From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and award-winner Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new series that follows High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood as they tour the world after the Mortal War. The Red Scrolls of Magic is a Shadowhunters novel.
All Magnus Bane wanted was a vacation—a lavish trip across Europe with Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter who against all odds is finally his boyfriend. But as soon as the pair settles in Paris, an old friend arrives with news about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that is bent on causing chaos around the world. A cult that was apparently founded by Magnus himself. Years ago. As a joke.
Now Magnus and Alec must race across Europe to track down the Crimson Hand and its elusive new leader before the cult can cause any more damage. As if it wasn’t bad enough that their romantic getaway has been sidetracked, demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever—even if it means revealing the secrets they’ve both been keeping.
Copy received from Simon and Schuster Australia for an honest review
I am going to tell you something that is going to shock you *leans in close to whisper* - this is the first Cassandra Clare book I have read.
And even more shockingly - I watched the Shadowhunters TV show on Netflix to get myself caught up - all because Magnus and Alec's book blurb intrigued me.
Don't shoot me, OK. I will go back and read the books!
I am glad I said yes to reading this book, as it really was an enjoyable, magical romp around Europe.
The last 30% of his book really ramped things up for me, an I found myself being "anti-social" (as people were calling it) by sitting with friend, book in hand, reading away, as I needed to know where things were going.
I did wonder at times if Magnus would come across as a bit too glib, a bit too jokey - I mean, not everything needs a smart-ass comments. However, in the end I didn't mind them at all. It played off well against Alec's fears and worries, and the complemented each other well.
So, yes, I will go back and read the earlier boos, and yes, I will definitely be reading more of Malec in the future.