Mini Book Review: Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

SHADOWHUNTERS #11
AUTHOR: CASSANDRA CLARE
SARAH REES BRENNAN
MAUREEN JOHNSON
ROBIN WASSERMAN
RATING: 4 STARS
THE BANE CHRONICLES

This was, by far, the most nostalgic Shadowhunter book to date. Not only does it call back to TMI, which is a series I haven't revisited since the last book came out, but also TID, and some of the character from TDA (whose fates I know now having just finished Lord of Shadows). It was almost liking going home, reading this book, and that was the perfect experience for the place I was in at the time of reading it.

Just like with The Bane Chronicles, it was James Herondale who took the cake with this one. I adored his story, I adored everything about him- his relationship with his parents, his relationship with his friends (particularly Matthew!), and his character in general. I already know he's going to be one of my favorite characters in all of the series and I really, really can't wait for TLH to come out.

I also liked how level headed Simon was, and how he was the voice of reason among the heightened political tension within the Shadowhunter Academy. Pairing this with everything in Lord of Shadows, this is definitely tamer, but it's also important. I'd recommend reading this first because it really sets up the relationships each group has with the other.

My one complaint was that, even after everything that I loved in this book, I walked away feeling a little empty, as if there was something missing at the end. I think that has to do with the fact that it's not a novel, it's an anthology, but I still felt like something key was missing. However, I don't think that should stop anyone from reading this collection, because it really is, overall, wonderful.

Spoiler Discussion: Lord of Shadows

SHADOWHUNTERS #13
THE DARK ARTIFICES #2
AUTHOR: CASSANDRA CLARE
RATING: 5 STARS
LADY MIDNIGHT (SPOILERS)
LORD OF SHADOWS

This is going to be full of spoilers so heads up. Don't read if you don't want to know how this book ends (trust me you don't want to be spoiled on this). If you want to see my non-spoiler review you can find it here. You've been warned.

5 Star Book Review: Lord of Shadows

SHADOWHUNTERS #13
THE DARK ARTIFICES #2
AUTHOR: CASSANDRA CLARE
RATING: 5 STARS
LADY MIDNIGHT (SPOILERS)

There are so many feelings I have for this book! I'd definitely say it's one of my favorite Shadowhunter books to date because of the complex relationships, both romantic and platonic, and the fact that it seriously parallels a lot of what's going on, socially, in our world today.

This review won't have any spoilers (there will be a spoiler discussion later on this week, so keep a look out for that if you want to hear what I thought about THAT ending) but it's best you don't read this if you haven't read book one.

While I liked the ships in Lady Midnight I wasn't as madly in love with them as I was with this one. First of all, while I liked Julian and Emma before I hadn't really seen the attraction between them, but this one it absolutely came across and my heart was completely torn for them. They're so great together, and while they're still not my favorite couple, I do get it now. However, it was the other ships (okay, this is a spoiler so I'll talk more about it in the other review) were really what made me want to keeping turning the pages. The other two I was majorly invested in were really well set up and the strings tying them all together had me aching. Also, Diana's relationship with a certain someone was both hilarious and adorable.

The nostalgia! There was so much of it and I loved it. Old characters making reappearances (sometimes big ones!) or just small easter eggs (Will H. :) ) left me feeling extremely happy and jittery inside and also made me want to go back and reread every single Shadowhunter book (but goodness that would take a long long time). It's also made me even more excited to read TLH (if that were possible). What struck me the most was seeing such well-loved and well-worn characters like Clary and Magnus from other perspectives. It was like revealing another facet of these characters that I know intimately from the page in a way that Emma or Julian or Mark don't. It was incredibly interesting and really showed the talent of Clare that she was able to maintain the integrity of her characters while still continuing to round them out as they age and grow.

I won't say much about the Cohort (because spoilers) but they made me so angry and I was glad about it. Their "evil" is such a real evil that has to be faced today and I feel the same way about IRL evil like this as I did with the Cohort. It was like ants under my skin- I wanted to beat them up, teach them what's right, but knew that wouldn't do anything (beyond them being fictional, duh) and that even trying to reason with them probably wouldn't work. I read to escape, but at the same time, I loved seeing echoes of real life in this fantasy.

After Lady Midnight ended I wasn't quite sure where the story was going to go because it felt like such a solid ending. It went in a direction I could never have guessed but I was absolutely along for the ride (especially the parts in Faerie!) and can't wait for the next book (two years away *sigh*). After my reread of Lady Midnight didn't go so stellar I was worried that this series had lost its magic for me, but no worries because everything holds strong and I adore every second of these books.

TV Review: Shadowhunters Season 1

You may or may not be aware that I am a huge fan of Shadowhunters (not the show, the books).  I started reading Mortal Instruments when I was in middle school, right around the time book three had come out.  I picked City of Bones up on a whim and quickly discovered that it was one of the best books I had ever read.  Since that point I have avidly kept up with the books (recently reading, reviewing, and loving Lady Midnight) and this year even plan to reread them all.  A few years ago when the movie came out I was super excited for it, but my dreams were crushed by the film itself.  While it wasn't the worst adaption I've ever seen (Vampire Academy steals that award) it is up there.  Which led to me starting this show with a mix of fear and excitement.

As a show:  It's not a good show.  The acting was pretty bad when it started off (though all the actors did grow throughout and I'm rather fond of them each as people thanks to social media) and the special effects are absolutely atrocious (I'm sorry, but the seraph blade noise comes from the toy section of Target).  The sets are all really nice, the story lines are interesting, and the world building is on point, but if I hadn't been a fan of this story ahead of time I wouldn't have even given it a shot.

As an adaptation:  Better than the movie, if you ask me.  They stuck to the plot more or less, but where they deviated I think they made smart decisions.  Things were introduced early, but they weren't half-assed when they were introduced.  The world that Cassandra Clare created in her books is this same world.  I liked that while the core of the story was there I was able to be surprised by certain plot lines and my friend and I have been guessing at what next season might bring (and yes, I am rather excited for next season).

As a fan:  I'm thrilled.  Okay, mostly thrilled.  Beyond it being a poor quality show (but it is on Freeform so it's not like they have an HBO budget) I love being able to see the characters come to life onscreen.  These are characters I've been reading about since I was 13 and 14 years old!  I think the casting for characters was pretty spot on and easter eggs (pretty much that whole alternate reality episode if I'm being honest) are a blast.  Seeing the fandom on tumblr just explode over these books again has been really great, too.

Would I recommend this show?  If you're a fan and you're willing to wade through some shit (maybe a lot of shit, depending on how much you want the show to adhere to the books) I think you'll enjoy it.  I haven't met anyone who's watching the show without reading the books first, so I don't know if it's a good fit for people who aren't aware of the world.  Maybe give it a shot, though?

5 Star Review: The Bane Chronicles

Authors: Cassandra Clare

Website, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram

Sarah Rees Brennan

Website, Tumblr, Twitter

Maureen Johnson

Website, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram

Edition: Hardcover

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads

Rating: 5 Stars

I've put this off for so long and I have no good reason to have done so.  I got it pretty much when it was released, and while I love Magnus, I just didn't see a rush in reading this one.  But I finished Lady Midnight last month, and I've decided that I'm going to read (or reread) something Shadowhunter every month.  Bane Chronicles seemed like the natural place to start with this, and I'm really glad I finally got to it.  I also think it helped kick me out of my book slump, or, at least, I'm hoping it did.

What Really Happened in Peru

Not my favorite from the collection, but a decent start.  It served as a good introduction to the characters, particularly Ragnar and Catarina.  Magnus is a bit too childish in this story for my tastes, but I suppose he is a much younger Warlock at this time in his life.

The Runaway Queen

My least favorite story in this whole piece.  I was not a fan at all.  Like, cute idea, I guess, but just not what I signed up for when I sat down to read it.  I also think this one had the weakest writing throughout the whole book.

Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale

The Herondale's break my heart whenever they're on the page!  This is about Will's dad, and that was really great, getting to see him.  It was about, though, the way Downworlders and Shadowhunters used to interact.  In the books, up until this point, while we do see some prejudice, we always see it from the Shadowhunters' points of view.  Seeing it from Magnus, who was front-row and dealing with this prejudice every day, really changed my mind about some things.  It certainly made it more serious and helped set the tone for the whole collection.  Also, this is where Magnus meets Camille, which is very important.

The Midnight Heir

One of my favorite stories in here!  Can I just say I'm more than ready for James Herondale?  My heart hurt for him so much in these few pages.  And also, turning into a shadow?  Last Hours is going to be one hell of a series.

The Rise of the Hotel Dumont, Saving Raphael Santiago, and The Fall of the Hotel Dumort

I consider this, more or less, the vampire trilogy.  I liked all three of the stories a lot, but the one about Raphael just broke my heart.  I never really appreciated him as a character, but when I go to reread the books I won't make that mistake again.  He's a darling and very important character that I will never take for granted again.

What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything (and You're Not Officially Dating Anyway)

This is absolutely adorable!  It had me squeeing the entire time.  Malec is the best ship in the Mortal Instruments (if you ask me) and of course anything where these two are on the pages together, or merely referencing each other, will more than please me.

The Last Stand of the New York Institute

This was a surprising story.  I wasn't expecting it to be in here, and it shocked me.  Seeing the Circle when they were younger, and seeing what they were actually capable of, and what they ended up doing to the Whitelaws was... wow.  It was just wow.  I can't describe this one so much.  It was a great read, but it was probably the darkest in the whole collection.

The Course of True Love (And First Dates)

This was the most adorable story in the whole piece, and probably my second favorite one.  It's Malec's first date and it's beautiful.  If you were to buy the book for one story, this would be it.  I think I was smiling the whole time.

The Voicemail of Magnus Bane

This was rather sad, but an important view of Magnus' character, particularly during a hard time (that I won't spoil because, you know, it takes place further in the series than any others do).  However, it was probably on the lower end of stories for me.

Overall: It was a wonderful collection and I can't wait until Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy releases in hardback!

TV Wrap Up

This is where I wrap up and review all the TV I've been watching this month.

The Magicians Season One, Episodes 5-9

This show continues to stun and engage me!  I'm even considering picking up the books again... we'll see, though.  It's gotten much darker- extremely darker (I'm looking at you episode nine- you're just messed up!)- but it's managed to pull off this darker tone quite a bit.  While Quentin's storyline is the most engaging, I'm rather curious to see where Julia's story goes, since I have absolutely no idea at this point.  It has started to falter in the last two episodes, so I hope they start to do more with her again.  And, officially, I have a favorite character: Eliot!  He just comes off the screen and is so lively!  If you watch the show, I'm curious to know who your favorite is, so please comment below!

The Flash Season Two, Episodes 11-13

I just finished the first part of the Earth-2 storyline and I adore it so much!  I mean, yeah, more than that has happened in the few episodes I saw this month, but that storyline is just so great!  And the wardrobe?  I love it!  I think that may actually be my favorite thing about that world.  Wow was that episode awkward though, haha :)  If you watch you know what I'm talking about- the good kind of awkward.

Arrow Season Four, Episodes 11-13

Can I just say Felicity is my role model?  I mean, she's freaking awesome, even confined to a wheel chair.  Which, by the way, there need to be a bunch more wheel-chair bound bad ass characters, because I've noticed a lack in media (shall we get on that Hollywood?).  This whole business with Malcolm and his hand had me on the edge of my seat, which was wonderful.  I loved being swept up completely by this show again.

Legends of Tomorrow Season One, Episodes 2-4

This show has gotten much better, I must say.  And the MVP of the team is Martin Stein, who has to be my absolute favorite and an absolute surprise!  Also shining in the show (to no one's surprise, I'm sure) are Captain Cold and Sara, who's amazing.

Shadowhunters Season One, Episodes 8-10

The parallel universe episode has to be my favorite so far.  It was so cool and I'm so glad they've gone in this direction.  I know the show still has many flaws, but, you know what, I'm really glad it's on the air and that it's getting a season two, because seeing these characters come to life has been such a joy.  My biggest problem right now is Lydia and Alec because MALEC people MALEC!  Let's see how this pans out, though.  I enjoy Lydia outside of the part where she's killing MALEC, but whatever.

The Shannara Chronicles Season One, Episodes 3-6

I'm still really enjoying this show, and, while it drags occasionally, still seems to play like a movie.  It keeps me entertained and always guessing what will happen next.  I have no idea where the show is going but I'm expecting to enjoy it!  Again, I only have one problem, and that's the strange love triangle they're working so hard to push.  I get it, everyone's into everyone, but can we please skip over all of it (since it's underdeveloped) and just move on with the exciting bits?

Daredevil Season Two, Episodes 1-4

I'm going to do a full review of the show at some point, but since I wasn't able to binge it this year (I had more pressing things going on the day it dropped, aka C2E2) I'm only able to catch an episode or two a week.  I love what I've seen so far, especially the Punisher, who is the centerpiece of the show this season.  He's fantastic and it's one of those roles that just draws my attention every time he's onscreen.  I really hope Netflix gives him his own show, sooner rather than later, because it would be phenomenal!

TV Wrap Up

I used to do the Sunday TV, but now, since it's once a month instead, I'm just retitling it TV Wrap Up.  It's the same type of post, though.

Shadowhunters Season One, Episodes 3-7

I'm actually rather enjoying this show.  It's not great (the special effects really kill me and the choreography for fight scenes is very much lacking) but it's not as bad as the movie, in my opinion.  The cast is growing on me and I think they've done a good job adapting the material.  It manages to stay true to the overall arc of the story and the mythology of the series while still having twists and pulling in from every corner of the universe to keep long time fans on their toes.  And, that Clace kiss in episode seven, was worth waiting for.  Plus all the adorable Malec stuff.  I definitely recommend this one to fans.

The Magicians Season One, Episodes 1-4

I read the first book in this series a while ago and just wasn't wowed by it.  It was depressing and I walked away from it feeling pretty bad about myself, actually, which rarely happens with books.  Now, after watching the first four episodes of this show, though, I'm considering going back and reading the whole trilogy.  This show is so captivating!  It has me eager to watch it every chance I get and I love what they've done with the characters.  They're all so morally ambiguous and beautiful, exactly what I want from characters and actors.  My favorite episode, by far, is the fourth.  In fact, it may be one of my favorite episodes of television ever.  Each episode, while a normal length, plays like a movie and I'm always reaching for another once I've finished one.  If you aren't watching this, why not?

Silicon Valley Season One, Episodes 1 and 2

I started watching this on a whim since I've heard some good things.  It's pretty good.  I don't think I'll be able to catch up and keep up for some time (maybe over summer break in a few months) but I did enjoy what I saw.  It's mostly very dry and sarcastic humor, running closer to British humor than American.  It certainly has a niche, but I recommend at least giving it a shot.  The story is rather captivating, too, and is actually something that I could imagine to happen in real life.  You'll know by the end of episode two whether this is a fit for you.

Arrow Season Four, Episode 10

I'm so far behind on this... it was a good episode, and I'm rather pleased with where it's heading.  Little else to say about it, honestly.

Legends of Tomorrow Season One, Episode 1

I like the show so far.  It's a bit too similar to a bunch of other shows I watch (*cough cough* Doctor Who) but, if it continues on the path it's on, I think I'll continue to enjoy it.  Also, what a sad ending!

Sunday TV

Sunday TV is a monthly wrap up post where I talk about all the shows I've been watching.  Sometimes I watch a lot of TV, other times not very much at all.

Once Upon a Time Season Four

I love this show, I really do.  I watched the first two and a half seasons live and enjoyed them, but it got away from me thanks to school so I've been slowly catching up.  Over winter break I decided it was time to finally get back on this horse and watch the entirety of season four.  I loved it so very much.  In fact, I think this was my favorite season!  I must confess, I knew how it was going to end thanks to spoilers on the internet, but that didn't ruin the story at all.  Most notable this season were the new villains: Cruella, Ursula, and the Author (if you could call him a villain).  Each was super dynamic and had my attention from the second they were introduced.  As always, Hook and Emma continue to be adorable, too, which is often a high light for me.

Noragami: Aragoto
A perfect follow up to the previous season.  I was basically living off of this show for a bit, eagerly anticipating the new episode at the end of each week.  It was so good and each episode managed to end on a cliffhanger that would have me just staring at the screen in a silent scream of feelz.  I'm so incredibly sad that this show is over now.  Content-wise, the plot is very different from season one, and, I would argue, much darker.  It spends more time with Yato and has a split in the middle between two major arcs.  One thing I particularly loved was how characters that are originally introduced one way get a full fleshing out and become someone else entirely by the end of the show.  I don't want to say who, but there were a couple characters I went into either liking/hating and ended up feeling very different by the end.

Shadowhunters Episodes 101 & 102
I think this was a super anticipated show for a lot of book bloggers.  I didn't have super high expectations, but I am glad it's finally become a real tangible thing I can watch now.  Seeing this world come to life again has been really fantastic, since this is practically the series that got me into YA.  I think my biggest complaint comes in the way of acting, which was sub-par, to say the least.  I do think everyone will be able to grow into their characters nicely, so I'm not too upset, though.  I was pleasantly surprised by the pacing of the show so far, too.  I was worried they would run through plot points without explaining anything, like many shows often do.  Also, Hodge is hot :)

The Shannara Chronicles Episodes 101 & 102
This was, perhaps, my most anticipate show of the new year, and it's petty much lived up to my hopes and dreams.  I love it so much.  The casting is fantastic, the story is being told in such a way that it feels cinematic, and the cinematography itself is gorgeous.  The special effects, while not the best, are better than I thought they would be.  Basically, this show is worth watching, even if you haven't read the books.  I'm only halfway through the first one (I've taken a break) and I must say, I like the show better (Shannara fans out there, don't kill me, please...)

Book Review: The Shadowhunters Codex

Author| Cassandra Clare (Twitter/Tumblr), Joshua Lewis  Edition| Hardcover  Rating| --

Buy Links| Amazon*/Barnes and Noble/Book Depository

I'm a super fan of The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices so it's no surprise that I got this book the second it came out.  But it took me a while to read, just because it wasn't a priority.  It's not another story, but rather a companion book that helps show the depth of the world.