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.
Published: 2014
Publisher: Walker Books
Goodreads : Click here
Series or Stand-Alone: Books 1-11, Bane Chronicles
Source: Owned
MY REVIEWS (may contain spoilers)
(My reviews in orange below)
IN SUMMARY: I loved this series of novellas. Normally, for me, I don't tend to pick up novellas as the ones I have attempted to pick up before with other series they haven't really added much to the story and I just lost interest. But, this series of novellas is something different. Not only does it add more to the story of the Shadowhunter world but it fills in some of the blanks and answers a lot of questions I had when I finished City of Heavenly Fire. As Magnus Bane is one of my favourite characters in this world, I thoroughly enjoyed following him throughout his past and present. This series of novellas gives great back story to some of the Shadowhunter world before the Mortal Instruments series, fills in some blacks from the series and adds more depth to certain characters that were in the Mortal Instruments series and may be yet to come in further books...
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Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices know that Magnus Bane is banned from Peru—and now they can find out why. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.
There are good reasons Peru is off-limits to Magnus Bane. Follow Magnus’s Peruvian escapades as he drags his fellow warlocks Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss into trouble, learns several instruments (which he plays shockingly), dances (which he does shockingly), and disgraces his host nation by doing something unspeakable to the Nazca Lines.
Now this series of short stories/novellas I was really excited to start reading. I cannot tell you how much I adore Magnus Bane. Funny, witty and very smart. What more could you ask for in a main character?!? Peru was something that was mentioned briefly in a previous Mortal Instruments novel and I did wonder whether that would be picked up here. In this story, it explains various incidents in Peru with, of course, only one that led to Magnus not being able to return to Peru. This story, for me, sums up his character, personality and morals. A very entertaining read.
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While in France, immortal warlock Magnus Bane finds himself attempting to rescue the royal family from the horrors of the French Revolution—after being roped into this mess by a most attractive count. Naturally, the daring escape calls for invisible air balloons…
For me, this one was not one of the more interesting stories in this book. Yes, there were a lot of twists and turns and a very surprising twist and even though it was set and beautifully written in Paris I just, honestly speaking, did not really find a lot interesting about this story. Yes it had a great plot with really interesting characters, but the first story in this book was a lot better than this one for me.
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When immortal warlock Magnus Bane attends preliminary peace talks between the Shadowhunters and the Downworlders in Victorian London, he is charmed by two very different people: the vampire Camille Belcourt and the young Shadowhunter, Edmund Herondale. Will winning hearts mean choosing sides?
Now this is why I picked up this series of stories. Not only are we following the magnificent Magnus Bane but we also see more of a background of how he knows Camile Belcourt and Edmund Herondale and learn a bit more of the history of the Shadowhunters before the Mortal Instruments series. Loved this one.
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In Edwardian London, Magnus Bane discovers old friends and new enemies—including the son of his former comrade Will Herondale. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.
Magnus thought he would never return to London, but he is lured by a handsome offer from Tatiana Blackthorn, whose plans—involving her beautiful young ward—are far more sinister than Magnus even suspects. In London at the turn of the century, Magnus finds old friends, and meets a very surprising young man . . . the sixteen-year-old James Herondale.
Yet again, this is one of those stories that I was dying to learn more of from little bits and pieces that were woven into the Mortal Instruments series. For reasons I won't explain because of spoilers, the Herondale family come into contact with Magnus on a lot of occasions and here we see, yet again, another Herondale. Where you hear of a Herondale in a story, you know it is going to be good.
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In 1920s Manhattan, Magnus Bane hobnobs with the elite at a glamorous Jazz Age hotspot.
The immortal Magnus Bane is making the most of his time in the Roaring Twenties: He's settled into New York society and is thriving among the fashionable jazz set. And there is nowhere better to see and be seen than the glamorous Hotel Dumort, a glittering new addition to the Manhattan landscape. But a different type of glamour may be at play...
Yet again this is another story I hoped I would learn more about. Hotel Dumort which was once a very nice hotel but turns into something else completely. Although I had wished that this would have had a bit more happening in the story, I found it interesting and gave a lot of background to the history of Hotel Dumort.
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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?
Another character that I adore just as much as Magnus, Raphael Santiago. This is another story that I hoped that I would learn more about. Raphael has such a great personality it was certainly entertaining to follow his story in this one. A lot of back story in this one that fills in and gives explanation for certain personality traits that we see in the Mortal Instruments series...
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Magnus Bane watches the once-glamorous Hotel Dumort become something else altogether in 1970s New York City.
Fifty years after the Jazz Age rise of the Hotel Dumort, immortal warlock Magnus Bane knows the Manhattan landmark is on the decline. The once-beautiful Hotel Dumort has fallen into a decayed thing, a ruin, as dead as a place can be. But the vampires don't mind...
We are back again to learn a bit more about Hotel Dumort. I liked this story a lot better than the previous one in this book. A lot of action in this one and we certainly see a lot more background to the vampires story. Although not one of my most favourite stories in this book, I certainly found it intriguing to learn more about the vampire 'community.
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Magnus Bane may or may not be dating Alec Lightwood, but he definitely needs to find him the perfect birthday present.
Set in the time between City of Ashes and City of Glass, warlock Magnus Bane is determined to find the best birthday present possible for Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter he may or may not be dating. And he’s also got to deal with the demon he’s conjured up for a very irritating client...
LOVED THIS ONE! Again, this was a story I was hoping to see more of. One of my most favourite couples so far in this world and I was so happy to see more of them and how they are getting on. On the one hand we have seen in past stories the Magnus who is the warlock, the Magnus who can come in and save the day but now in this story we are seeing Magnus the sweet 'boyfriend' of Alec.
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Magnus meets Valentine in battle as the Circle attacks the Downworlders of New York City.
In the time of the Uprising, Valentine’s Circle goes after Downworlders in New York...and the Shadowhunters of the Institute must decide whether to join him, or fight with Magnus and his kind. This is the first time Magnus sees Jocelyn, Luke, and Stephen—but not the last. It is not long before Jocelyn seeks him out...
Finally, a story that shows what happened with Valentine and his Circle way before the Mortal Instruments series began. Apart from the stories with Magnus and Alec, this one is one of my favourites. This is a great one to read if you want to learn more about the background of Valentine and all the main older characters such as Jocelyn, Luke and Stephen etc. This story certainly does fill in a few holes and answer a few of the questions I had about Valentine and his circle.
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Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood might fall in love—but first they have a first date.
When Magnus Bane, warlock, meets Alec Lightwood, Shadowhunter, sparks fly. And what happens on their first date lights a flame...
Oh yes, another story with Magnus and Alec. Just when I thought this relationship could not get any better. This was such a cute story following Magnus and Alec dating. A great little story filled with such a cute romantic story.
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The voice mail of Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn, in the days following a certain incident in City of Lost Souls.
This was fantastic. I wasn't sure what I was getting into just reading the heading but it all made sense once I started reading. This is one that you should definitely read after you have finished The Mortal Instruments series. From memory, I believe this relates to something that happens at the end of City of Lost Souls. I have to admit that I did have a good giggle when reading this one. A great story to finish the book with.
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