Book Review | Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've finished reading this around the time I was about to finished the Shadowhunter series on Netflix. I have got to say that the final episode really does give me some sort of a glimpse of Simon and Jace Herondale relationship at some point of reading this book. I know, the series and the books are totally different but I can't help recalling the first chapter of the book when I saw the scene where Jace was training Simon hard although Simon remained as vampire till the end of the series.

I'm not gonna lie but I kinda want George to be alive and maybe Simon can visit London Institute, not simply because he was being summoned but I guess George's death (maybe Jordan's too) really just a pivoting moment that solidify Simon's determination on being a Shadowhunter. I truly love arriving to Simon's point of realisation that the point wasn't that he tried to live forever, the point was that he lived, and did everything he could to live well. The point was the choices he made and the people he loved.

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Reading Simon's journey on becoming a Shadowhunter truly humbled me in some way, as if he's a real character in real life. Overcoming his insecurities, fears for himself and his loved ones and most importantly, embracing all his memories during the Ascension ritual which is full of courage. 

It's also nice to be reminded that every story has 2 sides to it like the tale of the Lost Herondale but I've had a feeling there's so much to the story after being told by guest lecturer for the first time. More like a Herondale with no heroic quality? I was having a hard time to believe that. 

Overall, the book is great. Simon humors entertained me each and every time and it's really good to see Clary some sort of sharing Simon with Isabelle (it doesn't make sense to me that Clary asked Isabelle to be her parabatai in the series, really) plus I simply would love to see more of Jace and Simon!

Book Review | Clockwork Princess

source: here

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Listening to Cloves - Don't Forget About Me

I don't even know where to begin with.

So I've finished the the trilogy within a week definitely not because it's less content or easily to thread but because it's very much gripping, filling my brains with who said what, referring to lots and lots of English classics and mostly just crying while thinking about the death of someone which is true at least for awhile.

If you're looking for one of the best love triangle then it's right here between Will, Tessa and Jem. I just find it very much interesting as when everything ended, it was full of love, kindness and respect. For I can never believe that it's impossible to love 2 people at once; as if it's truly back and white, I've found the gray area in that and it is in the name of yes, Tessa Gray. Maybe it's possible if there is such thing as parabatai in between those two people as it makes easier for one to understand one's other half and one to forgive one's other half. Not gonna lie, at this point I wished to myself that all legends are true.

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This book has helped me realise (well, probably not wholly but a certain degree) that it is better to just accept and move on rather than sit and wait for something to happen. For I probably can never find anyone like my first love ever again, for I probably can never find anyone who can replace my soulmate, for I probably can never find true happiness, I am who I am and I know finding out all the truths about myself is a happiness. 

Have you encountered a story that helped you overcome your own fear of losing someone you loved?

Book Review | Clockwork Prince

source: here

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's been awhile since I last cried while reading a book.

I wanted to start reading this sequel right after I've finished Clockwork Angel and I'm not going to lie, I've felt a little bit regret for finishing it merely within 2 days as I do want to savour the wave of emotions washed all over me.

when the betrayer within the Institute was revealed, I was not surprised at all because the person has every reason to, or desperate enough to but I, at some point, managed to understand the person. Of course, 'The Law is hard, but it is the Law' so I guess the punishment is inevitable especially at this time of the period, there isn't much of loophole.

My heart ached for Will Herondale, obviously and I often wonder whether James Castairs simply clueless about Will's longing for Tessa or he decided that he wanted to have fair chance of winning the maiden's heart too? Will James back out if he knew the reason why Will had been keeping everything to himself, pushing people away, suffering and longing, before he poured his heart's desire to Tessa? One simply might have said yes, given James' character but really? #typicallovetriangleissue

Overall, I love the pace, the setting, how Cassandra rendered the fighting scenes and my gosh, Will Herondale is just beautiful. haha

Also, there are many Collin's classic being used as reference here and there and that's definitely want to go back to our main residence to pick up some of those that I've read back in primary school - my fave would be The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. 

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Book Review | Clockwork Angel

source: here

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After I've finished reading The Red Scroll of Magic, I've decided to go through Shadowhunters novel chronologically hence this first book of the The Infernal Devices trilogy.

I've got to say that the pace is a bit faster than city of Bones that I've stopped reading after several chapter - I know. I'll get back to it once I'm done with this trilogy or maybe not as Cassandra is going to release the sequel to this trilogy in couple more months so we'll see about that.

I can't help myself picturing Jace and Clary while reading this book as I find a bit similarity. Not sure if it's 'history is repeating itself' kinda way as there are moments between Will and Tessa that reminds me of Jace and Clary's. Isn't it sweet, though?

I find the last few chapters to be thrilling and seriously, I've already started on the second book.


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Book Review | The Red Scrolls of Magic

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was literally just finished Season 2 of Shadowhunters on Netflix and I have decided to take a break before beginning to watch the final season so I think it's the right time to actually start reading the books for the series, you know, to take a breather from #Malec

But I guess my planned 'ruined' as the only book from the series available in my local bookstore is this number from Cassie hence begun the hours of me, indulging in the two's adventures from Paris all the way to Rome.

Overall, I love the story! I've kept coming back to the book and managed to finish within several days -probably quicker if I don't have to attend several end-of-year parties. I love how Cassie rendered the visual and boy, I totally can feel the thrills between the two.

Oh, let me be clear that although I don't support LGBTQ+ , I do understand the struggle of gay Muslims among my friends ; the temptations mostly, so I was just reading this novel for the fun of it, not thinking or imagining #Malec is just one of those normal couples; they're gay but if they're real people then I guess let God be Merciful towards them and show them Guidance - as I always for my gay friends to come back to the right path. Only God knows everything that has written for us. 

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