Audiobook Review: Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan

Gabrielle Bondi

11 years ago

The Bane Chronicles have been a pleasant surprise. I always liked Magnus Bane, but I wasn’t sure how much I’d liked reading solely about him and his adventures. So far, I have loved it. From his funny moments and tips on fashion to his moving and thoughtful moments, readers actually get something out of each of these short stories.

One of the latest installments is Vampire, Scones and Edmund Herondale, which is read by Andrew Scott (Sherlock). This time we find Magnus Bane in London meeting with other downworlders and the Clave. They are trying to negotiate an agreement of sorts, but the shadowhunters’ supremacist attitude toward downworlders isn’t helping matters. That’s only taking part of Magnus’ attention as he finds himself completely drawn to a vampire, Camille Belcourt. Her impeccable tastes and looks come at a time when Magnus is once again looking for love. All the while, a young shadowhunter, Edmund Herondale, stumbles—most gracefully—into his life. Despite his issues with shadowhunters in general, Bane is thoroughly charmed by the very attractive Herondale.

We have heard and met some familiar names in the previous two novellas, but this one really brings two very recognizable characters into the forefront of Bane’s life. We finally get to see how Bane met Camille and some of the history between the two. Even though we know how things end, it’s very enlightening to see how these two characters were at the beginning of their relationship. As for Edmund, we knew him as Will Herondale’s father, the former shadowhunter, in The Infernal Devices trilogy. If there’s anything that touched me in this little story, it’s Edmund Herondale. Knowing what happens eventually, it is heartbreaking seeing how what happens in this novella leads up to the events in The Infernal Devices trilogy.

Magnus is his typical self, and I’m happy to see that authors Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan have fun with the character without turning him into a caricature. The narrator, Andrew Scott, is probably my favorite actor to narrate the series yet. He knew how to play up Bane’s silly flirtations and play down his contemplative and serious moments. Honestly, the Bane Chronicles is made for audiobooks, and it’s great to see that they keep getting so much great talent to bring Magnus Bane to life. After these first three, it’s clear that the Bane Chronicles is meant to be listened to, not read.

Vampire, Scones and Edmund Herondale is my favorite book in the Bane Chronicles yet. It is on the same level as the other novellas, but this one meant a little more to me because it has stronger connection to The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, which I’ve both read and enjoyed. I wouldn’t be surprised if other TMI and TID fans felt the same way.

Rating: 9.5/10

Vampire, Scones and Edmund Herondale by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan is now available wherever digital audio and ebooks are sold.

Book Info:

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (June 18, 2013)
Length: Approx. 1 hour, 24 minutes
Series: The Bane Chronicles – Novella 3 of 10
Source: Unabridged Audio Download (Provided by publisher)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure, History
Completed: July 2013