The Bane Chronicles is a series of short stories on the warlock Magnus Bane, from the series The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices written by Cassandra Clare. In fact, I do believe he is the only character to appear in all books of each series, which is a feat considering The Infernal Devices takes place about 130 years before The Mortal Instruments. What’s interesting is that, although many fans of the books consider Magnus as a main character, in actuality, he’s still a side character. A very loved side character, one that many have felt deserved his own series.
Thus came this collection of stories of Magnus’ life, pre A.L. and post A.L. (Alec Lightwood). Cassie, along with two of her friends, authors Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson, gathered around one night whipping up tales of the High Warlock of Brooklyn, and decided to put it to paper. And we are ever so grateful for that.
Although it was originally released last year in e-book format only, it is now available in hardcover for those who find tangible books worthy to spend money on, especially if they’re good books.
If you’ve read the short stories in e-book format already, you’re probably less likely to want to buy the hardcover. But let me point out a couple of things that might interest you to reconsider.
Included in the book is an illustration in comic book form that introduces each of the stories. One example of such is below, and of course, drawn by the other Cassandra, Cassandra Jean.
Each illustration is accompanied by an excerpt from that particular story. If you love Cassandra Jean’s style and the way she interprets the characters of which she is drawing, you’ll definitely love this! What’s lovely about them is that each one depicts a different emotion. Some of them include characters of which you are quite familiar with. These drawings remind the reader of how much Magnus has seen in his immortal life, and not all of it is good.
Another reason that may interest the digital reader to buying traditional is the added story. Yes, there is a bonus story!
Regarding the bonus story, I have to say this much about it. It’s cute, it’s funny, and it’s a little heartbreaking, because it involves Alec… post City of Lost Souls. However, it’s a bit of a stretch to call it a story in the regular sense, but it’s still amusing to read as we “hear” the numerous messages in Magnus’ voicemail shortly after the breakup in CoLS.
With those two additions that were not included in the e-books, it might be something you’d actually want to get. Sometimes have a physical copy is just nice to have, too.
Now, if you’ve been waiting to get your hands on a physical copy instead of purchasing the separate e-books when they first became available, then it was definitely worth the wait. Each story really does give you an insight into this character we’ve come to know and love. And as with the illustrations, each story shows shows a different side of Magnus, and it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.
Would I recommend getting this book? Absolutely! Whether you’ve already read the stories or not, this one’s a keeper.
Rating for this book: A-
Would you like a chance to win a copy of The Bane Chronicles? Go here to enter, and take the Magnus Bane quiz while you’re there!
