The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

For Christmas I bought myself the Bane Chronicles, by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson and Sarah Rees Brennan, as I am a little obsessed with CC's Shadowhunter world stories, and decided I'd been too long without a book. I also love MJ and SRB. I've always loved Magnus Bane; in fact some of my quotes written by Cassandra (when I've met her) have been dedicated to my love of his character. He's such a funny, interesting and deep character with the potential for so many stories, which could be either light-hearted or serious. I loved the character development Alec underwent during the stories, and much of this was due to Magnus. I also loved all mentions, meetings and hints of Magnus in the Infernal Devices series!

I was really impressed by the appearance of the book when it arrived. It's a beautiful hardback, but without a dust jacket, in these lovely swirling colours. I very much associate this style of cover with Cassandra Clare's books now. I also liked the image of Magnus on the cover; it is of the actor who plays him in the film, which I like as I had never actually given Magnus a face...and I didn't think an abs shot would be appropriate (see the other books in The Mortal Instruments series if you don't know what I mean). I'm actually one of those people who finds it hard to give characters I read about exact faces. Yes, I imagine them with all the features the author describes, but then when I'm reading I get more of an impression than an entire person. Then, when I see a real life person who suits their look and personality, they slowly morph themselves into the character I'm reading about. Does that make sense? Probably only if you do the same.

I read the entire book over one evening and day (in fact, that day is today). I've been off work with an awful cold, and this book was perfect to curl up with, sipping tea and wrapped in blankets. Because it is a collection of short stories, I felt like I was more able to relax and do other things between each section (like wash, make more tea and nap) without that constant pressure to carry on to the end of  the book that normally forces me to read at super speed. Each story was really engaging and enjoyable, explaining more about Magnus' past. However, it was the stories that mentioned or referred to characters (or their relatives of those characters) from TID or TMI that kept me really engaged, as it revealed a little more of the roots of the main characters from the series. And then were the chapters that directly included those characters; Tessa, Will, Jem, Alec, Clary. I have to say, these were the stories I enjoyed the most as it was a chance to see an alternative view on events that we already knew about. These stories were the reason it was read in a 24 hour period, rather than over a weekend - I just needed more of my fix! I have to say, I wish there had been more mention of these characters. This book has made me realise I really want to know more about the life of Tessa (and her family) between TID and TMI. I know that there will be many of these characters in The Last Hours series, but the first is not released until 2016/2017, and I want it now!

This book fulfils so many options on this list. I was going to choose the short stories, but I am still (slowly) reading My True Love Gave to Me, so I will not count it as that. Instead, it is going to go under 'a book with magic'.

Clair's 2015 Reading Challenge:

• A book you read in a day - Dreamfever/ Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning (3rd January 2015)
• A book with magic in it - The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson and Sarah Rees Brennan (9th January 2015)

~to be added to as time passes~