The Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare -> Restarting on September 1st, 2020

[Keri]

Part 1: Ch.1-7
(view spoiler)[I love Simon and Izzy!! One of my favorite parts is when she leaves him that message asking for him to come to her because she's scared and he literally drops everything and is out the door. I waited through four books to get some Simon/Izzy moments! (hide spoiler)]

Part 2: Ch.8-17
(view spoiler)[I really hate parts of this book because of how horrible Sebastian is! I can't stand that Jace is linked with him like this and I don't like the Jace that he is during this! So frustrating but glad Clary and the rest of his friends and family are standing by him and finding and saving him. It creeps me out anytime Sebastian comes into where Clary or Clary and fake Jace are in that house of Valentine's. It was heartbreaking that last part where it was real Jace with Clary... (hide spoiler)]

Ch.18
(view spoiler)[Badass Simon getting the sword Glorious from Raziel. Go Simon, love that part. But I am kinda bummed no more Mark of Cain...I didn't have to worry he might die when he had that... (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Another creepy ominous ending from Sebastian, he really does master those. I'm so glad Jace is separated from him finally. And now we get the cool heavenly fire storyline so I'm jumping right into that book next!
As I was the first time around I'm super sad about the break up of Magnus and Alec. I get both their sides b/c it was 100% horrific for Alec to even entertain the idea of taking Magnus' immortality. it would be one thing to decide he wanted to be immortal with Magnus, but it's not cool to try to choose for someone else to shorten their life for your selfish reasons. However, Magnus should know after all his time with her how convincing and manipulative Camille is! And the fact that Alec did not do it should count for something too. I just love them together so much... (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Prologue
(view spoiler)[Emma and the Blackthorns mean so much more to me and instead of feeling like 'who are these people?' when I start the book, I'm like 'hello friends I can't wait to read about you' since I've read Lady Midnight since the last time I read this! I'm so ridiculously excited about this reread with all the other info I now have in my head from Infernal Devices and Lady Midnight! (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.1-7
(view spoiler)[Wow the scene where Brother Zachariah saves Jace really made me start to love him the first time I read this, and now this time around with all the additional love I have for him from Infernal Devices it was a much more emotional scene. I love this book and the characters Cassandra creates! (except Sebastian...I hate him) (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

pg.219-220
(view spoiler)[OMG. I'm so glad I'm reading The Bane Chronicles alongside this! The story about how Jocelyn chose Fray was so cool and this small portion in these two pages about it was something I didn't even notice really the first time I read this book. It's so fun noticing these little gems!
There have been lots of little comments made that tie right into a story from The Bane Chronicles and I think the only reason I'm picking up on them is because I'm reading them both right now lol (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

What Really Happened in Peru: 3/5
(view spoiler)[This was a fun read that gave us more interactions between Magnus, Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss, which I liked. The antics and stories of predicaments Magnus got them all into were funny, but there was no real plot to the story. And in the end we still don’t know why Magnus was banned from Peru... (hide spoiler)]

The Runaway Queen: 4/5
(view spoiler)[I really enjoyed this story once it got going. It was fun to see Magnus plotting and trying to get himself out of sticky situations to help Axel. It even had a twist, I didn’t expect the queen to end up at Saint Cloud’s party. I wish we would have gotten more interaction with Magnus and Axel, and even more on how they all tried to escape before getting caught. (hide spoiler)]

Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale: 4/5
(view spoiler)[This story started out pretty slow, but picked up and kept my interest because it involved characters I know. I live getting backstory and glimpses into characters we’ve met in previous books. I loved seeing how Cecily and Will’s parents met and finding out how hard it was for Edmund to choose her and leave being a shadowhunter. I also enjoyed seeing Magnus meet Camille for the first time. It’s sad to see how horrible the shadowhunters treat the downworlders, but cool to see how their instincts all had them fight the demons together. I loved the end where as Magnus is leaving it references years later when Will shows up at Magnus’ door which is how Clockwork Angel ends. I’m constantly amazed at how Cassandra Clare is able to keep straight all these stories that intermingle so seamlessly. That aspect is one of my favorite parts of all books in the shadow world. (hide spoiler)]

The Midnight Heir: 5/5
(view spoiler)[This one is definitely my favorite so far. I LOVED being back in the world of Will/Jem/Tessa!!! It was perfect how Magnus thought it was Will when he found James and I just ate up every bit of this story and want more. I loved seeing how close Will, Tessa and Jem all still are and how much love the three share. I miss those characters so much. I wish we would’ve gotten more into what was going on with Tatiana and Grace and Grace and James. (hide spoiler)]

The Rise of the Hotel Dumort: 4/5
(view spoiler)[I enjoyed the mystery of this story, and Magnus’ connection with the mundane world and the shadow world. It was really interesting and I liked reading about the hotel dumort before the time it became the vampire lair. (hide spoiler)]

Saving Raphael Santiago: 5/5
(view spoiler)[I loved reading about this connection between Magnus and Raphael! Seeing how Magnus was the one who initially saved Raphael, and then how strong Raphael was right from the start made so much sense. It definitely adds so much to the characters they’ve come to be in later times, and gives really cool insight into how they got that way. I flew through this one and loved every page. (hide spoiler)]

The Fall of the Hotel Dumort: 4/5
(view spoiler)[This was a really interesting side to see of how drugs could affect vampires, along with a very rare time of weakness for Camille. I liked how it showed the true goodness of Magnus, and even with how badly their relationship ended 100 years before, he still cared enough to do whatever he could that she wouldn’t be destroyed. It was smart but also a little sad that Magnus had Catarina erase his memories of that time. (hide spoiler)]

What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything(And Who You’re Not Officially Dating Anyway): 2.5/5
(view spoiler)[I thought I’d like this one more with Alec and Magnus but it really didn’t have a storyline at all, so it seemed kind of random. It wasn’t BAD, but I just felt like it painted Magnus in a kind of annoying light with so much worry and indecision that seems very out of character for him. I wasn’t a fan of that, especially for an entire story. I think this actually is my least favorite story so far. But I still love Malec. <3 (hide spoiler)]

The Last Stand of the New York Institute: 3.5/5
(view spoiler)[I didn’t love the first half of this story about the circle and the uprising. I thought I’d like insight into what it was like but I really didn’t like disliking characters I’ve already come to love in other books so it was hard. It also felt very rushed.
On the other hand I loved the second half getting to see Jocelyn’s first visit to Magnus and that Tessa was there and how Jocelyn got the name Fray by combining Fairchild and Gray. Gave me all the feels and was just a nice little insight. (hide spoiler)]

The Course of True Love(And First Dates): 3.5/5
(view spoiler)[This story was easy to read since I love Magnus and Alec and kind of funny with the awkwardness of the start of their first date. Otherwise though, there wasn’t much plot to it. I did like how Alec’s naive and timid nature in social situations showed alongside his very confident nature as a Shadowhunter. The kindness he showed to the werewolf girl is my favorite side of Alec. (hide spoiler)]

The Voicemail of Magnus Bane: 3/5
(view spoiler)[ This one wasn’t really a story but a collection of voice mails left by various people after Magnus broke up with Alec and I cracked up reading some of them. Not much to this one but the voice mails were fun to read and a nice note to end the book on. (hide spoiler)]

The tie-ins for City of Heavenly Fire which I'm also reading right now are blowing me away.
And the fact that there's a story in here involving the characters of James and Grace and then it's YEARS after, and we're about to get a series about them. I am amazed by the mind of Cassandra Clare. She's a true master of storytelling.

[Kim]

Agh but my hearts already semi-broken from the second book!

[Keri]

That’s how I felt too!!

[Keri]

Finished
(view spoiler)[This book really gave me so many more feels this time around with all the parts near the end with Brother Zachariah and Tessa now that I’m so much more invested in them. I also cared so much more that Jace want to be a Herondale because of Will.
So many little moments meant so much more with having read more in the world by the time I did this reread!

Also, it still made me cry when Simon saved them all but at the expense of losing all his memories. So heartbreaking, especially the him and Izzy part but really all of it.
I’m seriously going to be in a slump after I finish all the books in this world, I love them so much. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

10%
(view spoiler)[Oh boy I feel the same stress that Jules and Emma being parabatai is gonna cause problems...I forgot how emotional this book is and just starting it, it’s all coming back! (hide spoiler)]

67%
(view spoiler)[I still am shocked Jules and Emma slept together that took no time at all to get problematic lol. I’m glad she told Cristina, because this is going to be very difficult :/
And Jules is so wonderful and he has no one to co dude in really. And on top of that he has the secret about Arthur and basically is running the institute. Poor Jules. (hide spoiler)]

72%
(view spoiler)[I’m so glad Jules was basically forced to tell Mark and Emma about Arthur. It’s just too much for my Jules to carry that alone. I still really don’t get why he wouldn’t have told Emma to start with though. She’s always got his back. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[wow. Just wow. I forgot how good this book was and how much the end equally made me want to read on and set up such future drama. Also, I was so happy to read all marks funny comments again. :-) (hide spoiler)]

Now I’m on to unread territory, all my rereads are done!! Excitement, anticipation and extremely nervous!

[Kim]

What’s next on your TBR?

[Keri]

Kim wrote: "What’s next on your TBR?"

Still so much left in the shadow world, I’m trying to read through all of it in Cassandra’s suggested reading order. It’s SO good this way, I see why now.

I’m on Lord of Shadows now and it’s 701 pages but somehow going fast and not feeling long at all. But Queen of Air and Darkness is 912 pages so I think I may need a break between long books and do that one next month.
I’m going to move back to the selection series and maybe read a couple other shorter books for the month. I really want to get to To Kill a Kingdom and The Hand on the Wall if possible and maybe some of the other BOTM but I always have such high hopes for what I can get to in a month lol!

How about you what’s up on your TBR next?

[Keri]

End of Part One
(view spoiler)[I love the closeness of Emma and Mark. In their fake relationship I just love the close friendship and safeness they have with each other. When this cover inevitably ends, I hope they keep that.
I LOVE Julians quote at the end of this part when they’re all being flown back in the wild hunt: ‘For the first time he thought in wonder of how much his brother must love him after all, to have given up the sky for his sake.’ (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

End of chapter 17
(view spoiler)[I’m loving this book, so addicting and I literally enjoy ALL the parts. I care about all these characters so much. I love how the twins and Kit have become this close trio. I enjoy the interactions between Kieran and Cristina, just all of the stories keep my interest even when they’re separated into groups which normally gives me a hard time. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

End of chapter 20
(view spoiler)[I NEED to know Diana’s secrets and past! Why can’t she run the institute? Why is she more afraid than most to be in love or let anyone close? So curious.
Also, so happy to have Magnus in this book like all the others. Him and Mark together in storyline were bound to get great one liners :-) (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

I’m thinking I’m going to go back and reread mortal instruments before getting into the chronicles and the rest. I feel like I need a refresh and Clary’s story you know?

I read the cruel prince and loved it but haven’t found time to get back in it. This quarterly was a challenge at first because of being series but now I feel like I’ve been sucked into so many!

[Keri]

I loved the cruel prince trilogy that’s a good one!
Yeah I had already read the mortal instruments so I reread the first three, read the infernal devices for the first time, then reread the last three mortal instruments and have co to yes on from there. It’s amazing how much better it was reading them in that order the last three mortal instruments were even better having known the characters in the infernal devices too!

[Kim]

Keri wrote: "I loved the cruel prince trilogy that’s a good one!
Yeah I had already read the mortal instruments so I reread the first three, read the infernal devices for the first time, then reread the last th..."

I hadn't realized there were so many series that she had written until you mentioned the suggested reading order. I looked it up the other day and am so pumped!

[Kim]

52% “We see our better selves in the eyes of those who love us. And there is beauty that brevity alone provides.”

Some of Ms. Clare’s lines are simply poetic and just thrown into a paragraph. I could read these books over and over and still find lines I adore.

[Keri]

Kim wrote: "Keri wrote: "I loved the cruel prince trilogy that’s a good one!
Yeah I had already read the mortal instruments so I reread the first three, read the infernal devices for the first time, then rerea..."

And they’re all so good! I swear I just get more and more invested!

[Keri]

Kim wrote: "

52% “We see our better selves in the eyes of those who love us. And there is beauty that brevity alone provides.”

Some of Ms. Clare’s lines are simply poet..."

I agree with that 100%

[Keri]

Page 615
(view spoiler)[wow I didn’t see that coming with Diana’s backstory! I hope something can be figured out so she can run the institute anyway but now it makes sense why she never steps up to do it. I love her with Gwyn and how he reacted.

Also, I’m a fan of Emma and Julian, if they were able to be together, but how they act now, mostly Julian, is getting pretty annoying. He acts like his and her love is the ONLY thing that matters now and it totally consumes him, so much so that he has almost no normal moments and interactions with her...and that’s what made me root for them to begin with! I want that back more than anything. Stop being a lovesick puppy and be a real person! I want wonderful Julian back and the fun interactions and working together between Emma and Jules. Now when I get to their parts I almost dread when it’s only the two of them because it’s come to only ever talking about their forbidden love and NOTHING else...okay rant over and I am totally rooting for some solution. But not destroying parabatai. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Start of Ch.29
(view spoiler)[Okay starting the last chapter and I’m afraid to keep reading. I just know something bad is going to happen. And I really don’t trust Julian. I mean I do for his family but like Emma keeps saying, he does scare me a little...he could do something seriously bad in the name of saving his family. I’m just worried about what will happen. Oh man. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Cassandra Clare sure knows how to rip a heart out. I now have to actually recover from the ending of this book before I can even think about falling asleep. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Finished (view spoiler)[ oh my gracious, my heart! The story just ached my heart the last quarter or so. When Will and Jem said their goodbyes, I bawled my eyes out. I didn't even blink at Jem and Tessa's. I'm not sure if it's because I've been all about Will for the series so I was never truly invested in their love?
Will and Tessa's married love was majestic and lovely and made me think of "Up"'s love story. The family stories, I could just envision them all there around the couple. (view spoiler)[

This series will sit with me for a very very long time. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Starting City of Bones again tonight. I was never big into re-reads but apparently this series quarterly has really bit me in the butt to get back on track with those I had abandoned haha.

[Kim]

18% So since reading the infernal devices, which chronologically happen before mortal instruments but we’re writing after, I suspected there may be some themes I recognized. I just giggled out loud that Church is still the institute cat ☺️

[Keri]

Yeah there’s lots of cool small little things I picked up too! It just amazes me all the details she puts in over so many of the stories. Her brain blows me away.

[Kim]

62% it’s surprising the number of details I can remember. Although I don’t remember being this annoyed at Simon. Isabelle gives me flashbacks to Jessamine and sometimes I’m thrown that she can be nice haha.

[Kim]

86% i love rereading Luke and Jocelyn's story. i had forgotten how lovely and sad it is.

[Kim]

100% Agh this was exactly what I needed this week! I thought for sure a reread would go slowly but then I was shown again how great Cassandra Clare's writing is. The story moved effortlessly; I didn't feel like I was trudging through just to get it done. The fire was still there, the love of Jace was still there (naturally; I cannot change my love for the sarcastic handsome one!) and the opposition of lines was present. Can't wait to get into book 2!

[Keri]

I felt the same way as I reread these earlier this year!
Wait til you get to the last three—having read the infernal devices made them even better the second time around!

[Kim]

City of Ashes 41% (view spoiler)[ ok now the story is picking up! I remembered the fairy court but not how it came up. Also totally forgot about the Silent Brothers. It’s so crazy!

It’s weird remembering parts of the story but not which book they’re in, so I feel like I’m waiting. It’s actually kind of fun! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

city of ashes 51% (view spoiler)[ i love all the different twist offs in this dtory with Maia and Valentine and Alec and Simon. i do not like how Clary is so self-centered and yet self-deprecating at the same time. the number of times she calls not talking to or touching Jace as her "penance"?! it drives me bananas. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Marissa]

Prologue-Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[
I really want to know about Tessa's background. Was she lied to about who her parents actually were? How does she have magical abilities, but no obvious sign that she is a warlock? Also, I hope she finds her brother soon and that he is okay. Did he betray her or was he kidnapped or does he have no idea that she is even in London? Is he even alive?! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 6-10 (view spoiler)[
I love the crossovers in this book to The Mortal Instruments series. I like how family names are being used so these are all relatives of people in the present-day City of Bones books. Also, there are even characters that are still around like Camille, Tessa, etc. I like having those familiar people around and learning more about their backgrounds! (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

73% Love Luke's character and how much he is in this book. (view spoiler)[ I also forgot that Clary's gift starts to emerge in this book already. Jace is so angsty!! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% I don't even know how to summarize my feelings on this one. I feel like every series I read, I am not as happy with the second book as any of the others, regardless of how many are in the series. It's like the second book is made just to bridge. This was different from that in the sense of there being actual conflict and moving different storylines through (Jace & Clary, Clary & Simon, Luke & Jocelyn, etc.). However, I still love the first book so much that the second just pales in comparison.

[Marissa]

Chapters 11-16 (view spoiler)[
I am glad that Tessa finally found her brother and that he is alive and (will be) okay. He doesn't seem like a great character, though. Tessa risks her life to save him, however it is his fault that they are in danger. I am hoping that he will do something redeeming in the future to make up for it.

I finally learned what is wrong with Jem and his story is really sad. He seems to nice and calm despite his tragic and brutal background. I want to hope that they find a cure, but I have read the Mortal Instruments series in its entirety, so I know what will happen. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 17-End (view spoiler)[
Welp my hope that Nate would redeem himself definitely didn't happen. He actually became so much worse. What a traitor! He makes me so mad that he would do that to Tessa! However, I actually really liked the twist and I for some reason I never suspected Mortmain to be the Magister. Also, I am glad that we finally got to see what Tessa's necklace can do. Overall, I was really happy with this book's ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

36% I remember this one! It's when they go to Idris; I don't remember the full details but things are coming back asi'm reading. For example, how annoying I found Clary to be. She really is quite selfish and making impulsive decisions that best benefit her regardless of the effects on her friends or family. (view spoiler)[ I totally forgot about the angel in the basement though! I can't remember how it links to Clary but I'm excited to find out. (view spoiler)[
It's crazy how interesting a re-read can still be! (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

65% YES! This!! (view spoiler)[ Now I remember the whole Sebastian/Jace thing! I remembered he played some part but, as Celine sang, it's all coming back to me noooooowww!! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Kim wrote: "65% YES! This!! [spoilers removed]"

It’s so funny the things we forget and then it all comes back as you reread. I never thought I’d love rereads as much as I do for some books!!!

[Kim]

I’m debating on holding out to start mortal instruments #4 for a May read. Or to power through it cuz I’m ready to keep going! Lol

[Keri]

LOL I had to hold off for queen of air and darkness because it’s so long and I wouldn’t have finished in April but I’m dying to keep going. After the end of lord of Shadows though my heart needed time to recooperate. Just wait until you get to the dark artifices omg it’s amazing.

[Kim]

I’m so excited! My friend lent me the Bane Chronicles and it’s just staring at me haha.

[Keri]

I liked that one too. There were only a couple stories that were just okay for me, the rest I liked. It just added so much extra detail to some things we already knew or saw from a different perspective.

[Kim]

8% I decided to start! I really just want to dive into the last one of this series but I know I'll be mad if I don't go through with the full re-read.

[Kim]

15% (view spoiler)[ Maybe I misremembered, but I definitely didn't think Jace was still this angsty in this book. I did remember the weird love triangle around Simon though and still find that thoroughly enjoyable. I also love how often their band name changes; I know it is completely irrelevant to the storyline but it makes me smile nonetheless. Now onto the main event! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

55% (view spoiler)[ That's right! I remembered there was something weird about Simon's new roommate and woop there it is, he's a werewolf and MAia's ex! Agh love the intricacies.

Also, Magnus's "flashback" to his time with Camille is so much more meaningful with having read Infernal Devices.

Also, I'm glad Jace is getting his little baby protection runes on. It makes his mood swings so much more palatable. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% My quick comments on this one (since I got real deep on my review) are as follows:
~Simon storyline - thumbs up
~Maia storyline - better but not great
~Clary - liking her more
~Jace - annoyed the poo out of me in this book
~Overall world - thumbs up

(view spoiler)[ honestly I didn't remember much of this book, just glimpses, which makes me feel like it didn't really have an impression on me the first time like the first 3 books did. I'm thinking that must be why I stopped reading the series. It did end in a nice cliffhanger though. (view spoiler)[

I just saw that my library hold for the digital copy of the 5th book is about 18 weeks, which means I'll probably buy it. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Berra]

Yesterday I just had finished the City of Bones and honestly, I just LOVED it. The characters have unique personalities and secrets. I ordered City of Ashes yesterday and I can't wait to read it

(view spoiler)[ I was practically crying when Clary and Jace found out they were siblings. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Kim wrote: "

100% My quick comments on this one (since I got real deep on my review) are as follows:
~Simon storyline - thumbs up
~Maia storyline - better but not grea..."

Jace really got on my nerves in this one too, both times I read it lol