Review: Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare

Title: Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

Stories in this collection: Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy (#1) | The Lost Herondale (#2) | The Whitechapel Fiend (#3) | Nothing but Shadows (#4) | The Evil We Love (#5) | Pale Kings and Princes (#6) | Bitter of Tongue (#7) | The Fiery Trial (#8) | Born to Endless Night (#9) | Angels Twice Descending (#10)

Previous series: The Mortal Instruments

Authors: Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, Robin Wasserman

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: November 2016

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Source: Own hardcover

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Synopsis: Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. But the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows he was friends with Clary, and that he convinced the total goddess Isabelle Lightwood to go out with him…but he doesn’t know how. And when Clary and Isabelle look at him, expecting him to be a man he doesn’t remember…Simon can’t take it.

So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. His new self. Whomever this new Simon might be.

But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. And that differences—like being a former vampire—are greatly looked down upon. At least Simon is trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.

Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. These ten short stories give an epilogue to The Mortal Instruments series and provide glimpses of what’s in store in The Dark Artifices.

My rating: ★★★★★

When I first got this book I had still only read the first 3 books in The Mortal Instruments and probably The Infernal Devices, so I was not the biggest fan of Simon. But then I finally read the remaining of TMI and I fell in love with the guy! The way he sacrificed himself City of Heavenly Fire and lost his memory to save everyone from the demon realm... he’s such a stand up guy. How could I dislike someone like that? It made me so sad that this happened to him, but I am so happy we got more of his story here! It was such a great journey and I loved following him through his 2 years at the academy!

I really loved the setting at the school, and then we got to leave the school every once in a while via guest speakers and their stories of the past. That was great! I also loved that we had a bunch of appearances from old characters we already know and love, but we also met new characters! Some of them were jerks and some of them were lovable dorks (George!) There were also illustrations at the beginning of every chapter/story, which I really enjoyed.

I loved all the stories in this book, but here are some of my absolute favorites:

Nothing But Shadows

The story Catarina tells is about James Herondale, son of Will and Tessa, and main character of The Last Hours. He actually went to this very Shadowhunters Academy hundreds of years back. We were already introduced to him and his ability back in a story in The Bane Chronicles, but I was glad to get more of him here.

As I said, James has an ability. He can basically turn into shadows, thanks to his mom being a warlock. And as you can imagine, he has a hard time at school because of it—lots of bullying. I felt so bad for him 😫 Especially because I found him to be very relatable... (See the rest of my review HERE.)

Born to Endless Night

Alec comes to visit Magnus at the Academy, where soon thereafter the kids find a baby warlock left at the doorstep of the academy! It was SO sad! The poor baby 😭 Now they’re all trying to figure out what to do. And seeing all these characters interact with the baby was the cutest thing ever! George was so good with him! As were Alec and Magnus! And then all the Lightwoods coddling the baby and fighting over who got to hold him—I loved that entire interaction. And then Jace with the baby... 😍 I absolutely loved this! Out of all the stories in the book, this was hands down my favorite! (See the rest of my review HERE.)

Angels Twice Descending

After two years at the Academy, Simon is finally gonna go through the ceremony, drink from the Mortal Cup, and become a Shadowhunter. I really loved this story! I laughed, I cried, and everything in between. When Simon went up to drink from the cup I had literal palpitations, but I was also trying to not cry. It was such a big moment and I was so proud of him! And then that ending... so good! I’m really going to miss all these new characters Simon befriended. (See the rest of my review HERE.)

I highly recommend this book if you're a fan of The Mortal Instruments. And especially of Simon, because City of Heavenly Fire was not the end of his story.

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! 😊