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Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #6
Pale Kings and Princes
As a former vampire, Simon gets along with Downworlders. The Clave does not. One of ten adventures in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy.
As a former vampire, Simon’s always been sympathetic to Downworlders. But after a training exercise goes wrong, he gets a glimpse into the Shadowhunters’ prejudice as he learns about the origin of Helen and Mark Blackthorn, principle characters in The Dark Artifices.
This standalone e-only short story follows the adventures of Simon Lewis, star of The Mortal Instruments, as he trains to become a Shadowhunter.
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy features characters from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices, and the upcoming Dark Artifices and Last Hours series.
As a former vampire, Simon’s always been sympathetic to Downworlders. But after a training exercise goes wrong, he gets a glimpse into the Shadowhunters’ prejudice as he learns about the origin of Helen and Mark Blackthorn, principle characters in The Dark Artifices.
This standalone e-only short story follows the adventures of Simon Lewis, star of The Mortal Instruments, as he trains to become a Shadowhunter.
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy features characters from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices, and the upcoming Dark Artifices and Last Hours series.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2015
About the author
Cassandra Clare
197 books280k 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 1,443 reviews
February 26, 2016
Ahh so much Sizzy! I feel so bad for Helen, I hope to see more of her storyline in Lady Midnight!
Read
March 7, 2016AHHHH
Not much happened in this novella, plot-wise, but I'm happy for SIZZY and the backstory of Helen Blackthorn! This is getting me even more excited for Lady Midnight and the whole anti-Faerie storyline.
Not much happened in this novella, plot-wise, but I'm happy for SIZZY and the backstory of Helen Blackthorn! This is getting me even more excited for Lady Midnight and the whole anti-Faerie storyline.
March 12, 2016
Feeling a lot of SIZZY FEELINGS after this one, but what the crap was that ending???
March 27, 2016
SIZZY FEELS!!! This was so so good! One of my favorites so far. But what the eff is up with that ending?!
"This is how a faerie loves: with her whole body and soul. This is how a faerie loves: with destruction."
"This is how a faerie loves: with a gift."
Come on Cassie, we need more to this story!
"This is how a faerie loves: with her whole body and soul. This is how a faerie loves: with destruction."
"This is how a faerie loves: with a gift."
Come on Cassie, we need more to this story!
October 20, 2018
“This is how a faerie loves: with a gift.”
Easily one of my favorite short stories set in the Shadowhunter world. Summer is over, and Simon is back at the academy for his second year! But Helen Blackthorn and Aline Penhallow mean more to me than 99% of the characters I’ve spent all of 2018 reading about nonstop. But, can we please kill off professor Mayhew already? Like, I’m begging. What an insufferable asshole. But the Institute brings Helen to force her to tell the story of her half fae parentage, while humiliating and belittling her constantly. But she does it so that she can marry the love of her life, who has stuck by her side even when she was exiled to a cold island just because of how she was born. But the reason I loved this story so much was because the true story that even Helen doesn’t know about her mother and Faerie. Like, it was perfect. Everything I’ve ever wanted. Oh, and Simon and Izzy finally make up, but it for sure didn’t mean as much to me, because the last story was so damn painful to read! Like, can Helen and Mark just have their own anthology? Please. I loved this.
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(I read this in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy!) ✨
March 14, 2016
5/5 stars
Pale Kings and Princes was everything you want from a Simon Lewis story and much much more. This novella has just destroyed my soul. I don't even know what to think. In just a measly 40 pages, I have laughed so hard my side hurt and gotten so angry my whole body burned with hatred. The writing was beautiful, Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman are definitely my favorite of the collaborating groups present in this bind up of novellas. They write Simon to a tee, they write the Simon we all know and love. Please, please, please, I am begging you, if you haven't picked up this bind up do it! And, if you haven't read The Mortal Instruments what are you doing? Stop reading right now and go buy, borrow, steal , those books.
I will write a full review on the bind up once I finish all of the novellas.
Pale Kings and Princes was everything you want from a Simon Lewis story and much much more. This novella has just destroyed my soul. I don't even know what to think. In just a measly 40 pages, I have laughed so hard my side hurt and gotten so angry my whole body burned with hatred. The writing was beautiful, Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman are definitely my favorite of the collaborating groups present in this bind up of novellas. They write Simon to a tee, they write the Simon we all know and love. Please, please, please, I am begging you, if you haven't picked up this bind up do it! And, if you haven't read The Mortal Instruments what are you doing? Stop reading right now and go buy, borrow,
I will write a full review on the bind up once I finish all of the novellas.
May 19, 2015
“This is how a faerie loves: with her whole body and soul.
This is how a faerie loves: with destruction.
This is how a faerie loves: with a gift.”
I gave it five stars not for all the SIZZY moments, I mean I loved them and I was so happy for them, but it was actually for Helen’s backstory. It was amazing, and that ending was just so heartbreaking, I absolutely loved the REAL story behind Andrew and Arthur Blackthorn's day spent in the Seelie Court. It's actually pretty tragic.
I’m just amazed and intrigued to know how the truth got twisted. I can’t believe they made them believe that everything Lady Nerissa did was out of cruelness.
March 22, 2015
The intertwining stories were gut wrenching yet hopeful. Can’t wait to discover more about all of these characters.
January 21, 2015
|3.7 stars|
“This is how a faerie loves: with her whole body and soul. This is how a faerie loves: with destruction.”
Blurb:Simon has an encounter with Downworlders and is reprimanded for not following the rules for Academy students interacting with Downworlders. A story within a story: Andrew Blackthorn, while a student at the Academy, becomes enthralled by a faerie and has two children with her: Mark and Helen.
Isabelle, I just have one thing to say.
Miss Lightwood absolutely blew my mind. She was everything I aspire to be. She’s goals.
Seriously, my love for this girl only grows and grows and I don’t think there will ever be a time I’m not proud of her.
She’s a warrior in every aspect of her life and she’s so freaking wise and the way she understands things… I just love her, alright? We need more women like her in YA literature.
Now, I really liked Simon spending time with Clary and sharing memories and it was all pretty cool but I still struggle with Simon a little.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved that her finally decided to move the fuck on (thank you, Izzy <3) but there’s still something bothering me about him and I don’t know what could be. Like, I know this new environment wasn’t working for him and me at the beginning, but I truly thought all of that was already behind.
Maybe it was he being so whiny at times? It was getting on my nerves but since he woke up and actually did something about it, I can only wish Simon doesn’t go back. It was getting old, to be honest.
And let’s go to the Blackthorns.
If I was already dying to read TDA, now I need to pull off some kind of witchcraft so march comes fucking earlier. MARHC. COME. TO. ME.
BUT WAIT, IMAGINE IF SHADOWHUNTERS FROM A CERTAIN INSTITUTE ARE INVESTIGATING THIS CASE AND THE DEMON OR WHATEVER ESCAPES TO A DIFFERENT CITY AND THEY UNITE FORCES WITH THE SHADOWHUNTERS WHO LIVE IN THAT OTHER INSTITUTE AND IT’S ALL LIKE A CSI CROSSOVER AND I NEED THAT *GASPS*
Now, Helen’s story was really dark and interesting. Now we know why the Blackthorn children didn’t know their uncle that much. And wow, faeries are assholes. Right, not all of them but most of them.
So far I’ve managed not to read any spoiler or snippet about TDA. Not even the ones released with these stories so I really need March to come fucking fast.
And that end? Jesus, I need more about that story. More about the Blackthorns, more about the faeries. Just give me more, yeah?
July 12, 2018
Απίστευτα στενάχωρη η ιστορία της Έλεν και το πως της συμπεριφέρονται. Το μόνο παρηγορητικό είναι ότι έχει βρει το στήριγμα της.
Ελπίζω στη συνέχεια της σειράς the dark artifices να αλλάξουν τα πράγματα!
“It's hard to believe how much light you can find in the darkness, when you have someone who loves you.”
Ελπίζω στη συνέχεια της σειράς the dark artifices να αλλάξουν τα πράγματα!
“It's hard to believe how much light you can find in the darkness, when you have someone who loves you.”
December 2, 2017
"It's hard to believe how much light you can find in the darkness, when you have someone who loves you".
"Es difícil de creer cuánta luz puedes encontrar en la oscuridad cuando tienes a alguien que te ama".
¿Podemos hablar del asco que dan muchísimos Shadowhunters? ¡Comparto totalmente la indignación de Simon en este relato con respecto a lo que le están haciendo a Helen Blackthorn!
En Pale Kings and Princes la invitada a la Shadowhunter Academy es Helen Blackthorn, quien al final de la Guerra fue exiliada del mundo de los Shadowhunters por tener sangre fae. En esta ocasión, la sacan de su prisión y la llevan para que cuente la historia de cómo su padre y su tío fueron abducidos y torturados por los fae durante muchísimos años hasta que lograron escapar. Mientras estuvieron en el reino de las hadas, Andrew tuvo dos hijos, Helen y Mark, a quienes crió como Cazadores de Sombras a pesar de su verdadera naturaleza.
En este relato vemos, de nuevo, cómo la historia vista desde el lado de los Shadowhunters siempre moldea todo a su favor y menosprecia de las maneras más viles a quienes no son como ellos, a los Downworlders. Y es horrible, sobre todo cuando se leen las últimas páginas del relato y se entiende la versión de los fae de esta trágica historia de amor. Me sorprendí muchísimo pues, como todos los que hemos leído estas sagas, sabemos que los fae son peligrosos y poco confiables, pero sí que olvidamos que hay otro lado de las historias que no nos cuentan con mucha frecuencia.
Por otra parte, en Pal Kings and Princes la relación de Simon e Izzy vuelve a tomar muchísimo protagonismo, pues ya están intentando retomar todo donde lo dejaron. Están intentando crear nuevos recuerdos y volver a entender cómo eran sus dinámicas y, sobre todo, cómo un friki como Simon terminó conquistando a una guerrera implacable como Isabelle. ¡Me reí muchísimo leyendo sobre todas sus citas fallidas! Eran lamentables. Y, por supuesto, también salté un poquito de alegría cuando llega el momento de la reconciliación oficial.
"Es difícil de creer cuánta luz puedes encontrar en la oscuridad cuando tienes a alguien que te ama".
¿Podemos hablar del asco que dan muchísimos Shadowhunters? ¡Comparto totalmente la indignación de Simon en este relato con respecto a lo que le están haciendo a Helen Blackthorn!
En Pale Kings and Princes la invitada a la Shadowhunter Academy es Helen Blackthorn, quien al final de la Guerra fue exiliada del mundo de los Shadowhunters por tener sangre fae. En esta ocasión, la sacan de su prisión y la llevan para que cuente la historia de cómo su padre y su tío fueron abducidos y torturados por los fae durante muchísimos años hasta que lograron escapar. Mientras estuvieron en el reino de las hadas, Andrew tuvo dos hijos, Helen y Mark, a quienes crió como Cazadores de Sombras a pesar de su verdadera naturaleza.
En este relato vemos, de nuevo, cómo la historia vista desde el lado de los Shadowhunters siempre moldea todo a su favor y menosprecia de las maneras más viles a quienes no son como ellos, a los Downworlders. Y es horrible, sobre todo cuando se leen las últimas páginas del relato y se entiende la versión de los fae de esta trágica historia de amor. Me sorprendí muchísimo pues, como todos los que hemos leído estas sagas, sabemos que los fae son peligrosos y poco confiables, pero sí que olvidamos que hay otro lado de las historias que no nos cuentan con mucha frecuencia.
Por otra parte, en Pal Kings and Princes la relación de Simon e Izzy vuelve a tomar muchísimo protagonismo, pues ya están intentando retomar todo donde lo dejaron. Están intentando crear nuevos recuerdos y volver a entender cómo eran sus dinámicas y, sobre todo, cómo un friki como Simon terminó conquistando a una guerrera implacable como Isabelle. ¡Me reí muchísimo leyendo sobre todas sus citas fallidas! Eran lamentables. Y, por supuesto, también salté un poquito de alegría cuando llega el momento de la reconciliación oficial.
December 11, 2016
4.5 Stars
May 22, 2015
I SIZZY FINALMENTE CAZZO ERA ORA
June 16, 2015
Easily my favorite story so far! I loved everything about it. After a summer spent home, Simon is finally back at the academy, where Helen Blackthorn is "invited" to share a lesson. I really felt for Helen, I can't wait to read more about her and Aline.
Thank goodness Simon is an amazing human being and so he states the obvious: you can't judge a whole species, country, or whatever, by the action of a few. But that's too much to ask of the clave, so this was a great set up for the whole faerie thing in TDA!
As promised we got a sizzy date!!! awww how I missed these two! I loved that it was awkward; I loved that they disagreed on some things and that this story showed how you don't have to be someone else to impress your date, you have to be yourself even if that means arguing about something, the result might be amazing.
The ending made me sob like a baby? Seriously, it was one of the best part of the story. I hope we'll get more of that soon!
"Trust a faerie at your own risk, because they care for nothing but themselves. They sow nothing but destruction. And their preferred weapon is human love. This is the lesson I've been asked to teach you. And so I have."
Thank goodness Simon is an amazing human being and so he states the obvious: you can't judge a whole species, country, or whatever, by the action of a few. But that's too much to ask of the clave, so this was a great set up for the whole faerie thing in TDA!
"Not your world, not my world. A new world, for just the two of us."
As promised we got a sizzy date!!! awww how I missed these two! I loved that it was awkward; I loved that they disagreed on some things and that this story showed how you don't have to be someone else to impress your date, you have to be yourself even if that means arguing about something, the result might be amazing.
She smiled, and it was the kind of smile you give to someone who can make you want to throttle them and kiss them all at the same time.
The ending made me sob like a baby? Seriously, it was one of the best part of the story. I hope we'll get more of that soon!
May 22, 2020
3.5★ | sometimes . . . I don’t know, sometimes it feels like the most important things are going to be the hardest to get back.
The summer break is over, and Simon Lewis is back at the academy for his second year. Unbelievable as it is, it’s been a year now that he’s lost his memories, some of which have come back to him at different times and in different ways, but he’s also made a whole year’s worth of new memories. A lot has happened, with a lot more to come.
I loved this story when it came to Simon and Isabelle. I adored the scenes that reminded me of certain malec scenes ( “You never called me,” and We fall together) if I remember correctly. 🥹
But when it came to Helen, it was simply too sad (as is the case where blackthorns are concerned) 🥺 As if life before the Dark War had ever been easier on her, she was ripped from her family; exiled based on simple human fear, which ofc., the nephilim would never admit themselves, being angel-blooded and oh-so-above-the-mundane, and because of their prejudiced hate... I also re-read trsom during my re-read of tmi recently, so it’s kinda fresh in my mind, and it hurt how easily her judgement could be deemed biased when it came to downworlders, and how easily her loyalty could be questioned (based on convenience or hate or both).
spoilers ahead!
⚠️ As for what this story shows us:
» the real story of her parents remains unknown to Helen to this day.
» I hateee how the false story (which everyone believes to be true) is made to be used by Helen against herself 😡
» also hate that she had to share thefalse story about her parents as a lesson at the academy and let the Clave make an example out of her in front of the students in order to come back and get married with her family present. To strike a bargain with her own people, whom she’d never given a chance to question her loyalty, and who exiled her anyway, for ONE DAY with her loved ones 💔
» not knowing the fully story, Helen is bound to think of her birth mother, Lady Nerissa, as only the cruel trickster who played her father and uncle. I hate the power it holds to cause her any self-doubt whatsoever. It already weighs on her so much (as seen in trsom as well).
» love Simon for shaking some sense into Helen, btw. Helen didn’t have much choice, and where she did, she was ready to give up everything. So glad she has Aline ❤️🩹
» Last, but not the least, I have no idea what to make of the true story, shared with us at the end. Lady Nerissa saved Andrew from guilt, but so what? Arthur had suffered, and he carries that suffering still. She loved Andrew, and she saved him the guilt by letting him believe a lie, but she saved herself, too, from the guilt of not saving his brother or trying to when she could have (if she felt that at all), and the pain of seeing Andrew remorseful. I love faeries, but I’m definitely missing something here because how was spinning a lie for the brothers, and then leaving her kids with their mortal father (and the people who have never been very kind to anyone even a little different) a gift?
***
Blackthorns have my heart. I just... I'm very emotional for my blackthorn babies ❤️
The summer break is over, and Simon Lewis is back at the academy for his second year. Unbelievable as it is, it’s been a year now that he’s lost his memories, some of which have come back to him at different times and in different ways, but he’s also made a whole year’s worth of new memories. A lot has happened, with a lot more to come.
I loved this story when it came to Simon and Isabelle. I adored the scenes that reminded me of certain malec scenes ( “You never called me,” and We fall together) if I remember correctly. 🥹
But when it came to Helen, it was simply too sad (as is the case where blackthorns are concerned) 🥺 As if life before the Dark War had ever been easier on her, she was ripped from her family; exiled based on simple human fear, which ofc., the nephilim would never admit themselves, being angel-blooded and oh-so-above-the-mundane, and because of their prejudiced hate... I also re-read trsom during my re-read of tmi recently, so it’s kinda fresh in my mind, and it hurt how easily her judgement could be deemed biased when it came to downworlders, and how easily her loyalty could be questioned (based on convenience or hate or both).
spoilers ahead!
⚠️ As for what this story shows us:
» the real story of her parents remains unknown to Helen to this day.
» I hateee how the false story (which everyone believes to be true) is made to be used by Helen against herself 😡
» also hate that she had to share the
“My father loved us despite where we came from,” Helen said in the way of someone trying to convince herself. “But it always felt like he kept some part of himself in reserve. Like he was waiting to see her in me. It was different with Mark, because Mark was a boy. But girls take after their mothers, right?”
» not knowing the fully story, Helen is bound to think of her birth mother, Lady Nerissa, as only the cruel trickster who played her father and uncle. I hate the power it holds to cause her any self-doubt whatsoever. It already weighs on her so much (as seen in trsom as well).
loving someone—even when it’s scary, even when there are consequences—is never the wrong thing to do.
» love Simon for shaking some sense into Helen, btw. Helen didn’t have much choice, and where she did, she was ready to give up everything. So glad she has Aline ❤️🩹
This is the story she left behind, the story her lover will never know; this is the story her daughter will never know.
» Last, but not the least, I have no idea what to make of the true story, shared with us at the end. Lady Nerissa saved Andrew from guilt, but so what? Arthur had suffered, and he carries that suffering still. She loved Andrew, and she saved him the guilt by letting him believe a lie, but she saved herself, too, from the guilt of not saving his brother or trying to when she could have (if she felt that at all), and the pain of seeing Andrew remorseful. I love faeries, but I’m definitely missing something here because how was spinning a lie for the brothers, and then leaving her kids with their mortal father (and the people who have never been very kind to anyone even a little different) a gift?
This is how a faerie loves: with her whole body and soul. This is how a faerie loves: with destruction.
I love you, she told him, night after night, for seven years. Faeries cannot lie, and he knew that.
I love you, he told her, night after night, for seven years. Humans can lie, and so she let him believe he lied to her, and she let his brother and his children believe it, and she died hoping they would believe it forever.
This is how a faerie loves: with a gift.
***
Blackthorns have my heart. I just... I'm very emotional for my blackthorn babies ❤️
February 13, 2016
❝ I saw pale kings and princes too,
Pale warriors, death-pale were they all;
They cried—“La Belle Dame sans Merci
Hath thee in thrall! ❞
❝ But I know your blood doesn’t define you. What defines you is the choices you make. ❞
❝ He took her in his arms and kissed her—kissed her the way he’d been longing to kiss her since he first laid eyes on her, kissed her not like a romance novel hero or a Shadowhunter warrior or some imaginary character from the past, but like Simon Lewis kissing the girl he loved more than anything in the world. It was like falling into the sun, falling together, hearts blazing with pale fire, and Simon knew he would never stop falling, knew that now that he’d grabbed hold of her again, he would never let go. ❞
My sizzy soul
Pale warriors, death-pale were they all;
They cried—“La Belle Dame sans Merci
Hath thee in thrall! ❞
❝ But I know your blood doesn’t define you. What defines you is the choices you make. ❞
❝ He took her in his arms and kissed her—kissed her the way he’d been longing to kiss her since he first laid eyes on her, kissed her not like a romance novel hero or a Shadowhunter warrior or some imaginary character from the past, but like Simon Lewis kissing the girl he loved more than anything in the world. It was like falling into the sun, falling together, hearts blazing with pale fire, and Simon knew he would never stop falling, knew that now that he’d grabbed hold of her again, he would never let go. ❞
My sizzy soul
March 22, 2016
I told you that I would keep reading and I meant it! This was another amazing nouvella, probably would be my favorite out of all of them so far. I am just so so happy right now! I can't wait to read more, I can't wait to catch up to everyone so that I can talk to them about it. These nouvellas just keep getting better and better.
“Simon, don’t you think I’m scared of that too? You’re not the only one on that ledge. If we jump, we jump together. We fall together.”
This takes place after the events of City of Heavenly Fire and it follows Simon Lewis who has to go to Shadowhunter Academy. He is haunted by his past, he does not remember the things he wants to remember. He doesn't remember the people who love him but he wants to make everything right. Simon goes on a bunch of adventures and slowly unravels a few of his memories.
“It's hard to believe how much light you cand find in the darkness, when you have someone who loves you.”
Helen Blackthorn is an awesome character, I love her so much for how easy going she is. She does not deserve to be treated the way she is. Simon is someone I relate to but also very frustrating at times. Isabelle always has your back and is a very lovable girl who makes the perfect warrior.
“She smiled and it was the kind of smile you give to someone who can make you want to throttle them and kiss them all at the same time.”
The Sizzy feels in the book was what made my day. While reading, all I was doing was:
It was so much fun to read but at the same time, we learned more about the Blackthorns. I hated the way Arthur and his brother were treated and it made me confused about how I felt about faerie. The arguments between Simon and Isabelle were reasonable but I wished they wouldn't argue so much. I love how they understand each other and want to makes things right.
“And I also know that loving someone—even when it’s scary, even when there are consequences—is never the wrong thing to do.”
I highly recommend this book to those who have already read TMI and TID, it is best to read this before Lady Midnight. And I highly recommend for those who haven't read any of these series to do so because you are missing out!
“Simon, don’t you think I’m scared of that too? You’re not the only one on that ledge. If we jump, we jump together. We fall together.”
This takes place after the events of City of Heavenly Fire and it follows Simon Lewis who has to go to Shadowhunter Academy. He is haunted by his past, he does not remember the things he wants to remember. He doesn't remember the people who love him but he wants to make everything right. Simon goes on a bunch of adventures and slowly unravels a few of his memories.
“It's hard to believe how much light you cand find in the darkness, when you have someone who loves you.”
Helen Blackthorn is an awesome character, I love her so much for how easy going she is. She does not deserve to be treated the way she is. Simon is someone I relate to but also very frustrating at times. Isabelle always has your back and is a very lovable girl who makes the perfect warrior.
“She smiled and it was the kind of smile you give to someone who can make you want to throttle them and kiss them all at the same time.”
The Sizzy feels in the book was what made my day. While reading, all I was doing was:
It was so much fun to read but at the same time, we learned more about the Blackthorns. I hated the way Arthur and his brother were treated and it made me confused about how I felt about faerie. The arguments between Simon and Isabelle were reasonable but I wished they wouldn't argue so much. I love how they understand each other and want to makes things right.
“And I also know that loving someone—even when it’s scary, even when there are consequences—is never the wrong thing to do.”
I highly recommend this book to those who have already read TMI and TID, it is best to read this before Lady Midnight. And I highly recommend for those who haven't read any of these series to do so because you are missing out!
August 29, 2015
Cassandra Clare MALVAGIA!
Malvagia e furba! Furba perché sa benissimo fin dove spingersi senza però violare l’invisibile confine del dire troppo, malvagia perché, andiamo, mi concludi la novella con una rivelazione del genere e ti aspetti che io rimanga calma e stoica fino all’uscita di LM?!?!?!
Cioè, mi vuoi male Clare!
Vuoi che, quando finalmente potrò stringere quel benedettissimo libro tra le mani, avrò talmente i nervi a fior di pelle che non mi gusterò nemmeno un capitolo, divorerò tutto! (Considerando anche il fatto che in Italia, il libro uscirà mesi dopo la pubblicazione originale… O.O… veramente sei SADICA CLARE!)
Ma in questa novella, almeno, la Clare mi ha accontentato su una cosa: I SIZZY!!! *___*
FINAMLENTE, FINALMENTE, FINALMENTE!!!
So che fa parte del suo carattere, ma davvero non ne potevo più di vedere Simon sempre così insicuro, indeciso, sofferente e insofferente. Finalmente una svolta! E spero che sia quella decisiva! Non provarci a rimescolare le carte Clare… ti giuro, potresti rischiare la vita!
Datemi la prossima novella!
XD
Ps. un grazie infinite e Loretta, tu sai perché! ;)
Malvagia e furba! Furba perché sa benissimo fin dove spingersi senza però violare l’invisibile confine del dire troppo, malvagia perché, andiamo, mi concludi la novella con una rivelazione del genere e ti aspetti che io rimanga calma e stoica fino all’uscita di LM?!?!?!
Cioè, mi vuoi male Clare!
Vuoi che, quando finalmente potrò stringere quel benedettissimo libro tra le mani, avrò talmente i nervi a fior di pelle che non mi gusterò nemmeno un capitolo, divorerò tutto! (Considerando anche il fatto che in Italia, il libro uscirà mesi dopo la pubblicazione originale… O.O… veramente sei SADICA CLARE!)
Ma in questa novella, almeno, la Clare mi ha accontentato su una cosa: I SIZZY!!! *___*
FINAMLENTE, FINALMENTE, FINALMENTE!!!
So che fa parte del suo carattere, ma davvero non ne potevo più di vedere Simon sempre così insicuro, indeciso, sofferente e insofferente. Finalmente una svolta! E spero che sia quella decisiva! Non provarci a rimescolare le carte Clare… ti giuro, potresti rischiare la vita!
Datemi la prossima novella!
XD
Ps. un grazie infinite e Loretta, tu sai perché! ;)
March 6, 2016
THIS NOVELLA. HOLY CRAP. This novella was fantastic. One of my favorites by far.
I'm really starting to dislike the Shadowhunter mentality and this novella just happens to back that dislike up even more. I hate how Shadowhunters think they are above everyone else. Mundanes, werewolves, warlocks, and the rest of the Downworlders. You name it, Shadowhunters thing they are above all.
And I especially hate the way they treat Helen Blackthorn. My heart breaks for her and Aline! Shadowhunters truly treat Downworlders like dirt and it's really sickening. In some ways, you can understand why Shadowhunters react the way that they do towards Downworlders, especially Faeries, but it's still disgusting to see how much hatred flows between Shadowhunters and Downworlders.
I have a feeling that the Faeries will retaliate for the punishments their court had to endured after the events of City of Heavenly Fire. And they will strike hard.
Oh, and I absolutely loved the REAL story behind Andrew and Arthur Blackthorn's day spent in the Seelie Court. It's actually pretty tragic. :(
PLUS, we finally got lots of SIZZY moments!
I'm really starting to dislike the Shadowhunter mentality and this novella just happens to back that dislike up even more. I hate how Shadowhunters think they are above everyone else. Mundanes, werewolves, warlocks, and the rest of the Downworlders. You name it, Shadowhunters thing they are above all.
And I especially hate the way they treat Helen Blackthorn. My heart breaks for her and Aline! Shadowhunters truly treat Downworlders like dirt and it's really sickening. In some ways, you can understand why Shadowhunters react the way that they do towards Downworlders, especially Faeries, but it's still disgusting to see how much hatred flows between Shadowhunters and Downworlders.
I have a feeling that the Faeries will retaliate for the punishments their court had to endured after the events of City of Heavenly Fire. And they will strike hard.
Oh, and I absolutely loved the REAL story behind Andrew and Arthur Blackthorn's day spent in the Seelie Court. It's actually pretty tragic. :(
PLUS, we finally got lots of SIZZY moments!
November 12, 2014
Simon, Izzy.. IT WAS ABOUT GODDAMN TIME!!!
I'll spare you all the "I'm forever and ever in love with Cassandra Clare, she'll never disappoint me" crap.
Not because it's crap, but you should all know that by now. So, moving on.
In this novella, Helen strikes a deal: she'll be allowed to return to Alicante for one day and one night to marry Aline if she tells the story of her parents to the Academy students.
It might seem not too relevant, but the Shadowhunter world is not a fair and just one. Having angel blood flowing in your veins doesn't stop you from the possibility of being and acting like an arrogant, self-righteous, blind and pompous ass.
The Shadowhunter history is filled with bloodshed and racist behaviours, this never ending war between Shadowhunters who feel superior and persecuted Downworlders who are not entirely innocent on their parts.
It is important indeed that Cassandra Clare focused on Helen and Mark's story and spoke of this rivalry, since what I have gathered so far the repercussions of the Dark War and the Cold Peace will be the core of Lady Midnight and the whole TDA series. Fairies have always been reckoned as something dangerous, different and worse than the whole bunch of Downworlders; if relationships between Shadowhunters and the Seelie Court were already tense, now they could get you electrocuted.
In a way, I share Simon's convictions. You can't judge an entire race based on the actions of some despicable individuals, but you can't even condone the massacre they are responsible for nor forget the lost lives of people you care about.
Anyway, my favorite part of this novella was.. Do you wanna try and guess it? I think you'd be surprised! .. the epilogue!
I know, right? Who would have seen that coming?! It was sad and heartbreaking and whimsical and it tore my soul apart, because it hit me right in the gut and it goddamn hurt.
I'll spare you all the "I'm forever and ever in love with Cassandra Clare, she'll never disappoint me" crap.
Not because it's crap, but you should all know that by now. So, moving on.
In this novella, Helen strikes a deal: she'll be allowed to return to Alicante for one day and one night to marry Aline if she tells the story of her parents to the Academy students.
It might seem not too relevant, but the Shadowhunter world is not a fair and just one. Having angel blood flowing in your veins doesn't stop you from the possibility of being and acting like an arrogant, self-righteous, blind and pompous ass.
The Shadowhunter history is filled with bloodshed and racist behaviours, this never ending war between Shadowhunters who feel superior and persecuted Downworlders who are not entirely innocent on their parts.
It is important indeed that Cassandra Clare focused on Helen and Mark's story and spoke of this rivalry, since what I have gathered so far the repercussions of the Dark War and the Cold Peace will be the core of Lady Midnight and the whole TDA series. Fairies have always been reckoned as something dangerous, different and worse than the whole bunch of Downworlders; if relationships between Shadowhunters and the Seelie Court were already tense, now they could get you electrocuted.
In a way, I share Simon's convictions. You can't judge an entire race based on the actions of some despicable individuals, but you can't even condone the massacre they are responsible for nor forget the lost lives of people you care about.
Anyway, my favorite part of this novella was.. Do you wanna try and guess it? I think you'd be surprised! .. the epilogue!
I know, right? Who would have seen that coming?! It was sad and heartbreaking and whimsical and it tore my soul apart, because it hit me right in the gut and it goddamn hurt.
February 19, 2015
Amo Sizzy. Amo Sizzy. Amo Sizzy. Amo Sizzy. Amo Sizzy. Amo Sizzy.
Con este tipo de cosas mi obsesión por Sizzy crece cada y cada vez más *o*
Me gustó leer sobre Helen y me hizo querer leer TDA T^T
Con este tipo de cosas mi obsesión por Sizzy crece cada y cada vez más *o*
Me gustó leer sobre Helen y me hizo querer leer TDA T^T
May 29, 2015
This is amazing people. I love this one so much. Simon and Izzy's relationship is finally working out.
I felt so sorry for Helen. The clave can be a real bitch sometimes.
My favorite part was the last part where they told what actually happened. I teared up a little bit
I felt so sorry for Helen. The clave can be a real bitch sometimes.
My favorite part was the last part where they told what actually happened. I teared up a little bit
June 27, 2016
Gah. These novellas keep getting better and better! I highly recommend this collection to everyone who enjoyed the shadowhunters books.
July 26, 2015
"I love you, she told him, night after night, for seven years. Faeries cannot lie, and he knew that."
Oh My God, Cassandra Clare finally did it again! This novella is my favorite after The Whitechapel Fiend! The story glides effortlessly, I devoured this in one sitting only. The story itself is beautiful and tragic at the same time. It’s good to see Simon finally man up and let go all of his insecurities towards Izzy. He’s so determined to win her back. I love how the story goes and the development of their relationship. Dude, it takes you 6 novellas to tell her that you love her! Thank God it’s work out this time!
But that’s not the one which got my most attention. It’s for Blackthorn brothers—Andrew and Arthur—and Seelie Queen. The last part of this book is just too heartbreaking yet fascinating, and I quite shed a tear for that. I can’t explain this without spoiling anything, the only thing I can do is just tell you to pick this novella soon! Enough said, I love this one.
August 1, 2015
This is not cool. How can they make them believe that everything she did was out of cruelness? I'm talking about Helen's mother. At first I too believed it happened that way but after reading that last bit of the story... God, it was so heartbreaking. I get that she wanted to be that way but I wish that someone will discover her true intentions. But I highly doubt that. It's unfair. And poor Helen for believing a lie and for others treating her like that. She doesn't deserve that. Mark neither. It's all so unfair. I hope The Clave will finally see some reason regarding these two. On the other hand? Sizzy is back and going strong!
June 17, 2015
Simon Lewis = D:
Doomed love tales = D: D:
Andrew Blackthorn = D: D: D:
Helen Blackthorn = D: D: D: D:
Mark Blackthorn = D: D: D: D: D:
Blackthorns, in general = D':
This novella = DX
This bodes not well.
**********
After reading: D:|>*
Doomed love tales = D: D:
Andrew Blackthorn = D: D: D:
Helen Blackthorn = D: D: D: D:
Mark Blackthorn = D: D: D: D: D:
Blackthorns, in general = D':
This novella = DX
This bodes not well.
**********
After reading: D:|>*
March 11, 2016
SIZZY *-*
July 29, 2023
My heart aches so much for this story.😭 And the Blackthorns have my heart.
September 15, 2018
3.5 Stars - I am enjoying reading about the flaws of the Shadowhunters in the Shadowhunter Academy novellas. My heart broke for Helen and the awful treatment she received at the hands of the Shadowhunters in authority at the Academy. The Cold Peace is truly cold. I appreciated the opportunity to get to know Helen more and learn a little more about the older Blackthorns and their heritage. And YES! to Simon speaking truth about the prejudice treatment of faeries, even to Izzy.
No secret, I love SIZZY and these novellas have been a SIZZY slow burn. I so loved the development of the relationship as these two learn how to love each other again.
And the final scene😭
No secret, I love SIZZY and these novellas have been a SIZZY slow burn. I so loved the development of the relationship as these two learn how to love each other again.
And the final scene😭
July 1, 2015
This series of novellas just keep getting better and better!!
4.5/5 stars
4.5/5 stars
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