| BOOK - Learn About Loss by Cassandra Clare

LEARN ABOUT LOSS

'But perhaps the illusion of a thing that we can't have is better than nothing at all.'

SYNOPSIS: A story about Brother Zachariah and Sister Emilia retrieving adamas.

RATING: 4.25/5

REVIEW: Nothing much happens in this story. They found out about one maybe important point but it's not really discussed much. The thing that redeemed this short story is Sister Emilia. She was such a fun character and I hope we get to see her again. Also, we get to see a touching moment between Jem and Will! It was so beautiful.

SHOULD YOU READ IT: Yes, it was a quick read.

• It was interesting to meet Sister Emilia. She's such a fun and badass character. I love that she threatened Belial into giving Jem an illusion with Will. I wonder whether we'll see her again?
• I really loved seeing Will and Jem together again. It was so touching and fun especially since we get to see Will's reaction again to ducks.
• I'm curious to see what happened to the Lost Herondale line for them to run away like that. 
• I'm curious as to why Belial owed Jem. Will we get to see that? We'll see in the future.
• It was heartbreaking to see Jem decide between Will and Tessa (Lost Herondale or getting cured). He's just so selfless that he chose repaying what he owes to the Herondales over his love for Tessa.
• SUMMARY OF WHAT HAPPENED:
• A shadow market under the mask of a carnival was set up in a mundane portion of Tennessee. Some mundane are experiencing magical things because of the booths in the carnival.
• The Silent Brothers and the Iron Sisters found out that adamas were located in Tennessee. Brother Zachariah and Sister Emilia were tasked to retrieve the adamas.
• They realized that the carnival was no ordinary carnival. They found Belial inside one of the booths. They confronted him and since he owed Jem, he decided to give the adamas back freely. He took it because it made him feel powerful and angelic. In order to pay the debt he has towards Jem, he asked Jem to make a choice. Get information about a cure for Yin Fen addiction or find out about a lost line of Herondales. Jem decided to go for the Herondales.  Belial told him that they were in danger.
• Jem realized that the people in one of the booths they passed by earlier was owned by the lost Herondales but Jem was too late. He didn't reach them in time.
• After Jem fled, Emilia made a deal with Belial. Belial must put Jem and Will under an illusion where they get to spend a day with each other without any problems (no age or silent brother problem). In exchange, Emilia will not make a weapon specifically designed to kill Belial.
• The Shadow Market closed down. Emilia and Jem decided to rest. Belial put Jem under the illusion. He and Will got to enjoy their time in Jem's homeland, Shanghai.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

Human beings did terrible things to each other, and the traces of those terrible things were everywhere if you looked.

The world was its own sort of crucible, and in it all dreams were tempered and tested. Many crumbled away entirely, and then you went on without them.

You build and you struggle and you fight but the darkness and the abyss will come one day in a great tide and sweep away everything that you love.

"And duck! You really ought to try pressed duck! It's a great delicacy."
Jem looked at Will, suppressing a smile. His friend glared back, but at last neither of them could hold back their laughter. Will said, "There is nothing so sweet as feasting upon the bones of my enemies. Especially with you at my side."

The face of the one you love is the best mirror of all. It shows you your own happiness and your own pain and it helps you to bear both, because to bear either alone is to be overwhelmed by the flood.