Ghosts of the Shadow Market

Average Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.1

I have been waiting to read this book because Jem will always remain one of my favorite characters in this universe and I was so excited to read a book that followed his journey through the years. His devotion for Tessa and Will is a constant across all these stories and it made me tear up a lot of times. We also get introduced to characters who are going to be the MCs in The Last Hours as well as get some idea about where The Wicked Powers might lead us to, and I think it was a wonderful way to create excitement for the new series. There were obviously some moments here where I got bored, but the overall experience was one of joy and satisfaction because these are characters I've known and loved for years, and it's nice to know more of their life.

There are going to be some spoilers for the ending of Queen of Air and Darkness, so please read at your own risk.

Son of the Dawn

This is really a very cute and emotional story of 10 year old Jace coming to the Lightwoods for the first time, and I enjoyed it very much. It's a nice feeling watching these favorite characters of mine as little kids. We also get a lot of internal monologue of Brother Zachariah and you can guess what he is thinking about, so that made me tear up. Very enjoyable and nostalgia inducing beginning to this collection.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cast Long Shadows

Matthew Fairchild is such a sweet and happy young man, so giving of his love that I completely fell in love with him. His relationship with James and Lucie is amazing and I can't wait to read more about them together. This story quickly took a sad turn and I'm feeling so bad for Matthew, and I hope things get better. It was also nice to see Brother Zachariah get to see both Tessa and Will... them being together even in a single scene makes my heart ache.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Every Exquisite Thing

I'm really enjoying reading the stories about the kids of all the characters from TID and this story is about Anna Lightwood. This is a tale about identity, about her being comfortable in her own skin, finding acceptance from her family and coming to realize that she is a genderfluid lesbian and be completely unapologetic about it. I totally loved her confidence and swagger, and can absolutely see how she is Izzy's ancestor. Brother Zachariah's own mission is taking him in dangerous directions and I'm curious to see what happens next.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Learn about Loss

Set in an illegal Shadow Market in depression era Tennessee, we follow Brother Zachariah again along with iron sister in training Emilia, on their task to find out all the nefarious activities of the carnival. During this quest of theirs, we get to see deep into their hearts and it made me really cry because all he wants is to be is with his dearest loves Will and Tessa. Their love is truly unparalleled and I just wanted to cry. Emilia is also an amazingly confident woman and I hope I'll get to see her again. Wonderful story about love and longing and heartfelt desires.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Deeper Love

This one takes place during the blitz in WWII and both Jem and Tessa are dealing with the loss of Will. The grief of Tessa is wonderfully interspersed with the grief of London which is being bombed everyday and everyone is dealing with the loss of loved ones. I spent most of the second half of this sobbing because Tessa and Jem love each other so much, but he feels guilty for not being capable of loving her completely while she just wants him anyway she can. I know their future, but reading about them during these periods of grief and loneliness when they are scared of losing each other just made me so sad. Such an emotional and heartbreaking story.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Wicked Ones

Set during the first time rise of Valentine in Paris, this story follows Céline who just wants to belong somewhere and is desperate for some love. This is a tale about the cycle of abuse and manipulation and gaslighting, and how an abuser will use all kinds of tactics to isolate the victim and make them believe that the abuser only has their best interests at heart - and it made me both sad and angry to see what was happening to Céline. We also follow Brother Zachariah on his quest to find the lost Herondale and that's been an interesting journey.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Land I Lost

Taking place after the end of the Dark War in TMI, this follows Alec and Lily when they go to Buenos Aires to help out Jem and Tessa. While getting to know the true story about the First Heir, we also see Alec in his true form - a noble brave Shadowhunter doing everything in his power to help the powerless, even if he has to go against his own. He is such a born leader and I loved getting those glimpses of him here. And seeing him with Rafe, how their bond develops and ultimately how they all quickly become family is too beautiful for words. Malec are the best and will always be... and I am so happy Magnus finally made an appearance because I was missing him in this book.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Through Blood, Through Fire

In this story, we get to know more about the life of Rosemary and Jack, and everything they sacrificed to protect their child. It was also nice to see Tessa and Jem finally get the life they deserve - their story will never not make me cry happy tears. Interesting story but I did get bored for a bit.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Lost World

I definitely wasn't expecting a story with a POV from the ghost of Livvy but it definitely was interesting to know how she felt being dead and bound to her twin. We also get glimpses into what's happening inside the closed wards of Idris and it looks like dark times are ahead. I got a bit bored in the middle but everything is forgiven after the delightful news of Jem and Tessa.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Forever Fallen

Told in two POVs, this was definitely very interesting and felt like an extended epilogue of Queen of Air and Darkness. Jace from Thule is both a sympathetic and unlikable character and I'm quite fascinated to see where his story goes next and how it will clash with that of Kit. On the other hand, seeing Kit with Jem, Tessa and their baby, living a somewhat quieter life and finally with a family that truly loved him was beautiful to read. Dark times maybe ahead but this was a sweet reprieve.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh, I really really liked this. Having Brother Zachariah and Jem in the same book is always a blessing, this collection of stories simply confirms what City of Heavenly Fire and Clockwork Princess already knew. It's a fantastic journey, and is more similar to that of The Bane Chronicles, in that we move chronilogically through 150 years or so, and not so specifically set in one place and time frame as Shadowhunter Academy (which is arguably the best of the story collection books). Seeing Jem living through these historical things, either from the mundane world or in the shadowhunter world, he has so much wisdom, and he reads people so well, he's just an absolute wonder to follow.
There is so much information in the first eight stories that is essential before going into both The Last Hours as well as Queen of Air and Darkness, the 7th and 8th story are particularly VERY important when it comes to QOAAD, like you want to know this before reading QOAAD.
The 9th and 10th stories spoil the entire plot of QOAAD, so I would defer from reading them until after finishing it. It's very important to do this.

Individual ratings:

Cast Long Shadows - 5 stars
I love Matthew Fairchild. This story will rip your heart out. Good luck. RIP to you.

Every Exquisite Thing - 4 stars
Anna Lightwood is an absolute treasure and we must cherish her. I love parents Cecily and Gabriel, and aaaah this one just oozes family love and I diiiiiiiig.

Learn About Loss - 3.5 stars
It goes a bit slow and is interesting and fascinating, but not particularly exciting. Amelia, the Iron Sister, is really awesome, and I wish we saw more of her. I hope to see more of her, of Iron Sisters in general. Give me more of the Iron Sisters. Also, the Lost Herondale.

A Deeper Love - 3.5 stars
Just Jem and Tessa pining for each other because they can't be together. Also there's WWII and the Lost Herondale and all that crazy stuff. Someone almost dies, you know, just how things usually go with Shadowhunters.

The Wicked Ones - 5 stars
This one is just SO INTERESTING. We honestly know so little of The Circle, and getting this insight into Valentine and how he manipulated the people around him is so jarringly fascinating. The Mortal Instruments gives us little of the old members of The Circle, and I love getting to know more. We meet Stephen Herondale and Céline Montclaire, we see Robert Lightwood in his youth after the shit we found out about in Shadowhunter Academy. This one is just really good, you know. Also, the Lost Herondale. (are we noticing a pattern perhaps?)

Son of the Dawn - 3 stars
Alternatively, The One Where Jace Learns About Family, but I digress. It's a sweet little story on Jace. It was nice.

The Land I Lost - 5 stars
The Land I Lost is soooooo gooooooood I wanna scream about this story forever. LILY CHEN IS SO WONDERFUL AND I LOVER HER. Honestly, the Malec stories always manage to bless us to the heavens, like I can't. Alec is so oblivous and grown up, and I love him and his stupid ass. It really lays out the changes that have happened since Sebastian and it's a welcome thing to see the downworlder side of the entire ordeal, since we always follow shadowhunters. Just fucking great. Must be read before QOAAD.

Through Blood, Through Fire - 4.5 stars
Can I hear you say JEM! Can I hear you say TESSA! Can I hear you say JESSAAAAAA!!!!!!!! Much The Lost Herondale. Ties into Lady Midnight. Should definitely be read before QOAAD.

The Lost World - 4 stars
Spoils QOAAD. We get to see Tyyyyyyyyy! And a little of Kit, and some Jem and Tessa and it was real wonderful and also hella fucking sad. The Wicked Powers is too far away. I need, I NEEEEEEED.

Forever Fallen 4 stars
It is so nice to see Kit settled like this. Or at least, fairly settled. My heart just blossomed by reading those parts. Less excited about the more overpowering part of this story, Janus has me very very very very very very very worried. Actually, the entire concept of him as a character has me worried for The Wicked Powers, but I must trust Cassie. She has not disappointed me yet. And I am more excited than worried. SO PLEASE GIVE ME THE WICKED POWERS VERY SOON I AM DYING OF SUSPENSE HERE, DYING I TELL YOU.
Overall, I totally dug it. Need more, please. The family life is too good, I want three books of it.