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The Shadowhunter Chronicles #22
Better in Black
PRE-ORDER NOW! Romance, love, drama and obsession in this gripping collection of ten brand-new stories from across the world of The Shadowhunters – the international bestselling series and smash Netflix show.
"A gorgeous fantasy that's so good, it's dangerous." Holly Black
Go deeper into the very best forbidden loves, love triangles and enemies to lovers ever written in this thrilling, swoon-worthy collection from across The Shadowhunters series.
Ten couples. United by love. Divided by danger.
Jace and Clary seek out an exiled Shadowhunter and learn that love can save the world – or destroy it.
Will and Tessa are enjoying their honeymoon in Paris when a séance sends them down an unexpected path.
Simon and Izzy are together in New York when they observe increased demonic activity.
These are just a few of the beloved couples whose romantic escapades will have you on the edge of your seat across time and storylines from Cassandra Clare’s expansive Shadowhunters series. Don’t miss a chance to reunite
Anna and Ari
Emma and Julian
Kieran, Mark, and Cristina
James and Cordelia
Thomas and Alastair
Sebastian and the Seelie Queen
Jocelyn and Luke
A love letter to every Shadowhunter fan, and perfect for any romantasy lover, this riveting story collection also includes a sneak peek at The Wicked Powers, the majestic trilogy that will be the grand finale of the entire series.
Relive the love stories that started it all or begin your Shadowhunters obsession with the first in each City of Bones, Clockwork Angel or Chain of Gold.
LOOK OUT FOR THE WICKED POWERS – COMING IN 2026. AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER SOON.
"A gorgeous fantasy that's so good, it's dangerous." Holly Black
Go deeper into the very best forbidden loves, love triangles and enemies to lovers ever written in this thrilling, swoon-worthy collection from across The Shadowhunters series.
Ten couples. United by love. Divided by danger.
Jace and Clary seek out an exiled Shadowhunter and learn that love can save the world – or destroy it.
Will and Tessa are enjoying their honeymoon in Paris when a séance sends them down an unexpected path.
Simon and Izzy are together in New York when they observe increased demonic activity.
These are just a few of the beloved couples whose romantic escapades will have you on the edge of your seat across time and storylines from Cassandra Clare’s expansive Shadowhunters series. Don’t miss a chance to reunite
Anna and Ari
Emma and Julian
Kieran, Mark, and Cristina
James and Cordelia
Thomas and Alastair
Sebastian and the Seelie Queen
Jocelyn and Luke
A love letter to every Shadowhunter fan, and perfect for any romantasy lover, this riveting story collection also includes a sneak peek at The Wicked Powers, the majestic trilogy that will be the grand finale of the entire series.
Relive the love stories that started it all or begin your Shadowhunters obsession with the first in each City of Bones, Clockwork Angel or Chain of Gold.
LOOK OUT FOR THE WICKED POWERS – COMING IN 2026. AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER SOON.
461 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2025
1101 people are currently reading
19371 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Clare
200 books278k followersCassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old.
Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).
After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.
City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.
Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).
After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.
City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 500 reviews
Want to read
June 17, 2025All of this is cute but Im here for the loml Will and Tessa, I'll take anything that's about them 🙏
Want to read
December 7, 2025Is it a reference to that line?? 👀
“'Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234'.”
˗ˏˋ ꒰ 𖤍 ꒱ ˎˊ˗ if you know me, you know my obsession with these books lol 🤪🤫🤭
(a sneak peek at the wicked powers?!?. say less!)
“'Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234'.”
˗ˏˋ ꒰ 𖤍 ꒱ ˎˊ˗ if you know me, you know my obsession with these books lol 🤪🤫🤭
(a sneak peek at the wicked powers?!?. say less!)
Want to read
June 11, 2025You had me at Will Herondale
Want to read
June 12, 2025hello? queen cassandra woke up announcing a new book!!!!!!! really finally i can meet jace and clary or tessa and will again 🥹. (also simon and izzy even if i truly HATE simon). i want december to be now.
December 13, 2025
3.5 Rounded up
December 3, 2025
ass. why does this complilation of LOVE stories not having THE BEST LOVE STORY this cursed franchise has ever produced.
so much of this read like out of character fanfiction with bad tropes.
will/tessa - i found them out of character and just the whole plot so stupid. tessa was acting like some blushing, feeble maiden for so many instances when she was with will. an occasional cute line between them would be killed by stupidity.
james/cordelia - skipped this. never cared about them as a couple and then the plot just was so idiotic.
luke/jocelyn - why are you in an epistolary format? no one cares about this couple as well. no one.
thomas/alastair - one of the best couples in the verse. nerfed by the fucking time travel plot with a character no one cares about? but, the couple had their cute moments. but, the time travel pissed me off.
kieran/mark/cristina - stupid ass couple. stupid ass plot.
anna/ariadne - what is this plot? and what’s worse is the influx of corny lines in this. shut.
julian/emma - bro, what is this. we didn’t need this insertion of a character from the alternate universe. just stirred up drama for no reason. stupid.
simon/isabelle - the drama was so stupid. please shut up. so much cringe as well.
jace/clary - i hate these two but why was this the best story out there… i liked the emotional family moments. i thought this would be the worst one but it cooked.
sebastian/the seelie queen - i didn’t care for this at all but it has plot significance for the next trilogy so okay.
such a waste of time. so stupid. probably the shittest full-length novel that this author has every wrote.
so much of this read like out of character fanfiction with bad tropes.
will/tessa - i found them out of character and just the whole plot so stupid. tessa was acting like some blushing, feeble maiden for so many instances when she was with will. an occasional cute line between them would be killed by stupidity.
james/cordelia - skipped this. never cared about them as a couple and then the plot just was so idiotic.
luke/jocelyn - why are you in an epistolary format? no one cares about this couple as well. no one.
thomas/alastair - one of the best couples in the verse. nerfed by the fucking time travel plot with a character no one cares about? but, the couple had their cute moments. but, the time travel pissed me off.
kieran/mark/cristina - stupid ass couple. stupid ass plot.
anna/ariadne - what is this plot? and what’s worse is the influx of corny lines in this. shut.
julian/emma - bro, what is this. we didn’t need this insertion of a character from the alternate universe. just stirred up drama for no reason. stupid.
simon/isabelle - the drama was so stupid. please shut up. so much cringe as well.
jace/clary - i hate these two but why was this the best story out there… i liked the emotional family moments. i thought this would be the worst one but it cooked.
sebastian/the seelie queen - i didn’t care for this at all but it has plot significance for the next trilogy so okay.
such a waste of time. so stupid. probably the shittest full-length novel that this author has every wrote.
December 4, 2025
Cassandra Clare’s Better in Black is one of the most emotional and fan-satisfying releases in the Seasons of Shadowhunterscollection. With ten short stories centered on iconic Shadowhunter couples (and one legendary thruple), this anthology is basically romance fanfiction, but canon, and I’m here for it.
The title comes from an iconic Jace Herondale quote in City of Bones: “Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234.” It sets the tone perfectly for a collection full of love, heartbreak, and well-dressed pain.
The theme is love in all its forms: romantic, painful, transformative. Better in Black is part of Clare's limited-edition Kickstarter series. If you missed the campaign, don't worry. A traditionally published paperback is coming from Random House (Knopf Books for Young Readers) on December 2, 2025.
There are two different covers for this release. The Kickstarter edition, illustrated by Jenny Zemanek, features a cast of characters including Alastair, Thomas, Tessa, Will, James, Cordelia, Mark, Kieran, and Cristina. The trade edition by Cliff Nielsen showcases Tessa Gray and Will Herondale.
⚠️ From here on, spoilers for each story ⚠️
🖤 The Good Storm (Will & Tessa)
We meet Will and Tessa on their honeymoon in Paris in 1879, and the story uses the amnesia trope. I’m one of those readers who actually enjoys the memory loss setup, so that completely sold me here, even though I’m not much of a Wessa fan. What really made it shine was how it let them process their feelings about Ella and Nate. It was bittersweet but satisfying, and a strong start to the collection.
🖤 The Beautiful Ajatara (James & Cordelia)
Cassie had hinted that this story was about James and Cordelia’s second wedding runes, but it wasn’t. This story almost made me cry at the end. It was such a beautiful, creative take that felt more emotional than I expected. The only thing that threw me off was how much it leaned into Lucie’s perspective, she sometimes felt like a stand-in for Cassandra Clare herself, almost as if the story was addressing criticism the fandom had after Chain of Thorns. That was a little distracting, but overall, this one really stuck with me. It wasn’t purely a James and Cordelia couple moment in the way Will and Tessa’s story was, but it was still gorgeous.
🖤 Who the Wolf Loves (Luke & Jocelyn)
This story wrecked me. It was so beautiful and filled with yearning. The emotional weight of Luke and Jocelyn’s relationship really came through here, and the simplicity of it, just that plea to “come back,” hit hard. Easily one of the most moving stories in the collection.
🖤 Zachary’s Day Out (Thomas & Alastair, ft. Zachary)
This one felt quirky and offbeat, but also a little odd. It wasn’t bad, I liked spending time with Thomas and Alastair, but compared to the emotional punch of the others, it didn’t leave as strong an impression.
🖤 The Judgement of King Kieran (Mark, Cristina & Kieran)
I ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would. Kierarktina isn’t usually my favorite dynamic, but the story drew me in with its cold, eerie Unseelie Court atmosphere. It felt genuinely distinct from the Seelie Court we’ve seen before, like stepping into a completely different realm. The mystery element added to the tension, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is laying groundwork for The Wicked Powers.
🖤 A Surfeit of Annas (Anna & Ari)
Anna and Ari’s story had nice dialogue and some sweet moments, but it felt odd and ended very abruptly. It didn’t fully land for me. Arianna isn’t one of my favorite ships from that series, though they’re still undeniably cute together. I came away pretty neutral on this one.
🖤 Bred in the Bone (Julian & Emma)
This was a devastating story. It read like a haunting and brought in the whole Thule element in a way that was both morally gray and painful. The controversial part, of course, is Julian kissing Thule!Emma.
Julian knows she isn’t his Emma, but he kisses and dances with her anyway, hoping for information about Thule Livvy. From the outside, it looks like cheating, and Emma witnesses it that way. Even with the “mission” excuse, it crosses a line. The fallout was heartbreaking.
Thule characters always get to me, they’re painted as villains, but I can’t help feeling for them. This story captured that perfectly, leaving me sad and unsettled in the best way.
🖤 City of Broken Hearts (Simon & Isabelle)
I didn’t realize until this story that Sizzy weren’t officially engaged yet, so it was a surprise to see Simon propose here. Their dynamic is adorable and the story itself was super cute, with a fun connection back to The Beautiful Ajatara. I do wish there had been some indication of time, it would have helped situate the story.
That said, I loved hearing from the TMI gang again. The Ajatara and Krog subplot, a literal demon lover’s quarrel, was hilarious while still being ominous. I always enjoy when the demons are given over-the-top personalities but remain irredeemably evil. This was just a fun, warm story overall.
🖤 The Time of Two (Clary & Jace)
This might be the most complete and satisfying story in the book. It was melancholic and hopeful at the same time, with so many little setups for The Wicked Powers and The Black Volume of the Dead.
I loved that it gave us a deeper look at Maryse through her brother and her son. It highlighted Jace’s growth, how he shares Maryse’s instinct to push people away, but has reached a point where he wants to pull people in and strengthen his family ties. His trust in Maryse’s love for him and for Max was genuinely moving.
Clary and Jace’s dynamic was as strong as ever. Jace’s one-liners had me laughing, and Clary’s perspective on both the Shadowhunter and mundane worlds is so unique at this point in her life. Seeing them in their twenties, navigating something as mundane as suburbia, was both charming and surreal.
The Max Trueblood subplot was bittersweet, he chose love and lost everything else, but the love remained. That ache carried the story. And then there were moments of humor and warmth, like the funny pancake shapes, that balanced it perfectly. I loved this one.
🖤 Too Wise to Love (Nene, the Seelie Queen & Sebastian)
The standout of the whole book. Nene’s character is recontextualized in such a heartbreaking way. She spends her life trying to shield herself from pain, but familial love proves unavoidable, and in the end she embraces Ash as her son. That moment had me tearing up.
The Seelie Queen’s relationship with Sebastian was jaw-dropping. I assumed her feelings were calculated, but no, she was truly in love with him. Once he was gone, she even rejected her own child because she only wanted the “whole package.” I can’t stand mothers who behave that way, but it made Nene’s love for Ash feel even more powerful and real.
Seeing baby Ash here made me even more curious about his role in The Wicked Powers. His parentage is already the most dramatic of any character in the series, and this only raised more questions.
The traditionally published edition includes a sampler of The Wicked Powers after this story, and it feels perfectly placed. You finish Too Wise to Love desperate to know more about Ash, and then immediately get a glimpse of what’s to come.
⭐ Ratings out of 5 stars (Rankings favorite → least):
1. Too Wise to Love (5 ⭐)
2. The Time of Two (5 ⭐)
3. Bred in the Bone (5 ⭐)
4. Who the Wolf Loves (5 ⭐)
5. The Beautiful Ajatara (5 ⭐)
6. City of Broken Hearts (5 ⭐)
7. The Good Storm (5 ⭐)
8. The Judgement of King Kieran (5 ⭐)
9. Zachary’s Day Out (4 ⭐)
10. A Surfeit of Annas (3 ⭐)
📚 Overall: 4.7/5
Romance ✅
Drama ✅
Representation ✅
Shadowhunters being emotionally damaged but well-dressed ✅
Better in Black? It really is iconic.
The title comes from an iconic Jace Herondale quote in City of Bones: “Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234.” It sets the tone perfectly for a collection full of love, heartbreak, and well-dressed pain.
The theme is love in all its forms: romantic, painful, transformative. Better in Black is part of Clare's limited-edition Kickstarter series. If you missed the campaign, don't worry. A traditionally published paperback is coming from Random House (Knopf Books for Young Readers) on December 2, 2025.
There are two different covers for this release. The Kickstarter edition, illustrated by Jenny Zemanek, features a cast of characters including Alastair, Thomas, Tessa, Will, James, Cordelia, Mark, Kieran, and Cristina. The trade edition by Cliff Nielsen showcases Tessa Gray and Will Herondale.
⚠️ From here on, spoilers for each story ⚠️
🖤 The Good Storm (Will & Tessa)
We meet Will and Tessa on their honeymoon in Paris in 1879, and the story uses the amnesia trope. I’m one of those readers who actually enjoys the memory loss setup, so that completely sold me here, even though I’m not much of a Wessa fan. What really made it shine was how it let them process their feelings about Ella and Nate. It was bittersweet but satisfying, and a strong start to the collection.
🖤 The Beautiful Ajatara (James & Cordelia)
Cassie had hinted that this story was about James and Cordelia’s second wedding runes, but it wasn’t. This story almost made me cry at the end. It was such a beautiful, creative take that felt more emotional than I expected. The only thing that threw me off was how much it leaned into Lucie’s perspective, she sometimes felt like a stand-in for Cassandra Clare herself, almost as if the story was addressing criticism the fandom had after Chain of Thorns. That was a little distracting, but overall, this one really stuck with me. It wasn’t purely a James and Cordelia couple moment in the way Will and Tessa’s story was, but it was still gorgeous.
🖤 Who the Wolf Loves (Luke & Jocelyn)
This story wrecked me. It was so beautiful and filled with yearning. The emotional weight of Luke and Jocelyn’s relationship really came through here, and the simplicity of it, just that plea to “come back,” hit hard. Easily one of the most moving stories in the collection.
🖤 Zachary’s Day Out (Thomas & Alastair, ft. Zachary)
This one felt quirky and offbeat, but also a little odd. It wasn’t bad, I liked spending time with Thomas and Alastair, but compared to the emotional punch of the others, it didn’t leave as strong an impression.
🖤 The Judgement of King Kieran (Mark, Cristina & Kieran)
I ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would. Kierarktina isn’t usually my favorite dynamic, but the story drew me in with its cold, eerie Unseelie Court atmosphere. It felt genuinely distinct from the Seelie Court we’ve seen before, like stepping into a completely different realm. The mystery element added to the tension, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is laying groundwork for The Wicked Powers.
🖤 A Surfeit of Annas (Anna & Ari)
Anna and Ari’s story had nice dialogue and some sweet moments, but it felt odd and ended very abruptly. It didn’t fully land for me. Arianna isn’t one of my favorite ships from that series, though they’re still undeniably cute together. I came away pretty neutral on this one.
🖤 Bred in the Bone (Julian & Emma)
This was a devastating story. It read like a haunting and brought in the whole Thule element in a way that was both morally gray and painful. The controversial part, of course, is Julian kissing Thule!Emma.
Julian knows she isn’t his Emma, but he kisses and dances with her anyway, hoping for information about Thule Livvy. From the outside, it looks like cheating, and Emma witnesses it that way. Even with the “mission” excuse, it crosses a line. The fallout was heartbreaking.
Thule characters always get to me, they’re painted as villains, but I can’t help feeling for them. This story captured that perfectly, leaving me sad and unsettled in the best way.
🖤 City of Broken Hearts (Simon & Isabelle)
I didn’t realize until this story that Sizzy weren’t officially engaged yet, so it was a surprise to see Simon propose here. Their dynamic is adorable and the story itself was super cute, with a fun connection back to The Beautiful Ajatara. I do wish there had been some indication of time, it would have helped situate the story.
That said, I loved hearing from the TMI gang again. The Ajatara and Krog subplot, a literal demon lover’s quarrel, was hilarious while still being ominous. I always enjoy when the demons are given over-the-top personalities but remain irredeemably evil. This was just a fun, warm story overall.
🖤 The Time of Two (Clary & Jace)
This might be the most complete and satisfying story in the book. It was melancholic and hopeful at the same time, with so many little setups for The Wicked Powers and The Black Volume of the Dead.
I loved that it gave us a deeper look at Maryse through her brother and her son. It highlighted Jace’s growth, how he shares Maryse’s instinct to push people away, but has reached a point where he wants to pull people in and strengthen his family ties. His trust in Maryse’s love for him and for Max was genuinely moving.
Clary and Jace’s dynamic was as strong as ever. Jace’s one-liners had me laughing, and Clary’s perspective on both the Shadowhunter and mundane worlds is so unique at this point in her life. Seeing them in their twenties, navigating something as mundane as suburbia, was both charming and surreal.
The Max Trueblood subplot was bittersweet, he chose love and lost everything else, but the love remained. That ache carried the story. And then there were moments of humor and warmth, like the funny pancake shapes, that balanced it perfectly. I loved this one.
🖤 Too Wise to Love (Nene, the Seelie Queen & Sebastian)
The standout of the whole book. Nene’s character is recontextualized in such a heartbreaking way. She spends her life trying to shield herself from pain, but familial love proves unavoidable, and in the end she embraces Ash as her son. That moment had me tearing up.
The Seelie Queen’s relationship with Sebastian was jaw-dropping. I assumed her feelings were calculated, but no, she was truly in love with him. Once he was gone, she even rejected her own child because she only wanted the “whole package.” I can’t stand mothers who behave that way, but it made Nene’s love for Ash feel even more powerful and real.
Seeing baby Ash here made me even more curious about his role in The Wicked Powers. His parentage is already the most dramatic of any character in the series, and this only raised more questions.
The traditionally published edition includes a sampler of The Wicked Powers after this story, and it feels perfectly placed. You finish Too Wise to Love desperate to know more about Ash, and then immediately get a glimpse of what’s to come.
⭐ Ratings out of 5 stars (Rankings favorite → least):
1. Too Wise to Love (5 ⭐)
2. The Time of Two (5 ⭐)
3. Bred in the Bone (5 ⭐)
4. Who the Wolf Loves (5 ⭐)
5. The Beautiful Ajatara (5 ⭐)
6. City of Broken Hearts (5 ⭐)
7. The Good Storm (5 ⭐)
8. The Judgement of King Kieran (5 ⭐)
9. Zachary’s Day Out (4 ⭐)
10. A Surfeit of Annas (3 ⭐)
📚 Overall: 4.7/5
Romance ✅
Drama ✅
Representation ✅
Shadowhunters being emotionally damaged but well-dressed ✅
Better in Black? It really is iconic.
November 29, 2025
If you know me, you’ll know Shadowhunters has had a special place in my heart for 12 years now. I grew up on these books.
This collection of love stories is a journey through time from scenes from the very beginning in Victorian England The Infernal Devices to Los Angeles in the 2010s with The Dark Artifices (and beyond).
Don’t pick this up if you aren’t up to date with every book in the Shadowhunter Universe. There are spoilers for each series. There are even hints and threads around the upcoming The Wicked Powers trilogy.
If you haven’t read the books, don’t read on as I will be naming the couples.
THE GOOD STORM - Will and Tessa.
A Parisian honeymoon and a wish gone wrong.
A soft story about grieving and honouring your pain.
THE BEAUTIFUL AJATARA - James and Cordelia.
Told from Lucie’s POV, this felt like a Cassandra Clare self-insert. What happens when a story comes to life?
This one was the most campy and bizarre.
She had noticed that everyone who'd read her book-everyone who'd read any book-thought they knew best what should happen next. It was a funny thing about writing: No one seemed to understand there was skill involved. practice required, hard work called for.
She called people OUT!
WHO THE WOLF LOVES - Jocelyn and Luke.
Ouch. This a letter Luke writes when Jocelyn is in her coma. You learn more about their past and their bittersweet friendship.
ZACHARY'S DAY OUT - Thomas and Alastair.
These two should not be left alone with a baby.
Again, another odd one. I’m not sure why the Last Hours series has more outlandish premises with less focus on the romance.
THE JUDGMENT OF KING KIERAN - Kieran, Mark, and Cristina.
These three have so much gentle trust but fiercer physicality. I don’t know whether to be scared or turned on.
This has some information which I’m sure will come up in The Wicked Powers.
Geraint looked honestly perplexed. "You said to put a pin in him. I assumed you meant..." He gestured at Finian's dead body, the broken spearhead protruding from his back rather like a gigantic pin. "Did I do wrong?"
A SURFEIT OF ANNAS - Anna and Ari.
A mystery bundled up with a jealous ex within the Helle Ruelle.
Again, I wish there were more character moments.
"Anna is not an easy one to tie down." Ari smiled sweetly at him. "I find tying her down isn't that difficult if she's in the mood for it."
BRED IN THE BONE - Emma and Julian.
This one HURT.
Maybe it’s because I recently decided to reread The Dark Artifices (RIP), but out of all the couples, these two have gone through it.
This touches on fragile trust, ruthlessness, and family.
Major information for The Wicked Powers.
CITY OF BROKEN HEARTS - Simon and Isabelle.
First of all, an incredible title.
We start off with The Mortal Instruments (Simon’s band) and get geeky with Star Wars references that resulted in the best love declaration.
"It's good news," he added quickly.
"Then why is your face doing that thing?"
"What thing?"
"The thing where it seems like it's trying to run away from your head."
THE TIME OF TWO - Jace and Clary.
An emotional chapter about the characters rather than the plot (until you get to the end).
I forgot how blonde Jace was probably a lot of people’s first book boyfriend (Will Herondale will always be mine).
Very important for The Wicked Powers.
"Clary, if tomorrow morning we got crushed to death in a trash compactor, it would still be worth it, for all the time we had. Every minute we spend together is worth a lifetime. And I would always, always choose you."
She squinted at him suspiciously. "That's lovely, but—a trash compactor? Simon and Isabelle made you watch Star Wars again, didn't they?"
TOO WISE TO LOVE - Sebastian and the Seelie Queen.
I was as surprised as you to see this pairing.
Told from Lady Nene’s POV, we get the origins and early years of Ash. Again, important for The Wicked Powers.
Finally:
SNEAK PEEK at The Wicked Powers.
👀Lips zipped… for now.
Physical arc gifted by Tandem Collective.
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This collection of love stories is a journey through time from scenes from the very beginning in Victorian England The Infernal Devices to Los Angeles in the 2010s with The Dark Artifices (and beyond).
Don’t pick this up if you aren’t up to date with every book in the Shadowhunter Universe. There are spoilers for each series. There are even hints and threads around the upcoming The Wicked Powers trilogy.
If you haven’t read the books, don’t read on as I will be naming the couples.
THE GOOD STORM - Will and Tessa.
A Parisian honeymoon and a wish gone wrong.
A soft story about grieving and honouring your pain.
THE BEAUTIFUL AJATARA - James and Cordelia.
Told from Lucie’s POV, this felt like a Cassandra Clare self-insert. What happens when a story comes to life?
This one was the most campy and bizarre.
She had noticed that everyone who'd read her book-everyone who'd read any book-thought they knew best what should happen next. It was a funny thing about writing: No one seemed to understand there was skill involved. practice required, hard work called for.
She called people OUT!
WHO THE WOLF LOVES - Jocelyn and Luke.
Ouch. This a letter Luke writes when Jocelyn is in her coma. You learn more about their past and their bittersweet friendship.
ZACHARY'S DAY OUT - Thomas and Alastair.
These two should not be left alone with a baby.
Again, another odd one. I’m not sure why the Last Hours series has more outlandish premises with less focus on the romance.
THE JUDGMENT OF KING KIERAN - Kieran, Mark, and Cristina.
These three have so much gentle trust but fiercer physicality. I don’t know whether to be scared or turned on.
This has some information which I’m sure will come up in The Wicked Powers.
Geraint looked honestly perplexed. "You said to put a pin in him. I assumed you meant..." He gestured at Finian's dead body, the broken spearhead protruding from his back rather like a gigantic pin. "Did I do wrong?"
A SURFEIT OF ANNAS - Anna and Ari.
A mystery bundled up with a jealous ex within the Helle Ruelle.
Again, I wish there were more character moments.
"Anna is not an easy one to tie down." Ari smiled sweetly at him. "I find tying her down isn't that difficult if she's in the mood for it."
BRED IN THE BONE - Emma and Julian.
This one HURT.
Maybe it’s because I recently decided to reread The Dark Artifices (RIP), but out of all the couples, these two have gone through it.
This touches on fragile trust, ruthlessness, and family.
Major information for The Wicked Powers.
CITY OF BROKEN HEARTS - Simon and Isabelle.
First of all, an incredible title.
We start off with The Mortal Instruments (Simon’s band) and get geeky with Star Wars references that resulted in the best love declaration.
"It's good news," he added quickly.
"Then why is your face doing that thing?"
"What thing?"
"The thing where it seems like it's trying to run away from your head."
THE TIME OF TWO - Jace and Clary.
An emotional chapter about the characters rather than the plot (until you get to the end).
I forgot how blonde Jace was probably a lot of people’s first book boyfriend (Will Herondale will always be mine).
Very important for The Wicked Powers.
"Clary, if tomorrow morning we got crushed to death in a trash compactor, it would still be worth it, for all the time we had. Every minute we spend together is worth a lifetime. And I would always, always choose you."
She squinted at him suspiciously. "That's lovely, but—a trash compactor? Simon and Isabelle made you watch Star Wars again, didn't they?"
TOO WISE TO LOVE - Sebastian and the Seelie Queen.
I was as surprised as you to see this pairing.
Told from Lady Nene’s POV, we get the origins and early years of Ash. Again, important for The Wicked Powers.
Finally:
SNEAK PEEK at The Wicked Powers.
👀Lips zipped… for now.
Physical arc gifted by Tandem Collective.
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June 12, 2025I will be there for Will Herondale and Will Herondale only
December 13, 2025
“I want all of it. The good and the bad. Love and loss in equal measure.” 🗡️🔮🤍
OBSESSED!!! give me a new shadowhunters book and i will eat it up every time!
this is probably the best novella compilation book in the entire shadowhunter chronicles. every single story was so beautiful and made me so happy. i love being back in the shadowhunters universe, and these characters mean the absolute world to me, so this book is probably one of my favorite new releases of 2025.
which story is my favorite? DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE!!! they were all literally so good. i wasn’t ever bored! to be honest, i kind of wish this book had double the amount of pages that it does. i wanted the stories to keep on coming!
every shadowhunters stan needs to read this book NOW!!! i am so serious. do NOT pass this book up. it will make your day, your week, your month, your entire YEAR! i am not over-exaggerating. you seriously need to pick up this book immediately. it gets 6 stars from me!!!
OBSESSED!!! give me a new shadowhunters book and i will eat it up every time!
this is probably the best novella compilation book in the entire shadowhunter chronicles. every single story was so beautiful and made me so happy. i love being back in the shadowhunters universe, and these characters mean the absolute world to me, so this book is probably one of my favorite new releases of 2025.
which story is my favorite? DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE!!! they were all literally so good. i wasn’t ever bored! to be honest, i kind of wish this book had double the amount of pages that it does. i wanted the stories to keep on coming!
every shadowhunters stan needs to read this book NOW!!! i am so serious. do NOT pass this book up. it will make your day, your week, your month, your entire YEAR! i am not over-exaggerating. you seriously need to pick up this book immediately. it gets 6 stars from me!!!
December 9, 2025
Every new shadowhunters book is an ABSOLUTE GIFT, especially now that there aren’t many left🥲
This series of short stories was enchantingly ridiculous in the best way. I absolutely loved the unserious concepts Cassie thought up and how she used each to share what day to day life can look like with someone you love (in a paranormal world, ofc.) This is my thirteenth Cassie Clare book of the year and her writing just gets better & better & better…♾️
Five stars for wessa and thomas x alistair! Their stories were my absolute FAVORITE. I always love catching up with TMI instruments characters as well because they are so deeply nostalgic for me. I was missing my perfect Alec & Magnus and cannot wait to jump back into queen of air and darkness so I can have more of them!!!
This was almost a 4.5 star rating for me, but I’m making it a 5 because I have been in a slump from hell and this came when I needed it most. I LOVE SHADOWHUNTERS!!!
ps. will watt who narrated the thomas and alistair story did a PHENOMENAL job. i love his voice!!
This series of short stories was enchantingly ridiculous in the best way. I absolutely loved the unserious concepts Cassie thought up and how she used each to share what day to day life can look like with someone you love (in a paranormal world, ofc.) This is my thirteenth Cassie Clare book of the year and her writing just gets better & better & better…♾️
Five stars for wessa and thomas x alistair! Their stories were my absolute FAVORITE. I always love catching up with TMI instruments characters as well because they are so deeply nostalgic for me. I was missing my perfect Alec & Magnus and cannot wait to jump back into queen of air and darkness so I can have more of them!!!
This was almost a 4.5 star rating for me, but I’m making it a 5 because I have been in a slump from hell and this came when I needed it most. I LOVE SHADOWHUNTERS!!!
ps. will watt who narrated the thomas and alistair story did a PHENOMENAL job. i love his voice!!
Want to read
June 12, 2025I apologise in advance for the person I’ll become when this drops 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Want to read
December 11, 2025OH MY GOD WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS?! MY BABIESSS THEY'RE BACK 😩💙💙💙
Want to read
September 29, 2025will and tessa....i haven't heard those names in years.....
i'm reading for them and only them. i haven't read these books in years but i will never forget the pain that clockwork princess gave me
i'm reading for them and only them. i haven't read these books in years but i will never forget the pain that clockwork princess gave me
Want to read
June 11, 2025464 PAGES?!?! CASSANDRAAAAA 😘😘😘😘
December 1, 2025
Cassandra Clare stop writing pointless novellas and release the wicked powers
Want to read
June 11, 2025Teenager me will never have enough of this, cause wdym I'm getting my biggest book crush ever, William Herondale, back?
This is one of those, "propagandas I'm falling for" case, and I won't even hide that
This is one of those, "propagandas I'm falling for" case, and I won't even hide that
September 29, 2025
ngl the first few were sooooo mid but it came together
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December 24, 2025As always, I loved returning to this world. Thank you once again, CC
November 20, 2025
I will be honest and admit that my review of Better in Black is tainted by my experience with the Seasons of Shadowhunters Kickstarter and the final product I received. Better in Black is absolutely riddled with typos and mistakes (I will be comparing my edition with the traditionally published edition once it releases). There’s multiple fully blank pages.
Most of the stories are fine or aggressively mid. They also serve as an excellent reminder of how long we’ve been waiting for the next installment in the Shadowhunter series.
The Good Storm (Will and Tessa)
The Good Storm follows Will and Tessa on their honeymoon in Paris. They’re looking forward to a quiet time away from the Shadowhunter world, but are pulled back in when they attend a mysterious show.
What was the point of this story? I was truly looking forward to spending some downtime with Will and Tessa, but instead I spent my time scratching my head wondering why Clare would make Will behave so out of character and why she thought readers would blindly accept it.
The Beautiful Ajatara (James and Cordelia)
The Beautiful Ajatara follows Lucie as she informs James and Cordelia that The Beautiful Cordelia is going to be published.
While The Beautiful Ajatara was a much better story conceptually, this was not a James and Cordelia story. This was a Lucie story starring James and Cordelia. Similar to The Last Hours, Lucie just got in the way.
Who the Wolf Loves (Luke and Jocelyn)
Who the Wolf Loves is a letter written by Luke to Jocelyn detailing their past and his undying love for her while she’s in the coma.
I loved the insight into their past as children then teenagers then young adults. I could probably read an entire novel from their perspectives.
Zachary’s Day Out (Alastair and Thomas)
A fun afternoon with Alastair and Thomas as they babysit Alastair’s little brother Zachary. This was fun and whimsical and exactly what I expected from these stories.
The Judgment of King Kieran (Kieran, Mark, and Cristina)
The Judgment of King Kieran is my second favourite story of the collection.
The Judgment of King Kieran follows Mark and Cristina as Keiran has to choose a new knight, but mischief is afoot. It was delightful seeing these three in action as they navigate their relationship with Kieran as king of the unseelie court. More please!
A Surfeit of Annas (Anna and Ariadne)
Anna and Ariadne’s relationship has always been the least interesting to me, however this story was beautiful.
Anna, still reeling from the events of The Last Hours, is withdrawn. A Surfeit of Annas follows Anna and Ari as they work through the meaning of their relationship and the stress that others, outside of the relationship, put on it.
Bred in the Bone (Emma and Julian)
Bred in the Bone is my favourite story of the collection. Emma and Julian and some of my favourite characters in the Shadowhunter world, so of course I was happy to see them.
Bred in the Bone actually moves the story of the Shadowhunter world forward rather than just being a fun mini adventure.
Bred in the Bone reminded me how much I love this world and these characters. Bred in the Bone also reminded me what happened in The Dark Artifices and how we’re still waiting on the continuation of this story. How long have we been waiting? Since 2018…
City of Broken Hearts (Simon and Isabelle)
I was never really a fan of Simon and Izzy together. This story was fine.
The Time of Two (Jace and Clary)
Another story to remind us how long we’ve been waiting for the next installment.
The Time of Two was okay. While it did move the plot along, there wasn’t enough Jace and Clary. The few moments of them together were slightly cringe. Clary waxing poetic about Jace’s chest. Sure. Jace and Clary may have aged, but Clare’s writing for them has not.
Most of the stories are fine or aggressively mid. They also serve as an excellent reminder of how long we’ve been waiting for the next installment in the Shadowhunter series.
The Good Storm (Will and Tessa)
The Good Storm follows Will and Tessa on their honeymoon in Paris. They’re looking forward to a quiet time away from the Shadowhunter world, but are pulled back in when they attend a mysterious show.
What was the point of this story? I was truly looking forward to spending some downtime with Will and Tessa, but instead I spent my time scratching my head wondering why Clare would make Will behave so out of character and why she thought readers would blindly accept it.
The Beautiful Ajatara (James and Cordelia)
The Beautiful Ajatara follows Lucie as she informs James and Cordelia that The Beautiful Cordelia is going to be published.
While The Beautiful Ajatara was a much better story conceptually, this was not a James and Cordelia story. This was a Lucie story starring James and Cordelia. Similar to The Last Hours, Lucie just got in the way.
Who the Wolf Loves (Luke and Jocelyn)
Who the Wolf Loves is a letter written by Luke to Jocelyn detailing their past and his undying love for her while she’s in the coma.
I loved the insight into their past as children then teenagers then young adults. I could probably read an entire novel from their perspectives.
Zachary’s Day Out (Alastair and Thomas)
A fun afternoon with Alastair and Thomas as they babysit Alastair’s little brother Zachary. This was fun and whimsical and exactly what I expected from these stories.
The Judgment of King Kieran (Kieran, Mark, and Cristina)
The Judgment of King Kieran is my second favourite story of the collection.
The Judgment of King Kieran follows Mark and Cristina as Keiran has to choose a new knight, but mischief is afoot. It was delightful seeing these three in action as they navigate their relationship with Kieran as king of the unseelie court. More please!
A Surfeit of Annas (Anna and Ariadne)
Anna and Ariadne’s relationship has always been the least interesting to me, however this story was beautiful.
Anna, still reeling from the events of The Last Hours, is withdrawn. A Surfeit of Annas follows Anna and Ari as they work through the meaning of their relationship and the stress that others, outside of the relationship, put on it.
Bred in the Bone (Emma and Julian)
Bred in the Bone is my favourite story of the collection. Emma and Julian and some of my favourite characters in the Shadowhunter world, so of course I was happy to see them.
Bred in the Bone actually moves the story of the Shadowhunter world forward rather than just being a fun mini adventure.
Bred in the Bone reminded me how much I love this world and these characters. Bred in the Bone also reminded me what happened in The Dark Artifices and how we’re still waiting on the continuation of this story. How long have we been waiting? Since 2018…
City of Broken Hearts (Simon and Isabelle)
I was never really a fan of Simon and Izzy together. This story was fine.
The Time of Two (Jace and Clary)
Another story to remind us how long we’ve been waiting for the next installment.
The Time of Two was okay. While it did move the plot along, there wasn’t enough Jace and Clary. The few moments of them together were slightly cringe. Clary waxing poetic about Jace’s chest. Sure. Jace and Clary may have aged, but Clare’s writing for them has not.
December 22, 2025
I enjoyed this way more than I was expecting, especially because this was a collection of short stories. I was surprised by some/most of the stories and what they focused on, but in a good way. It was nice to see old favorite characters again, and I’m tempted to reread the main books.
My favorite short story was “A Judgment of Kieran,” which was about the throuple. It reminded me of the Wicked Lovely series by Marr in the best of ways.
Bonus points for “The Good Storm” mentioning Mary Elizabeth Braddon, who I was reading recently.
Also, love a good amnesia plot.
Favorite quotes:
"I am a Shadowhunter," Will pointed out. "I could carry six of you over the threshold. Though if I had six brides, it would certainly be the talk of the Clave."
“I should be telling you how glorious you look half-clothed. Like the Venus de Milo, but with arms."
"A publisher wants to publish The Beautiful Cordelia!" she cried.
"Er, has he read it?" James asked.
"I told you London wouldn't be boring."
Sylvain appeared confused. "But she said no dalliances. How can that be more interesting than dalliances?"
My favorite short story was “A Judgment of Kieran,” which was about the throuple. It reminded me of the Wicked Lovely series by Marr in the best of ways.
Bonus points for “The Good Storm” mentioning Mary Elizabeth Braddon, who I was reading recently.
Also, love a good amnesia plot.
Favorite quotes:
"I am a Shadowhunter," Will pointed out. "I could carry six of you over the threshold. Though if I had six brides, it would certainly be the talk of the Clave."
“I should be telling you how glorious you look half-clothed. Like the Venus de Milo, but with arms."
"A publisher wants to publish The Beautiful Cordelia!" she cried.
"Er, has he read it?" James asked.
"I told you London wouldn't be boring."
Sylvain appeared confused. "But she said no dalliances. How can that be more interesting than dalliances?"
December 8, 2025
Thank you PRH Audio and Get Underlined for the gifted audiobook and physical copy.
I LIKED IT.
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I feel like I haven’t read a Shadowhunter book in a hot minute and it was fun to be back in this world with so many of my favorite characters.
Each novella felt like a mini story and brought a swoony edge each time. I think even some of them might be hinting at future things to come? [There’s another series coming right??]
I’m not sure I’d say this is 100% a necessary book to read but I do think you’ll enjoy it if you’ve been a fan of the Shadowhunters over the years.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance Collection
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: moderate
I LIKED IT.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I feel like I haven’t read a Shadowhunter book in a hot minute and it was fun to be back in this world with so many of my favorite characters.
Each novella felt like a mini story and brought a swoony edge each time. I think even some of them might be hinting at future things to come? [There’s another series coming right??]
I’m not sure I’d say this is 100% a necessary book to read but I do think you’ll enjoy it if you’ve been a fan of the Shadowhunters over the years.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance Collection
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: moderate
October 30, 2025
Meh! still better than Chain of Thorns tho 💀💀
Want to read
June 15, 2025ATTENTION MS. CASSANDRA CLARE HOW DID I NOT GET THE MEMO THAT WE ARE HAVING A NEW RELEASE SOON OMG
December 19, 2025
So, reading SH book at the end of 2025 was not exavtly on my bingo card but here I am, happy.
I thought some stories were truly incredible pieces of writing from Cassie and some were really lacking.
I loved Luke and Jocelyn’s story, which was surprising because I have never been that interested in them as a couple, and Sebastian and the Seelie Queen’s story was beautifully written.
But the Blackstairs and Jordelia stories were terrible. Julian acted so OOC in Bred in Bone and I thought bringing back Thule Emma was weak writing when she had literally died in QoAaD. it’s so fucking bad I act like it doesn’t exist
The Jordelia story was told from Lucie’s perspective and seemed more about her than the couple themselves. I wish we got more about them and not something like a story within story! they are my current favorite couple.
and the Wessa story was also weird. The memory loss subplot was out of character and she had will sleep with tessa 30 seconds after thinking jem died. ://
overall, this book did ignite some of the nostalgia I had for this book, and I can't wait for the newest series in SH world.
I thought some stories were truly incredible pieces of writing from Cassie and some were really lacking.
I loved Luke and Jocelyn’s story, which was surprising because I have never been that interested in them as a couple, and Sebastian and the Seelie Queen’s story was beautifully written.
But the Blackstairs and Jordelia stories were terrible. Julian acted so OOC in Bred in Bone and I thought bringing back Thule Emma was weak writing when she had literally died in QoAaD. it’s so fucking bad I act like it doesn’t exist
The Jordelia story was told from Lucie’s perspective and seemed more about her than the couple themselves. I wish we got more about them and not something like a story within story! they are my current favorite couple.
and the Wessa story was also weird. The memory loss subplot was out of character and she had will sleep with tessa 30 seconds after thinking jem died. ://
overall, this book did ignite some of the nostalgia I had for this book, and I can't wait for the newest series in SH world.
December 8, 2025
i swear cassandra clare takes every opportunity to torture and remind me about the last chapter of clockwork princess
Want to read
August 15, 2025I was so excited for this, but now I’m so disappointed, that I barely have ANY hope for any good content in TSC. I mean, if the fan-service material isn’t serving the fans, then what else is there? I always wanted more books and content for this fandom, but after TWP, I really hope that Cassie just stops writing more for TSC and that she just leaves these characters and stories the hell alone.
September 1, 2025
2025 reads: 237/300
this short story collection follows ten different couples from the shadowhunter chronicles (tsc). we follow these characters as they battle demons and their relationship troubles.
as a long-time tsc fan, this was the perfect collection for me. that said, i skipped one book, careful of books (matthew’s story), thinking it’d be fine, but i was really wishing i’d read that first because of certain appearances and references. i had been planning on reading that one first, but i felt too much peer pressure for this one. anyway, this was still highly enjoyable. i loved each story, but i think i loved sizzy’s, blackstairs’s, and sebastian/the seelie queen’s stories the best. sizzy and blackstairs are some of my top tsc couples, and i could tell blackstairs’s story is setting us up for the wicked powers (though i don’t think it’ll be absolutely necessary to read that one before the wicked powers). sebastian/the seelie queen’s story, despite that being its label, was actually a great introduction to ash and his upbringing. overall, this was a lovely collection. i highly recommend this to other tsc fans. i’m so excited for the wicked powers!
this short story collection follows ten different couples from the shadowhunter chronicles (tsc). we follow these characters as they battle demons and their relationship troubles.
as a long-time tsc fan, this was the perfect collection for me. that said, i skipped one book, careful of books (matthew’s story), thinking it’d be fine, but i was really wishing i’d read that first because of certain appearances and references. i had been planning on reading that one first, but i felt too much peer pressure for this one. anyway, this was still highly enjoyable. i loved each story, but i think i loved sizzy’s, blackstairs’s, and sebastian/the seelie queen’s stories the best. sizzy and blackstairs are some of my top tsc couples, and i could tell blackstairs’s story is setting us up for the wicked powers (though i don’t think it’ll be absolutely necessary to read that one before the wicked powers). sebastian/the seelie queen’s story, despite that being its label, was actually a great introduction to ash and his upbringing. overall, this was a lovely collection. i highly recommend this to other tsc fans. i’m so excited for the wicked powers!
December 9, 2025
It's been a while since I read books from this universe. I'm happy that I haven't grown out of it. My only real issue was the fact that there was nothing about Malec in a book about Shadowhunter romance??? That's crazy even if there are five other books dedicated to them. Apart from that, this was great -- especially the preludes to The Wicked Powers, which I'm super excited for. I don't really have a favourite because I liked (kind of cute) and disliked (too dramatic and didn't really have a point) all of them. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who's read all/most of the shadowhunters series (it's definitely fun and nostalgic) but it's unfortunately not the best book of the lot.
November 27, 2025
Okay le storie romance semplici ma il trash…💀Tutti avremmo voluto storie “domestiche”, fan service ma scritte dall’autrice con una conoscenza e comfort dei personaggi. Invece ha messo trame a caso, spesso stupide, con l’effetto opposto😀Fan fiction scritte da chiunque su Ao3
Poi assurdo che le edizioni Kickstarter abbiano errori di battitura, costavano tanto su quel sito (erano esclusive prima della distribuzione sul mercato, oltre alla beffa pure una prodotto fatto peggio rispetto a quello a un prezzo più basso nelle librerie)🤡. Menomale che io pirato🏴☠️a prescindere
— The good storm- Will & Tessa
Parte male che la prima menzione del titolo la fa Will nell’after sex, per la perifrasi in francese detta da un poeta😀wow, poesia per niente trash! Poi lo riprende Tessa nel senso di tempesta di sentimenti bla bla bla, poteva limitarsi a quello. La trama partiva pure da un’idea sensata cioè Will che ripensa a sua sorella Ella, sapendo che se non vede il fantasma significa che è in pace ma vuole dimenticare il dolore e l’impossibilità di parlarci. Dopo troppe descrizioni di quanto vogliono stare in hotel per scopare (DAI MENO, era divertente quando Tessa riflette sul non essere abituata a percepirlo in modo non peccaminoso, e sappiamo che è per come è cresciuta da mondana, era simpatico su quel piano MA le descrizioni erano inutili😭non esplicite ovvio, ma neanche fade to black), una sera vedono uno spettacolo di una che credono sia una finta medium
In realtà è Madame Dorothea-> 1º Easter egg: lo stregone della battaglia in Città di Ossa, che teneva la coppa Mortale nei tarocchi in cui Jocelyn l’aveva nascosta, ma si era poi rivelata avida. Adoro che in una storia su due personaggi del 1800 c’è un dettaglio di una cosa del 2007 XHSHSH la amo quando fa così
M. Dorothea truffa i mondani leggendo nel pensiero riguardo ai lutti, e quando Will sente la voce di Ella, teme che non sia in pace. Il regalo di nozze di Ragnor Fell ai Wessa era una pallina magica che esaudisce un desiderio, e Will aveva ingenuamente chiesto se si potesse far tornare Shadowhunter un fratello Silente OUCH💔. E qui il nonsense, perché la usa invece per “dimenticare il dolore di Ella”— esagerato e out of character, dopo ciò che ha passato. Nessuno lo farebbe. Una cosa così pesante in una storia romance??? Unito al gioco di Will che non riconosce Tessa il giorno dopo perché per sbaglio si sono cancellati gli altri ricordi, shock🤪
È l’unica scena in cui arriva Fratello Zaccaria che dice in due righe che è triste che non lo ricordi MA È SURREALE, sarebbe una roba grave e sta qua all’acqua di rose. Fa anche retcon DI UNA COSA DETTA PRIMA: era bello che nella luna di miele a Parigi avessero visitato vari posti (es. quelli in Racconto di due città, il loro libro) tranne l’opera Garnier perché era il sogno di Jem💔, ma quando Will ha i ricordi confusi pensa che sia il proprio sogno (???) quindi ci vanno, poi lo capisce e quindi aaaah dolore🤪a che è servito dirlo? Una bella idea rovinata💀. Poi chiede i ricordi per “riavere sia la gioia sia il dolore” ma grazie al cazzo😭. L’incantesimo non viene nemmeno fatto da Ragnor, che sarebbe stato collegato al regalo, ma da Madame Dorothea dopo essere stata beccata nell’affare illegale🤌 il pathos è ZERO
Tranne Tessa le risponde riguardo all’immortalità:
"I will love him as hard as I can, as much as I can, for every moment of every day of all the life he has. That is what I will do”🙏. La cosa dolce e utile che mi aspettavo da una storia romantica, non il non sense💀
— The beautiful Ajatara- James & Cordelia
Pur odiando la coppia in TLH, questa è stata carina e. È narrata da Lucie e se si fosse fermata lì… Invece Cassandra ha fatto la self insert parlando ai lettori perché le rode il culo che l’hanno criticata per la morte di Christopher in CoT🤡. Il demone del titolo è una ex amante di Belial che vuole liberarsi grazie a Lucie che è il suo sangue (il fatto che lei e James abbiano perso i poteri MI STA QUA non ho ancora perdonato): si fa aiutare dal demone Krog che illude Lucie che The Beautiful Cordelia verrà pubblicata, e invece è un luogo d’azione per Ajatara che… rapirà Cordelia all’interno del libro. Se non fosse che Lucie non ha pensato al finale e ci sono dialoghi ridicoli tra James, che pensa che debba essere felice, e Cordelia, che dice che serve uccidere personaggi importanti (cit. Christopher era a malapena presente) per dare dramma alla storia🤡 "Readers don't know what they want" […] "They think they want their favorite characters to lead uneventful happy lives where nothing bad ever happens to them, […] want their characters battered by tragedy and struggle, so they can emerge victorious.” MA CHE CAZZO DICI. Non era quello il problema !!! Ha pure risposto su Tumblr, la gente odia IL MODO in cui ha scritto la morte di Christopher, non il fatto. READERS WANT— NOT A SHITTY TRILOGY HOPE THIS HELPS🤡
Lucie è comica nel dire che sono tutti critici e che, essendo tutti lettori, tutti pensiamo di poter scrivere perché ci affezioniamo alle storie— ma dopo TLH, è un tono paternalista e imbarazzante. Accetta le critiche a 55 anni🤡
La scena nel libro è divertente, soprattutto quando Lucie mette “the cruel Prince James”, accennato in TLH, che cambia le sorti della Beautiful Cordelia, e Lucie capisce di dover dare un finale soddisfacente per farli uscire (ironico visto quanto brutto sia CoT🤪).
Il finale con Lucie che ammette che aspettava la pubblicazione del libro per poter sposare Jesse è dolce, e ha speranza per il loro futuro:
“The dreamscape of fantasy and adventure, the land where heroes could do the impossible, where lovers could be parted and reunite […] “Marriage, happiness-it wasn't the end of a story. It was simply the end of the story of the beginning”🪶
— Who the wolf loves- Luke & Jocelyn
LA STORIA MIGLIORE WELCOME BACK WRITING. Non ha coesione con le altre, ha un bellissimo stile ed è un modo per immaginare una lettera che Luke ha scritto a Jocelyn mentre era in ospedale
“that you can only read when you come back to me—be my howl to the moon” CRAZY😭🖤
I racconti sul Circolo sono sempre i miei preferiti, è un periodo complesso come Valentine, che non ha solo manipolato le debolezze per i loro scopi ma, nel creare un gruppo legato a lui, li ha resi più soli di quanto già non fossero. Si nota sia in altre storie sia in TMI: caratterizzare un villain da chi l’ha amato e non da chi l’ha odiato, e per come è riuscito nel piano politico a partire dalle emozioni trasformate, GENIALE. Valentine Morgenstern non ne fanno come te🙏
+ AMO L’ANGST DEI LUCELYN che si conoscevano dai 15 anni ma non si sono dichiarati fino all’ultimo😭
“You would want me to remember that Valentine lied for power, while we lied for Clary.
The truth is, you lied for Clary, Jocelyn.
I lied for you. Because silence was what you wanted from me. But now—now that you’re lying in that bed, too silent, terrifyingly silent, now that I sit beside you every day praying to the Angel that I’ll hear your voice again—now I can’t help peering into my own negative spaces. And hiding there: the truth. I wanted silence too”
Bella l’aggiunta dell’infanzia di Luke, come il momento in cui ha passato una notte da solo nella foresta di Brocelind, come facevano molti studenti dell’Accademia, perché era pressato dal padre ad essere “forte”. Da TMI si sapeva che la madre fosse diventata una Sorella di Ferro, e immaginare che volesse la sua strada anziché essere legata a un marito tossico ci sta, è un bonus curioso.
Ancora più struggente che la licantropia sia stata sia una condanna sia una libertà, e che non era solo il rifiuto di Jocelyn ma anche quello vero, del suo parabatai, che lo ha distrutto. Amare un parabatai che non lo ricambiava dopo aver giurato… La freddezza e prova di grande (dis)umanità: solo quando Valentine gli ha detto di uccidersi, nell’arroganza di credere che Luke non volesse vivere, ha capito che non poteva più negarlo— si capisce da CoB, ma è un plus eccellente
“There are those who believe Valentine has always been what he became, that he never loved anything but power. Then there are those, and most days I count myself among them, who believe the Valentine I loved back then was more than a disguise. That before he was a man consumed by darkness, he was a boy committed to doing what he thought was right—and committed to the friends he recruited to his cause. Most days I believe that, and yet, I wonder if even then it gave him some pleasure to watch me suffer for you, the one person in the world who didn’t seem to like him”‼️
Fino all’ultimo i membri del Circolo hanno visto amicizia e “bene comune”, ma questa è stata la rottura. Se ha superato anche il limite con cui Luke poteva giustificarlo, allora era andato❌
Anche l’aggiunta del ballo a cui ha portato Madeleine e non Jocelyn, ormai manipolata ad amare Valentine, è interessante-> “Casual cruelty of adolescence—so many wounds inflicted without a second though” è fitting per le varie tragedie fatte da adolescenti del Circolo! + il collegamento all’aiuto di Madeleine in Città di Cenere ;)
Mi ha fatto però strano che alla cerimonia parabatai Jocelyn abbia fatto da testimone a entrambi perché Valentine “ormai rompeva abbastanza regole”— è la legge, e lui era anche diligente all’Accademia😅Però mi piace l’interpretazione: “there's a reason the ceremony calls for two witnesses. Four is a stable number. Safe. Three forms a shape with a much sharper point”
La pecca forte è il mezzo retcon con… bacio e sesso a Parigi💀è canon che lei se ne sia andata credendo che la proposta di matrimonio fosse caritatevole, ma aveva senso per come era detto in TMI, non che dopo la scopata pensi che lui finga, what in the malessere😭un conto un bacio al volo dimenticato, un conto l’amore serio. C’è un’allusione al “she’s never been pleasured properly”… okay non ha mai avuto un orgasmo con Valentine not necessary💀
+ 3º Easter egg: la casa dei Fairchild a Parigi è forse di Matthew dal passato
Anyway, segue il canon ma per quanto reprimano i sentimenti, è meno realistico
“You’d painted our childhood, and it felt like a sign.
You weren’t ready to erase the past. Not entirely.
You hadn’t erased me”
“And it’s why I loved her, even before i did, even though she took you away. She saved you. She’s never stopped” la famiglia anti convenzionale con Clary😭❤️
“I’m starting to feel invisible”
“I see you,” I said, and for the first time, I did”❤️MAMMA E PAPÀ
— Zachary’s day out- Thomas & Alastair
È DI UNA STUPIDITÀ… Il fratello minore nato in CoT, dal nome in onore di Fratello Zaccaria🙏viene dato ai ragazzi per fare da babysitter. L’unica cosa apprezzabile è la descrizione di loro a casa e quando escono:
“Thomas knew what shall we go, when spoken by Alastair on the way out of the house, meant. It meant we must be “out in the world now, so kiss me before we open the door. And so he did, allowing his tension and frustration to dissolve for a moment as Alastair drew him close”-> La sensibilità queer, amen
2º Easter egg: uno dei gemelli di Charlotte e Henry si chiama Branwell-> il 2º nome di Jocelyn! Mi ero sempre chiesta perché, essendo il cognome di Henry, ma la genealogia va avanti con Fairchild. Parole cambiate e l’uomo ha abbandonato il cognome, Charlotte domination🥰
Mentre sono lì per far stare Zachary con i bambini, va nel laboratorio e… con un oggetto delle fate si trasforma IN ADULTO con la mente da bambino💀CRINGE. Frasi vaghe tipo Alastair che teme che Zachary crescerà come lui, rigido e facendo l’adulto come lui si è dovuto curare di suo padre (Elias lo faceva giocare con soldatini ed educazione alla strategia senza un’infanzia normale?? SEH Esagerato. Un conto è coprire la dipendenza d’alcol, un altro è tale pesantezza buttata qui)
“[…] love for Zachary that makes you not want that for him. Tell him you love him, all right? Even if he drives you mad” È SOTTO INCANTESIMO È RIDICOLO. Poteva essere una cute story sul babysitting e sulla crescita di Alastair e invece sta trashata. Zachary torna piccolo grazie al potere dell’amore🤡e Alastair lo esorta a giocare come vuole perché un bambino merita spontaneità. Un 12enne su Wattpad scriverebbe meglio🤡
— The judgement of King Kieran- Kierarktina
I CUCCIOLOTTI con una delle storie migliori: c’è un intrigo politico a Faerieland, e mostra quanto Kieran non si piaccia come re della corte Unseelie, costretto a fare scelte importanti e lontano dai suoi consorti, e temeva per Mark e Cristina in quel mondo. I due però vorrebbero sostenerlo anche lì, non solo nel polyamorous cottage —come dice Emma SHSHSHAH— dato da Adaon, il fratello buono, come posto sicuro
“It seems to me,” Mark said, “that you are trying to split yourself in half. But that is not necessary […]”
Cristina propped herself up on her elbow “One day a high monarch will need to reunite the two halves. Someone who will take the burden of ruling off your hands. And then the two halves of you, Kieran, can be whole and healed too”🥹IL TRIO DEI BELLISSIMI🌈
La trama ha senso: una fata viene smascherata perché ha bevuto il sangue di Ash, messo in una fiala dal vecchio Re Unseelie per i suoi poteri, e torna la cosa di Ash usato come arma… è l’unica cosa sensata per TWP in futuro :”)
— A surfeit of Annas- Anna & Ari
Stupida ma divertente, è basata sul fatto che tutte le ragazze di Londra vogliono farsi Anna AHDHSHSHH. Quando annuncia alla Hell Rouelle che ormai ama solo una donna, per rifiutare le avances, cominciano ad arrivare lettere e visite dalle sue ex o altre che ci speravano😭una tipa ha fondato la “Anna Lightwood appreciation society” che DIVA. La non binary lesbian cool girl sta bene qui ma in TLH è stata sprecata rip, ma la storia è carina. A un certo punto Ariadne vede un clone di Anna baciarsi con un’altra, ed è un demone impersonificato, creato da una sirena in pena d’amore😭assieme a dei cloni di cui Ari riconosce e libera l’originale. La parte più intrattenente però è stata il ritrovo con Matthew e Sylvain, il nuovo ragazzo incontrato sulla nave in tour in Europa post CoT, e la storia su Matthew (nell’altro libro del Kickstarter, Careful of books- l’unica sul mondo di TSC in mezzo a robe a caso VABBÈ) è scritta meglio di tutta TLH🤪+ Fa ridere che nel 1904 gli unici Shadowhunters che non schifavano i Nascosti erano i gay che andavano alla Hell Rouelle✈️
“[…]because you are so easy to love"
"Is that why all the fuss? I thought it was because so many women in London had never been pleasured properly before they met me”
"Oh, it is not just London," Ari said “I believe the problem is worldwide”😭SHE’S RIGHT
— Bred in bone- Julian & Emma
LA PEGGIORE PERCHÉ È SU THULE. Vorrei che quella parte di QoAaD non esistesse e invece sarà in TWP, che cagata
La Thule!Emma arriva a Los Angeles perché ormai il portale è aperto, Julian riceve un messaggio sconosciuto che gli fa temere che Emma sia in pericolo (??), va in un locale a caso e poi, capendo che è l’altra, la bacia e ci balla (per non far saltare la copertura) sperando che gli dia info (ma de che?) su Thule!Livvy. BLA BLA CRINGE. Lottano, quella parla per indovinelli ma… io ho capito che lei serve Janus che è il fedele della regina Seelie🤢e scelgono di farsi dire questo (=niente, PARLA IN MODO CRIPTICO) anziché di Livvy
Ma la menzione —detta anche in Secrets of Blackthorn Hall— come niente fosse che Mina era stata rapita dalle Fate e salvata da Gwyn? Ma stamo a giocà?💀
Uniche cose carine: Emma comedian (“Is that blood?" “Worst” Emma groaned. “Ketchup”) e il fatto che lei e Julian alternino le camere in cui dormono per ricordarsi dell’infanzia🥹
“Julian always said that love was seeing the truth of a person. Emma thought it was more than that: love was keeping faith “that the best version you saw was the truest. That was what Julian did for her; that was what they did for each other”
Una delle coppie più belle rovinate da una trama oscena😭
— City of Broken Hearts- Simon & Isabelle
Unica storia sui Sizzy dopo anni che scrive di tutti meno che loro ed è… stupida. A Simon viene offerto un posto alla Scholomance, Isabelle non vuole limitarlo, ma tanto lui rifiuta per disinteresse. Si chiariscono mentre controllano i demoni Ajatara e Krog della storia prima🤡discussione inutile e solo cringe. Poi lui le chiede di sposarla ma è un retcon perché nell’extra di TDA c’era già la festa di fidanzamento so like?? E nella storia dei Clace viene detto che faranno un matrimonio unito… manco lì i Sizzy avranno una cosa loro💀
Unica cosa carina: la citazione nerd a Star Wars “I love you” “I know” <3
— The Time of two- Clary & Jace
ALTRA STORIA UTILE🙏e originale, parte dalla nostalgia di Maryse per il fratello Max, che aveva sposato una mondana e non è più uno Shadowhunter, cosa che esorta i Clace a cercarlo in segreto per invitarlo al loro futuro matrimonio sperando di riunirlo
“Your Valentine didn't come out of nowhere. These leaders never do. Men like Valentine need willing followers. And there were al ready plenty among us who wanted to go back to the old ways, who thought anyone different was lesser. It felt like Idris had changed. But maybe I had” !!!
Max ricorda il rifiuto di Maryse, ma vuole anche sapere che sta bene (anche se è irrealistico che sia informato, come sa che lei e Robert hanno divorziato ma non che è morto? Bah) e se si è pentita
“She hated being left behind at home. She always said it was because she wanted the chance to fight— but I think she was just terrified that we wouldn't come home again”-> Maryse lo dice in QoAaD
“They grew up. And they changed”
"[…]that Robert got braver, or that my sister learned to be afraid?" said Max quietly
"I think a little of both" Jace said "Life wasn't easy on either of them”
(+ il collegamento alle Cronache dell’Accademia: Max ricorda le differenze tra Robert, più debole, e Maryse, più assertiva-> è vero che lei è entrata prima nel Circolo, mentre Robert era più manipolato)
È un tema politico e un foreshadowing, e da qui la teoria-> quando CC anni fa diceva, su Tumblr, che in TWP “cambierà l’assetto politico”, può riferirsi al rapporto coi mondani, ALMENO la legge dello strappo dei marchi. Clary inoltre riflette su quanto sia triste che gli hobby fuori dall’essere SH siano malvisti, e dalla frattura con la Coorte in poi, si è cominciato a mettere in dubbio la Legge (più del post-Circolo)— c’è una linea temporale e sociale
Ma la profezia della caduta degli Shadowhunters… temo che in TWP sarà un deus ex machina. Max decodifica un testo VECCHIO —che si aspettava che gli SH sapessero?— da quando all’anno all’estero ha conosciuto la moglie da cui ha avuto un figlio. Okay che quella è morta e l’avrà ripreso nel tempo ma💀. Poi per quanto dura sto “tempo dei due” ancora se c’è una profezia? BAH
I Clace comunque sono sempre adorabili e ostacolati, ce la faranno a sposarsi☝️
— Too wise to Love- Sebastian & Seelie Queen
USELESS! È narrata da Nene, la zia di Mark ed Helen, e a parte notare che Sebastian non ama la regina, narra il suo accudimento di Ash (chiamato così per “ciò che resta”), già lo sapevamo. Sti cazzi💀Peccato, è l’unica altra scritta bene: “Foolish, even more, because she thought love was a choice, and that she could choose against it”
3 su 10 buone, avrei preferito le smielatezze anziché le trame idiote. E anche meno innuendos, a una certa BASTA, in quasi tutte c’era un doppio senso dalla trama alla scena allusiva (“you can be playful with me”- “last night was awful- not all of last night” e così via😭). Zero descrizioni, tutto di fretta, davvero le FF brutte
Poi assurdo che le edizioni Kickstarter abbiano errori di battitura, costavano tanto su quel sito (erano esclusive prima della distribuzione sul mercato, oltre alla beffa pure una prodotto fatto peggio rispetto a quello a un prezzo più basso nelle librerie)🤡. Menomale che io pirato🏴☠️a prescindere
— The good storm- Will & Tessa
Parte male che la prima menzione del titolo la fa Will nell’after sex, per la perifrasi in francese detta da un poeta😀wow, poesia per niente trash! Poi lo riprende Tessa nel senso di tempesta di sentimenti bla bla bla, poteva limitarsi a quello. La trama partiva pure da un’idea sensata cioè Will che ripensa a sua sorella Ella, sapendo che se non vede il fantasma significa che è in pace ma vuole dimenticare il dolore e l’impossibilità di parlarci. Dopo troppe descrizioni di quanto vogliono stare in hotel per scopare (DAI MENO, era divertente quando Tessa riflette sul non essere abituata a percepirlo in modo non peccaminoso, e sappiamo che è per come è cresciuta da mondana, era simpatico su quel piano MA le descrizioni erano inutili😭non esplicite ovvio, ma neanche fade to black), una sera vedono uno spettacolo di una che credono sia una finta medium
In realtà è Madame Dorothea-> 1º Easter egg: lo stregone della battaglia in Città di Ossa, che teneva la coppa Mortale nei tarocchi in cui Jocelyn l’aveva nascosta, ma si era poi rivelata avida. Adoro che in una storia su due personaggi del 1800 c’è un dettaglio di una cosa del 2007 XHSHSH la amo quando fa così
M. Dorothea truffa i mondani leggendo nel pensiero riguardo ai lutti, e quando Will sente la voce di Ella, teme che non sia in pace. Il regalo di nozze di Ragnor Fell ai Wessa era una pallina magica che esaudisce un desiderio, e Will aveva ingenuamente chiesto se si potesse far tornare Shadowhunter un fratello Silente OUCH💔. E qui il nonsense, perché la usa invece per “dimenticare il dolore di Ella”— esagerato e out of character, dopo ciò che ha passato. Nessuno lo farebbe. Una cosa così pesante in una storia romance??? Unito al gioco di Will che non riconosce Tessa il giorno dopo perché per sbaglio si sono cancellati gli altri ricordi, shock🤪
È l’unica scena in cui arriva Fratello Zaccaria che dice in due righe che è triste che non lo ricordi MA È SURREALE, sarebbe una roba grave e sta qua all’acqua di rose. Fa anche retcon DI UNA COSA DETTA PRIMA: era bello che nella luna di miele a Parigi avessero visitato vari posti (es. quelli in Racconto di due città, il loro libro) tranne l’opera Garnier perché era il sogno di Jem💔, ma quando Will ha i ricordi confusi pensa che sia il proprio sogno (???) quindi ci vanno, poi lo capisce e quindi aaaah dolore🤪a che è servito dirlo? Una bella idea rovinata💀. Poi chiede i ricordi per “riavere sia la gioia sia il dolore” ma grazie al cazzo😭. L’incantesimo non viene nemmeno fatto da Ragnor, che sarebbe stato collegato al regalo, ma da Madame Dorothea dopo essere stata beccata nell’affare illegale🤌 il pathos è ZERO
Tranne Tessa le risponde riguardo all’immortalità:
"I will love him as hard as I can, as much as I can, for every moment of every day of all the life he has. That is what I will do”🙏. La cosa dolce e utile che mi aspettavo da una storia romantica, non il non sense💀
— The beautiful Ajatara- James & Cordelia
Pur odiando la coppia in TLH, questa è stata carina e. È narrata da Lucie e se si fosse fermata lì… Invece Cassandra ha fatto la self insert parlando ai lettori perché le rode il culo che l’hanno criticata per la morte di Christopher in CoT🤡. Il demone del titolo è una ex amante di Belial che vuole liberarsi grazie a Lucie che è il suo sangue (il fatto che lei e James abbiano perso i poteri MI STA QUA non ho ancora perdonato): si fa aiutare dal demone Krog che illude Lucie che The Beautiful Cordelia verrà pubblicata, e invece è un luogo d’azione per Ajatara che… rapirà Cordelia all’interno del libro. Se non fosse che Lucie non ha pensato al finale e ci sono dialoghi ridicoli tra James, che pensa che debba essere felice, e Cordelia, che dice che serve uccidere personaggi importanti (cit. Christopher era a malapena presente) per dare dramma alla storia🤡 "Readers don't know what they want" […] "They think they want their favorite characters to lead uneventful happy lives where nothing bad ever happens to them, […] want their characters battered by tragedy and struggle, so they can emerge victorious.” MA CHE CAZZO DICI. Non era quello il problema !!! Ha pure risposto su Tumblr, la gente odia IL MODO in cui ha scritto la morte di Christopher, non il fatto. READERS WANT— NOT A SHITTY TRILOGY HOPE THIS HELPS🤡
Lucie è comica nel dire che sono tutti critici e che, essendo tutti lettori, tutti pensiamo di poter scrivere perché ci affezioniamo alle storie— ma dopo TLH, è un tono paternalista e imbarazzante. Accetta le critiche a 55 anni🤡
La scena nel libro è divertente, soprattutto quando Lucie mette “the cruel Prince James”, accennato in TLH, che cambia le sorti della Beautiful Cordelia, e Lucie capisce di dover dare un finale soddisfacente per farli uscire (ironico visto quanto brutto sia CoT🤪).
Il finale con Lucie che ammette che aspettava la pubblicazione del libro per poter sposare Jesse è dolce, e ha speranza per il loro futuro:
“The dreamscape of fantasy and adventure, the land where heroes could do the impossible, where lovers could be parted and reunite […] “Marriage, happiness-it wasn't the end of a story. It was simply the end of the story of the beginning”🪶
— Who the wolf loves- Luke & Jocelyn
LA STORIA MIGLIORE WELCOME BACK WRITING. Non ha coesione con le altre, ha un bellissimo stile ed è un modo per immaginare una lettera che Luke ha scritto a Jocelyn mentre era in ospedale
“that you can only read when you come back to me—be my howl to the moon” CRAZY😭🖤
I racconti sul Circolo sono sempre i miei preferiti, è un periodo complesso come Valentine, che non ha solo manipolato le debolezze per i loro scopi ma, nel creare un gruppo legato a lui, li ha resi più soli di quanto già non fossero. Si nota sia in altre storie sia in TMI: caratterizzare un villain da chi l’ha amato e non da chi l’ha odiato, e per come è riuscito nel piano politico a partire dalle emozioni trasformate, GENIALE. Valentine Morgenstern non ne fanno come te🙏
+ AMO L’ANGST DEI LUCELYN che si conoscevano dai 15 anni ma non si sono dichiarati fino all’ultimo😭
“You would want me to remember that Valentine lied for power, while we lied for Clary.
The truth is, you lied for Clary, Jocelyn.
I lied for you. Because silence was what you wanted from me. But now—now that you’re lying in that bed, too silent, terrifyingly silent, now that I sit beside you every day praying to the Angel that I’ll hear your voice again—now I can’t help peering into my own negative spaces. And hiding there: the truth. I wanted silence too”
Bella l’aggiunta dell’infanzia di Luke, come il momento in cui ha passato una notte da solo nella foresta di Brocelind, come facevano molti studenti dell’Accademia, perché era pressato dal padre ad essere “forte”. Da TMI si sapeva che la madre fosse diventata una Sorella di Ferro, e immaginare che volesse la sua strada anziché essere legata a un marito tossico ci sta, è un bonus curioso.
Ancora più struggente che la licantropia sia stata sia una condanna sia una libertà, e che non era solo il rifiuto di Jocelyn ma anche quello vero, del suo parabatai, che lo ha distrutto. Amare un parabatai che non lo ricambiava dopo aver giurato… La freddezza e prova di grande (dis)umanità: solo quando Valentine gli ha detto di uccidersi, nell’arroganza di credere che Luke non volesse vivere, ha capito che non poteva più negarlo— si capisce da CoB, ma è un plus eccellente
“There are those who believe Valentine has always been what he became, that he never loved anything but power. Then there are those, and most days I count myself among them, who believe the Valentine I loved back then was more than a disguise. That before he was a man consumed by darkness, he was a boy committed to doing what he thought was right—and committed to the friends he recruited to his cause. Most days I believe that, and yet, I wonder if even then it gave him some pleasure to watch me suffer for you, the one person in the world who didn’t seem to like him”‼️
Fino all’ultimo i membri del Circolo hanno visto amicizia e “bene comune”, ma questa è stata la rottura. Se ha superato anche il limite con cui Luke poteva giustificarlo, allora era andato❌
Anche l’aggiunta del ballo a cui ha portato Madeleine e non Jocelyn, ormai manipolata ad amare Valentine, è interessante-> “Casual cruelty of adolescence—so many wounds inflicted without a second though” è fitting per le varie tragedie fatte da adolescenti del Circolo! + il collegamento all’aiuto di Madeleine in Città di Cenere ;)
Mi ha fatto però strano che alla cerimonia parabatai Jocelyn abbia fatto da testimone a entrambi perché Valentine “ormai rompeva abbastanza regole”— è la legge, e lui era anche diligente all’Accademia😅Però mi piace l’interpretazione: “there's a reason the ceremony calls for two witnesses. Four is a stable number. Safe. Three forms a shape with a much sharper point”
La pecca forte è il mezzo retcon con… bacio e sesso a Parigi💀è canon che lei se ne sia andata credendo che la proposta di matrimonio fosse caritatevole, ma aveva senso per come era detto in TMI, non che dopo la scopata pensi che lui finga, what in the malessere😭un conto un bacio al volo dimenticato, un conto l’amore serio. C’è un’allusione al “she’s never been pleasured properly”… okay non ha mai avuto un orgasmo con Valentine not necessary💀
+ 3º Easter egg: la casa dei Fairchild a Parigi è forse di Matthew dal passato
Anyway, segue il canon ma per quanto reprimano i sentimenti, è meno realistico
“You’d painted our childhood, and it felt like a sign.
You weren’t ready to erase the past. Not entirely.
You hadn’t erased me”
“And it’s why I loved her, even before i did, even though she took you away. She saved you. She’s never stopped” la famiglia anti convenzionale con Clary😭❤️
“I’m starting to feel invisible”
“I see you,” I said, and for the first time, I did”❤️MAMMA E PAPÀ
— Zachary’s day out- Thomas & Alastair
È DI UNA STUPIDITÀ… Il fratello minore nato in CoT, dal nome in onore di Fratello Zaccaria🙏viene dato ai ragazzi per fare da babysitter. L’unica cosa apprezzabile è la descrizione di loro a casa e quando escono:
“Thomas knew what shall we go, when spoken by Alastair on the way out of the house, meant. It meant we must be “out in the world now, so kiss me before we open the door. And so he did, allowing his tension and frustration to dissolve for a moment as Alastair drew him close”-> La sensibilità queer, amen
2º Easter egg: uno dei gemelli di Charlotte e Henry si chiama Branwell-> il 2º nome di Jocelyn! Mi ero sempre chiesta perché, essendo il cognome di Henry, ma la genealogia va avanti con Fairchild. Parole cambiate e l’uomo ha abbandonato il cognome, Charlotte domination🥰
Mentre sono lì per far stare Zachary con i bambini, va nel laboratorio e… con un oggetto delle fate si trasforma IN ADULTO con la mente da bambino💀CRINGE. Frasi vaghe tipo Alastair che teme che Zachary crescerà come lui, rigido e facendo l’adulto come lui si è dovuto curare di suo padre (Elias lo faceva giocare con soldatini ed educazione alla strategia senza un’infanzia normale?? SEH Esagerato. Un conto è coprire la dipendenza d’alcol, un altro è tale pesantezza buttata qui)
“[…] love for Zachary that makes you not want that for him. Tell him you love him, all right? Even if he drives you mad” È SOTTO INCANTESIMO È RIDICOLO. Poteva essere una cute story sul babysitting e sulla crescita di Alastair e invece sta trashata. Zachary torna piccolo grazie al potere dell’amore🤡e Alastair lo esorta a giocare come vuole perché un bambino merita spontaneità. Un 12enne su Wattpad scriverebbe meglio🤡
— The judgement of King Kieran- Kierarktina
I CUCCIOLOTTI con una delle storie migliori: c’è un intrigo politico a Faerieland, e mostra quanto Kieran non si piaccia come re della corte Unseelie, costretto a fare scelte importanti e lontano dai suoi consorti, e temeva per Mark e Cristina in quel mondo. I due però vorrebbero sostenerlo anche lì, non solo nel polyamorous cottage —come dice Emma SHSHSHAH— dato da Adaon, il fratello buono, come posto sicuro
“It seems to me,” Mark said, “that you are trying to split yourself in half. But that is not necessary […]”
Cristina propped herself up on her elbow “One day a high monarch will need to reunite the two halves. Someone who will take the burden of ruling off your hands. And then the two halves of you, Kieran, can be whole and healed too”🥹IL TRIO DEI BELLISSIMI🌈
La trama ha senso: una fata viene smascherata perché ha bevuto il sangue di Ash, messo in una fiala dal vecchio Re Unseelie per i suoi poteri, e torna la cosa di Ash usato come arma… è l’unica cosa sensata per TWP in futuro :”)
— A surfeit of Annas- Anna & Ari
Stupida ma divertente, è basata sul fatto che tutte le ragazze di Londra vogliono farsi Anna AHDHSHSHH. Quando annuncia alla Hell Rouelle che ormai ama solo una donna, per rifiutare le avances, cominciano ad arrivare lettere e visite dalle sue ex o altre che ci speravano😭una tipa ha fondato la “Anna Lightwood appreciation society” che DIVA. La non binary lesbian cool girl sta bene qui ma in TLH è stata sprecata rip, ma la storia è carina. A un certo punto Ariadne vede un clone di Anna baciarsi con un’altra, ed è un demone impersonificato, creato da una sirena in pena d’amore😭assieme a dei cloni di cui Ari riconosce e libera l’originale. La parte più intrattenente però è stata il ritrovo con Matthew e Sylvain, il nuovo ragazzo incontrato sulla nave in tour in Europa post CoT, e la storia su Matthew (nell’altro libro del Kickstarter, Careful of books- l’unica sul mondo di TSC in mezzo a robe a caso VABBÈ) è scritta meglio di tutta TLH🤪+ Fa ridere che nel 1904 gli unici Shadowhunters che non schifavano i Nascosti erano i gay che andavano alla Hell Rouelle✈️
“[…]because you are so easy to love"
"Is that why all the fuss? I thought it was because so many women in London had never been pleasured properly before they met me”
"Oh, it is not just London," Ari said “I believe the problem is worldwide”😭SHE’S RIGHT
— Bred in bone- Julian & Emma
LA PEGGIORE PERCHÉ È SU THULE. Vorrei che quella parte di QoAaD non esistesse e invece sarà in TWP, che cagata
La Thule!Emma arriva a Los Angeles perché ormai il portale è aperto, Julian riceve un messaggio sconosciuto che gli fa temere che Emma sia in pericolo (??), va in un locale a caso e poi, capendo che è l’altra, la bacia e ci balla (per non far saltare la copertura) sperando che gli dia info (ma de che?) su Thule!Livvy. BLA BLA CRINGE. Lottano, quella parla per indovinelli ma… io ho capito che lei serve Janus che è il fedele della regina Seelie🤢e scelgono di farsi dire questo (=niente, PARLA IN MODO CRIPTICO) anziché di Livvy
Ma la menzione —detta anche in Secrets of Blackthorn Hall— come niente fosse che Mina era stata rapita dalle Fate e salvata da Gwyn? Ma stamo a giocà?💀
Uniche cose carine: Emma comedian (“Is that blood?" “Worst” Emma groaned. “Ketchup”) e il fatto che lei e Julian alternino le camere in cui dormono per ricordarsi dell’infanzia🥹
“Julian always said that love was seeing the truth of a person. Emma thought it was more than that: love was keeping faith “that the best version you saw was the truest. That was what Julian did for her; that was what they did for each other”
Una delle coppie più belle rovinate da una trama oscena😭
— City of Broken Hearts- Simon & Isabelle
Unica storia sui Sizzy dopo anni che scrive di tutti meno che loro ed è… stupida. A Simon viene offerto un posto alla Scholomance, Isabelle non vuole limitarlo, ma tanto lui rifiuta per disinteresse. Si chiariscono mentre controllano i demoni Ajatara e Krog della storia prima🤡discussione inutile e solo cringe. Poi lui le chiede di sposarla ma è un retcon perché nell’extra di TDA c’era già la festa di fidanzamento so like?? E nella storia dei Clace viene detto che faranno un matrimonio unito… manco lì i Sizzy avranno una cosa loro💀
Unica cosa carina: la citazione nerd a Star Wars “I love you” “I know” <3
— The Time of two- Clary & Jace
ALTRA STORIA UTILE🙏e originale, parte dalla nostalgia di Maryse per il fratello Max, che aveva sposato una mondana e non è più uno Shadowhunter, cosa che esorta i Clace a cercarlo in segreto per invitarlo al loro futuro matrimonio sperando di riunirlo
“Your Valentine didn't come out of nowhere. These leaders never do. Men like Valentine need willing followers. And there were al ready plenty among us who wanted to go back to the old ways, who thought anyone different was lesser. It felt like Idris had changed. But maybe I had” !!!
Max ricorda il rifiuto di Maryse, ma vuole anche sapere che sta bene (anche se è irrealistico che sia informato, come sa che lei e Robert hanno divorziato ma non che è morto? Bah) e se si è pentita
“She hated being left behind at home. She always said it was because she wanted the chance to fight— but I think she was just terrified that we wouldn't come home again”-> Maryse lo dice in QoAaD
“They grew up. And they changed”
"[…]that Robert got braver, or that my sister learned to be afraid?" said Max quietly
"I think a little of both" Jace said "Life wasn't easy on either of them”
(+ il collegamento alle Cronache dell’Accademia: Max ricorda le differenze tra Robert, più debole, e Maryse, più assertiva-> è vero che lei è entrata prima nel Circolo, mentre Robert era più manipolato)
È un tema politico e un foreshadowing, e da qui la teoria-> quando CC anni fa diceva, su Tumblr, che in TWP “cambierà l’assetto politico”, può riferirsi al rapporto coi mondani, ALMENO la legge dello strappo dei marchi. Clary inoltre riflette su quanto sia triste che gli hobby fuori dall’essere SH siano malvisti, e dalla frattura con la Coorte in poi, si è cominciato a mettere in dubbio la Legge (più del post-Circolo)— c’è una linea temporale e sociale
Ma la profezia della caduta degli Shadowhunters… temo che in TWP sarà un deus ex machina. Max decodifica un testo VECCHIO —che si aspettava che gli SH sapessero?— da quando all’anno all’estero ha conosciuto la moglie da cui ha avuto un figlio. Okay che quella è morta e l’avrà ripreso nel tempo ma💀. Poi per quanto dura sto “tempo dei due” ancora se c’è una profezia? BAH
I Clace comunque sono sempre adorabili e ostacolati, ce la faranno a sposarsi☝️
— Too wise to Love- Sebastian & Seelie Queen
USELESS! È narrata da Nene, la zia di Mark ed Helen, e a parte notare che Sebastian non ama la regina, narra il suo accudimento di Ash (chiamato così per “ciò che resta”), già lo sapevamo. Sti cazzi💀Peccato, è l’unica altra scritta bene: “Foolish, even more, because she thought love was a choice, and that she could choose against it”
3 su 10 buone, avrei preferito le smielatezze anziché le trame idiote. E anche meno innuendos, a una certa BASTA, in quasi tutte c’era un doppio senso dalla trama alla scena allusiva (“you can be playful with me”- “last night was awful- not all of last night” e così via😭). Zero descrizioni, tutto di fretta, davvero le FF brutte
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