Review: Saving Raphael Santiago (The Bane Chronicles #6) by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: Saving Raphael Santiago

Series: The Bane Chronicles #6

Authors: Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: September 2013

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: A Manhattan teen—Raphael Santiago—is missing, and Magnus Bane must track him down before it’s too late.

In 1950s New York City, a distraught mother hires Magnus Bane to find her missing son, Raphael. But even if he can be found, is Raphael beyond saving?

My rating: ★★★★★

So this short story takes place in the 50s, when Magnus was apparently a PI. Lol. Raphael’s mother comes to Magnus for help in getting her son back from los vampiros. So Magnus agrees to help and goes to the Hotel Dumort to find Raphael, the hotel which Camille has laid claim to.

How he finds Raphael is so incredibly sad. This poor boy, freshly turned into a vampire, hated this so much that he was about to throw himself into the sunlight when Magnus saves him. We knew the vague details of this from The Mortal Instruments, but it was nice to actually see it, even though it was incredibly sad.

Afterward, Magnus takes him in. For Raphael, it is very important for him to be able to hold the cross his mother gave him, so he practices a lot, all with the guidance of Magnus. It was SO sweet! I love how Magnus is always helping out all these characters.

“You are doing a good deal to help me,” Raphael said the next night as they approached the graveyard. His voice was almost clinical.
Magnus thought but did not say, Yes, because there were times when I was as desperate as you, and as miserable, and as convinced that I had no soul.

💔 Magnus no 😭 These interactions between the characters were everything! I loved this so much. I also really enjoyed all the bickering because Raphael and Magnus did bicker quite a bit. Lol. Oh, and then Ragnor showed up and he joined in on the bickering. It was a blast! Lol.

But yeah, this was great! I was not expecting to like this as much as I did cause I was always kind of meh about Raphael in TMI... up until City of Heavenly Fire, that is! Raphael was really smart and the way he took charge there at the end was so good! I’m really glad to have this story and background into Magnus and Raphael’s relationship. I really enjoyed it!

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! 😊