Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra ClareMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*This review contains spoilers of the following novel, if you have not read the book and do not wish to be spoiled then do not read this review <3 *
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy and all the stories wrapped up within are such a wonderful addition to Shadowhunter Chronicles and everything they have grown to be. Not only did the book provide expansion to the laws, lives and world of the shadowhunters, it also introduced new characters as well building on one that we have met previously in TID and TMI.
One of my favourite things to see in this bind up was how the relationships between shadowhunters, mundanes and downworlders alike all grew and changed from ones of ignorance to ones of new found respect. Simon perfectly displaying to his peers that the existing attitudes and values of the shadow world need to change in order for things to ever improve.
Building on that, I loved seeing Alec and his relationships with Maia and Lily, the way he is told be actively working with the leaders of the downworld as a liaison of sorts - providing guidance for the young inexperienced leaders. And of course Magnus and Alec becoming parents, Born to Endless Night was such a heartwarming addition to the series and Max is going to make such a adorable addition to the roster of characters that we've come to know and love. Additionally, I enjoyed the growing relationship between the Lightwoods as a whole, Maryse and Robert are seemingly learning from their mistakes and are trying to become more open-minded and accepting, which is all any of us could have asked for; for the sake of Alec, Izzy, and now Max Michael Bane-Lightwood.
Although I did sometimes feel the pacing to be a tad on the slower side and the fact that my heart is still crying for a certain Scottish lad. Getting to learn about James Herondale, Christopher and Thomas Lightwood, Matthew Fairchild, Ragnor Fell, Michael Wayland and others who we have heard of but never learnt much of was an amazing experience and allowed more gaps about the world to be filled in.
The amount that Simon grows in this book is incredible and it has just made me fall in love with him even more than I did in City of Fallen Angels, from mundane to vampire, to daylighter, mundane to shadowhunter; Simon's journey has been one of love, loss, grief, fear, triumph and friendship and it has been beautiful to watch him grow so much over the course of the 7 books (TMI included). I'm also really glad that this book took the time to expand on the relationship between Simon and Isabelle as although I liked their romance, it has felt a tad rushed in TMI , so I am happy that we got to see these two experience the heartache, the frustration and got to build from the ground up - what is now a strong and fleshed out relationship.
Overall, I personally feel that Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy has provided us with so much more depth and so many more layers to the shadowhunter world; along with new characters that I've come to love whilst also expanding on characters that I have already come to know and love with in the world that Cassandra Clare has created. In short, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if anyone else has enjoyed the Shadowhunter Chronicles and hasn't yet read this wonderful addition; then I would highly, highly recommend it.
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