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The Bane Chronicles #8

What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything

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Magnus Bane may or may not be dating Alec Lightwood, but he definitely needs to find him the perfect birthday present.

Set in the time between City of Ashes and City of Glass, warlock Magnus Bane is determined to find the best birthday present possible for Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter he may or may not be dating. And he’s also got to deal with the demon he’s conjured up for a very irritating client...

40 pages, ebook

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Cassandra Clare

195 books273k followers
Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old.

Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. 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).

After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.

City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.

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5 stars
6,257 (48%)
4 stars
3,946 (30%)
3 stars
2,034 (15%)
2 stars
403 (3%)
1 star
131 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,021 reviews
Profile Image for Beth.
878 reviews615 followers
March 13, 2020
My actual rating is 4.5
MAGNUS PLEASE LOVE ME LIKE YOU LOVE ALEC <3 <3 <3

What Really Happened in Peru - 2 Stars
The Runaway Queen - 2 Stars
Vampires, Sconces and Edmund Herondale - 4 Stars
The Midnight Heir - 5 Stars
The Rise of the Hotel Dumort - 4 Stars
Saving Raphael Santiago - 4 Stars
The Fall of the Hotel Dumort - 3 Stars
What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything - 4 Stars
The Last Stand of the New York Institute - 4 Stars
The Course of True Love [and First Dates] - 4 Stars
The Voicemail of Magnus Bane - 4 Stars
Profile Image for paige (ptsungirl).
764 reviews1,016 followers
May 19, 2022
"Alec was a warrior who brought Magnus peace."

°•*⁀➷

The sweetest part about this whole tiny story is that Magnus spent the entire time asking what the perfect birthday gift for Alec would be, only to figure it out all on his own. Because even so early on, he knew Alec better than anyone else. Everyone else looked to Jace, and Magnus couldn't help but look at Alec.

The fact that the gift is simply to protect Isabelle... even more beautiful.

When Alec showed up at the end and Magnus was so shocked, it broke my heart while also being so thankful that he finally has Alec. Every moment of hurt this beautiful man suffered through for centuries brought him to Alec simply just wanting to be near him. All good things come to those who wait, and yet Magnus had given up on waiting... only to find it anyways. It's a beautiful sort of symmetry when you think about it.

- Paige
Profile Image for Pam.
1,093 reviews1,048 followers
May 20, 2015
4 BETTER THAN GANDALF stars



Narrated by Cecil Baldwin, Jamie Bamber, George Blagden, Gareth David-Lloyd, Jordan Gavaris, Stephen Lunsford, David Oyelowo, Andrew Scott, Michael Trevino, Jesse Williams

What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who has Everythings was such a super cute, adorabbly funny read. From everything about Magnus worrying about what to get Alec for his birthday, Alec's initial shyness / awkwardness in front of Magnus, Isabelle giving her support / advice, to phone call with Ragnor and the demon and his mixed tape suggestion. Loved it, wished it was longer because I missed Alec, Isabelle and everyone else. Total recommended if you are a lover of Alec & Magnus!

Eight of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.


Profile Image for Magda.
3 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2014
I can't wait for this one. Not the others. THIS ONE.

Give me some Malec, please. I really need it.

DECEMBER, OMG.
Profile Image for Melanie.
1,243 reviews101k followers
October 15, 2018
“This was love, new and bright and terrifying…”

Firstly, I will say that it’s really skeezy that Alec was indeed seventeen when he and Magnus started at least kissing one another. I don’t want to make light of that whatsoever, and I completely think it was wrong. But if you ignore that, I really loved this short story and seeing a glimpse in the Shadowhunter world before everything went down in TMI. I also really loved the scene with Izzy and Magnus; it was pure, perfect, and everything I’ve ever wanted. Also, I love how this heartfelt story was going on with a blue demon just hanging out in the apartment.

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Youtube | Twitch

(I read this in The Bane Chronicles!) ✨
Profile Image for Alessandra.
212 reviews3 followers
November 21, 2013
OMG.
too many feels.
simply perfect.



"Yes, this one, this one fits, after all the stumbling around and searching, and here it is."



"Time was something that moved in fits and starts for Magnus, dissipating like mist or dragging like chains, but when Alec was here, Magnus’s time seemed to fall into an easy rhythm with Alec’s, like two heartbeats falling into sync. He felt anchored by Alec, and his whole self felt restless and mutinous when Alec was not there, because he knew how different it would be when Alec was there, how the tumultuous world would quiet at the sound of Alec’s voice."

"Alec was a warrior who brought Magnus peace."

Profile Image for Grace (LovingDemBooks) Z..
189 reviews1,444 followers
July 2, 2015
Buy this book HERE on Amazon

3 of 5 stars (Please read my rating system further below). MAGNUS AND ALEC ARE SO CAYUTTTEEEEEEEEE

My rating system: (I do use half stars.)
5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect.
4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.)
3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less.
2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it.
1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....
Profile Image for Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora).
1,009 reviews42.3k followers
October 30, 2016
ESTE ES UNO DE LOS RELATOS MÁS ASKHDASLKHDSLKAHDASL DE TODO EL LIBRO PORQUE MALEC , ¿OKAY?

Vamos a ver, es que Magnus preguntándole a todo el mundo qué puede regalarle a Alec por su cumpleaños es la cosa más hermosa de la vida. Sobre todo por todo lo que va pensando en el proceso, pues se está dando cuenta de que Alec no es sencillamente un romance más, sino que tiene pinta de ser algo muchísimo más profundo. Se está formando una conexión y ambos la desean muchísimo. Es precioso ver a Magnus confuso e impresionado por todo lo que Alec le hace sentir, sabiendo que él ha tenido a cientos de parejas a lo largo de todos sus siglos.

Y Alec... Oh, Alec. ¡Es demasiado puro e ingenuo! Y por eso mismo es sencillo y encantador. Lo amo. Y Magnus lo ama. Y TODO ES HERMOSO CON ELLOS. * Muere de amor. ¡Y cuando lo protege del peligro aún cuando Magnus es súper poderoso y no necesita que lo protejan! SO BEAUTIFUL.

It was strange and startling and terribly endearing, like Alec himself.
Magnus dragged Alec outside, pushed him up against the brick wall of Taki's under the sparking upside-down sign, and kissed him. Alec's blue eyes that had blazed with angelic fury were tender suddenly, and darker with passion. Magnus felt Alec's strong lithe body strain against Magnus's back. Alec kissed him back with shattering enthusiasm, and Magnus thought, Yes, this one, this one fits, after all the stumbling around and searching, and here it is.
"What was that for?", Alec asked a long time later, eyes shining.
Alec was young. Magnus had never been old, had never know how the world reacted to you when you were old, and had not been allowed to be really young for lonf either. Being immortal meant being apart from such concerns. All the mortals Magnus had loved had seemed younger and older than him, both at once. But Magnus was keenly aware that this was Alec's first time dating, doing anything at all. He had been Alec's first kiss. Magnus wanted to be good to him, not burden him with the weight of feelings that Alec might not return.
"Nothing", Magnus lied.


Profile Image for Althea ☾.
643 reviews2,183 followers
Read
November 23, 2021
Do I love Malec? Or do I love Malec a lot?

No one can convince me otherwise.

This was honestly just such a pure read. I loved this look on their relationship and for a short plot I was really enjoying myself.

COFFEE SHOP JAZZ AMBIENCE ROOM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0_ej...

1. What Really Happened in Peru - ★★★☆☆
2. The Runaway Queen - ★★☆☆☆
3. Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale - ★★★★★
4. The Midnight Heir - ★★★★★
5. The Rise of the Hotel Dumort - ★★☆☆☆
6. Saving Raphael Santiago - ★★★★☆
7. The Fall of the Hotel Dumort - ★★★★☆
8. What To Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything - ★★★★☆
9. The Last Stand of the New York Institute - ★★★★★
10. The Course of True Love [and First Dates] - ★★★★★
11. The Voicemail of Magnus Bane - ★★★☆☆

BLOG | SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI | BOOKSIRENS
Profile Image for Lazaros.
271 reviews597 followers
March 19, 2015
This is the cutest short-story ever, I love how we see Magnus' excitement over Alec and how he falls for him slowly and steadily. It's really cute to see how he's struggling to figure out what to get him for his birthday. It's really cute and while it's pretty much uneventful it's still an exhilarating short-story.
Profile Image for Liam.
297 reviews2,269 followers
February 6, 2017
Malec will be the death of me I swear!!! Not a lot happened in this story but it was still super great and cute! Loved taking a little trip back in time to the early stages of Magnus and Alec's relationship, ugh I just love them both so much!
Profile Image for Carolina Carriço.
543 reviews689 followers
December 23, 2014
OH SWEET BABY JESUS!!!! HOW I MISSED THESE TWO!!! I LOVE MAGNUS AND ALEC SO MUCH THAT I CAN'T EVEN BREATH NORMALLY

*taking a deep breath*

STILL FREAKING OUT

*taking a thousand deep breaths*

I'm slightly better. I think I can manage to write a half decent review.

I loved this book!!! It's without doubt one of my favourites until now! I can't help it but go into full fangirling mode whenever Malec cute and sexy moments are described!!! Specially those kisses! Just thinking about that one outside Taki's when Magnus pushes Alec against the wall I start drooling all over!

The part with the demon I found a little unnecessary. But not that bad. And the part with Izzy was CUTE!

Finally, the end was too short in my opinion but nevertheless one of cutest ones!!!

By the way, I still can't believe that Magnus called Will, Bill!!! What the hell MAGNUS!
Profile Image for Ferdy.
944 reviews1,258 followers
November 25, 2013
Spoilers

These novellas keep getting worse and worse. This one barely had a plot, it was just 30 pages (though it felt like a hundred) of Magnus whining about what to get Alec for his birthday.

-Not surprisingly, Magnus was still whiny, rude to everyone, horrid, and judgmental. What happened to the half decent Magnus from the TMI series? He's turned into an insufferable prat. Am I the only one that finds it creepy how he's dating and lusting after an inexperienced teenage boy? Why can't he prey on someone that's more of an adult than a child?

-I'm sick of Magnus's judgy attitude, he moans about Shadowhunters being snobby, judgmental and arrogant… Yet EVERY Shadowhunter I've come across in TMI/TID has been less judgmental and arrogant than he's been. How does Magnus not realise that the things he hates about Shadowhunters are the things that he's guilty of himself? Not only does Magnus judge and look down on Shadowhunters, he does the same to humans, demons, vampires, fae, other supernaturals, and his friends. He's not nearly as open minded, fair, and non-judgemental as he thinks he is.

-Magnus has no depth and no redeeming qualities. He also makes stupid comments. This was what he thought about Isabelle supporting her gay brother: She would stand by him. She loved her brother, then.
What a dumb statement… Of course, Isabelle loves her brother! When has she ever acted like she didn't? But even if she didn't support Alec that wouldn't mean she didn't love him. How is it possible that a centuries old warlock thinks so shallowly? Things aren't always black and white.

-I thought the Shadowhunter world was kept secret from the human world… How did that mundane woman hire Magnus? How did she know about magic and demons and whatnot? There's just no consistency to the world.

-I didn't like the writing at all, it was a struggle to read. There were so many silly analogies. Here are two of my faves:

Ms. Connor’s mouth flattened like a piece of paper being folded in half.

Magnus felt a resistance as he pulled the demon dimension closer to him, like a fisherman drawing on a line and getting a fish who put up a fight.


Honestly WTF?!

All in all: Just ugh.
Profile Image for Beenish.
389 reviews449 followers
October 8, 2020
Awww this was so cute. I might write a mini review :)
Profile Image for karlé.
168 reviews27 followers
June 2, 2014
I wish I can give this book 10 stars because it's beautiful and so peaceful and Cassandra should just write a whole book about Malec because they are so perfect I just can't..

Profile Image for dia.
305 reviews184 followers
July 15, 2022
one of the best parts, because finally izzy and alec appeared, which was so much more interesting and fun
December 19, 2016
“He sipped his coffee and contemplated his demon-summoning outfit for the day. Demon summoning was not something Magnus did often, on account of it being technically extremely illegal. Magnus did not have enormous respect for the Law, but if he was breaking it he wanted to look good doing it.”
Profile Image for Joana.
606 reviews55 followers
November 29, 2018
OH MY GOD !!!!!! MALEC !!! You have no idea of the state that I am right now. I can´t stop grinning and flailing. I'M A TRUE FANGIRL IN THIS MOMENT !! jsdgfaskdgg
Malec... They are just so perfect !!! This was so cute !!!! And those kisses... Oh my dear lord I want more !!!*-* They're so cute !!!! Oh my god. That scene when Alec is protecting Magnus and then Magnus kisses him against the wall outside Taki's... IT WAS SO CUTE AND HOT !!! I swear that I ca't stop fangirling right now ! I can't even think something coherent to write I just want to throw a lot of random letters to express my excitement !!! dhfsdgilas

The scene with Izzy it was really sweet too. It shows how much she loves her brother and at the same time, how much Mugnus loves Alec too. :')

That ending... Oh my god !!!! I want more ! Malec. Malec. Malec. <3
Profile Image for Angigames.
1,333 reviews
September 2, 2015
Adoro i Malec!
Magnus innamorato è proprio puccioso!
Spero che per lui e Alec la Clare abbia in serbo un finale speciale!
Profile Image for luciana.
600 reviews423 followers
December 9, 2018
Magnus and Alec are my children and I’d die for them. This novella gave me the feels.
Profile Image for Wren (fablesandwren).
675 reviews1,572 followers
September 17, 2020
We get some love from Alec, YAY!



I like this story because you see a nicer side of Isabelle…and of Alec. You actually see that they are human and not just warriors like they want you to think.

Magnus is so cute and in love. You haven’t seen him like this with his past relationships you see him with in this series.

Order to Read this Series:
The Mortal Instruments #01: City of Bones
The Mortal Instruments #02: City of Ashes
The Mortal Instruments #03: City of Glass
The Infernal Devices #01: Clockwork Angel
The Mortal Instruments #04: City of Heavenly Fire
The Infernal Devices #02: Clockwork Prince
The Mortal Instruments #05: City of Lost Souls
The Infernal Devices #03: Clockwork Princess
The Mortal Instruments #06: City of Fallen Angels

*The next two (The Bane Chronicles and Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy) are optional. They are groups of novellas. I believe in reading novellas so you can pick up different things in the books that follow.

The Bane Chronicles #01: What Really Happened in Peru
The Bane Chronicles #02: The Runaway Queen
The Bane Chronicles #03: Vampires, Scones, & Edmund Herondale
The Bane Chronicles #04: The Midnight Heir
The Bane Chronicles #05: The Rise of the Hotel Dumort
The Bane Chronicles #06: Saving Raphael Santiago
The Bane Chronicles #07: The Fall of Hotel Dumort
The Bane Chronicles #08: What to Buy the Shadowhunter…
The Bane Chronicles #09: The Last Stand of the New York Institute
The Bane Chronicles #10: The Course of True Love
The Bane Chronicles #11: The Voicemail of Magnus Bane

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #01: Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #02: The Lost Herondale
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #03: The Whitechapel Fiend
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #04: Nothing but Shadows
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #05: The Evil We Love
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #06: Pale Kings and Princes
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #07: Bitter of Tongue
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #08: The Fiery Trial
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #09: Born to Endless Night
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #10: Angels Twice Descending

The Dark Artifices #01: Lady Midnight
The Dark Artifices #02: Lord of Shadows
The Dark Artifices #03: Queen of Air and Darkness
Profile Image for Sinead.
607 reviews80 followers
September 25, 2016
Malec all the time!!!! Seeing what Magnus truly thought about Alec even at the beginning of their relationship was so so so sweet. I adored it. These two are my OTP of this series for a reason, and for anyone who asks why, I will make them read this novella.

Plus that demon was really entertaining, and Isabelle's badassery is always welcome.
Profile Image for Ela.
737 reviews55 followers
February 1, 2015
Post reading: Disappointed. I won't be reading the other stories, I love Magnus and Alec but I felt nothing for this story. Cassandra Clare just needs to stop writing this series.

Pre reading:Omygod Alec and Magunus!!
Profile Image for Imme van Gorp.
725 reviews1,137 followers
June 22, 2024
|| 2.5 stars ||

Let me first say that I love Magnus and Alec together. They're my favorite couple in 'The Mortal Instruments' series without a doubt. However, I am sad to say that nothing really happens in this particular novella.

Even though a lot of the story focuses on Magnus' feelings for Alec, it was more telling than showing. This is completely different from The Course of True Love and First Dates , as we actually got to see Magnus and Alec interact with each other in that novella, which was adorable.

Now, I don't mean to suggest that I didn't think Magnus' inner musings about his slight obsession with Alec weren't adorable too, but it was simply kind of boring because that's all they were: musings.

Basically, this novella could have used a bit more of a plot, and preferably one not concerning a random demon being summoned for a random lady, who I do not give a single fuck about.

To be honest, I am a bit disappointed that one of the few times this author actually focuses on this amazing couple, it is filled with such empty content. I had higher hopes for it.


'The Bane Chronicles' series:
8. What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything - 2.5 stars
10. The Course of True Love [and First Dates] - 3.5 stars

Prequel 'The Mortal Instruments' series:
1. City of Bones - 4.0 stars
2. City of Ashes - 3.5 stars
3. City of Glass - 3.0 stars
March 12, 2015
{March 11th, 2015} MINI REVIEW

1.5 stars.

SPOILERS i guess

Pg 388.
What to buy a Shadowhunter that has everything? Immortality so you two can be together forever. #likeseriouslythough #facepalm


Either that or Acceptance. To me this is a poor choice of a title mostly because of what happens in TMI or something, it's been a while since I read the books. And the way these stories seem to be ranging quite drastically for me...this one is just unfortunately did not work for me.

Maybe rereading this one might help, or it might not...

Profile Image for Avani ✨.
1,832 reviews435 followers
December 24, 2021
Alec and Magnus all the way ❤️

This story gave me laugh, smiles, blushes, happy tears all together at once.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,021 reviews

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