Challenge Corner discussion

Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices can get to know warlock Magnus Bane like never before in this collection of New York Times bestselling tales, in print for the first time with an exclusive new story and illustrated material.

This collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.

Originally released one-by-one as e-only short stories by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Rees Brennan, this compilation presents all ten together in print for the first time and includes a never-before-seen eleventh tale, as well as new illustrated material.

9%

(view spoiler)[I like the small mentions of Magnus’s personal life. The things that are personal to him and that he keeps hidden. Like the mention of a woman that he loved that died in his arms, the mention of his mother and stepfather, and then his natural father.

Ragnor seems like a fuddy-duddy, right?

So sad that Magnus got his heart broken.

I suppose that any of his adventures in Peru could have gotten him banned. I guess we’ll never know. (hide spoiler)]

19%

(view spoiler)[Not sure what to make of the second story. Axel was into the queen but he also seemed to genuinely be attracted to Magnus. That could have been an act to get him to help but who knows?

That vampire doesn’t seem like the kind you would want to get on the bad side of. I am surprised that getting his place trashed was the worst that happened. Well, I guess he did feast on those two servants, so there’s that. I wonder if that vampire shows up again in the book in another story. (hide spoiler)]

I'm going to start this one right now.

What Really Happened in Peru (view spoiler)[This one wasn't bad, but I was kind of hoping to actually find out what happened on why he was banned. (hide spoiler)]

The Runaway Queen (view spoiler)[ I really liked this one, and I loved how there were hints to Peru in it. It was really sad about the queen and king though being captured. (hide spoiler)]

Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale (view spoiler)[I loved this one! I loved seeing Edmund fall in love and decide to give up everything. It was so sad that he was stripped of his markings. (hide spoiler)]

The Midnight Heir (view spoiler)[I loved seeing Will, Tessa, and Jem again!! And Will and Tessa's son, James. This was my favorite so far because it had them in it. (hide spoiler)]

The Rise of The Hotel Dumort (view spoiler)[I found this one kind of boring. But it was interesting with Aldo's going into the demon realm. Kind of wonder what is going to happen next. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "What Really Happened in Peru [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Haha, I know, right? This incident has only been mentioned a gazillion times in Shadowhunter books. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "The Runaway Queen [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, this one was rather sad. I felt so bad for Magnus when his lover kicked him to the curb. It was sad about the king and queen as well. (hide spoiler)]

Saving Raphael Santiago (view spoiler)[ This one is my favorite now! I loved how Magnus went and helped Raphael. It was so funny when Ragnor thought they were seeing each other. (hide spoiler)]

The Fall of the Hotel Dumort (view spoiler)[ He just erased his memory so he wouldn't have to remember!!! (hide spoiler)]

24%

(view spoiler)[I really liked seeing Charlotte and some of the other characters we’ve seen or heard so much about.

I think that I can see where Will gets his personality from. He is much like his father if this short story is any indication. I really loved his conversation with the ladies that he saved from the demon. And when one of them asked if he needed an escort home because he was inebriated? So funny! (hide spoiler)]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "24%

I really liked seeing Charlotte and some of the other characters we’ve seen or heard so much about.

I think that I can see where Will gets his personality from. He is much like his father if..."

Yes, I completely agree! It was so fun seeing the characters.

What to Buy a Shadowhunter Who Has Everything (view spoiler)[ I love seeing how Magus thought about Alec when they first met. And his conversation with Catarina and Ragnor about advise on what to get Alec for his birthday is just the best!

I can't believe Alec thought Magnus would forget his birthday. (hide spoiler)]

41%

(view spoiler)[I really loved seeing Tessa, Will, and Jem again. I am currently rereading the Infernal Devices series so it was very fresh. I haven’t read the Last Hours series yet so I am not entirely sure what this scene was setting up or showcasing but I am excited to read the newest series once I’ve reread all of the other ones first.

And poor Magnus. It’s nice that he got to see his friends again but his trip seemed bittersweet after his visit with Tatiana and Grace. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Aww, I agree. It sucks that he got his marks stripped. I loved his drunken meet-cute with his future wife where he got to save her from a demon. It sucks that he had to give up what he wanted to be just to be with her. He sacrificed a lot. And it was a little foreboding how Magnus was able to pinpoint how he would start gambling since that is what happened. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "The Midnight Heir [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes! I love this trio so much! And it was nice to see them so happy and to see their son. Even if he was not having the best time at the moment. (hide spoiler)]

50%

(view spoiler)[OMG, a speakeasy! I love it!

This story was interesting. Magnus sees his old flame and it seems like she has been watching him.

I think that the old warlock lost his mind, sadly. He had been alive too long and I think that it messed with his brain. Good thing Magnus was there to save the day. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "The Rise of The Hotel Dumort [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I think that warlock has been alive too long. Who would want to go to a hellish demon realm? (hide spoiler)]

The Last Stand of the New York Institute (view spoiler)[I loved that we got the fight that wen't badly and sealed the fates of so many of the characters. It was sad, but I'm glad I was able to read it.

And Jocelyn going to Magnus and Tessa! That was perfect! (hide spoiler)]

The Course of True Love (And First Dates) (view spoiler)[The Butt Song... that's all I'm going to say.

Is it bad that I'm laughing at how they are talking about a dead person? (hide spoiler)]

60%

(view spoiler)[I really think that this story is my favorite yet. I always loved Raphael Santiago so I was always so curious about his beginning. It was so kind and compassionate of Magnus to save him. Magnus is so good inside even if he struggles with his immortality and all that stems from it. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "Saving Raphael Santiago [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Haha, I said that same thing! I adored this story. And I also laughed out loud at the part with Ragnor. =P (hide spoiler)]

71%

(view spoiler)[This story was interesting and kind of sad. It didn’t occur to me that vampires coild become addicted to blood laced with drugs but the idea is clever. And poor Magnus. Having Caterina cast that spell to make him forget Camille like that because he cared about her. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "The Fall of the Hotel Dumort [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I know! It's so sad. I can't! (hide spoiler)]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "60%

[spoilers removed]"

Yes! This one was really good.

The Voicemail of Magnus Bane (view spoiler)[Well I haven't read the incident in so long that I don't remember what it was, so this wasn't as good to me. I didn't really care about all of them calling Magnus and leaving a voicemail. I love how he set his phone on magic fire though. (hide spoiler)]

79%

(view spoiler)[Oh my god! That demon that Magnus summoned cracks me up!

I really liked this story. In the end, I think that the gift Magnus got for Alec was perfect and special. Though he could have done as the demon suggested and gotten a scented candle as well, you know.

I also loved that Izzy stopped over and gave Magnus her number. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "What to Buy a Shadowhunter Who Has Everything"

(view spoiler)[Yes, this story was great. I loved how he was talking to everyone trying to get ideas for the perfect birthday gift. It was precious. (hide spoiler)]

89%

(view spoiler)[How interesting that this story was about The Circle. So sad about the Whitelaws. I liked seeing that Lucian was still a good person even if these were the early days of The Circle when he was brainwashed by Valentine. And seeing Stephen Herondale so brainwashed was so very sad.

I loved the meeting with Magnus, Tessa, Jocelyn, and Clary. The whole thing made my heart soar. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "The Last Stand of the New York Institute."

(view spoiler)[Yes, all of this. I hated to see all of the Whitelaws die. So sad. But the scene with Jocelyn made it better in a way. (hide spoiler)]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[Aww, Magnus and Alec’s date was adorable. I love how Alec was with the werewolf. So kind and caring. Alec seemed so nervous but to also really be into Magnus. He just seemed out of his element and it was adorably cute.

I love the voicemails. Especially the ones from Isabelle. They were hilarious. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "The Course of True Love (And First Dates) "

(view spoiler)[OMG, the Butt song was definitely something. At first, I had wondered if Simon's band was the one on stage. =P (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "The Voicemail of Magnus Bane [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Fortunately, I just reread the Mortal Instruments series so I knew that this was right after Magnus broke up with Alec. Isabelle's voicemails were so funny! (hide spoiler)]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "79%

Oh my god! That demon that Magnus summoned cracks me up!

I really liked this story. In the end, I think that the gift Magnus got for Alec was perfect and special. Though he could have done a..."

Yes! (view spoiler)[I loved the demon! And the candle would have been good too. (hide spoiler)]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Ashlyn wrote: "The Course of True Love (And First Dates) "

[spoilers removed]"

That would have been priceless!

Let me know if you want to read Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy sometimes in September.