In the dark forest, there stood a towering witch. Her presence alone sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to venture near. With her long, tangled hair and tattered black robes, she was a sight to behold. Her piercing green eyes seemed to hold a depth of knowledge and power beyond comprehension. Legends told of her ability to cast spells and brew potions with incredible potency. She possessed a vast knowledge of arcane arts that had been handed down through countless generations.
Part III: City of War
Alec Lightwood a Shadowhunter on vacation with his warlock boyfriend Magnus, Alec must prove his boyfriend s innocence before the Clave could get wind of it and put him at risk. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called The Beautiful Cassandra based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name and which later inspired her current pen name.
She possessed a vast knowledge of arcane arts that had been handed down through countless generations. Some whispered that she had made a pact with a demon, gaining her immense powers in exchange for her soul. Others speculated that she was born with innate magical abilities, a result of an ancient bloodline.
The Red Scrolls of Magic Review: A Fun Time for Malec Fans
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. It doesn’t seem like too much for the centuries-old High Warlock to ask for. But no sooner have they settled in Paris than 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 have to trust each other more than ever—even if it means revealing the secrets they’ve both been keeping.
The first book in the Eldest Curses series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare and award-winning science fiction author Wesley Chu, The Red Scrolls of Magic is a fast-paced adventure bursting with magic, humor, and (if demons stop getting in the way) romance that offers a fresh look at the world of the Shadowhunters.
The Red Scrolls of Magic is the first book in a Shadowhunters spin-off trilogy featuring Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood. It takes place after the first three books of The Mortal Instruments and before City of Fallen Angels. However, I think the book can definitely be read without having read TMI or any of the other Shadowhunter books – though you will obviously get more out of it if you’ve read some of the other trilogies too.
The Red Scrolls of Magic begins with Magnus taking Alec on an expensive vacation around Europe. However, the relaxing vacation is quickly sidetracked when Magnus is needed to track down and put an end to a cult called the Crimson Hand. A cult that Magnus started himself centuries ago… as a joke, and then forgot about. Literally forgot about (he has no memories of that period of his life). Along the way to breaking up the cult, Magnus and Alec make friends and enemies, but it’s almost always a hilariously good time when Magnus is involved.
I enjoyed the novel quite a bit but didn’t feel like I was as engaged with it as the other Shadowhunter books I’ve read. As much as I love Malec, I missed reading about other characters so I felt a bit bored during the first half of the novel, which only featured Magnus and Alec. It wasn’t until the second half that I really got into the story and that was in part due to the presence of more characters like Aline Penhallow and Helen Blackthorn, as well as a quickening in the pace of the plot. I loved that we got to see more of Aline and Helen, especially seeing how they met and I thought they really contributed to the book. I just kind of wish more had happened early on in the book because it felt really slow and threatened to put me to sleep.
I obviously loved reading more about Magnus and Alec in this book, especially since the book is set in the early stages of their relationship. But knowing what happens later in TMI kind of threw me off a little bit while I was reading this one. Nevertheless, I would never turn down a good romance, especially Malec so it was an enjoyable reading experience regardless.
As much as I liked reading The Red Scrolls of Magic, I’m not quite sure what to make of this The Eldest Curses trilogy. It’s not really clear to me when the next book will be set or exactly what it’s going to explore. I think The Red Scrolls of Magic could have easily just been a standalone novella but I also appreciate that this can be a trilogy where readers might be able to pick and choose which book in TEC they want to pick up depending on which of the ‘main’ Shadowhunter books they’ve read. I also love that this trilogy explores in-depth aspects of the other books that were kind of glossed over (such as Aline and Helen’s relationship).
I really liked The Red Scrolls of Magic but I do think that it’s really only for people who either love Malec or are fans of the Shadowhunters books. It could be a nice introduction to the Shadowhunter Chronicles for those who haven’t read any of the books, but I would always recommend The Infernal Devices as a starting point over anything else.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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Rating: 4 out of 5
The towering witch was often seen lurking in the darkest corners of the forest, seemingly conversing with the spirits of the trees and animals. Some claimed to have witnessed her perform rituals, summoning spirits and communing with otherworldly entities. Her connection to the supernatural was undeniable. Fear and curiosity swirled through the hearts of the nearby villagers. They spoke of curses and hexes, blaming the witch for any misfortune that befell them. They whispered stories of her powers to control the weather, bringing forth thunderstorms and hailstorms at will. Some even claimed that she could shape-shift into various forms, appearing as an innocent old woman or a fearsome creature of the night. Despite the fear she instilled in others, there were those who sought out the towering witch for her knowledge and guidance. These brave souls would make their way through the dense forest, facing treacherous paths and eerie sounds, just to reach her dwelling. They begged her for spells to cure ailments, protection from evil spirits, and guidance in matters of the heart. The towering witch, though feared and misunderstood, held a deep understanding of the delicate balance between light and darkness. She recognized the power within her, yet she also understood the responsibility that came with it. She knew the importance of using magic for the greater good and preserving the natural order of things. As time went on, the towering witch became more than just a figure of fear in the forest. She became a symbol of secrecy, mysticism, and the unexplored depths of the human soul. Her enigmatic presence reminded people of the existence of magic and the wonders that could be achieved through it. And so, the towering witch continued to stand tall in the dark forest, her presence an everlasting reminder of the beauty and mysteries of the supernatural world. Though she was feared by so many, there were those who understood that true power lies not in intimidation, but in the wisdom and compassion to wield magic with care..
Reviews for "The Towering Witch: Historical Figures and Influences"
1. Mike - 2/5 stars - I really wanted to like "The Towering Witch" because I'm a fan of fantasy novels, but I found it to be incredibly slow-paced and lacking excitement. The characters were underdeveloped and I didn't feel any connection to them. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises or twists. Overall, the book failed to hold my interest and I struggled to finish it.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I can honestly say that "The Towering Witch" is one of the worst books I have ever read. The writing was dull and uninspiring, and the story felt disjointed and confusing. The author introduced far too many irrelevant subplots that added nothing to the overall narrative. The pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself constantly checking how many pages were left. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - As a fan of fantasy novels, I was excited to dive into "The Towering Witch," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was mediocre and lacked depth, and the magic system felt underdeveloped. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions often felt forced or illogical. The plot dragged on and lacked any real sense of urgency. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't consider reading anything else by this author.
4. Alex - 2/5 stars - "The Towering Witch" had potential, but it failed to deliver an engaging story. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest numerous times. The writing was repetitive and lacked creativity. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real growth or development. There were also numerous plot holes that were left unresolved. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book.