| BOOK - The Wicked Ones by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman |

THE WICKED ONES

'It seemed unfair that the city was so full of stone creatures who could feel nothing and here she was, feeling so unbearably much.' 

SYNOPSIS: A story about Brother Zachariah, Celine Montclaire, and the other members of the Circle.

RATING: 4.5/5

REVIEW: 

I found the story in this quite interesting. It showed a lot about human nature especially with regards to Celine Montclaire. She had to endure many hardships and we get to see her make choices based from those hardships. It's interesting to know more about the Circle Members even though it's just Robert, Stephen, and Valentine. Also, Cassandra Clare's writing about Paris was beautiful.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed seeing Jem finding something concrete about the quest he is doing.

SHOULD YOU READ IT: If you want to know more about Celine Montclaire - Jace's mother and the progress with Jem's quest, then absolutely.

• I really loved reading about Paris. It seemed so beautiful yet sad on Celine's eyes.
• It's funny to see that Stephen inherited the bird phobia - he's afraid of pigeons.
• It's interesting to see Stephen Herondale here. He inherited the Herondale sarcasm/humor, phobia, and looks yet he's so different than the ones we knew. 
• I have mixed feelings about Celine. I can understand the loneliness she went through but I didn't like the choices the she made. I always thought that Valentine forced her to marry Stephen but it seemed like they forced Stephen. I never imagined that she would be in cahoots with Valentine based on what was mentioned of her in the Mortal Instruments. It's really interesting how her experiences shaped her to be the person she is. If only Brother Zachariah spent more time with her.
• It's heartbreaking to read about what Celine had to go through when she was young. Her parents were such asshole and they deserved what they got. I just didn't really like the fact that Celine was the one who finalized their fate.
• It's funny to read about Shadowhunters knowing about Pop Culture.
• I really liked finding out that the Lost Herondale that Jem is seeking is a woman. I like Rosemary. She's feisty. I wonder if she is Kit Herondale's mother? She's kind of close to their timeline because this during the Circle's time.
• I really hated that Celine and Jem only had a minor interaction. I wonder what Celine's future would have been if Jem had been able to reach out to her?
• WHAT HAPPENED?
• Celine, Stephen, and Robert were under a mission to observe a certain warlock by Valentine. Celine is in love with Stephen and is not trying to show it.
• They tried to invade the Warlock's stall in the Night Market but she got one on them. She managed to put a love potion on Stephen so that he'll fall for Celine which shocked her.
• They managed to capture the warlock and tie her up and torture her. Celine overheard Robert and Stephen talking about the fact that they look at her as someone immature and always in need of someone.
• Celine decides to roam around Paris while mourning her feelings for Stephen. She encountered Rosemary and Jack and even saves Rosemary from demons. Rosemary warned her about Valentine.
• Meanwhile, Jem managed to track Jack Crow whom he believes to be the Lost Herondale. They agreed to meet sometime in the afternoon. Jem also encountered Celine in the Shadow Market and they bonded on their love for certain Herondales.
• Jack Crow did not come to their meeting place. Instead, Jem encountered Rosemary. He realized that she's the Lost Herondale and not Jack. He gave her back the Herondale locked with a spell on it in case she ever needed her help. He did not force her to come with him.
• Celine went to Valentine's home where she encountered him killing the warlock they interrogated after finding out that Valentine paid her and in cahoots with him. He framed the Shadowhunters they were tracking just to get rid of them. Celine found out that it was her parents who were being framed yet she did not do anything to set them free. Celine accepted her destiny with Valentine who will give her Stephen.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"You sure there's not some kind of rune to keep those foul beasts away?" Stephen Herondale said as a thunderous flutter of wings descended. He ducked, whacked blindly at his feathered foe.
The flock of pigeons quick passed, without dealing any mortal blows. Celine waved off a couple of stragglers, and Stephen breathed a sign of relief.
"My hero," he said.

"The great Herondale warrior afraid of pigeons?" she teased, hoping he wouldn't hear the quaver in her voice.
"Not afraid. Simply exhibiting a prudent amount of caution in the face of a potentially demonic creature."
"Demon pigeons?"
"I look upon them with great suspicion," Stephen said with as much dignity as a pigeon-phobe could muster.

"It's like an Eidolon demon tried turning into Cyndi Lauper and accidentally got stuck midway through," Celine joked.
"Huh?" Robert said. "Is that another warlock?"
Stephen smirked. "Yeah, Robert. Another warlock. The Clave executed her 'cause she just wanted to have fun."

I sometimes think there is nothing more painful than love denied. To love someone you cannot have, to stand beside your heart's desire and be unable to take them in your arms. A love that cannot be requited. I can think of nothing more painful than that.

Feelings is what makes us human. Even the most difficult feelings. Perhaps especially those. Love, loss, longing -- this is what it means to be truly alive.

It would be unjust to blame the past for the choices made in the present. Nor can we justify present choices by invoking sins of the past.

We always have a choice, Jem said, and for once, the voice in her mind sounded lie him, warm and close. It's not always the choice we would want, but it's a choice nonetheless. The past happens to us. But we choose our future.