August 1, 2020
"Malec" and friends go to Shanghai in this spinoff series sequel. A peaceful night (infant son asleep, sailor pajamas on, book in lap) turns rowdy when intruders break into Magnus Bane's Brooklyn apartment. Shinyun Jung appears with Ragnor Fell, Magnus' old friend whom he thought to be dead. The two warlocks are working on a project together--something involving Sammael (the Father of Demons) and the Book of the White (which they've just stolen from baby Max's room). Before departing nearly scratch-free, Shinyun "gifts" Magnus by stabbing him with a weapon called the Svefnthorn and leaving a glowing hole in his chest. Magnus and Alec Lightwood rally the rest of the Shadowhunter crew to retrieve the book and prevent this scheme from reaching completion. But between misbehaving portals, a mysterious magical injury, and excessive demons, can they save the world again? And who will watch the baby? Though just as sexy as ever, the relationship between Alec and Magnus dips into sentimentality as they balance newfound parenthood with their thirst for adventure--and each other. Despite high stakes, heroes and villains alike adopt a witty, almost jovial disposition that makes the plot read like a romantic, but dangerous, vacation. The incorporation of Chinese Shadowhunters, gods, demons, and realms deepens the series' mythology. Multiple forbidden relationships between Shadowhunters and Downworlders symbolically echo the fight for marriage equality. Plenty of fan service within a rich setting. (Fantasy. 14-adult)
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September 4, 2020
Gr 9 Up-Magnus and Alec return in the next installment of Clare's Shadowhunters spinoff. The unlikely couple of Magnus, a warlock of Dutch and Indonesian descent, and Alec, a white demon-hunter, have settled into a happy, comfortable life with their toddler son, Max. Unfortunately, Magnus's old friend Ragnor pays them a visit and steals the Book of the White at the bidding of the evil demon Sammael. Magnus is injured in the scuffle by a magical thorn and suffers from a strange glowing wound. To get the book of magic back, Alec and Magnus summon Clary, Jace, Isabelle, and Simon, their friends from the Shadowhunters Institute. Leaving Max under Maryse's care, they travel through a multi-dimensional portal to Shanghai, hoping to catch the thieves. The chase brings them close, but Magnus is affected by his injury. Sammael manipulates him through the thorn in his chest, persuading him to accept the terrifying power of the demon. Clare's fans will appreciate her usual blend of snarky humor and action, along with a world of magic that seems so real it's almost believable. The romance between Magnus and Alec naturally continues to heat up. However, this installment of the series might lose its appeal to younger readers with its more mature, domesticated feeling, unlike that of earlier works. Nevertheless, Shadowhunters fans won't be disappointed by the continuation of the story. VERDICT Purchase for fans of The Red Scrolls of Magic.-Sandi Jones, Wynne H.S., AR
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