— 3.5* stars —

Despite a slow start, it was still a solid, fast read. The second half of the book was way more interesting than the first, and the story really picked up from there. The plot-twist was predictable, but I did enjoy it better than I thought I would starting the book. It was also nice to see some of the characters we love —and love— from other series that Cassandra Clare has written in the past.

I love Magnus and Alec, as individuals and as a couple. It was nice seeing them in the early stages of their relationship as an official couple, on their first vacation. They were getting to know each other a bit more, being more vulnerable around the other, but also trying to fight some insecurities they both have. It was nice. There were some cute scenes, I love seeing them together, and how much they love each other.

However, I feel like this book is different from the others, probably because it covers a period of time between the other books already written. It doesn't bring something new in the way we know most of these characters' futures, and the emotional involvement is not really the same. That's maybe why I didn't connect as much with the book at the beginning.

I'm still curious and will definitely read the sequel. The end of the epilogue was so surprising, and yet, also logic. When we  first saw Ragnor in this book, I truly believed it was the moment that he came (?) back to life and not just Magnus' memories. It also explains why we saw him "later" on in a cave not far from the Los Angeles Institute, in the Dark Artifices series. I'm curious to see what will happen with/to him. 

#MagicalReadathon2020 // #OWLsReadathon ◆
My pick for the History of Magic class - Witch hunts: book featuring witches/wizards.