The Red Scrolls of Magic (1) (The Eldest Curses)

I'd like to preface this with noting that I have a hard copy coming in my Bookish subscription box, but having read the first 7 chapters on Riveted, I bought and read the Kindle edition yesterday. First: for those of you worried since the book was initially marketed as New Adult (which is considered more mature than YA), this book is not more sexually explicit than The Shadowhunter Chronicles. Also: While they say this book can be read without having read the rest of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, and it can, it would be best appreciated having finished all of the books that are currently released (including the short stories from Ghosts of the Shadow Market). It's not that you'll be lost otherwise, it's just there are some Easter eggs that enhance the story. This book was amazing! It takes place after City of Glass and before/during City of Fallen Angels and it is so nice to spend more time with Magnus and Alec, but also with some other fan favourites. I'm quite impressed with how this book is co-written-- the dialogue is almost identical to the other books with the sass definitely being the same! It was really interesting seeing Magnus and Alec trying to get to know each-other better and overcoming obstacles such as Downworlder responses to Magnus dating a Shadowhunter (the connections between how Downworlders are scared of Shadowhunters the same way PoC and other minorities are scared of cops is very apparent), as well as just both of them coming to terms with their respective pasts and what they want their relationship to be. Magnus and Alec are not the only LGBTQIA2S+ characters in the story which I think is wonderful for so many reasons but the most prominent being that it was really hard for Cassie to have even one non-straight couple when City of Bones was released in 2008 (due to rampant homophobia and the insistence that non-straight characters will detract from book sales). While part of the story is certainly about how to navigate being not-straight in this society, the focus was more about the relationship itself. In short: the writing was amazing and hilarious; the character development was in line with the other books; the plot was really interesting (knowing they are in books that are chronologically later did not detract from the gravity of the situations they get stuck in) and it was really nice to see some fan-favourite characters from a different perspective!

I loved reading about the Shadow Hunter world from the Downworlder perspective. I know SHs can be so harsh but I love Clary, Jace and their gang as well as Tessa, Will and Jem et. als. But Magnus Bane has always been one of my favorite characters and I longed for more of him. I kind of felt about Alec the way he described feeling about other people- reserved, cautious and a little hostile. But this book helped me to know another side of him and I quickly came to love him. The story (as always) was engaging and just downright satisfying, gave a different perspective on that world and I loved it. This book is red hot no matter what your orientation is - love is love. Please keep writing about it this world from all angles. I would love more Clary and Jace (You hinted at a book in which Clary is kidnapped and brought to another world in which she is dead and jace is still with Sebastian) but I will read anything you write and your co-authors are always amazing. Thank you for turning me on to Holly Black! I devoured the Cruel Prince series. And now I’ll check out Wesley Chu. By the way I was saddened by the (just found out today) news that Godfrey Gao had passed away. He was the epitome of Magnus and had so many movies to his credit! God bless his soul and his family. Thank you for this inclusive book in a time we are fighting for inclusion. Peace.

This was truly a book and a series I have dreamed about for years since first reading about Magnus and Alec. Now that it is finally here I can without a doubt say that it was absolutely everything I ever wanted. Magnus was from his introduction my favorite character and his relationship with Alec is by far one of the most spectacular love stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The Red Scrolls of Magic (TRSoM), is actually a story that takes place directly after the tragic events of City of Glass. So trust me when I say you definitely need to have read up to City of Glass. You very well could read this without but be warned you may not catch all the references or understand the character development arcs. Now with that being said, I LOVED THIS SO HARD!!!! Everything from the story, to the plot, to the new characters introduced, to some surprising characters appearing from other books, to well just about everything. The Shadowhunter world has been with me for so long, so just knowing that this world and its story and its character just keeps on evolving and growing makes me literally so happy. Once again just another gush full review but it would be hard for me to say anything else without spoiling the first three Mortal Instrument books or hell really the whole series. I am truly excited to see where the rest of this series will go because that ENDING left my jaw on the ground and my emotions shook.

slow start and not what I was expecting from Magnus & Alecs’s story but also really good. The side characters are all a great and necessary addition to the story and world as well, which introduces us to other relevant characters and set the ground work for the other books. If there is any complaint to be made I’d more so say I wish there were times allotted for both characters to be very vocal and work through the issues they faced together as sometimes even when they were together they acted as if they were alone. Alec and Magnus also have some beautiful quotable moments when they let themselves talk and state their feelings! These two have been my favourite couple from the beginning and those moments made it obvious why.

Il prodotto è arrivato in ottimo stato e in tempi molto brevi. A tutti coloro che seguono la saga, ma anche coloro che vorrebbero iniziarla, consiglio veramente la lettura di questo libro.

<REVIEW> THE RED SCROLLS OF MAGIC (The Eldest Curse #1) • • • ⭐️:5,0/5 + ♥️ • • 💬: The beginning of a relationship is always hard. Especially when you just got out of a war. So Magnus decides to take his boyfriend to an incredible trip through Europe to show how beautiful like can be after so many traumatic episodes and death. Alec and Magnus having been recently announced their relationship will embark in a journey of self-discovery and getting to know a little more about each other, that’s what the trip is also about. Unfortunately, Tessa Gray, a fellow warlock comes to them with bad news...somehow people are hunting the cult called Crimson Hand and the lider of it is called Magnus Bane. When Magnus Bane himself don’t remember anything about this cult and he feels like someone messed up with his memories from years before...Alec and Magnus decide to find this lider that is posing as Magnus and end with this cult that is killing mundanes and downworlders. Throughout their first trip together, Magnus and Alec go to Paris, Venice and Rome. And in each city, something dangerous and messy happens that makes their vacation time to a more non-relaxing one. They try to have their little moments of peace at the beginning but then when they feel that the problem with the cult is bigger than they thought of...they go full head on to solve it. Having Alec’s AND Magnus’s point of view was exhilarating and beautiful. We had the opportunity of seeing how they both feel at this beginning of a relationship (that we all know will end with marriage and two kids in the future). Their fears regarding each other and how they both feel of having each other in their lives was at the same time heartbreaking and amazing, some tears were shed I can guarantee that. Alec always so open to Magnus’s history and Magnus always determined to not lose Alec...I love how Alec is set to change things so everyone can be accepted to the Clave and that everyone deserves to be treated the same, not mattering about race (downworlders and shadowhunters and mundanes).

Absolutely amazing book.Once again Cassandra Clare has done what she does best,writes an incredible,interesting,believable and romantic novel,one everyone can read,enjoy and relate too.Absolutely love reading the SHADOWHUNTER series by CC.they have saved my sanity during n after Covid A big hug n kiss to all involved in these fabulous books.....THANKYOU ALL👏🏼

This book series is really good and totally worth buying and the book is beautiful 😍👏🏻

Me ha encantado. A pesar de estar en inglés (mi nivel es B2) la lectura resultó ligera y la trama fácil de seguir. Magnus y Alec son mis personajes favoritos de la saga y el libro les hace justicia. La historia transcurre con el toque justo de drama y mucha acción y romance.