The maroon scrolls of magic are ancient texts that have been passed down through generations. These scrolls contain powerful spells and incantations that have been used by practitioners of magic for centuries. The maroon color of the scrolls is said to represent the wisdom and knowledge contained within them. These scrolls are highly sought after by those who wish to harness the power of magic. Many believe that the spells written on the maroon scrolls are some of the most potent and effective in existence. The ancient language in which they are written is said to hold a special power, and only those with a deep understanding of magic can fully comprehend their meaning.
“Do you want to wear a beret after all?” Magnus asked. “Say the word. I happen to have several berets concealed on my person. In a variety of colors. I’m a beret cornucopia.”
As if it wasn t bad enough that their romantic getaway has been sidetracked, demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever even if it means revealing the secrets they ve both been keeping.
The ancient language in which they are written is said to hold a special power, and only those with a deep understanding of magic can fully comprehend their meaning. Throughout history, the maroon scrolls of magic have been guarded closely by various secret societies and magical orders. They are often kept in hidden temples or secret libraries, protected by powerful enchantments and guarded by skilled wizards and sorcerers.
The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare Review *Spoilers!*
All Magnus Bane wanted was a vacation—a lavish trip across Europe with Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter who against all odds is finally his boyfriend. But as soon as the pair settles in Paris, an old friend arrives with news about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that is bent on causing chaos around the world. A cult that was apparently founded by Magnus himself. Years ago. As a joke.
Now Magnus and Alec must race across Europe to track down the Crimson Hand and its elusive new leader before the cult can cause any more damage. As if it wasn’t bad enough that their romantic getaway has been sidetracked, demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever—even if it means revealing the secrets they’ve both been keeping.
My Rating: 3 Stars
Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite authors, specifically, her Infernal Devices trilogy are some of my all-time favorite books. That said, my expectations were fairly high going into this novel, but I was at the same time cautious because I knew that this book was co-authored. I’m going to break this review into what worked well for me, and what I thought could be improved.
What Could Improve:
For me, there was an element of tension missing from this novel because we know that it works out, at least for Alec and Magnus. This book takes place after City of Glass, and we’ve had so much content since then that we know they both would survive, or at least be okay at the end of this novel. It’s still possible to include tension when you know the outcome, but I felt that this book missed the mark on doing that.
Magnus’s humor in Cassie’s books is often the funniest out of her characters (other than Will Herondale’s), but it wasn’t on par to what I’ve seen in her other books. Magnus often makes me literally laugh out loud, but his jokes were more cringey than funny.
Alec and Magnus’s relationship insecurity doesn’t resonate with me the way it once did. We’ve already read about their concerns with their relationship working out, we’ve heard their concerns, and reading it again just felt old for me. I know Cassie couldn’t erase those concerns because then the book wouldn’t feel authentic, but it was frustrating to see them doubting themselves and each other again.
The character name-dropping seemed to be more of a nod to the reader than something to further the plot. As excited as I was when Tessa appeared, and I was, I wish she hadn’t just been thrown in at the beginning and end of the book. Also, Johnny, Kit, and Raphael’s names being dropped seemed a little random.
The book somehow assumes that the reader doesn’t know anything about the Shadowhunter universe, but I’m very skeptical that a reader would pick this up as their first Shadowhunter book. The authors review Idris as though we’d never heard of it, and the scene when Magnus went rune by rune on Alec felt tedious.
The book itself felt very slow-paced because there wasn’t much happening in it, which contributed to the tension issue I found. They jumped between partying, shopping, and there were a few demon attacks. It was a short novel, but it seemed like it took a long time for them to find any clues.
Shinyun’s betrayal was too predictable – I knew from the moment she showed up that she was going to betray them because we’d never seen her before, and if Magnus and Alec had made an important friend on this trip, we definitely would’ve known about her by now.
At the end of the novel, the characters decide to not tell anyone about their adventure and make a pact, which explains why none of the characters in the other books ever found about it. However, I couldn’t quite suspend my disbelief for this. Are we supposed to believe that Alec never tells even Jace, his parabatai? Or Izzy? Or that Izzy never followed up with Alec about the research he made her do? I find that hard to believe.
What I Liked:
I loved seeing Helen and Aline meet, and I really enjoyed their dynamic with Alec. However, I do feel that they fell in love way too fast. Still, one of my favorite scenes happened with the three of them, when they were trapped by the fire and had to work together to get out.
Another scene I really enjoyed was the hot air balloon rescue scene, when Alec and Magnus rescue two Shadowhunters, one of whom turns out to be Aline.
The third scene I loved was Mangnus’s flashbacks, both times, as he regained his memory. We learned so much about him through those flashbacks that we didn’t learn before, and I loved that! It would’ve been even better if that had been incorporated more throughout the novel instead of at the end, but I loved it nonetheless.
Tessa’s advice at the end about loving a Shadowhunter warmed my heart and made me smile, and I thought in general that was a nice moment in the book.
Also, the cliffhanger ending I thought was interesting. I wasn’t sure how the series would continue after the resolution, but I’m excited to see how Shinyun and Ragnor come into play in future books.
Although this book wasn’t my favorite of Cassie’s, and I was hard on it, but that’s just because my expectations for Cassandra Clare’s books are so high. I hope the next few books in this series continue to improve!
Let me know your thoughts on Red Scrolls in the comments! What’s your favorite Cassandra Clare book?
The crystalline glow of the Eiffel Tower receded. People had not expected it to last, either. Yet there it stood, the blazon of the city.
It is said that those who possess the maroon scrolls can unlock immense power and gain access to forbidden knowledge. However, many also believe that the scrolls must be approached with caution, as their power can be both unpredictable and dangerous. The maroon scrolls of magic continue to intrigue and fascinate both scholars and practitioners of magic. Their existence is shrouded in mystery, and their true origin and purpose remain a subject of speculation and debate. In conclusion, the maroon scrolls of magic are ancient texts that hold immense power and knowledge. Those who possess them are said to gain access to potent spells and incantations. However, caution must be exercised when dealing with these scrolls, as their power can be both unpredictable and dangerous..
Reviews for "The Eternal Spell: Analyzing the Maroon Scrolls of Magic"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Maroon Scrolls of Magic". Firstly, the characters felt flat and lacked depth. They were so one-dimensional that I found it difficult to relate or care about their journey. The plot was also predictable and felt like a rehashed version of countless other fantasy novels. The writing style was unremarkable and failed to engage me as a reader. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and unique fantasy adventure.
2. Tom - 1 star - "The Maroon Scrolls of Magic" was a complete letdown. The pacing was all over the place, with moments of action followed by long stretches of dullness. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me confused about the rules and nuances of the magical system. The book had potential, but it fell flat in execution. Save your time and money by skipping this one.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "The Maroon Scrolls of Magic", but unfortunately, they were not met. The story lacked originality and had a predictable plotline. The romance between the main characters felt forced and lacked chemistry. Additionally, the world-building was underdeveloped, leaving me with more questions than answers. The writing style was also mediocre, failing to captivate my interest. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with this book.
4. Michael - 3 stars - While "The Maroon Scrolls of Magic" had its moments, it ultimately fell short for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The characters were underdeveloped, making it difficult for me to root for their success. The dialogue was unremarkable and failed to bring the story to life. While the concept had potential, the execution left much to be desired. I wouldn't actively recommend this book, but it may be worth a read if you have spare time and are desperate for a fantasy fix.
5. Laura - 2 stars - "The Maroon Scrolls of Magic" was a lackluster read for me. The plot felt cliché and unoriginal, lacking any surprises or twists. The relationship between the main characters also felt forced and lacked believability. The writing style was uninspiring and failed to create a vivid and captivating world. Overall, I was left feeling uninspired and unsatisfied after reading this book. I would recommend looking for other fantasy novels that offer more depth and originality.