A Sea Change

The Shadowhunter Chronicles #21.5

by Cassandra Clare

Embark on a seafaring murder mystery from Greece to Constantinople with Matthew Fairchild, his loyal dog Oscar Wilde, and Sylvain Verlac, a captivating Parisian Shadowhunter.

Most travellers are running from—or searching for—something. But not Shadowhunter Matthew Fairchild and his loyal golden retriever, Oscar Wilde. No. Matthew is searching for himself aboard the Majestic, a grand 19th century ocean liner sailing from Greece to Constantinople.

Matthew wants nothing more than to mourn the death of a friend and peacefully enjoy his travels before reuniting with his friends James Herondale and Cordelia Carstairs at the London Institute of Shadowhunters—a secret society of angel-blooded humans who protect the mundane world from demons and Downworlders. But that's interrupted when someone is murdered on the ship—and a vampire Downworlder lurks in the darkness.

Together with Sylvain Verlac, a mysterious and captivating Parisian Shadowhunter with a secret grief of his own, Matthew must find the murderer on the Majestic before death strikes again.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Novella, Paranormal, Young Adult Fantasy, Queer, Short Stories

111 pages, ebook

First published May 1, 2025

About the author

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

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

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

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

Reviews

[Beenish · Rating 1 out of 5]

All stars for Matthew Fairchild! | Idk how to rate this because really, I didn’t care, but also, I did (maybe) say that I’d read anything with Matthew in it sooo... yeah, this was something with him in it 😅🫶🏼

Not to say that I wasn’t disappointed, but I feel like there’s no point in if-only’s, and if this is how his life has been written, I’m just glad that he’s finding happiness.

we are a people who put ourselves in danger over and over and therefore sometimes we will lose others, or be lost ourselves. We can’t bear that, so we tell ourselves there is something we could have done. It isn’t true.

a story from
Careful of Books — 2.5★

[Rebecca Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Cassandra Clare and NetGalley for the eARC

I absolutely adored this book! It was short and sweet and I loved everything about it.

Getting to read about Matthew again brought me so much joy! It was nice that we got to see him getting better and fall for someone. The new characters were brilliant and hearing about old characters again warmed my heart!

The murder mystery was engaging and easy to follow. The balance between plot and romance was good and I thought the length of this short story was perfect as it got straight to the point.

[saachi (taylor's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

only because I love Matthew Fairchild so much and he deserves happiness

[Izzy | _bookstage_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

O universo de Shadowhunters sempre foi um dos meus favoritos e poder ler esta pequena novela do Matthew Fairchild foi incrível.

Em primeiro lugar, muito obrigada à Netgalley, à Cassandra Clare e à editora por esta oportunidade.

Sinto que para mim a escrita da Cassandra Clare está cada vez melhor e mais viciante. Li esta novela a voar!!

Adorei a história, o pequeno plot misturado com o romance ficou muito atrativo e interessante. Adorei esta dupla honestly! E deu para matar as saudades que tinha deste universo lindissimo.

Um otimo livro para ler numa tarde em que queremos recordar este universo e nos sentir nostálgicos com os personagens.

🇬🇧
The Shadowhunters universe has always been one of my favorites, and being able to read this short novel by Matthew Fairchild was incredible. First of all, thank you so much to Netgalley, Cassandra Clare, and the publisher for this opportunity. I feel that Cassandra Clare's writing is getting better and more addictive for me. I read this novel in a flash!! I loved the story; the little plot mixed with the romance was very attractive and interesting. I honestly loved this duo! And it helped satisfy my longing for this beautiful universe. A great book to read on an afternoon when you want to remember this universe and feel nostalgic with the characters.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc, this is my honest review.

I loved this. Any insight into the Shadowhunter world and I’m there like a rash you can’t get rid of.

Matthew was one of my favourite characters so when I heard he was getting his own novella I just had to reach out and grab it.

Matthew and Sylvain’s relationship is very sweet. They’re both dealing with trauma in different ways and are able to help each other deal with that trauma while also solving the mystery of a murder that happens onboard the ship they’re travelling on.

I’d honestly be so down for more novellas of Matthew and Sylvain solving more murders, almost like a Sherlock Holmes kind of thing. Well, a girl can dream.

[Naz]

pre-read

My baby Matthew 🥹 I need to see what happened to him.

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Matthew, how I love thee, you poor tortured soul.

He’s been travelling with the lovely Oscar, he’s on his way home, and yet he still feels lost…

'When I set out at first, it was to find something. And I just can’t say I’m sure I’ve discovered it yet.'

Then there’s a murder. And then there’s Sylvain (what I wouldn’t give to hear him say 'Mathieu'!), so what’s a Shadowhunter to do but investigate?

It’s been a while since I last read a Shadowhunter book. I’ve reread most of them at least twice, and The Infernal Devices at least five times (Will H forever!). But reading this felt like stepping back into that world—falling in love with it all over again. Steles, the Merry Thieves, parabatai, runes, the Clave, Mundanes, Downworlders… I realized how much this world and these characters mean to me. They don’t just feel familiar. They feel like home.

'I am always with you.'

[Sofia&#; thebookishpalss · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️


Such an heartwarming novella, i absolutely loved being back in the Shadowhunters world! The best part of this book was definitely having Matthew’s pov, seeing him be finally HAPPY without reservation and letting go of that sense of guilt that he’s been carrying for so long!

This novella was also needed to say a proper goodbye to a certain beloved character from The Last Hours🥹 and i love how Cassandra Clare cannot resist mentioning Will in all of her books, she’s just like me😂

The romance was also so cute, especially towards the end! The mystery part didn’t overwhelm the story but i really liked how Matthew solved it! Overall i feel like this novella was very much needed and i’m so happy I read it!

Thanks so much to Daphne Press and Netgalley for a free arc, all opinions are my own!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a book that short be this moving? It really was everything. It’s perfect.

We got to see Matthew getting better.
We got to see our favourite shadowhunter dog, Oscar.
We got to see Will haunting the narrative.
We got to see a little bit of Christopher.
We got to see the love Matthew has for the Merry Thieves and his friends.
We got to meet new characters.
And we also had a little bit of romance.

What I did not get to see was the screen of my kindle at the end of the book because of my tears (though they weren’t sad tears, i promise). And with that thought i’d like to say that i 100% recommend this book if you love shadowhunters and read the last hours series, because you’ll love it (hopefully) as much as i did. Thank you NetGalley and Daphne Press for providing me an earc of this book, i am forever grateful for this.

[Cindieslibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new Shadowhunter novella is on its way, this being a murder mystery on a ship to Constantinople. Matthew has been travelling for quite some time leaving the institute, his friends and family behind to go looking for something only wanting to return when he finds what he’s looking for. Under a fake name and having glamoured himself so the mundane folk won’t see he’s different, he hopes for a smooth time aboard, but that’s wishful thinking. There is another shadowhunter on board but also vampires and when a mundane gets killed, it's just another day in the office.

Want to read my full review on this novella? You can find it here; https://cindieslibrary.com/a-sea-chan...

[Eilis Dunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun and cute novella. It's fun to dip into the Shadowhunters world every now and then with these shorter stories. Matthew and Sylvain were adorable together and I liked the added element of danger and mystery with thw vampires. It was really nice seeing them both running from grief and find each other amid a murder mystery on a ship - genuinely a really fun setting.

It was a little insta-love for me but I also appreciate in a novella theres no time to have a slow burn.

Thanks Cassandra Clare and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Vick898 (confession_of_a_reading_freak) · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Cassandra Clare fan I enjoy all her work and how they interact with one another. This was no different it showed a little story of Matthew in which it is based on a boat. I love the concept of this. It did grip me but I wanted more in my opinion which is why I rated it 3 and not higher. I think the style of writing is different than her other work. And don’t get me wrong I don’t expect all her work to be the same but there was just something missing for me personally. But on the positives loved 🥰 the characters engagement throughout the book and the dialogue. Thank you for my advanced copy :)

[Lana | Libraryofabibliotaph · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a few years since I’ve read a Shadowhunter book, yet it took me no time at all to get back into this world with Matthew’s novella. Even though I would have liked for the story to be longer and consequentially have some more depth, I really liked it. The balance between mystery, romance and self-reflection is perfect. In The Last Hours, Matthew proved to be one of my favourite Shadowhunter characters, and this story only confirms those feelings. He’s very layered and unique, making him interesting to read about. A Sea Change does his character justice and gives unique insights into his thoughts. Hopefully we get to see more of him and Sylvain (and Oscar ofcourse) in the future.

Thank you Daphne Press for the eARC.

[Lucy 🥀✨🖤 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Cassandra Clare and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc for this!

It was so good to be back in the shadowhunter world again, following Matthew and his dog Oscar 🥹
A short, moving novella about dealing with grief and how moving on isn’t always such a a bad thing - the romance was great and the murder mystery plot was throughly engaging!

[Maribel Maricela]

sylvain verlac you intrigue me i want more

[Amy Portsmouth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Matthew, this was very short and quick so I didn’t really connect much with the story! Still sad about Kit though :’)

[Quique · Rating 3 out of 5]

pues fíjate que pensé que el relato no me iba a dar marcha y sí me lo ha dado. gay shadowhunters siempre.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an Istanbulite, I genuinely enjoyed seeing the characters in my own city. It was fun and a bit surreal to have the setting so close to home. The story itself is light and doesn’t try to be anything bigger than it is, but I appreciated that cultural touch. A simple but pleasant short read.

[⭐R⭐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the initial edition included in Careful of Books.
It was a very, very, short novella, I wish it had been longer. There were many things that felt rushed and cramped. Cassandra had been hyping up this story and ended up being such a short work!!! It need to be at least twice as long. The romance/erotic part was GREAT, like something Cassie had never written before. And it was nice meeting Sylvain, a new character Matthew meets and joins to solve the mysterious murder that happened during the voyage.

I just hope that this edition is corrected, cause the one in Careful of Books had typos and also mistaken information (like the fact that he mentions having a new sibling, when in fact he had TWO twin siblings, according to Chain of Thorns).

Objectively, I should rate it with 3.5 stars, but overall I did like it, so it's a bit more like 4 stars.

[Read in June 2025]

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review also features on Diary of an Ink Drinker

What could be more enticing than an opulent voyage across the sea, complete with glittering dinners, whispered conversations with the Captain, an irresistibly charming dog, and a Shadowhunter at the centre of it all? Add a dash of murder and a captivating Parisian stranger, and you have the makings of something truly unforgettable. That is the promise behind A Sea Change by Cassandra Clare, a premise rich with intrigue, atmosphere, and emotional stakes.

The Shadowhunter world has held a firm grip on my imagination ever since I first opened City of Bones nearly two decades ago. There is something undeniably comforting about returning to this universe, with its familiar blend of danger, romance, and sharp wit. Naturally, I approached this novella with a sense of excitement, eager to see where this particular journey would lead.

This instalment centres entirely on Matthew Fairchild, a character who has long carried the weight of emotional turmoil, guilt, and self-destruction. For many readers, myself included, Matthew is one of the more compelling figures in the series, precisely because of his fragility beneath the charm. This novella feels, at least in intention, like an opportunity to grant him a moment of peace, a glimpse of something softer, something hopeful. In some ways, it succeeds. In others, it falls frustratingly short.

There is no shortage of ideas packed into these 112 pages: a murder mystery, simmering romantic tension, social intrigue, and Matthew’s ongoing battle with his past. Individually, these elements are all strong, hallmarks of what Cassandra Clare does so well. However, together they create a sense of overcrowding. The narrative never quite has the space to breathe, and as a result, each thread feels thinner than it should.

The murder plot, which ought to provide the backbone of tension and intrigue, is perhaps the most affected by this compression. It unfolds too quickly, lacking the layered complexity and slow-burn suspense that typically define Clare’s storytelling. Rather than enhancing the narrative, it feels almost incidental, an addition that distracts rather than deepens.

Even the inclusion of Oscar, the ever-welcome canine companion, feels more obligatory than organic. While his presence is undeniably charming, it lacks the meaningful integration one might hope for, as though included to satisfy expectation rather than to serve the story itself.

Where the novella should truly shine, Matthew’s personal journey and his tentative steps towards happiness, is where the sense of missed opportunity is most keenly felt. His struggle with alcoholism and his search for connection are rich, emotionally charged themes, yet they are handled with a lightness that borders on superficial. Moments that should resonate are rushed past, their potential impact diluted by the sheer volume of competing plotlines.

At times, the novella reads less like a fully realised story and more like an extended piece of fan service, written with clear affection for Matthew, but lacking the depth needed to do him full justice. There is nothing inherently wrong with a character-focused novella; indeed, it could have been something rather special had it chosen to commit fully to that path. Instead, by attempting to balance both an intimate character study and a murder mystery, it ultimately undermines both.

That said, devoted fans of Matthew Fairchild will still find moments to appreciate here. There are glimpses (fleeting but genuine) of the warmth and redemption he so richly deserves. For those readers, this novella offers a brief, if imperfect, return to a beloved character.

For the wider Shadowhunter audience, however, A Sea Change feels disappointingly skippable. And perhaps that is the greatest disappointment of all, not that it fails entirely, but that it comes so close to being something truly memorable, only to fall short of its own potential.

[Cathy Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Date Started : 24 February 2026
Date Finished : 24 February 2026
Star Rating : ✨✨✨✨✨✨ 6/5

Firstly I would like to thank Cassandra, NetGalley & Daphne Press for giving me the opportunity to read this 112 novella type story. Without NetGalley I wouldn't be able to read my favourite authors who I love the most, and create honest reviews and videos to say "hey don't forget you need this book!".

Was there a reason for why I applied for this book? Well now that you ask, yes there was a good reason and let me tell you about it. It takes me back to April 2015, yes that long ago (in all honesty it does feel like forever ago, but that's because it practically is) when I started reading the start of this series. It all started with "City of Bones" the first book in the series "The Mortal Instruments" and WOW let me just tell you this series was amazing! What was even better I was reading it at home, out and about and then when we went on a family holiday to Australia, pretty sure it was my first ever visit there. The only thing that I wish was different for back then was that I had an actual kindle device to read on.


Now you ask me would I recommend this book? Well that answer is pretty simple to be honest and it has to a yes, I really would to anyone who will listen to me and to all of my followers! This year I decided on a change and with this, I decided that I wanted one of those reads that would take me back to the first actual book series that I read through kindle app on my cell phone device. And it was just as good reading now, as it was back then in 2015.

Eeeek it has been a long time since I have thought about the Shadow Hunter characters, and how much that I actually loved them back then and still love them! This was so exciting seeing what is happening with them so many years later after I read the first full series of City of Bones.

OMG I am without words, not much has changed in the way of her writing, I shall be honest and say that I haven't read the whole series BUT this novella has made me think that I need to do a re-read of the whole collection at some point in time on my kindle. The plot has been written so well, the story line and the characters all fit in so well.

But most of all I have to say Cassandra, how dare you! Why did this have to be so short and I really did need more 😭. But thank you for this amazing read, I really did enjoy it and cannot wait to see what you bring to us next time!

Thank you for taking the time and reading my review! As you can tell I didn't spoil this for anyone, as I feel like this one especially if you haven't read the whole series, or like me haven't read it since years and years ago. That you need to actually read this without any information, you need to go into this short, fast paced, unputdownable novella blind eyed.

Love from Cathy x0x

[Lysandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Daphne Press for the opportunity of reading this ARC! All opinions are my own.

An exquisite and captivating short story of one of my favourite charismatic Shadowhunters, Matthew Fairchild. (I am, admittedly, extremely biased towards him, but that is all Cassie's fault, for writing such a lovely character.)

The short story is relatively simple and quick to read, the plot being quite straightforward and with no nonsense. Which is definitely appreciated considering the length of the story. The murder mystery is engaging enough to keep one curious, and while the outcome is somewhat predictable, it's not unsatisfactory. In the end, the length of it would not allow for more. It is, however, reminiscent of Agatha Christie's works' atmosphere and I appreciated that very much.

The meeting between Matthew and Sylvain was delightful and funny, and you could feel their chemistry from the very first scene they're in together. I particularly liked that Sylvain enjoys Matthew's sense of humour very much. Their relationship progresses relatively quickly, but they're so compatible with one another and have a lot in common, so it's not unnatural in any way whatsoever. Once they go into more depth, their process of mutual healing is very endearing and delicate in a very gentle and sweet manner.

"When you care for someone, the idea that they’d share their burdens with you is not something you dread. It is a gift."

The prose is well-adjusted for a short story; short sentences, to the point, and the descriptions are detailed enough for one to understand the atmosphere and visualise everything else. I will always be a fan of the manner in which Cassie writes the more passionate scenes, and she definitely did not disappoint this time around either. You can feel the fervour. Furthermore, I have especially enjoyed the fact that through the prose I could very clearly see Cassie had fun writing this short story. It is always a detail to notice when reading, if the author enjoyed writing this or not, and the fact that you can easily tell from the way it is written — it just adds so much more to the overall experience.

A little treat for me, I am deeply enjoying the introduction of a Verlac so close to a major character of one of the main families. Iykyk.

Overall, a very fun read, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed not only The Last Hours, but The Mortal Instruments as well. (Again, iykyk.)

Last, but definitely not least, a special shout out for our precious Cupid, Oscar Wilde.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When you care for someone, the idea that they'd share their burdens with you is not something you dread. It is a gift. ”

Thank you to Netgalley and Daphne Press for an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review!

So.. do you want to know a bit of an "oopsie"? I requested this book because I a) liked the cover b) I liked the description (though somehow I didn't see a very obvious section..) and c) I knew that Cassandra Clare is a well-known author.

Guess the jokes on me, when I realised this was part of the ever popular Shadowhunter Chronicles series... which... I have not. read.. I know... in the year 2026, there is someone who has never read the series.

So going into this book, finding out that the story follows along with one of the characters from the series, I thought "oh... oh no...".

This review is going to based purely from reading this novella, with little to no knowledge of the Shadowhunters series. But you know what? I... didn't hate it. In fact, reading this made me even more curious about the series overall.

I could tell that the story, which follows along with Matthew Fairchild, someone who from what I learn within this novella, has had a troubled past. He lost his best friend, and struggles to cope with the grief. However, upon his last voyage back to Constantinople, he is faced with a dilemma. Not only is there a murder, but also not everyone is who they say they are. But he is not alone. He soon becomes very close with another Shadowhunter, Sylvain. He too, suffers with loss and is not so quick to share. Together, they must discover the nature behind the murder. Because if it was breaching the contract with the vampires... they would need to be dealt with, and fast.

I really enjoyed the bond that Matthew and Sylvain create, as two lost boys who both suffer from losing best friends. This bond allows them to find comfort and warmth together. It was wonderful to see. Naturally, books are always better when dogs are involved, and I loved how Matthew's dog is called Oscar Wilde. Perfect.

As someone who has, again, never read the Shadowhunter Chronicles series, I am now very interested. A Sea Change is a book that I would say can be read by those without any prior knowledge to the series. However, I will come back to this review in the future when I... one day... read the series.

“Because you are stubborn, my Matthew. But I think he has begun to teach you to forgive yourself.”

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Cassandra Clare and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Sea Change is a short, fast-paced novella that delivers exactly what it promises. The plot is straightforward and tightly focused, which works perfectly for its length. There’s no unnecessary filler, just a clean, engaging murder mystery set against the atmospheric backdrop of a ship at sea. While the mystery itself isn’t overly complex and the resolution can be anticipated, it remains satisfying and keeps you invested throughout.

I’ve had a soft spot for Matthew Fairchild ever since I first encountered him in Ghosts of the Shadow Market and The Last Hours series. Watching his journey unfold has been both heart breaking and beautiful, and seeing how much he has grown makes returning to his story all the more rewarding. This novella feels like a gentle continuation of that emotional arc, offering him something he truly deserves: healing and hope.

Being reunited with Matthew brought me so much joy. It was especially meaningful to see him in a healthier place, opening himself up to the possibility of love. The introduction of Sylvain was a highlight, he’s charming, sharp, and such a perfect complement to Matthew. Their first meeting is light, witty, and full of spark; their chemistry is immediate and natural. I loved how Sylvain appreciates Matthew’s humour and meets him with warmth rather than judgment.

Though their relationship develops quickly, it never feels rushed. They share similar wounds and unspoken grief, and the way they gradually find comfort and understanding in each other is tender and beautifully handled. Their connection feels organic, it's two people who have been carrying pain finally finding someone who sees and understands them.

Brief mentions of beloved characters felt like coming home, and the new additions brought fresh energy to the story.

Ultimately, this is a sweet and heartfelt novella. It blends a light mystery with emotional depth, giving us a story about grief, healing, and unexpected love. Matthew and Sylvain are absolutely adorable together, and their journey makes for a delightful, satisfying read.

[kazbrekker22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond happy to be reunited with my sweet Matthew Fairchild <3. I've been patiently waiting for this novella for years. All I've wanted was to see more Matthew, to know he's okay, and read about a happier ending for him. I am thrilled to report that this book was satisfying and lovely and heartbreaking and funny. I loved it, although I do wish it was longer. That's probably just because I could easily read hundreds of pages about Matthew, Oscar, and (now) Sylvain. Nonetheless, I fully understand why this was just a short novella. It was like the cherry on top of The Last Hours. To do any more would've opened up a can of worms as the rest of the Merry Thieves would need to be addressed and situated in a post-series world. There was no real need for that other than just wanting to spend more time the characters. So I think this being short and also taking place during Matthew's travels was a clever and welcome choice. Going into this, I just wanted to know that Matthew was okay, which I got! He still has his signature charm, wit, and depth. I'm certainly not complaining.

"Just because people are attractive doesn't mean they can't be idiots".

I was charmed by Sylvain. Obviously, Matthew and Sylvain don't have loads of time to fully get to know each other due to the short trip and short page count. In turn, nor do we learn too much about Sylvain. But what we do get I really liked! He's beautiful and nice and also carrying a lot of sadness and guilt. He made a lot of sense for this novella and Matthew's story. I don't want to spoil anything, so I can't say too much.

Every time I read a Shadowhunter book I end up with my heart ripped out and tears down my face. This novella was about 100 pages and I still cried twice. My darling Christopher being a key reference point in this was exactly what I needed, even though it hurt. Cassandra Clare does it again!

Thank you NetGalley and Daphne Press for sending me this ebook. All thoughts are my own.

[Clo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Daphne Press for this ARC!

Matthew Fairchild is a shadow hunter on the last leg of his journey. Newly sober and battling guilt and grief, he sets sail back home. A suspicious death rocks the lasting calm of his journey, and together with the help of the newly acquainted (and very pretty) shadow hunter Sylvain, they set out to solve the murder. Oh, and did I mention there's a theatre group of vampires they're stuck on the ship with too?

Cassandra Clare has written this novella beautifully. Her prose, similes, metaphors, descriptions, characterisations (everything you can name really) are so well written, yet concise in line with the book's size. She truly brings the story to life. I have seen the shadow hunters TV series, and read a few of the books, but I am not up to date on the current storyline. With that, I found this book very easy to follow and feel it can be picked up with little or maybe even no prior knowledge of the shadow hunter world.

Despite it's size, Cassandra Clare has done an excellent job of pacing and exploring all the different aspects of the characters - Matthew's guilt and grief, his new sobriety, as well as introducing a new shadow hunter, Sylvain. It is not super detailed, or the most mysterious murder mystery, but it is a beautiful book and easy to pick up and read. My only gripe would be the murder mystery aspect - it felt like the clues didn't match with the reveal, and it is less of a mystery and more following a trail of clues.

All in all, a really lovely novella. The world-building and characterisation work so well to bring the book to life. I would recommend this to someone wanting a nice, easy read or looking for heart warming, healing vibes with a bit of trouble in the mix! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a murder mystery, something thrilling, or something with twists and turns that will keep you guessing.

Shout out to the best boy, Oscar Wilde.

[Cat Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sea Change is a novella which follows Matthew Fairchild, a young Shadowhunter, as he travels to Constantinople by boat when a murder happens on board.

At around 100 pages, this is a quick read that flows almost seamlessly from start to finish. It’s an accomplished story: prose, dialogue, characterization, pacing and the plot were all well done. I enjoyed being in Matthew’s headspace and I liked the love interest a lot. The connection between the two men was strong and they had great chemistry. Their conversations about their past and the grief each of them carried gave depth to what is, essentially, a fantasy adventure and provided some emotional moments.

One thing that jarred me was the first kiss. It felt abrupt; the timing didn’t make sense to me. Also, although the balance between plot and romance was handled well, I do think the book needed to be a little longer so that the romance could take a chance to breathe a little.

I’ve read several Shadowhunter books, but not the trilogy that this is a part of. However, that wasn’t an impediment. Although some familiarity with the Shadowhunter world would be a good idea, you don’t need to have read the Chain of Gold trilogy to follow the story. (Bear in mind, of course, that this spoils some events.) I gotta say, though, this novella has whetted my appetite for some Shadowhunting and I might seek the trilogy to see more of Matthew.

In short, this is a delightful read with the right balance of romance and adventure, perfect for a rainy afternoon or, in my case, a lazy Saturday morning in bed.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Keturah Sergeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story packed with hope, love, recovery, murder, investigation, negotiation and peace. Action-packed and fast-paced, full of emotional development, connection and healing. Matthew Fairchild, a young man, a recovering addict, travelling with his dog as his only companion, still haunted by the loss of one of his closest friends. Set to return home, still broken, to return to normalcy, to duty, to family. Yet he remains in limbo. On a ship, the last leg of his journey, he is thrown into the midst of a vampiric drama, and he meets a french shadowhunter who has faced huge loss himself. Their connection is quick to develop, but trust is slower to come. Still, the two have to work together once a death on board is confirmed to be a murder and vampire involvement is clear...

This was such a good short story, with an investigative story line, a (finally reciprocated) queer romantic subplot and a through line of grief, mourning and living through that pain. There is pain and hope, murder and answers, loss and gain. The ending is quietly hopeful, a promise to continue living, to keep new connections and not blame themselves for the loss of old ones, to keep them alive through memory without dwelling or blame, to allow themselves room to love again. The investigative element is engaging, more than just indiscriminate violence. Matthew's willingness to look beyond species, beyond blind assumption, allows the truth to be reached and justice quietly agreed.

Murder and mystery and mayhem, loss and love and hope. Exploring a new side character's perspective in the perfect emotional, engaging and hopeful short story!

[✨ tweety ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Hours is one of my favorite TSC series and Matthew is one of my favorite characters from that series. His journey in TLH was one of healing and of finding himself worthy of love and affection from his friends, who were of great support during Matthew's hard times. And Matthew did get back on his feet and at the end of CoT, it made sense that he would be by himself.

He had a lot of work to do, and during this year he's been aboard travelling with Oscar, he has been trying to be kind to himself and stopped destroying himself with alcohol. But yet, some grief remains. Matthew still hasn't reconciled himself with grief over losing his friend Christopher. He is still wondering what he needs to find because he feels sort of incomplete.

As a lover of ships (and shipwrecks, since the title is from The Tempest by Shakespeare), I adore this cover. It gives the idea of Matthew's healing journey - he is out in the sea, not quite there but almost. And while he's travelling to find himself, he finds Sylvain Verlac, a quite handsome shadowhunter who, like him, is on a trip by himself. I feel like Sylvain is the missing piece in Matthew's life. They seem to understand each other well and Sylvain seems emotionally available to love Matthew like he deserves.

This novella gives the closure that I had been expecting since the ending of CoT, and I'm glad it was written.

Thank you so much to DaphnePress for the ARC :)

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: the copy I read is the one due for release 28th April 2026 by Daphne press - an advanced copy (from NetGalley).

This book was a true treat! A Shadowhunter murder mystery vibe, on a ship with some epic characters? Yes please. Sign me up and throw away the key! It felt different from the other books but yet just the same with its central themes and characters we’ve come to know from other books.

I always relish a chance to venture back into the Shadowhunter world as it’s always so welcoming and exciting with its well woven stories. I loved the feel of this one and read it in pretty much one sitting! I will have fond memories of whipping this book out whilst I waited for an ophthalmology appointment - as I was dropped full of dyes, dilators and other likewise fun stuff and it certainly made the whole experience more enjoyable than having random goop shoved in your eyes ultimately would be. Thank you Cassie :)!

Little accompanying novellas like these I will always love and enjoy because they add more depth to other books and provide new opportunities to get to know certain characters as they get the spotlight. In this one, we follow Matthew on his travels and he finds himself in amidst a vampire theatre troop - surely nothing could go wrong right?

Absolutely loved and I enjoyed every page!