#I can read one short story a day & read less of qoaad

[layla-carstairs]

hmm. I've been thinking about it & I think I might start reading both qoaad and gotsm tomorrow. because it kinda occured to me that there's no rule I can't read them simultaneously and I think it might help me actually finish them in time

[shadowsingingsassenach]

Queen of Air and Darkness -book review

Queen of Air and Darkness is the 3rd and final installment of The Dark Artifices, written by Cassandra Clare. 

I have been a fan of Cassandra Clare’s book for a very long time. The Mortal Instruments is what really kick-started my love of reading. I had picked up City of Bones randomly at walmart one day, just to give me something to read on the plane ride to Colorado, and then next thing I know, I’m chomping at the bit for the next book. 

Of her 3 current series in the Shadowhunter world, however, I find the Dark Artifices my least favorite. It took me a long time to get the motivation to actually finish Lord of Shadows. Queen of Air and Darkness only took me about 3 weeks, thanks to college finals and the joys of being a 3rd year college student with professors thinking my life revolves around their classes. 

Anyway, the pros about Queen of Air and Darkness:

One of the best things about all of Cassandra’s books are the witty characters, the diversity, and the important lessons mentioned throughout the book. 

At the end of Lord of Shadows, Livvy dies. Queen of Air and Darkness spends a lot of time exploring how different people deal with grief, and how losing someone can affect a person’s behavior. The 4 it really focused on was Ty, Kit, Dru, and Julian. All 4 had a very different way of dealing with the grief, from the unhealthy ways (Julian and Ty) to the ways that can be seen as more healthy (Kit and Dru). Having lost someone very close to me and experiencing people’s different reactions myself, I could really appreciate seeing that not everyone just pushes through it like nothing happened and that not everyone grieves openly, and, one of the many lessons shown in the book, grief is an important emotion to feel and a vital part of life, because life without grief is a life without joy.

Cassandra also hits all the points with diversity. We have the Friendly Neighborhood Lesbians (Helen and Aline), the Local Transgender (Diana), the Fabulous Gays (Magnus and Alec, Kit and Ty?), the Precious Polygamous (Mark, Christina, Kieran), characters from all over the world and various races and species, in mixed relationships and there’s too many to list them all. But no one is left out. She explores how characters may struggle to reveal these parts of themselves to other, the insecurity and unsureness of knowing whether or not they’ll still be accepted. Being straight myself, I can’t say I understand exactly how it feels for someone to come out to their parents/friends/loved ones. But this book, I feel, gives a pretty good idea of how difficult it is for people to come out, and how much better they feel afterwards. 

One thing that is consistent with all Cassandra’s books important lessons that are mentioned throughout, whether it’s directly said or hinted at and shown in various ways. A lot of said lessons are about acceptance, loving each other, learning to trust each other, and giving mercy to those who have done wrong. In today's world, this is pretty important. It’s not like it once was, where someone does something wrong, you duel them, and then move on with your life (ah, the good ole days). 

The ending of the book was probably my favorite. Not because it was ending, but because a lot of things were wrapped up nicely. The short story involving Jace and Clary was beautiful, Alec and Magnus literally just need to be mentioned anywhere and it’s beautiful, and (SPOILER) we finally get to stop listening to Julian and Emma complain about not being able to be romantically involved. While a lot of issues were tied up, some new ones also came up, which will lead into the next set of books. 

Plot wise, the book was kind of 5/10. Some things seemed really rushed and unimportant to me, while others were amazingly written out and thought out. It seemed to jump around a little in my opinion. 

The cons of the book are mostly my opinions, and you can agree or agree to disagree. There were 2 huge cons about it that I really didn’t like: romance and politics. 

We’ll start with the romance. While I like my fairshare of fluff and romance in books, it was really getting tiring with this one. There was too much time spent on the characters worrying about their love lives, as if there was nothing more important to worry about. All the main characters, besides Kit, Ty, and Dru (so the children, basically) were maybe focused 45% on the actually issues, and 55% on their love lives. And it was just the type of romance where they would give their lives for each other, or just enjoy sitting together in silence. It was constantly as if they wanted to have sex. There was no simply kissing, unless it was rushed, it was all heavy make-out sessions. I actually skipped a lot of the scenes because it was just too boring. I’ve read my fair share of books involving heavy romance and risky scenes (Outlander, Game of Thrones, Dark Hunters series...) and the big difference being that those are adult series, and not as romance-based as it seemed this one was. Sex happens in those three, often, but it isn’t as fleshed out every time like it seemed it was in QoAaD. The book would have been significantly shorter, were it not for all the drama about the characters love lives. 

Politics. I am a firm believer in that everyone has the right to their own political opinion, but also a very firm believer than politics needs to be kept out of entertainment. You can very, very clearly tell where Cassandra Clare’s political views lie, and while she is obviously entitled to have whatever views she wants, it’s just so obnoxiously obvious in her book that it’s almost hard to take it seriously. If you’re going to show your view on modern politics in your writing, it should be done fairly, showing the good and bad of both sides. This book only shows the bad of the opposing political party. She uses the media’s favorite word several times, which, as it has in the media, just makes the word less meaningful. 

Please, do not be a sheep. Do not be the person who reads their favorite author or celebrity’s political opinion and take it as you own. Do your own research on BOTH sides, look at websites that AREN’T biased and have RELIABLE sources. Politics is a very important part of our lives, but we need step back from trusting the media, facebook, and crazy people for all our info, and look for it ourselves. THAT is how this country will become united again. -There’s you life lesson from me. You’re welcome. 

So in the end, I give this book a 5/10. Those two major cons just really hurt the plot, the integrity, and the entertainment factors of the story for me. I am a little disappointed by it, because Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices were perfect and I love them so much.

I will be reading her future books, of course, and I have a lot of hope for them. With some luck, they will be a little less political and more structured plot wise. 3 disappointing books out of 14, I can still say she’s one of my favorite authors and I hope to read more great books of hers in the future. 

[carstairsdaily]

Lord of Shadows Review & Analysis! SPOILERS AHEAD, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

On another note about spoilers, I get that seeking out spoilers as well as snippets, are a product of waiting so long for the next book… but I don’t know that I will treat them the same way going into QOAAD because I almost felt, while reading, that I had read 35% of the book already! I can’t promise that I won’t seek out spoilers or snippets, but I do hope that less are released over the next two years (I know that sounds ridiculous, but I would prefer a surprise!) With Regards to Individual Characters: • Emma: a feminist badass, growing into being the best shadowhunter of her time but not there yet. Her sarcasm and skill has improved since LM, and I literally laughed out loud during her POV’s and while reading her quotes. The scene with her and Diego and the fire ants= pure gold. Her scene with Manuel and calling out the cohort for being fascists= pure gold. • Julian: a sweetheart and I want to cry thinking about how much he has been through. I know “Dark Julian” has been referenced several times throughout the fandom but I really didn’t see too much of a change until- actually- the steamy scene with Emma where he demands that she calls him only Julian. Very sexy, very dark too. • Cristina: deserves better and I am dying for more of her POV’s. I am always amazed by her class and maturity. • Diego: not perfect. I am mad at him. • Kit: surprisingly likeable. I am so glad they included POV’s with him and Jace!! • Livia: underrated as hell, so sweet, so caring, so selfless, her charm and sarcasm= gold. • Ty: I AM SO GLAD WE ARE FINALLY STARTING TO SEE T Y B L A C K T H O R N AND HIS TRUE SELF-A M E N. • Dru- her crush on Jaime is fitting for a first crush and I’m glad he gave her the confidence to speak up. I want to hug her literally all the time. • Tavvy- irrelevant but cute. SHIPS: • I surprisingly loved Mark and Emma’s dynamic. Their relationship reminded me of a mundane high school sweetheart kind of relationship, because you can tell they absolutely care about each other, I just don’t see them as anything more than a bromance. I will however agree with the sentiment, "maybe in another life" because maybe, in another series, in another world, they would have been perfect for each other. • Kieran/Mark/Cristina: I find it significant that no choices were made in terms of canon relationships, which I interpret as a canon friendship because if any of them were going to be romantically involved, a decision would be made by now. I enjoy the friendship they have, I surprisingly forgave Kieran, but I do not expect any of the Blackthorns or Emma to forgive him also. His actions in QOAAD will definitely define how I feel about him going forward. • JEMMA: You all know I am 100% a Jemma shipper, but this time around I was glad that their relationship did not overshadow the rest of the book. I liked how private their relationship was, which is a funny word to use because people become more privy to it in LOS and because it was extremely private in LM, but the fact that they were literally in a different part of their country on their own made me all happy. • I am also glad that I got the B&N copy with the extra scene, which I waited to read because it is right after the ending of the book and I did not want to read anything after finishing LOS, lol. • Kitty: No canon romantic relationship yet, still very cute scenes… Ill talk about this in theories. • Kit/Livia: I am glad that Livvy’s first kiss was Kit, and not some random boy who won’t treasure the memory or look back and think “oh she was sweet, it’s a shame what happened to her”. Kit will always treasure the fact that he was Livia’s first kiss, and will cherish the friendship he had with her. It was platonic, but still special. I know people on tumblr were upset with this but I hope by the end of the book they understood. PROFOUND THINGS IN LOS • Lets talk about the fact that Emma Carstairs literally doesn’t cry….. but she cried over Julian literally 400 times in Lord of Shadows. If that doesn’t show you how much she literally loves that boy idk what will. • CLARY SHIPS JEMMA. During their conversation Clary literally says “who I pictured you with [not Mark or Cameron] doesn’t make sense….” This goes back to my question to CC about whether or not Simon knows about Jules and Emma, since he noticed something off during the parabatai ceremony. She responded “he knows something, he just doesn’t know what he knows”. I think the same applies to Clary, maybe she has even had premonitions about it, and that is so so significant. #jemmaisendgame • Kit and Livia and Ty’s friendship: so sweet and pure and is literally the reason why Kit decides to stay. How will Ty and Kit function without their third musketeer? • DRU & JAIME: Thank you Jaime for giving Dru the confidence to confront her family over her role as a Shadowhunter… but the witchlight you left behind that literally portals to another dimension: WTF? WHO IS ASH????? That scene is messed up because it is so short and therefore, subconsciously everyone looks over it because of how chaotic everything else is. I can’t help but feel like this is going to play a MASSIVE role in QOAAD. • Diana & Gwyn: Thank you CC for trans representation and a beautiful story. The fact that Gwyn accepts her wholeheartedly made my chest ache, and I hope that no one will use it against her please please please. • Jules & Emma’s Decision to tell the Inquisitor: Not sure why they did this tbh, but now that Robert is dead, what are their options??? Did he mark it down somewhere? Will they become so irrational that they consider the Seelie Queen’s offer? Livia’s Death • Months ago I received an anon message from someone about Livvy, which literally said that they felt something was going to happen to her and I completely dismissed it…. Thinking we haven’t seen enough of her storyline yet and it was too soon. I AM SO SORRY, and it’s literally all I have been thinking about for days. • Livia was so so selfless, down to her core, the last moments of her life were spent trying to save the people she loves. • I discussed with a mutual that the fact that Annabel did it was both cruel and also extremely fitting. • When you think about it, Livvy was the 21st century version of Annabel. From their appearance, which was remarkably similar, to the way that they treated outsiders taking refuge in their family (Livvy with Kit, Annabel with Malcolm) down to their deaths, both innocents killed trying to protect the ones they love. • The fact that the Mortal Sword shattered to me symbolized the end of the truth and trust within the Clave. • The amount of guilt that each character will carry following these deaths is heartbreaking… • i sincerely hope her death is not tossed to the side, discussed for 150 pages then only mentioned 4-5 times after that because she deserved better, the entire Blackthorn family did, and peace was completely ripped away from them Which brings me to my first theory: I believe there was a reason that Jessamine was introduced to TDA, not only to highlight Kit’s Herondale-ness, but also as a foreshadowing of another character who is not at peace, feels that there is unfinished business, and a group of people needing to be protected: Livia. Because it was made clear in the book that necromancy and raising the dead is forbidden, and because QOAAD takes place a week later, Livvy’s chances of being raised are very very very slim. I sincerely believe that she will come back, but not to life. It would be fitting of her to come back as a ghost (not at first but definitely later in the story) and for her to protect her family, and give Kit and Ty the OK to do whatever they want to do (whether its be a couple or become parabatai, or go to the Scholomance) More theories: • Though I predict a dark Julian, I do not predict a dark/irredeemable Julian, who digs himself into such a big hole that he can’t climb out of it. Remember he has two anchors: his family, and Emma… • The Rosales brothers, especially with their plans to overthrow the Cohort and fool Zara are going to play a massive role in QOAAD. • I think that Jemma are going to have to confide in Jem and Tessa, and they will end up helping Jules and Emma with the parabatai curse. I am also sure they will play a big role in the next book. • Unpopular Opinion: I do not think Clary will die. I know she thinks she will, but CC did say QOAAD is lighter (in regards to themes) than LOS, and I just do not think it would be a lighter book if Clary, a significant character, dies. I think she will become close to death, and people will become concerned, then she will tell Jace of her fears and say yes to his proposal. However, I could very well be wrong!! •i do predict the Cohort being in power for a short amount of time….. because they represent members of our society, I do not think they will be shut down so easily because that’s not realistic. Despite this, hope and love always win. I trust that this will remain true in the next book. • I do predict the end of the Cold Peace, it was never ever a good idea and no one likes it. • I predict that Drusilla will be a hero, now that her older sister has passed away and she has finally decided to step up as a Shadowhunter, I do not doubt that the role she plays will be significant, it just seems to be a reasonable underdog story. • Kitty: parabatai or lovers? An important decision, because Kit does reference his thoughts about being parabatai with Ty, and Ty finally says yes to being parabatai with Livvy. I think it’s a possible “that’s what Livvy would have wanted” trope, but I could also be wrong and think its about as equal of a chance of them becoming lovers. • Who will the new head of the LA Institute be? I sincerely doubt it will go to someone the Blackthorns do not know or trust. They have had so much taken from them, the Institute does not deserve to go next. Possibly Cristina? Will Jules or Emma be of age? Jem or Tessa following the end of the Cold Peace? We have to see! • ASH… I am just frustrated that we do not know more about him… I don’t even have a theory I just needed an excuse to talk about him again. Questions and Theories from my mutuals!!!!! • Anonymous: Its 3 am and I am literally just crying on my bed because of the book. ​ >> Relatable!! I cried hours after I finished because I was so sad. The ending really got me! • Anonymous: Do you think Jaime and Dru are endgame? She is 13 and hes like 17 but he thinks she’s 16. Idk, they seem to have a nice friendship but not a romantic relationship in my opinion.. ​ >> Agreed! I honestly think CC included this first crush idea as a way of introducing Dru’s further character development, not necessarily to introduce them as a couple… But also think about Cecily and Gabriel!!! They were about the same ages at the time, even though that was a different time period… anything is possible, but I do not ship them romantically! • VirginaNewman: I loved LOS, however I was indeed disappointed that Helen + Aline make a debut in the LAST chapter! ​ >> I definitely thought Helen and Aline would play a larger role in LOS, they were barely mentioned, barely had any scenes… I was disappointed by their small role too, but I am interested to see how hard they fight to stay in the next book. Ps- the scene where Aline basically tells Zara to shut her fucking mouth is GOLD. • Betweenshadesoftessagray- Since Robert’s dead, its going to be a race to get that spot, with probably Zara’s father trying to become Inquisior. And since Robert was the one who could help Emma and Julian with the exile thing, they really don’t know what to do with it. I think the powers will continue to grow, and since I think the main battle of QOAAd is going to be a battle where the warlocks and nephilim cannot use their runes/warlock magic, maybe their parabatai magic will still work and that’s how they win. I have already stated that I think there is going to be a battle in QOAAD without being able to use rune magic and the warlocks not being able to use their magic, but this didn’t fit in my other ask I just realized something that made my theory more solid: in the beginning, Zara says she went to Hungary because they were claiming their weapons were not working and she said it was incompetence, so the blight is already spreading not only in Idris but everywhere else. ​ >> This is such a well thought out theory and I wish I could give a formal response but I definitely need to go back, reread, and analyze this… I didn’t even realize the significance of Shadowhunters and warlocks including Magnus losing their powers!! Wow! Is this because of the Black Volume? I definitely think Emma and Julian’s parabatai/love powers will play a huge role in QOAAD and maybe even save the day during this second Dark War. Maybe that’s how they will become heros, their bond will be broken as a reward or something and everyone can live happier ever after? AHH! • Share your theories and thoughts in the comments below or inbox me (not on Anon so I can respond privately!!!)