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The Shadowhunter Chronicles #22
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Uma coletânea com contos de amor sobre os casais favoritos do universo dos Caçadores de Sombras, de Cassandra Clare, que já vendeu mais de 50 milhões de exemplares no mundo!
O livro apresenta também uma amostra inédita de O último rei das fadas, livro 1 de Os Poderes Perversos, trilogia que vai trazer o desfecho do universo Shaddowhunter!
Dez casais. Unidos pelo amor. Divididos pelo perigo.
Jace e Clary, em busca de um Caçador de Sombras exilado, descobrem que o amor pode salvar o mundo… ou destruí-lo. Will e Tessa, em lua de mel em Paris, veem uma sessão espírita os levar por um caminho inesperado. Simon e Izzy, presenciando o aumento da atividade demoníaca em Nova York, embarcam em uma aventura superdivertida pela cidade.
Esses são apenas alguns dos casais adorados pelos fãs e cujas escapadas românticas vão te prender do começo ao fim. Não perca a chance de reencontrar també
- Anna e Ari
- Emma e Julian
- Kieran, Mark e Cristina
- James e Cordelia
- Thomas e Alastair
- Sebastian e a Rainha Seelie
- Jocelyn e Luke
Uma carta de amor da Cassandra Clare para todos os fãs das Crônicas dos Caçadores de Sombras.
O livro apresenta também uma amostra inédita de O último rei das fadas, livro 1 de Os Poderes Perversos, trilogia que vai trazer o desfecho do universo Shaddowhunter!
Dez casais. Unidos pelo amor. Divididos pelo perigo.
Jace e Clary, em busca de um Caçador de Sombras exilado, descobrem que o amor pode salvar o mundo… ou destruí-lo. Will e Tessa, em lua de mel em Paris, veem uma sessão espírita os levar por um caminho inesperado. Simon e Izzy, presenciando o aumento da atividade demoníaca em Nova York, embarcam em uma aventura superdivertida pela cidade.
Esses são apenas alguns dos casais adorados pelos fãs e cujas escapadas românticas vão te prender do começo ao fim. Não perca a chance de reencontrar també
- Anna e Ari
- Emma e Julian
- Kieran, Mark e Cristina
- James e Cordelia
- Thomas e Alastair
- Sebastian e a Rainha Seelie
- Jocelyn e Luke
Uma carta de amor da Cassandra Clare para todos os fãs das Crônicas dos Caçadores de Sombras.
420 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2025
1409 people are currently reading
21822 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Clare
199 books279k 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 1,312 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 🙏
March 5, 2026
You had me at Will Herondale
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!)
![Profile Image for Anna [Bran. San. Stan].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1593184464i%2F98245866._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 25, 2026
I reviewed each of the stories in this compilation of ten short stories set in the Shadowhunter universe separately; short stories that showcase previously established romantic couples. This book is only for the Shadowhunter fans out there as you need a lot of background knowledge about the characters and the world building.
The Good Storm ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tessa and Will Herondale are on their honeymoon in Paris, after the events of The Infernal Devices. They attend a mysterious, dark séance, which interrupts their getaway. Will then uses a magical wish-granting item, making a dangerous wish that was so out of character for him I was pulled out of the story. His pain was very real though. I love Will so much I still enjoyed the little adventure in and of itself, but I was a bit disappointed.
The Beautiful Ajatara ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cordelia and James Herondale as well as Cordelia’s parabatai/James’s sister Lucy are tricked into thinking Lucie’s unfinished story will be published. The demon Ajatara then traps Cordelia in the magical manuscript’s reality and leaves Lucie to finish the story in order to free them. I didn’t enjoy this story quite as much as the first one. These characters were never my favorites to begin with and coupled with the fact that Lucy’s stories are just so overly dramatic and cringeworthy, I just wasn’t feeling it. Also, since this is Lucie telling the story and it is her story, it just wasn’t focused on our romantic couple, James and Cordelia.
Who the Wolves Love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Luke Garroway writes a love letter to Jocelyn Fray while she is in a coma in The Mortal Instruments series. He speaks about his feelings for her and how he has always loved her, their early friendship and the subsequent rift. Though I didn’t have high expectations going in, I found this letter quite moving; I felt with Luke’s insecurities and his struggles over the years. It fills in a few blanks, which I also appreciated.
Zachary’s Day Out ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alistair Carstairs and Thomas Lightwood have been living together for a year now and they are recruited into babysitting Alistair’s 18-month-old brother Zachary. Not only are they biting off more than they can chew; things also go comically wrong when the toddler looks into a magic mirror… I love Alistair and Thomas as a couple and therefore loved seeing them together here. Alistair has an epiphany about child rearing in this story; a story which was just cozy, fun, and endearing.
The Judgment of King Kieran ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s been a while since I read The Dark Artifices, so I had forgotten Kieran, Mark, and Cristina’s little love triangle: King Kieran and his two consorts. Mark and Cristina are summoned to the Unseelie Court where Kieran is tasked with choosing the next Lord of All Storms as the previous one was slain. However, it is revealed that there is demonic magic at work, which is why Mark and Cristina as Shadowhunters are helpful. At the heart of this story is the exploration of the polyamorous relationship and Kieran’s rule as king. Among the court intrigue a foe emerges, a foe that is yet to be revealed, which probably acts as a teaser for The Wicked Powers, the first book of which, The Last King of Faerie, is to be released on November 3, 2026.
A Surfeit of Annas ⭐️⭐️⭐️
In this story, Anna Lightwood and Ariane (Ari) Bridgestock deal with challenges to their relationship in the aftermath of the events in The Last Hours a year ago. Anna publicly announces she is no longer on the market and things go crazy from there. All in all, this story is about Anna’s character development, her dealing with grief and leaving behind her past conquests. I love my namesake Anna and I am glad that this story didn’t, in Clare fashion, involve unnecessary drama and “other-woman” complications – the potential was there as an ex-lover resurfaces. Apart from seeing Anna, it was also good to see Matthew again – with a new love interest at that! All in all, a lovely and satisfying story.
Bred in the Bone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn encounter an “Endarkened” version of Emma from the alternate timeline of Thule. I have to state again that it’s been years (six in fact) since I last read The Dark Artifices so my recollection of events and characters is not the best, but Clare gives us a few helpful reminders, thankfully. At first it looks like Julian is cheating on Emma but that is mercifully cleared up fast; it’s Endarkened Emma. But how did she get here? Are there others? Those questions will hopefully be answered in The Wicked Powers. The story on its own shows us why Emma and Julian are great together and gives us an affirmation of their love. Another engaging story.
City of Broken Hearts ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Simon Lewis and Isabelle Lightwood investigate the actions of the jilted greater demon named Ajatara (cf. her eponymous short story), whose demonic spell causes chaos in the love lives of New York‘s citizens, causing breakups and heartache. The fact that the heartbroken demon causes romantic misery made for a rather humorous problem, in the midst of which Simon and Isabelle are affected by the spell, constantly bickering. I really enjoyed seeing Simon and Isabelle work together to stop the demon; the comedic tone made this a fun story.
The Time of Two ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jace and Clary set out to find Max Trueblood, Jace‘s adoptive mother Maryse Lightwood’s brother. Thirty years ago, Max married a mundane woman, was therefore stripped of his Marks and forbidden contact with his family. Now Maryse wants to find him, which Jace and Clary try to do unbeknownst to Maryse, so he can attend Jace and Clary‘s wedding as well as Simon and Isabelle‘s. But along the way there is this prophecy which speaks of the end of all Shadowhunters… In this short story, I liked that we got a peek at what life is like for an exiled Shadowhunter. It was tough to see the current reality of Max’s life and of what he has lost. But it was good to see Jace and Clary in a loving, stable relationship. This story feels a lot like it’s preparing us for The Wicked Powers.
Too Wise to Love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nene, a faerie who vows to never love anyone, tells us this “faerie tale”. She observes the Seelie Queen and Sebastian Morgenstern‘s love affair and the birth of their child, Ash. But what will happen to that baby? And what about Nene and her resolution? This short story gives as the backstory for both Ash and Nene, setting the stage for The Wicked Powers, which makes it a compelling read. I also enjoyed seeing the Queen and Sebastian through the eyes of another character. That was part of why this story worked so well for me.
Conclusion
All in all, each of the stories have something to enjoy: some have this cozy, nostalgic feeling about them, some convey more urgency and relevance to the Shadowhunter universe, and sometimes it’s just good to see a beloved character and their idiosyncrasies again. It’s also a relief that we get to appreciate each of these established couples for having found one another in previous books; we get to enjoy their happiness, which is a novel feeling.
The Good Storm ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tessa and Will Herondale are on their honeymoon in Paris, after the events of The Infernal Devices. They attend a mysterious, dark séance, which interrupts their getaway. Will then uses a magical wish-granting item, making a dangerous wish that was so out of character for him I was pulled out of the story. His pain was very real though. I love Will so much I still enjoyed the little adventure in and of itself, but I was a bit disappointed.
The Beautiful Ajatara ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cordelia and James Herondale as well as Cordelia’s parabatai/James’s sister Lucy are tricked into thinking Lucie’s unfinished story will be published. The demon Ajatara then traps Cordelia in the magical manuscript’s reality and leaves Lucie to finish the story in order to free them. I didn’t enjoy this story quite as much as the first one. These characters were never my favorites to begin with and coupled with the fact that Lucy’s stories are just so overly dramatic and cringeworthy, I just wasn’t feeling it. Also, since this is Lucie telling the story and it is her story, it just wasn’t focused on our romantic couple, James and Cordelia.
Who the Wolves Love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Luke Garroway writes a love letter to Jocelyn Fray while she is in a coma in The Mortal Instruments series. He speaks about his feelings for her and how he has always loved her, their early friendship and the subsequent rift. Though I didn’t have high expectations going in, I found this letter quite moving; I felt with Luke’s insecurities and his struggles over the years. It fills in a few blanks, which I also appreciated.
Zachary’s Day Out ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alistair Carstairs and Thomas Lightwood have been living together for a year now and they are recruited into babysitting Alistair’s 18-month-old brother Zachary. Not only are they biting off more than they can chew; things also go comically wrong when the toddler looks into a magic mirror… I love Alistair and Thomas as a couple and therefore loved seeing them together here. Alistair has an epiphany about child rearing in this story; a story which was just cozy, fun, and endearing.
The Judgment of King Kieran ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s been a while since I read The Dark Artifices, so I had forgotten Kieran, Mark, and Cristina’s little love triangle: King Kieran and his two consorts. Mark and Cristina are summoned to the Unseelie Court where Kieran is tasked with choosing the next Lord of All Storms as the previous one was slain. However, it is revealed that there is demonic magic at work, which is why Mark and Cristina as Shadowhunters are helpful. At the heart of this story is the exploration of the polyamorous relationship and Kieran’s rule as king. Among the court intrigue a foe emerges, a foe that is yet to be revealed, which probably acts as a teaser for The Wicked Powers, the first book of which, The Last King of Faerie, is to be released on November 3, 2026.
A Surfeit of Annas ⭐️⭐️⭐️
In this story, Anna Lightwood and Ariane (Ari) Bridgestock deal with challenges to their relationship in the aftermath of the events in The Last Hours a year ago. Anna publicly announces she is no longer on the market and things go crazy from there. All in all, this story is about Anna’s character development, her dealing with grief and leaving behind her past conquests. I love my namesake Anna and I am glad that this story didn’t, in Clare fashion, involve unnecessary drama and “other-woman” complications – the potential was there as an ex-lover resurfaces. Apart from seeing Anna, it was also good to see Matthew again – with a new love interest at that! All in all, a lovely and satisfying story.
Bred in the Bone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn encounter an “Endarkened” version of Emma from the alternate timeline of Thule. I have to state again that it’s been years (six in fact) since I last read The Dark Artifices so my recollection of events and characters is not the best, but Clare gives us a few helpful reminders, thankfully. At first it looks like Julian is cheating on Emma but that is mercifully cleared up fast; it’s Endarkened Emma. But how did she get here? Are there others? Those questions will hopefully be answered in The Wicked Powers. The story on its own shows us why Emma and Julian are great together and gives us an affirmation of their love. Another engaging story.
City of Broken Hearts ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Simon Lewis and Isabelle Lightwood investigate the actions of the jilted greater demon named Ajatara (cf. her eponymous short story), whose demonic spell causes chaos in the love lives of New York‘s citizens, causing breakups and heartache. The fact that the heartbroken demon causes romantic misery made for a rather humorous problem, in the midst of which Simon and Isabelle are affected by the spell, constantly bickering. I really enjoyed seeing Simon and Isabelle work together to stop the demon; the comedic tone made this a fun story.
The Time of Two ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jace and Clary set out to find Max Trueblood, Jace‘s adoptive mother Maryse Lightwood’s brother. Thirty years ago, Max married a mundane woman, was therefore stripped of his Marks and forbidden contact with his family. Now Maryse wants to find him, which Jace and Clary try to do unbeknownst to Maryse, so he can attend Jace and Clary‘s wedding as well as Simon and Isabelle‘s. But along the way there is this prophecy which speaks of the end of all Shadowhunters… In this short story, I liked that we got a peek at what life is like for an exiled Shadowhunter. It was tough to see the current reality of Max’s life and of what he has lost. But it was good to see Jace and Clary in a loving, stable relationship. This story feels a lot like it’s preparing us for The Wicked Powers.
Too Wise to Love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nene, a faerie who vows to never love anyone, tells us this “faerie tale”. She observes the Seelie Queen and Sebastian Morgenstern‘s love affair and the birth of their child, Ash. But what will happen to that baby? And what about Nene and her resolution? This short story gives as the backstory for both Ash and Nene, setting the stage for The Wicked Powers, which makes it a compelling read. I also enjoyed seeing the Queen and Sebastian through the eyes of another character. That was part of why this story worked so well for me.
Conclusion
All in all, each of the stories have something to enjoy: some have this cozy, nostalgic feeling about them, some convey more urgency and relevance to the Shadowhunter universe, and sometimes it’s just good to see a beloved character and their idiosyncrasies again. It’s also a relief that we get to appreciate each of these established couples for having found one another in previous books; we get to enjoy their happiness, which is a novel feeling.
Want to Read
January 12, 2026pre-read:
im DYING for more thomas + alastair and cassandra is DELIVERING😩😩😩🫶
im DYING for more thomas + alastair and cassandra is DELIVERING😩😩😩🫶
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 13, 2025
3.5 Rounded up
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.
February 2, 2026
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.
Read
June 12, 2025I will be there for Will Herondale and Will Herondale only
January 10, 2026
Cassandra Clare stop writing pointless novellas and release the wicked powers
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
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.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
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.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
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!!
January 8, 2026
4 stars. Nostalgic and comforting, my experience of reading Better in Black felt just like reading fanfiction of my favorite characters under the covers at age 16.
Want to Read
June 11, 2025464 PAGES?!?! CASSANDRAAAAA 😘😘😘😘
Want to Read
June 12, 2025I apologise in advance for the person I’ll become when this drops 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Want to Read
February 18, 2026OH MY GOD WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS?! MY BABIESSS THEY'RE BACK 😩💙💙💙
December 29, 2025
This was so cute and romantic. I love all of the couples in the series. RTC.
February 4, 2026
could have been an email
January 22, 2026
Stepping back into the Shadowhunters world felt like unlocking a core memory. The second I started reading, I remembered exactly why I fell in love with this universe and these characters in the first place. I first read these books in my teen years, and now in my late 20s… yeah, I’m still obsessed. Some things truly never change.
This collection has ten short stories, and every single one hit just right. Some stories filled in moments I never knew I needed, while others subtly teased what’s coming next in the final series. It genuinely felt like catching up with old friends while also getting just enough new info to keep me hooked, which I absolutely loved.
This might be one of the best novella collections in the entire Shadowhunter Chronicles. Each story was sweet, emotional, and made me ridiculously happy. The nostalgia hit hard, and now I’m extremely tempted to reread the entire series before The Last King of Faerie comes out.
That said, this isn’t the book to start with if you’re new to Cassandra Clare. But if you’re already deep in the Shadowhunters universe and these characters mean everything to you, this book is such a nostalgic, serotonin-filled reunion. Highly recommend if you’re a longtime fan.
This collection has ten short stories, and every single one hit just right. Some stories filled in moments I never knew I needed, while others subtly teased what’s coming next in the final series. It genuinely felt like catching up with old friends while also getting just enough new info to keep me hooked, which I absolutely loved.
This might be one of the best novella collections in the entire Shadowhunter Chronicles. Each story was sweet, emotional, and made me ridiculously happy. The nostalgia hit hard, and now I’m extremely tempted to reread the entire series before The Last King of Faerie comes out.
That said, this isn’t the book to start with if you’re new to Cassandra Clare. But if you’re already deep in the Shadowhunters universe and these characters mean everything to you, this book is such a nostalgic, serotonin-filled reunion. Highly recommend if you’re a longtime fan.
January 16, 2026
I skipped some of the couples I didn’t really care about, but overall it was very entertaining, and I enjoyed being back in the world of the Shadowhunters!
April 15, 2026
“She had created a universe—every book is a universe, you know—and that is a sort of magic. Perhaps the most powerful magic that exists.”
When I saw that Cassandra Clare was releasing an anthology of ten short stories featuring beloved couples from the series, I was thrilled. Fifteen years of reading the Shadowhunters books has given them a special place in my heart, so reconnecting with the characters always feels nostalgic. That said, I think I went into this anthology with the wrong expectations, or perhaps the marketing wasn’t entirely accurate. Yes, each story follows a couple, but these aren’t romance stories; they’re more like adventures that each couple experiences. Which is to say, it follows the overall tone of the series, but let’s just say that when a book is subtitled Ten Stories of Shadowhunter Romance, I expect the central focus to be romance.
⇢ The Good Storm (Will and Tessa): ★★★
During their honeymoon in Paris, a séance and the pain of the past lead Will to make a rather impulsive decision, leaving Tessa doing everything she can to fix things. I liked seeing them happily together as a couple—before all the chaos erupted—especially considering all the drama they went through in the The Infernal Devices trilogy.
⇢ The Beautiful Ajatara (James and Cordelia): ★★
The couple is transported by the demon Ajatara to the fictional world Lucie created in her novel, “The Beautiful Cordelia”. A rather silly story that made me cringe quite a bit, but with some lines about art and writers that I really liked.
⇢ Who the Wolf Loves (Jocelyn and Luke): ★★★★
Told through letters from Luke to Jocelyn while she is in a coma, it shows the friendship and angst between these two over the years. One of my favorite stories.
⇢ Zachary’s Day Out (Thomas and Alastair): ★★
The task of babysitting Alastair’s little brother takes an unexpected turn, and the couple tries to sort it out before it's too late. I loved reading about these two as a stable couple, but the story itself, following Zachary, seemed rather absurd to me.
⇢ The Judgment of King Kieran (Kieran, Mark, and Cristina): ★★★
Cristina and Mark are suspiciously summoned to the Unseelie Court. Once there, they assist Kieran in deciding which of three siblings will be the next Lord of All Storms. I enjoyed the enigmatic feel of this story, as well as reading about the relationship between these three after The Dark Artifices.
⇢ A Surfeit of Annas (Anna and Ari): ★★★
One night, Anna decides to make it clear that she’s in a stable relationship and, therefore, not interested in anything with anyone else. Some of her past conquests don’t take it well and decide to take matters into their own hands. I liked that, despite the evidence suggesting otherwise, Ari never doubts Anna. I also liked the portrayal of grief.
⇢ Bred in the Bone (Emma and Julian): ★★
Emma discovers that Julian is with someone from her past, a person from the alternate dimension of Thule seeking revenge, and they are both forced to deal with her. This is the story I was most looking forward to because this is my favorite couple in the series, and that's why I’m sad to say I was underwhelmed.
⇢ City of Broken Hearts (Simon and Isabelle): ★★
When a curse falls upon New York during an argument between the couple, Isabelle and Simon go in search of the demon responsible while trying to sort out their own situation. Simon is a character I’ve never cared about, and if you add to that the fact that I found the story itself quite ridiculous, well, I can say with complete certainty that it’s my least favorite in the collection.
⇢ The Time of Two (Jace and Clary): ★★★
The couple decides to visit Maryse’s exiled brother to invite him to their wedding and leave the door open for him to try to reconcile with his sister. I was intrigued by where this story was headed, and I’m already theorizing about how it will connect to The Wicked Powers trilogy.
⇢ Too Wise to Love (Sebastian and the Seelie Queen): ★★★★
Told from the point of view of Nene, one of the Seelie Queen’s handmaidens, we see the story of Sebastian and the Queen through her eyes. This was, surprisingly, my favorite story. I loved how it's written and who the real protagonists are. I think it also gives us more context about Ash leading up to The Wicked Powers.
In short, an anthology with some entertaining stories and others that disappointed me. But as always, it’s a pleasure to return to this world and see more glimpses of its characters.
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
March 9, 2026
i only read the stories of the couples i really cared about but the ones i did read were good. i dont think it adds too much to the plot or overall story. didn't think there would be a day where i was all caught up on shadowhunters, but alas here i am
October 30, 2025
Meh! still better than Chain of Thorns tho 💀💀
Read
December 24, 2025As always, I loved returning to this world. Thank you once again, CC
January 2, 2026
4.5⭐️ each story was a perfect balance of Cassie’s classic Shadowhunter history breadcrumbs, love, nostalgia, and teasers for the Chronicles’ finale.
Of course Will and Tessa’s story was the best, but I also really enjoyed the lore we got from Sebastian and the Seelie Queen. Cassie’s mind with all of the threads and Easter eggs for this series continues to amaze me!! Oh, how I will always love this world😭
Of course Will and Tessa’s story was the best, but I also really enjoyed the lore we got from Sebastian and the Seelie Queen. Cassie’s mind with all of the threads and Easter eggs for this series continues to amaze me!! Oh, how I will always love this world😭
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