The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare

It was so incredibly smart to start this trilogy during the European vacation because there’s a gap in the story from that moment. I needed a book with at least a decent plot and characters with some depth and growth.

SUBSTANCE … FINALLYĪfter being thoroughly disappointed with Ghosts of the Shadow Market, I needed substance. But I could’ve picked up two paperbacks for the price of one hardcover, so the sentiment remains.

Actually, my husband bought it for me as part of my birthday book haul (he lets me run loose in a B&N while I stack books in his arms). I normally don’t invest in hard covers unless I’m buying new releases, but I was so obsessed with these covers that I had to spend the extra money. Here are all my thoughts on The Red Scrolls of Magic. This book was so wonderful, I read it in two days. I was anxious going into this book that it would feel like Clare was pandering to her audience of rabid Malec fans without giving these characters a proper story. I’d even go as far as to say that Alec has one of the best character arcs I have ever had the pleasure of reading. These are two characters that have been fleshed out incredibly well throughout The Shadowhunter Chronicles. I was so immensely worried where Clare and Chu could take Magnus and Alec’s story. Alec is faced with the choice of protecting Magnus or upholding the Laws of the Clave. Memories or not, Magnus must find the cult’s new leader and put a stop to their murderous ways before the Clave finds out and imposes judgement. However, their vacation is interrupted by the threat of a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand, which may’ve been started as a joke by our High Warlock of Brooklyn many years ago. While seeing a bit of the world outside of New York is great for Alec, he’s more intent on learning about his boyfriend who has centuries worth of secrets. Valentine Morgenstern is dead, the war is won (for now) and Magnus believes a beautiful vacation across Europe with his new Shadowhunter boyfriend is the perfect way to grow their relationship and relax after a hard fought battle. TRSoM follows Magnus and Alec during their European vacation that took place at the beginning of City of Fallen Angels in Clare’s initial series The Mortal Instruments. 1 in Clare and Wesley Chu’s The Eldest Curses trilogy. Which is exactly why I was equal parts excited and nervous to dive into The Red Scrolls of Magic, which is book No. If you’ve been following my reading journey through Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter Chronicles, you know I hold a special place in my heart for Alexander Lightwood and Magnus Bane.

Life was a joke, and the fact that his life would never end was its bad punchline.” Magnus Bane, 282

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare