Book Review 7: The Bane Chronicles, Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees-Brennan, Maureen Johnson

The Bane Chronicles by Clare, Rees-Brennan and Johnson

Things to know:

• I read the original English version
• It was published 2014
• It has 502 pages
• Includes 11 short stories
• It is set in Peru (different cities) 1791, 1885, 1890 + 1962, Paris + Alps 1791, London 1857 + some years after infernal devices, New York 1929, 1953, 1977, 1989, 1993 + 2007
• I started: 26th January 2015 and ended it: 10th February

BEWARE: "The Midnight Heir" and "The Voicemail of Magnus Bane" contain MAJOR SPOILERS if you haven't finished "The Infernal Devices" and "City of Lost Souls". Read those books before, as there are also small spoilers in other stories otherwise!! My review will as well! YOU ARE WARNED!

I'll start of with telling you a bit about each short story, won't be much though, as they are mostly less than 50 pages long.

1. What Really Happened in Peru:

 Well... I guess you can guess what this story is about... it is set in 4 different years in which Magnus was in Peru, for different reasons, and what he did over there. This is somehow a followup to the running-gag why Magnus was banned from Peru :)

2. The Runaway Queen:

Queen Marie-Antoinette needs help, and a handsome guy asks Magnus to help her - he just can't say no. 

3. Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale:

Magnus meets Edmund Herondale (Will's father) and is an eyewitness on how the latter falls in love with a mundane.

4. The Midnight Heir:

James Herondale (Will's and Tessa's son) is in trouble.

 5. The Rise of the Hotel Dumort:

In this story you will find out why even mundanes think that the old Hotel is cursed.

6. Saving Raphael Santiago:

What could this be about??? Guess!
Answer: about Raphael who was kidnapped by a Vampire.

7. The Fall of the Hotel Dumort:

Vampires are starting to overkill mundanes and leave their bodies everywhere. Magnus is helping the Werewolfs find a solution without the Shadowhunters noticing. 

8. What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything 

(And Who You're Not Officially Dating Anyway):

Magnus has a job, for which he has to summon a demon. Whilst doing so he is thinking about what to get Alec for his Birthday and is discussing this with the demon.

9. The Last Stand of the New York Institute:

Magnus has to deal with the Circle and Valentine. A few years later Jocelyn comes to seek help for Clary.

Also revealed: why Jocelyn chose the surname Fray.

10. The Course of True Love (And First Dates):

This is the first real date of Alec and Magnus and perfectly shows what is going on in the latter's mind :D

11. The Voicemail of Magnus Bane:

Alec, Clary, Isabelle, Simon and some others are leaving Voicemails on Magnus' phone, to convince him to get back together with Alec.

As often the case with short story collections I like some stories more than others. 

First of all those I liked:

What Really Happened in Peru - as it gives a huge insight in Magnus' past.
Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale - helps you understand more about his past. How he got to know Camille, why he later helped Jocelyn, etc.
The Course of True Love (And First Dates) - this is by far my favourite short story!!I loved it so much. I want more Alec and Magnus!!

I neither liked nor hated:

 The Midnight Heir - I didn't really get the point of this story, or why it's been told. Yes, it is mentioned a few times that Tessa is the only Warlock able to have children... but you get that info by reading "Clockwork Princess". I did enjoy some more Will and Jem moments though (and Magnus is hilarious).
Saving Raphael Santiago - There were really funny moments here, and you get to know Raphael a bit more, I just didn't enjoy it as much as other stories.
What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything - This is really funny but I would have loved some more moments with Alec actually being there too!
The Last Stand of the New York Institute - This story explains a lot, and I think it's good I read it before "City of Heavenly Fire", bur it wasn't fun reading. It was split in 2 stories, and I didn't really get into either of them. Too short!

I didn't like:

The Runaway Queen - Point? I really don't know why this story has been told... Okay, you'll find out why Magnus isn't that fond of Vampires... but nothing new really. 

The Rise of the Hotel Dumort - Here again, I didn't get into the story. It just makes you want to know who Magnus' father is.
The Fall of the Hotel Dumort - This is the story of a memory Magnus lost. I would have wished a further explanation on what the consequences of everything where.
The Voicemail of Magnus Bane - This really has no point!! Just voicemails after each other with no reaction or anything... Boring!! Liked this the least!!

I must say, most stories are too short, there is always something missing... 

This isn't a must read, but some stories are still fun. You decide :)

Lisa~