My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A 2017 New Release Published on May 23rd, 2017
Hardcover, 699 fun pages!
Narrated by: James Marsters 👍👌💟
Goodreads Synopsis
Would you trade your soul mate for your soul?
A Shadowhunter’s life is bound by duty. Constrained by honor. The word of a Shadowhunter is a solemn pledge, and no vow is more sacred than the vow that binds parabatai, warrior partners—sworn to fight together, die together, but never to fall in love.
Emma Carstairs has learned that the love she shares with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, isn’t just forbidden—it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian. But how can she when the Blackthorns are threatened by enemies on all sides?
Their only hope is the Black Volume of the Dead, a spell book of terrible power. Everyone wants it. Only the Blackthorns can find it. Spurred on by a dark bargain with the Seelie Queen, Emma; her best friend, Cristina; and Mark and Julian Blackthorn journey into the Courts of Faerie, where glittering revels hide bloody danger and no promise can be trusted. Meanwhile, rising tension between Shadowhunters and Downworlders has produced the Cohort, an extremist group of Shadowhunters dedicated to registering Downworlders and “unsuitable” Nephilim. They’ll do anything in their power to expose Julian’s secrets and take the Los Angeles Institute for their own.
When Downworlders turn against the Clave, a new threat rises in the form of the Lord of Shadows—the Unseelie King, who sends his greatest warriors to slaughter those with Blackthorn blood and seize the Black Volume. As dangers close in, Julian devises a risky scheme that depends on the cooperation of an unpredictable enemy. But success may come with a price he and Emma cannot even imagine, one that will bring with it a reckoning of blood that could have repercussions for everyone and everything they hold dear.
"Warning" Major Spoilers
Oh-My-God! What just happened?!!~ Annabel disappeared!?!!! Annabel, aka Lady Midnight, might be the Queen of Air and Darkness too. On the one hand, she evaporates in a dark cloud of smoke right after Livvy dies. Annabel killed her. She went on a killing spree and killed Robert Lightwood as well and some of the guards. For that, I really don't blame her. It was the Clave and those in power that plotted her death a century ago, to begin with, right?
I think it was Emma who thought Livvy looked like Annabel. What if Livvy comes back as Annabel Lol. Annabel feels scorned as a criminal, maybe she will change herself to look like Livvy? Somehow? You know, like Tessa Gray could do? That is just my crazy theory.
Annabel is a shadow hunter who died, unjustly, a century ago, at the hands of the Clave. She was in love with Malcolm Fade, a warlock who practiced necromancy on Annabel. She ends up killing him. It's a long sad story.
I enjoyed being back in the London Institute, recalling a time when Tessa, Will, and Jem lived there. It kind of even felt the same apparently. Also, Jessamine is a ghost.
The end was exciting and heartwrenching. I know some people are very upset about Livy. Her brother Ty and Mark look like they could become Parabatai, now that Livy is gone.
The final chapter 29-Ultima Thule is subjected to taking place in Idris. I hate politics, and most of it happens in Idris, where the Clave Consul and Inquisitor are. Magnus has Alicante well warded and safe from unsuspecting enemies, but he is sick. I thought it was because he was out of magic juice, depleted and needed recharging. I don't really know what is happening to him, but I imagine the black book will have the answers they seek. At least for Magnus' sake, and especially regarding Julien and Emma's HEA.
Ever since the Cold Peace sanctions against the Fair Folk, the Unseelie King sought to destroy the Shadowhunters. He isn't happy. He wants all Shadowhunters stripped of their powers and turn them into mundanes. Lol as if.
