At last! I have finally read the first six stories released in The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare. And I’m in love with Magnus Bane more than ever. He is, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining character’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to read.
“I can’t get enough adventure. And adventure cannot get enough of me.” – Magnus Bane
Jen’s Review
Although humor remains a key element of the The Bane Chronicles (because humor is a key element of Magnus Bane’s personality), the stories themselves grow deeper and more serious as we read along. The first, What Really Happened in Peru, was by far the most lighthearted of the bunch, with line after line of clever wit and LOL moments. “Wallowing was for elephants, depressing people and depressing elephants.” By the sixth tale, Saving Raphael Santiago, Magnus is dealing with stickier topics, such as damned souls and shunned love. “Love did not overcome everything. Love did not always endure. All you had could be taken away, love could be the last thing you had, and then love could be taken too.”
I think this gradual progression of seriousness is because Magnus himself becomes more serious (though not too serious because then he wouldn’t be Magnus Bane). As the years of his immortal life passes, it’s clear he hardens up, grows more cautious and learns countless lessons from his countless adventures and affairs and tragedies.
“I have very few rules in life, but one of them is to never decline an adventure. The others are: to avoid becoming romantically entangled with sea creatures; to always ask for what you want, because the worst thing that can happen is embarrassment but the best thing that can happen is nudity; to demand ready money up front; and to never play cards with Catarina Loss.”
After reading these, I’ve decided Magnus Bane is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. So you should think about reading them (especially if you enjoyed The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments). But take heed: These are stories about Magnus. If you’re expecting to discover all the unsolved mysteries from The Infernal Devices or The Mortal Instruments, then think again. Although we encounter characters from those series (including Will and Tessa and their children), they’re not the focus of these chronicles. Magnus is. Personally, I like that. I believe Magnus deserves to have his story told. He’s a great character with plenty of wit, excitement and heart.
Currently, The Bane Chronicles are only available via e-book, but rumor has it that once all ten are released, they will be printed and bound into one book. Fingers crossed that’s true!
Read more about The Bane Chronicles here!
Related articles
- 30 Day Book Challenge: Day 13 (lizziedillabough.wordpress.com)
- Jen’s Movie Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (jenspenden.wordpress.com)
- #3.5 “Saving Raphael Santiago” by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan (infernalimagination.wordpress.com)
Jen's Pen Den 