Series Review / Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson and Robin Wasserman

*****  CONTAINS SPOILERS  *****

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.

Published:     2016
Publisher:  Walker Books
Goodreads :  Click here
Series or Stand-Alone:  Books 1-10, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy
Source:  Owned

MY REVIEW

Now this was another set of short stories that I wasn't sure whether I wanted to pick up or not.  As I have mentioned in my review of The Bane Chronicles, short stories and novellas can be a bit of a hit or miss with me.  More often than not, I find that these types of stories, as part of a series or trilogy, can often be unnecessary.  Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, for me, is an essential read for those reading the entire Shadowhunters series right from The Mortal Instruments, through the Infernal Devices and to the Dark Artifices trilogy.   I read and would certainly recommend reading it after reading the Mortal Instruments series, particularly after The City of Heavenly Fire and after reading The Bane Chronicles.  I found that this was the best time in the entire Shadowhunter world to delve into learning more about the character of Simon, which this series of short stories concentrates on.  For me, this was a must read also because of the fact that I absolutely adore Simon.  He is one of my most favourite characters in this world, so far.  

I won't go through each individual story in this review because, to be honest, I loved each and every one of them.  With each story, I learnt more and more about Simon, his past and follow his struggles as he comes to terms with what he has been through.  He certainly has a lot to think about and deal with since he no longer is a vampire.  We also have the added surprise of seeing Magnus and Alec at the Academy in the last story with a new addition that was certainly a surprise for everyone!

A must read for those who are reading the Shadowhunter world books and for those who adores the character Simon!