think.
i'm also surprised by how strongly i appreciated the themes. these novellas are mostly about finding who you are and what YOU want. i fohnd that really surprising because most novella collections are just compilations of "fan-fiction-esque" writings and lack depth. all these stories had a moral and made me love the shadowhunter world even more than i already do.
another thing i loved about this collection was that it didn't feeeeeeel long (which, it is quite long) or disconnected. i usually have a hard time getting into novellas because they're so short and don't connect together into one cohesive story, but TALES FROM THE SHADOWHUNTER ACADEMY was not the case. it felt like one whole book split into 12 parts instead of 12 parts put together as a book.
///FULL REVIEW + DISCUSSION (maybe) TO COME///
i didn't realize but there are a ton of (i guess you could say) side characters i didn't fully appreciate or understand until reading these novellas and i'm so happy my perspective changed. it shows there are more sides to a person you may think.
i'm also surprised by how strongly i appreciated the themes. these novellas are mostly about finding who you are and what YOU want. i fohnd that really surprising because most novella collections are just compilations of "fan-fiction-esque" writings and lack depth. all these stories had a moral and made me love the shadowhunter world even more than i already do.
another thing i loved about this collection was that it didn't feeeeeeel long (which, it is quite long) or disconnected. i usually have a hard time getting into novellas because they're so short and don't connect together into one cohesive story, but TALES FROM THE SHADOWHUNTER ACADEMY was not the case. it felt like one whole book split into 12 parts instead of 12 parts put together as a book.
///FULL REVIEW + DISCUSSION (maybe) TO COME///
Read
October 1, 2020If a book is listed as "currently reading" for more than 6 months, it might be time to move on...
December 1, 2020
Guess who's crying instead of studying
July 5, 2020
1.) City of Bones ★★★★
2.) City of Ashes ★★★★
3.) City of Glass ★★★★
4.) City of Fallen Angels ★★★
5.) City of Lost Souls ★★★.5
6.) City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★
1.) Clockwork Angel ★★★★★
2.) Clockwork Prince ★★★★★
3.) Clockwork Princess ★★★★★
1.) Lady Midnight [TBA]
2.) Lord of Shadows [TBA]
3.) Queen of Air and Darkness [TBA]
1.) The Red Scrolls of Magic ★★★★.5
1.) Chain of Gold ★★★★★
*.) The Bane Chronicles ★★★★
*.) Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy ★★★.5
*.) Ghosts of the Shadow Market ★★★★
-----------------------------------------------
Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy
★★★★
“Everybody in this academy, Shadowhunters and mundanes, people with the Sight and without it, every one of them is looking to be a hero. We are all hoping for it, and trying for it, and soon we will be bleeding for it. You’re just like the rest of us, Si. Except there’s one thing about you that’s different: We all want to be heroes, but you know you can be one. You know in another life, in an alternate universe, however you want to think of it, you were a hero. You can be one again. Maybe not the same hero, but you have it in you to make the right choices, to make the big sacrifices. That’s a lot of pressure. But it’s a lot more hope than any of the rest of us have. Think about it that way, Simon Lewis, and I think you’re pretty lucky.”
2016 - OH SIMON HOW I'VE MISSED YOU! Also, I LOVE George!
2020 - Knowing how these stories end, reading this is so depressing omg. The friendship between Simon and George is EVERYTHING.
The Lost Herondale
★★★
“We are all what our pasts have made us,” Catarina said. “The accumulation of thousands of daily choices. We can change ourselves, but never erase what we’ve been.”
2020 - this one was lowkey kinda boring lol. I think from what I can remember, this is probably my least favourite cassie clare anthology? But we shall see!
The Whitechapel Fiend
★★★★
“To his children, Will showed the same love he had always shown to her, fierce and unyielding. And the same protectiveness he had only ever showed to one other person: the person James had been named after. Will’s parabatai, Jem.”
2016 - SO MANY OF MY FAVE CHARACTERS IN THIS ONE <3
2020 - oh my gosh, baby james herondale yelling 'spoon' is the highlight of this entire book lol
Nothing But Shadows
★★★★★
“Do not let any of them tell you who you are. You are the flame that cannot be put out. You are the star that cannot be lost. You are who you have always been, and that is enough and more than enough. Anyone who looks at you and sees darkness is blind.”
2016 - THIS ONE WAS AMAZING
2020 - rereading this after reading chain of gold is EVERYTHING. I love these characters SO MUCH.
The Evil We Love
★★.5
“Love, real love, is being seen. Being known. Knowing the ugliest part of someone, and loving them anyway. And... I guess I think two people in love become something else, something more than the sum of their parts, you know? That it must be like you’re creating a new world that exists just for the two of you. You’re gods of your own pocket universe.”
2020 - yooooo this was boring lol
Pale Kings and Princes
★★★
“It's hard to believe how much light you can find in the darkness, when you have someone who loves you.”
2020 - I love helen and aline with my whole heart.
Bitter of Tongue
★★★
“Every night, no matter what has happened during the day, no matter if I am torn and bloodied or so bone-tired I wish I were dead, I look up at the stars and I give each star a brother's name or a sister's face. I will not sleep until I remember every one. The stars will burn out before I forget.”
2020 - this story is so bittersweet. On the one hand, seeing mark was so sad, but then aline and helen's wedding??? I love them.
The Fiery Trial
★★★.5
“It was nice, Simon thought, in the midst of all the terrible things that could happen and sometimes did happen, there was always this. There was a lot of love.”
2016 - this one was WEIRD
2020 - this was super weird.. but I kinda enjoyed it???
Born to Endless Night
★★★★.5
“I never want anything but this, I never want a less strange love.”
2016 - :')
2020 - if I wasn't already about to have a baby, this woulda given me massive baby fever oh ma LORD
Angels Twice Descending
★★★★
“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.”
2016 - I guessed what was going to happen early on in this novella series, but it still hurt :(
2020 - will I ever forgive cassandra clare for this? Nope, definitely not.
Overall Rating: 3.65
2.) City of Ashes ★★★★
3.) City of Glass ★★★★
4.) City of Fallen Angels ★★★
5.) City of Lost Souls ★★★.5
6.) City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★
1.) Clockwork Angel ★★★★★
2.) Clockwork Prince ★★★★★
3.) Clockwork Princess ★★★★★
1.) Lady Midnight [TBA]
2.) Lord of Shadows [TBA]
3.) Queen of Air and Darkness [TBA]
1.) The Red Scrolls of Magic ★★★★.5
1.) Chain of Gold ★★★★★
*.) The Bane Chronicles ★★★★
*.) Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy ★★★.5
*.) Ghosts of the Shadow Market ★★★★
-----------------------------------------------
Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy
★★★★
“Everybody in this academy, Shadowhunters and mundanes, people with the Sight and without it, every one of them is looking to be a hero. We are all hoping for it, and trying for it, and soon we will be bleeding for it. You’re just like the rest of us, Si. Except there’s one thing about you that’s different: We all want to be heroes, but you know you can be one. You know in another life, in an alternate universe, however you want to think of it, you were a hero. You can be one again. Maybe not the same hero, but you have it in you to make the right choices, to make the big sacrifices. That’s a lot of pressure. But it’s a lot more hope than any of the rest of us have. Think about it that way, Simon Lewis, and I think you’re pretty lucky.”
2016 - OH SIMON HOW I'VE MISSED YOU! Also, I LOVE George!
2020 - Knowing how these stories end, reading this is so depressing omg. The friendship between Simon and George is EVERYTHING.
The Lost Herondale
★★★
“We are all what our pasts have made us,” Catarina said. “The accumulation of thousands of daily choices. We can change ourselves, but never erase what we’ve been.”
2020 - this one was lowkey kinda boring lol. I think from what I can remember, this is probably my least favourite cassie clare anthology? But we shall see!
The Whitechapel Fiend
★★★★
“To his children, Will showed the same love he had always shown to her, fierce and unyielding. And the same protectiveness he had only ever showed to one other person: the person James had been named after. Will’s parabatai, Jem.”
2016 - SO MANY OF MY FAVE CHARACTERS IN THIS ONE <3
2020 - oh my gosh, baby james herondale yelling 'spoon' is the highlight of this entire book lol
Nothing But Shadows
★★★★★
“Do not let any of them tell you who you are. You are the flame that cannot be put out. You are the star that cannot be lost. You are who you have always been, and that is enough and more than enough. Anyone who looks at you and sees darkness is blind.”
2016 - THIS ONE WAS AMAZING
2020 - rereading this after reading chain of gold is EVERYTHING. I love these characters SO MUCH.
The Evil We Love
★★.5
“Love, real love, is being seen. Being known. Knowing the ugliest part of someone, and loving them anyway. And... I guess I think two people in love become something else, something more than the sum of their parts, you know? That it must be like you’re creating a new world that exists just for the two of you. You’re gods of your own pocket universe.”
2020 - yooooo this was boring lol
Pale Kings and Princes
★★★
“It's hard to believe how much light you can find in the darkness, when you have someone who loves you.”
2020 - I love helen and aline with my whole heart.
Bitter of Tongue
★★★
“Every night, no matter what has happened during the day, no matter if I am torn and bloodied or so bone-tired I wish I were dead, I look up at the stars and I give each star a brother's name or a sister's face. I will not sleep until I remember every one. The stars will burn out before I forget.”
2020 - this story is so bittersweet. On the one hand, seeing mark was so sad, but then aline and helen's wedding??? I love them.
The Fiery Trial
★★★.5
“It was nice, Simon thought, in the midst of all the terrible things that could happen and sometimes did happen, there was always this. There was a lot of love.”
2016 - this one was WEIRD
2020 - this was super weird.. but I kinda enjoyed it???
Born to Endless Night
★★★★.5
“I never want anything but this, I never want a less strange love.”
2016 - :')
2020 - if I wasn't already about to have a baby, this woulda given me massive baby fever oh ma LORD
Angels Twice Descending
★★★★
“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.”
2016 - I guessed what was going to happen early on in this novella series, but it still hurt :(
2020 - will I ever forgive cassandra clare for this? Nope, definitely not.
Overall Rating: 3.65
August 5, 2016
5/5 stars
Technically read this since I read all the individual novellas.
Honestly, not the biggest novella person BUT this is soooo worth the read!
Technically read this since I read all the individual novellas.
Honestly, not the biggest novella person BUT this is soooo worth the read!
February 6, 2018
Here are some of my thoughts:
• I adore the one about James Herondale and Matthew Fairchild. It is so sweet and funny – ahhhh.
• Fuck you, Robert Lightwood, always, but I can finally understand his perspective a bit more – while still being disgusted by his guts, but also, still appreciating that he’s trying to change for his children.
• Helen’s story breaks my heart (and the real fae story is shocking but somewhat eye-opening).
• Jem is always a light in the dark. Seeing how he has been there for Will, Tessa, and James in every way.
• AGH Will – I smile-cry with how he keeps on making up excuses to visit Jem.
• Mark Blackthorn breaks my heart. I’m glad that he gets to send that sweet message via Simon to Helen on her wedding though.
• The Malec chapter – it is so cute with the baby. I like seeing Magnus interacting with Catarina and reminiscing about Ragnor Fell and Raphael – really makes me feel for them. Furthermore, I can see Magnus and Alec’s relationship getting stronger and they’re adorable awwww. I’m glad to see Alec having a purpose in his life and gaining a quiet confidence as well. Also, it is funny to see the older Lightwoods being all gushy and controlling and actually nice? I love the Lightwood family LOL. Very nice chapter.
• Overall, I can definitely see Clare setting up her spinoffs with the side characters we see here. It has been fun to read about Simon and about characters we know about AND characters that we didn’t know much about before.
• I like the new characters. George is such a cinnamonroll – he is the sweetest, nicest guy and HILARIOUS. Marisol is badass and I love how she has gotten Jon to warm up to her and want to hear her “mundane” facts. His character development is on point. Julie and Beatriz have also changed for the better along with Jon. I like them all as a friends group.
• Sizzy is my OTP and this book had me on pins and needles waiting for them to be all right and good and happy and together. THEY ARE SO CUTE AGH. I love them more than ever before. They are just so cute, perfect, vulnerable, and honest.
• It is great to see Simon learning and growing in this book. He tries to reconcile Simon-before-memory-loss and Simon-after-memory-loss-with-distorted-mundane-memories, but thankfully we still have geeky, lovable Simon. However, because he is conflicted with these two sides, he does learn to be an even newer Simon – a Simon who is aware of his two different pasts and wants to find himself through the Shadowhunter Academy. He definitely has learned many lessons about himself and about the world. He has accepted all sides of himself, and is moving forward to a future he has chosen – I love how we see this progression in him. I am glad to see him actually seeking changes to bring equality and fairness to the shadowhunters. He sees the problems, and I love how he is passionate and determined to continue changing what he can. I hope he gets the Conclave to reform because damn, they’re pretty terrible at times.
• I simultaneously love and hate the side stories interwoven into Simon’s main storyline. I love it because they’re interesting and informative. I hate it because damn I really want to hear what’s going on with Simon the most.
I think I have forgotten my earnest love for TMI books. I mean…not that I have started disliking them or anything, but it has been a few years since I have read one, and I have been so skeptical to read the new stuff because this series has a way of having my mind mesmerized by these characters’ lives, and I was scared that the books would dim the good memories I already have of this series. Anyway, this series has easily gotten my mind back in the shadowhunter world’s mindset and it is so easy to love these characters who are so fleshed-out and unique. I have enjoyed these tales of Simon (mostly Simon but honestly about a lot of other characters as well), and I honestly would like to hear more about his adventures. 4 stars
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
What age level would be appropriate?
• I adore the one about James Herondale and Matthew Fairchild. It is so sweet and funny – ahhhh.
• Fuck you, Robert Lightwood, always, but I can finally understand his perspective a bit more – while still being disgusted by his guts, but also, still appreciating that he’s trying to change for his children.
• Helen’s story breaks my heart (and the real fae story is shocking but somewhat eye-opening).
• Jem is always a light in the dark. Seeing how he has been there for Will, Tessa, and James in every way.
• AGH Will – I smile-cry with how he keeps on making up excuses to visit Jem.
• Mark Blackthorn breaks my heart. I’m glad that he gets to send that sweet message via Simon to Helen on her wedding though.
• The Malec chapter – it is so cute with the baby. I like seeing Magnus interacting with Catarina and reminiscing about Ragnor Fell and Raphael – really makes me feel for them. Furthermore, I can see Magnus and Alec’s relationship getting stronger and they’re adorable awwww. I’m glad to see Alec having a purpose in his life and gaining a quiet confidence as well. Also, it is funny to see the older Lightwoods being all gushy and controlling and actually nice? I love the Lightwood family LOL. Very nice chapter.
• Overall, I can definitely see Clare setting up her spinoffs with the side characters we see here. It has been fun to read about Simon and about characters we know about AND characters that we didn’t know much about before.
• I like the new characters. George is such a cinnamonroll – he is the sweetest, nicest guy and HILARIOUS. Marisol is badass and I love how she has gotten Jon to warm up to her and want to hear her “mundane” facts. His character development is on point. Julie and Beatriz have also changed for the better along with Jon. I like them all as a friends group.
• Sizzy is my OTP and this book had me on pins and needles waiting for them to be all right and good and happy and together. THEY ARE SO CUTE AGH. I love them more than ever before. They are just so cute, perfect, vulnerable, and honest.
• It is great to see Simon learning and growing in this book. He tries to reconcile Simon-before-memory-loss and Simon-after-memory-loss-with-distorted-mundane-memories, but thankfully we still have geeky, lovable Simon. However, because he is conflicted with these two sides, he does learn to be an even newer Simon – a Simon who is aware of his two different pasts and wants to find himself through the Shadowhunter Academy. He definitely has learned many lessons about himself and about the world. He has accepted all sides of himself, and is moving forward to a future he has chosen – I love how we see this progression in him. I am glad to see him actually seeking changes to bring equality and fairness to the shadowhunters. He sees the problems, and I love how he is passionate and determined to continue changing what he can. I hope he gets the Conclave to reform because damn, they’re pretty terrible at times.
• I simultaneously love and hate the side stories interwoven into Simon’s main storyline. I love it because they’re interesting and informative. I hate it because damn I really want to hear what’s going on with Simon the most.
I think I have forgotten my earnest love for TMI books. I mean…not that I have started disliking them or anything, but it has been a few years since I have read one, and I have been so skeptical to read the new stuff because this series has a way of having my mind mesmerized by these characters’ lives, and I was scared that the books would dim the good memories I already have of this series. Anyway, this series has easily gotten my mind back in the shadowhunter world’s mindset and it is so easy to love these characters who are so fleshed-out and unique. I have enjoyed these tales of Simon (mostly Simon but honestly about a lot of other characters as well), and I honestly would like to hear more about his adventures. 4 stars
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
What age level would be appropriate?
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