SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ UNTIL YOU’VE FINISHED THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS (which is a great series)!
I love the Shadowhunter world. These books are the closest I get to a guilty pleasure. I’ll be the first to admit that, while the entertainment level for Cassandra Clare’s books is through the roof, they’re probably not going to go down in history as the modern classics. But, so what? These books are fun!
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is a collection of short stories centered around Simon. I adore Simon so I was tentatively excited. I say “tentatively” because I’m always a little nervous about short story collections, that the different writing styles will be jarring. This book was great, though.
In this book, Simon the Former Vampire decides to attend the newly reopened Shadowhunter Academy. It’s a fantastic setting and serves to develop Simon’s character, as well as adding more tantalizing tidbits to the history of the Shadowhunter World in general.
I really can’t pick a favorite short story because they were written so cohesively that they blend together as one perfect narrative. I did enjoy seeing Magnus and Alec, and learning about the origin of a certain adorable baby. There are no unimportant characters: even new additions get attention and development.
This is a strong addition to the Shadowhunter canon and worth reading. It’s meant to bridge the Mortal Instruments and the Dark Artifices, but if you’ve already finished Queen of Air and Darkness and are still wanting more of the Shadowhunter world, this is a good one.
If you’ve read this, what did you think? Who is your favorite character in Cassandra Clare’s world?
Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub 