Name: The Red Scrolls of Magic
Rating: 4.058891454965358 (433 reviews)
ISBN: 9781508232230

Wesley Chu

BD Wong

 Cassandra Clare

The Red Scrolls of Magic

Red Scrolls of Magic

Ellie M.

This book was such a win for the gays! I don’t know why it took me so long to get into The Eldest Curses, but it was incredibly emotional to read into so much adorable, domestic malec content and hilarious cameos from other beloved tsc characters. It aims to tell the story of Alec and Magnus’ before all the drama and traverses through things that happened in between TMI (if you know, you know). Reading this made me feel only a fraction of what I felt reading shadowhunters for the first time, so this was a nostalgic read that hits bullseye to a reader’s heart. This book was able to give me an adventurous, hilarious story with queer characters accompanied by a form of nostalgia and lingering sadness that’s always going to be there when I read those familiar names.

Tatiana

The Red Scrolls of Magic: 2.5/5

I am now in the process of reading all the Shadowhunter novellas before I move onto The Dark Artifices, and this.. was just not it for me.

I want to preface this review by saying nothing is outwardly wrong with this book, this is my opinion, and I don't have much to back it up. This book was not for me, but I can see how many people do enjoy it. Essentially, don't let my review deter you from this novella.

The Red Scrolls of Magic is a novella in the shadowhunter universe following Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood, post TMI part one. In this story, they decide to go on vacation to Paris (romantic). Still, they are thrown into a plot to chase down The Crimson Hand's illusive leader, a demon-worshipping cult, since many people believe the leader is Magnus himself. Magnus and Alec travel around Europe to find answers to this mystery and stop the cult once and for all.

This plot just was not it for me. Again, I don't have anything to back this up except that I personally didn't enjoy it. I thought it was boring, and I wanted more Magnus and Alec content. I absolutely love Alec and Magnus's dynamic, and they're one of my favorite book couples ever. So much so that I truly wanted this novella to surround them and their love blooming. Instead, we are forced into this wild goose chance plot that completely smothers the romance portion. Maybe I'm just salty because I wanted the book to be all about Magnus and Alec's romance, and I know that's not what this book is about, but that's what I wanted. Thus, I am disappointed with this book.

Again, I want to reiterate I know this book is not a romance book, so don't come for me; I just wanted it so badly. I wanted more Magnus and Alec, and I think the plot got in the way of it, and since I didn't enjoy the plot itself, I found this book overall to be disappointing.

That being said, every time we did have some Magnus and Alec moments, my heart melted. I adored these bits and pieces, and it left me more in love with the couple than ever before.

I do want to mention that you should read this book before The Mortal Instuments part two. I wish I read it after City of Glass because it adds a lot of context and backstory regarding Magnus and his father. This comes into play in City of Heavenly Fire, and I believe I would have enjoyed City of Heavenly Fire more if I read this book prior.

The Lost Book of the White: 3.5/5

Gosh, I nervous about this one! After The Red Scrolls of Magic severely let me down, I was dreading the fact that I needed to read this before The Dark Artifices. This was definitely a pleasant surprise, though. 

First of all, I loved reading this immediately after Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy. I definitely recommend that order because this book feels like it directly follows the events that occurred in that book. The short stories are also referenced quite a bit in this book. 

Of course, we are reunited with another Magnus and Alec story. Still, this time, we get to see glimpses of their life with Max (MY HEART <333) before they are forced to go on a mission to Shangai due to an unexpected visit from good old Shinyun Jung and another friend (which I will not be spoiling) who hurt Magnus with mysterious magic nobody knows about. I don't want to spoil it. What is nice about this book is that Alec insists the entire gang comes with them, including Isabelle, Simon, Clary, and Jace. With the whole gang back together, they travel to Shanghai to uncover what might be plaguing Magnus, take back the stolen Book of the White, and reunite with an old friend. 

I was definitely more invested in this story than The Red Scrolls of Magic. I think this is largely due to this book actually feeling connected to the rest of the series, and it is most definitely not pointless. I liked seeing the old gang back together from a different perspective: not Clary, Jace, or Simon. Since the war has ended, the characters have become much more likable, and their banter is top tier. Cassie Clare threw in many jokes that made this book more lighthearted than the rest of the TMI books, which I definitely appreciated. Lastly... of course, Magnus and Alec are the stars of this show. Their love hits so differently, almost like Tessa, Will, and Jem. I have such a soft spot, and it feels so genuine, especially with Max now in the picture. Every single romance scene with Magnus and Alec was pure gold that I will cherish forever. 

There are also some parts of this book I didn't like so much. At times, I felt like the plot was a little bit all over the place and overall chaotic. I do wish that Cassie Clare cut some pieces out to make it more cohesive. I think something that could have helped is making this book shorter. It is quite long for a novella, and I don't think the book needed everything. It got a bit repetitive and boring towards the middle. I also really don't like our main villain Shinyun Jung. I don't understand her motives in either book one or book two. Overall, she is a weak character, and I would have liked it more if she wasn't so winey all the time and had an actual motive. On the other hand, I liked our new demon Sammael, who talks A LOT. He was even comedic, and I enjoyed his character way more than Shinyun Jung.

Lastly, there are quite a few plot holes in this story. I conjured up about 100 different ways they could have solved their problem in way less time and danger, utilizing other shadowhunter special powers outlined in other books. This was somehow all forgotten, and the gang took the least efficient solution, which annoyed me. Literally, the only reason they used Clary's power was to make a damn alarm clock. Like, c'mon... 

Overall, I think what really made this book shine is the prologue, epilogue, and bonus scene. Right off the bat, we get an incredible reveal in the prologue, and the epilogue sets up the next book SO WELL. I am extremely excited about it, and I know this will tie into The Wicked Powers. The bonus scene was so lovely where we get to witness a Jem and Tessa wedding and Church in a bow! I am looking forward to the third book in this trilogy due to that epilogue, but I am more excited to be moving on to Lady Midnight!

nina 

Yeah, so, the malec content was cute but the plot was just “ok” for me, hence the two stars. Also, because we’ve gone back to the City of Glass days, we had to lose all the development we have had for these characters. It was a fun little story, but it didn’t add anything to the overall series, which is fine but not really what I look for to read.

This was in my opinion such a fun little read.

I absolutely loved getting to see more Malec content. Kind of an unexpected plot twist towards the end, that really surprised me.

We really got to see more of Alec’s struggles with coming out as well and that was really special to me. 

Magnus’ life and upbringing was a huge part that i also loved to read about. 

I personally found it really cute how much Magnus secretly loves Clary 🤧

“His Clary, the first and last child Magnus had ever watched grow up, and the warrior woman he knew she would become”

Thea Søsveen

This was in my opinion such a fun little read.

I absolutely loved getting to see more Malec content. Kind of an unexpected plot twist towards the end, that really surprised me.

We really got to see more of Alec’s struggles with coming out as well and that was really special to me. 

Magnus’ life and upbringing was a huge part that i also loved to read about. 

I personally found it really cute how much Magnus secretly loves Clary 🤧

“His Clary, the first and last child Magnus had ever watched grow up, and the warrior woman he knew she would become”

Really a 4.5/5!

At first I wasn’t sure if i liked this book, I don’t know what it was about it but I was kinda just bored...but as it went along I really found myself not being able to put it down!!

Took me a little bit to figure out when it was set in the timeline too but once I did I was definitely enjoying it more. The plot was interesting tho kinda slow at the beginning for me and the ending was good!! Very excited for the next book!!

4.5 bc of the shaky start I had reading but overall it was really good and reminded me how much I adore Alec and Magnus

Aishling

3.5/5 stars 

Malec is clearly CC’s favourite couple, they have barely any angst compared to all of her other couples and actually get to spend some lovey-dovey time together. This book has a lot of cute moments between Magnus and Alec, and they share so many casual touches which made me realise how little we see that in the other shadowhunter books. I wonder if it was Wesley Chu’s influence and if so I am very grateful to him. 

The plot itself didn’t interest me that much, which is probably why it took me so long to finish. Since this book is set in the middle of the mortal instruments series but was written long after it was completed, I thought it wouldn’t have any influence on the main series or ever be referenced, which automatically made me not care as much for it. But there was a huge detail in the ending which either hasn’t been mentioned in future books or else I’d forgotten about it, either way it was important and has made me glad I did read it.

Pleasantly surprised by this book. A great addition to the shadowhunters chronicles

Wow! This was a brilliantly written book that had me laughing and crying. Loved it. One of the easiest 5 starts I’ve ever given.

Annabella

Can we get more Helen/Aline as well? My heart is so happy

Nicole Dykeman

I absolutely loved this glimpse into Alec and Magnus’s relationship. Magnus is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time - he’s charming, funny, and incredibly fascinating. He and Alec are the first LGBTQ+ characters I remember reading about. They’re just so special to me. Their wedding made me cry, and this early view of their developing relationship made my heart all warm and fuzzy. But really, it was just wonderful seeing the two of them in the spotlight for a change, instead of taking the back seat to whatever major plot is occurring in TMI or TDA. 

But honestly? The most surprising and wonderful part of this? Aline Penhallow and Helen Blackthorn. While reading Queen of Air and Darkness, I wanted desperately to connect with them more because they are one of the only happy and healthy relationships between queer women in fantasy books that I’ve ever seen. Something was lacking for me because I didn’t know their characters well enough. Now, I want to go back and reread that having had this foundational information. Watching them first meet one another, and Aline’s joy and excitement when Helen agrees to even get breakfast with her, was absolutely perfect. These two characters are so precious and they are quickly climbing up my list of favorite characters of all time. 

The cameos from Raphael and Izzy were amusing as well. 

Plot wise, this was great as well. I wasn’t sure where it would go exactly, but I was happy with it. I’m very curious about the next two books of the trilogy. And I’m sad that I have to wait until June for more new Shadowhunters content.

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.

Kailey Rios

i knew i’d love this because i love alec and magnus and their relationship but it was even better than i expected.

the writing was witty and sharp and so enjoyable; i read practically the entire book in one afternoon because i had to know what happened next.

magnus and alec’s relationship development really made me wanna cry like they’re just so in love with each other my heart hurts.

literally can’t wait for the next book to come out wow.


  5 stars

This was very fanfic-y but fun and chill.

Sophie 

4.5 ⭐️
Really loved seeing a story just about Magnus and Alec as well the other characters from the books !! 
Loved the Orient Express fight scene the most !! Also the ending I’m like oh Jesus here we go ! 

“ Love changes you. Love changes the world. You can’t lose that love, no matter how long you live, I think. Trust love. Trust him”

Flavia Louise

I love this world so much and thoroughly enjoyed this book. As expected. :)

The Red Scrolls of Magic

Reviews

Highlights