The book we've all been waiting for--Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood finally have their time to shine in their own series. AND. IT. WAS. BEAUTIFUL. And soft. And, yes, I'm emotional.

Magnus Bane, a centuries old High Warlock, has taken possession of one of the great relics of the supernatural world, a powerful spell book of dark magic known as The Book of the White and there are many who want to claim it for themselves.

After the Mortal War where the part-human and part-angel Shadowhunters teamed with the part human-demon Downworlders to fight against the incursion of an army of demons, Magnus and his new lover, the mortal Alec Lightwood celebrate their survival and victory by escaping the supernatural battlefield of New York City by touring the world, but the world won’t leave them alone.

The first adult novel set within #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter series, The Lost Book of the White, written with award-winning science fiction author Wesley Chu, is a fantasy thriller that will give new readers a great way to enter the Shadowhunters world and give the millions of readers across the globe answers they’ve been looking for in this start of The Eldest Curses trilogy.



When I say that I've been waiting over a decade for a Malec book, I'm not exaggerating. From the first time we met both Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood in The Mortal Instruments, I knew they'd be favourites of mine in no time. Together and apart. Fast forward to 2019 and they still are, and we're finally seeing them in the spotlight. Fully.

The Red Scrolls of Magic is equal parts nostalgia and new. I felt transported to another time while reading and it was such a fun experience. It took a bit of adjustment, due to where they are in the current run of The Shadowhunter Chronicles, but not something you couldn't settle into. In so many ways, this series--this world--feels like a second home to me, tied only with Harry Potter.

So, reading The Red Scrolls of Magic was not only the beginning of a whole new series but a lot like a homecoming and I loved every minute of it. There's something so precious about the way that we get to see these early stages of the relationship between Magnus and Alec.

As always, Cassandra Clare's characters come to life and the mythology doesn't stray far from what we know. While other authors, who bounce between timelines, can be a bit too sloppy in the way they rework (or add) to their stories, Clare's writing doesn't suffer from it.

Wesley Chu, too, adds something seamless to the story and once again proves that Clare's writing doesn't lose coherency when others join in on the fun. Malec's story only benefits from this and readers will be impressed by all that they see in The Red Scrolls of Magic. If ever there was a book that left you wanting more, it was this one--now, all I can ask is: WHEN DO WE GET MORE?

(Yes, I know. Next year. But!)

When I look at what I'd always hoped for from a Malec book, all the marks are met within The Red Scrolls of Magic. Danger, action and romance. Throwbacks to quite a few series. Old and new faces. Familiar scenes that tie into the The Mortal Instruments timeline. I was left swooning and often a bit breathless from the magic that was The Red Scrolls of Magic, and I'm so thankful to have it.

If you've ever been smitten with Malec, you'll know their appeal knows no bounds. Much like their love. This book portrays this in the most breathtaking way imaginable.

You may have already read what I loved about The Red Scrolls of Magic in my 132 Thoughts I Had While Reading The Red Scrolls of Magic. But, if you haven't, here's my personal highlights:

• Seeing Magnus and Alec's early relationship and their first vacation together. We always wondered what happened while they were in vacation between City of Glass and City of Fallen Angels, and it's just so refreshing to go back to the start. We get to fill in those blanks and I've always wanted to do that. Especially after The Bane Chronicles. That being said, we get so much solo development too. Magnus and Alec go through so much together. These early moments are honestly so wonderful and my heart was racing. The love they share is special, and The Red Scrolls of Magic show that. 
• Tessa pops up! I'm always excited to see her. All the little nods to her life and The Infernal Devices gave me the warm and fuzzies. I also liked that Alec noted that she reminded him of Jace. 
• A lot of Aline and Helen! And the beginnings of their relationship, too.
• RAPHAEL! That's it. That's all I'm saying. WELL, that, and, uh, I love the banter that he and Alec have???? Icons.
• Lightwood sibling love. 
• Alec admitting he might miss Clary. Magnus' fondness for everyone. 
• Solid villains that are complicated but don't overshadow what happens next. 
• Some really good action-packed moments! 
• Great cliffhanger that will lead into the rest of the trilogy AND tie into the other series in The Shadowhunter Chronicles. 
• Class Shadowhunter humor. 
• So many great settings. 

Overall, it was the perfection addition to the world it's set in and I am highly anticipating the future installments.