The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare

The fact that they were somehow able to get decades worth of history and inside jokes into this novel without clunky info dumps or confusion, is a feat that few authors can manage. While The Lost Book of the White falls onto the Shadowhunter universe timeline in between large events that happen in other books, Clare and Chu were able to craft a story that balanced the knowledge lifelong Shadowhunter readers would already know, while keeping the story open for new readers. Clare and Chu brought a sense of maturity to our group and lessened some of the melodrama that is prevalent in the core Shadowhunter books. We’ve had novels in the Shadowhunter universe for over a decade at this point and while going into this read, I was a little worried I’d feel burnout, but I was pleasantly surprised to feel a flare of nostalgia and enjoyment with being back with these characters. But with Magnus’ magic acting up after being stabbed by a mysterious weapon during the break in, the team find themselves in a much more complicated situation than anticipated.

When two past associates of Magnus break into his and Alec’s apartment to steal the Book of the White, things get out of hand quickly and soon Magnus and Alec find themselves heading to Shanghai, with Clary, Jace, Isabelle, and Simon in tow.

Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood just want some quiet time to relax with each other and their son, but being a warlock and shadowhunter, there is always an apocalypse or demon uprising on the horizon.

Filled with all the banter and friendship goals Shadowhunter fans have come to know and love, yet devoid of the melodrama that sometimes bogged down past Shadowhunter novels, The Lost Book of the White is a fantastic and fun read. The Lost Book of the White is a delightful dive back into the Shadowhunter universe.

The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare