Mundie Moms

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

A DEEPER LOVE by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson / Audio/Book Review #ADeeperLove #Shadowhunters #GOTSM


By: Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson
Narrated by: Kiersey Clemons
Published by: Shadowmarket Enterprises / Simon and Schuster Audio
Released on: August 14, 2018
Series: Ghosts of the Shadow Market #5
Purchase from: audible | amazon | B&N
Add it to goodreads
Rating: 5 Stars - LOVED IT!

It is only three years since Tessa Gray lost her beloved husband William Herondale, and she is searching for a reason to live, trying to find the path of being a warlock with the guidance of her friend Catarina Loss. World War II rains down destruction on their world, and Tessa and Catarina become nurses who make bargains at the Shadow Market for enchantments to help suffering mundanes. But can Brother Zachariah bear to see the woman he loves risk her life, or might he consider breaking sacred vows to save her from loneliness?

Okay you guys, seeing a grieving widowed Tessa come to life almost broke me. Like I said in my review of Learn About Loss, listening to these two stories back-to-back made me sad and nostalgic for these beloved characters.

The setting is the Blitzkrieg of London during World War II, and brave as ever, Tessa has linked up with Catarina to be a nurse for all the incoming wounded. When one day, a wounded soldier who holds a special place in Tessa's heart shows up. By the Angel, indeed.

Trying so hard to keep this spoiler free, but this glimpse into Shadowhunter London during the war is fascinating. As I've said in just about every, single one of these stories, I just want even MORE.

I need to mention the action sequences in this are so on level to the ones in the series. Usually, you don't have room for them in short stories, but boy, this one is definitely heart-pounding.

A quick mention of the narrator, Kiersey Clemons. I think it's a matter of personal preference, but her voice was just a little slow for my tastes. Even speeded up it didn't quite match up with the action of the story.

Have you guys been keeping up with these releases (or doing a bit of a catch-up like me?)? Or are you waiting for the bind-up?

LEARN ABOUT LOSS by Cassandra Clare and Kelly Link / Audiobook/Book Review #learnaboutloss #shadowhunters


By: Cassandra Clare and Kelly Link
Narrated by: Ross Butler
Published by: Shadowmarket Enterprises / Simon and Schuster Audio
Released on: July 10th, 2018
Series: Ghosts of the Shadow Market #4
Purchase from: Audible | Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads 
Rating: 5 Stars - LOVED IT!

In a small town lost to despair, a dark carnival of a market appears. In the fourth in the USA Today bestselling Ghosts of the Shadow Market, faeries and warlocks we know converge, and the fate that will one day produce Kit Herondale is sealed.

How I'm loving these stories especially because of my unabashed love for Jem. But in listening to this story followed by A Deeper Love, a melancholy mood hit me. There is something so poetic in all of the writing about Jem and Will. Their relationship transcends the earthly bonds of mere friendship or even parabatai brotherhood. It's somehow something more and reminiscing about it with these stories makes me want to thank Cassie, Sarah, Maureen, Kelly and Robin for giving us glimpses that go beyond the series.

I, also, loved seeing a bit more about the Iron Sisters. In this story, we meet Sister Emilia, who's undergoing her last test before she becomes an Iron Sister. Her reflection on her journey is something I, honestly, could read a whole book about. It mirrors that of nuns or monks, but of course, it's still a bit different. I adored her voice.

Speaking of voices, we also meet a demon, Belial. And that little bargainer is quite a character. What unfolds is a plot that triggered all that melancholy. No spoilers. But, fans of Will and Jem -- this is a must read.

As for the narrator, Ross Butler of "Riverdale" and "13 Reasons Why",  he delivered the characters in a very plausible way and didn't distract from the story at all. Excellent acting on his part.

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