What Really Happened in Peru

Of the characters in The Mortal Instruments series and The Infernal Devices series, it's fair to say that Magnus Bane is the most interesting. When I discovered these short stories, I chose to read them to learn more about his life before his entanglements with the shadowhunters. Being immortal, it suggests that Magnus must have had adventures we can only dream about

As the title of the story suggests, it's all about finding out exactly what Magunus did to be banned from Peru. After each mini memory, we are told that this is not the cause of Magnus's banishment. It leads one to believe that Clare and Brennan are leading up to some sort of spectacular debaucherous tale of excitement and adventure, only to have the short story end with no show more answer as to why Magnus got banned. Did these two authors just run out of ideas? Did they just decide at the 65 page mark that they had written enough to legitimize a sale and therefore no longer felt duty bound to at least answer the basic question of What Really Happened in Peru? Someone needs to tell Clare and Brennan that when you ask a question, writing an ending like the following is a cop out.
"The High Council of Peruvian warlocks met in secret, and a letter was sent to Magnus several months later announcing that he had been banned from Peru, on pain of death, for “crimes unspeakable.” Despite his inquiries, he never received an answer to the question of what he had been banned for. To this day, whatever it is that actually got him banned from Peru is—and perhaps must always remain—a mystery."
The upside to What Really Happened in Peru, is that we got to find out a little bit more about the childhood of typical warlocks. It seems that warlocks largely come into being when a demon rapes a human female. A lot of the time, Demons use rape by deception to accomplish their reproduction. The Warlocks who make it to adulthood do so because there mothers love them unconditionally despite the circumstances of their conception or the markers of what they really are, like Ragnor Fell's green skin for example. "Our fathers were demons," said Catarina. Our mothers were heroes".

Magnus it seems is the exception to the rule.
Magnus's warlock's mark was his eyes, the pupils slit, the color lucent and green-gold at the wrong angles, but these features had not developed immediately. He had not been born with Catarina's blue or Ragnor's green skin, had been born a seemingly human baby with unusual amber eyes. Magnus’s mother had not realized his father was a demon for some time, not until she had gone to the cradle one morning and seen her child staring back at her with the eyes of a cat.
She knew, then, what had happened, that whatever had come to her in the night in the shape of her husband had not been her husband. When she had realized that, she had not wanted to go on living.
And she hadn’t.
Magnus did not know if she had been a hero or not. He had not been old enough to know about her life, or fully comprehend her pain. He could not be sure in the way Ragnor and Catarina looked sure. He did not know if, when his mother knew the truth, she had still loved him or if all love had been blotted out by darkness. A darkness greater than the one known by his friends’ mothers, for Magnus’s father was no ordinary demon. (pg 34-35)
I like that there's absolutely no shame for the victim or denial of what they went through to raise their children to adulthood. By talking about the reaction of Magnus's mother, it makes it clear that rape is a violation and some people never ever get over it. It also explains why Magnus is as powerful as he is and why he is so ready to accept the love of those who are mortal.

What Really Happened in Peru, confirms Magnus's bisexuality because he is paired with both a man and a woman. When he seeks out a new lover, Magnus will stop at nothing, including torturing his flatmates with his music playing. Unfortunately, because of what Magnus is, he can never really truly be honest with his lovers about who and what he is. This is actually more of a problem for Magnus than being openly bisexual. Clare has a bad history of not following through with homophobia in this world. I find it hard to believe that from 1791 - 1962 Magnus actually faces zero homophobia.

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I’ve finally decided to dive back into the Shadowhunter world. My plan is to read it chronologically (even though I’ve all ready read The Infernal Devices trilogy). I didn’t mind this short story. It doesn’t have the best reviews, but I went in with the expectation that it is a short story just meant to show more background on the character of Magnus Bane; I quite enjoyed it. A story doesn’t always have to be majorly important to a plot for me to enjoy it; I am someone who enjoys stories that are simply character driven because I love knowing more about characters. I’m excited to continue in the Shadowhunter world and with learning about Magnus and other characters.

Magnus, Magnus, Magnus...

The first book of The Bane Chronicles, What Happened in Peru follows a few of my favorite warlock's adventures and shenanigans in Peru where Mr. Bane has his fellow warlocks Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss along for the ride. The book takes us to Peru in 1791, 1885, 1890 and 1962.

In his journeys Magnus drags Ragnor on a rain forest adventure which wouldn't be complete without a monkey encounter before they end up on the high seas and another year the three warlocks end up as wanted criminals. We learn that Magnus took up the charango and meet one of his past lovers. Of course this wouldn't be complete without drunk Magnus and enchanted carpets (take from that what you will).

With all of Magnus' funny and serious show more moments you're in for a nice treat. A must-read for all Infernal Devices and Mortal Instruments fans! show less

A series dedicated to Magnus Bane? Oh c'mon, who doesn't like a hot warlock? With those cat-like eyes? Seriously, when I found out that Cassandra Clare released stories all about Bane, I thought I was the happiest person ever on earth, because the first three books of the Mortal Instruments had limited appearances of Magnus and Alec. And I craved more of them. But guess what, I was not. I was really disappointed with the outcome.

The title obviously says "What Really Happened in Peru" and this one has something to do with why Magnus was banned from Peru by the High Council of Peruvian Warlocks. But at the end, after those unending journey of him, it said that whatever reasons that got him banned from Peru will always be a mystery. show more Seriously?

The adventures of Magnus along with his friends with those monkeys and pirates were quite fun and quite boring. But I never thought of Magnus in a state of being broken-hearted and how it made him insane. It somehow annoyed me. I just didn't like that part.

But it was good that Ragnor Fell appeared in this series because I wondered what he was like. Overall, the story was just okay for me. show less

3 1/2 of 5 stars

What Really Happened in Peru is a story staring Warlock, Magnus Bane, from the Mortal Instrument Series. This is the first of ten short stories.

This journey begins in 1791 and progresses to 1962 with fellow warlocks Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss. It tells multiple tales of outrageous trouble the warlocks got into while in Peru. I really enjoyed the verbal banter between the characters, especially between Magnus and Ragnor. They definitely kept me giggling.

I love Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instrument Series, and I love Magnus Bane. This story is not as detailed or dramatic as the Mortal Instrument nor should it be. It is a fun, an entertaining, and light hearted story. What Really Happened in Peru a quick read that show more will put a smile on your face. I’m interested in discovering what comes next in the series.

I read this book as a free read on Pulseit. show less

My thoughts on the audio:
Jesse Williams is known for his role on Grey's Anatomy. So how does this heart throb do with as the narrator? I thought he did well. He gives each character their own distinct voice. Though at time Jesse's voice was a bit 'quiet' at times. I enjoyed his reading and hopes he'll do more audio books in the future.

My thoughts on the story line:
I really liked the story. I've read The Mortal Instruments thought I'm not quite caught up with The Infernal Devices yet. I found that this short story was easy to follow along with. I didn't really feel lost, so I think these books can be considered stand alone. This book focus on Magnus Bane ( of course since his name is in the title) and his jaunts through Peru. It doesn't show more focus on one particular time though. Bane visits Peru many times throughout his life. This book tells of each and every adventure. I do like Bane's character a lot. He's got a lot of great lines. I especially like his interaction with the other characters. Here's one of my favorite quotes:

“Magnus, you were trying to flirt with your own plate."

"I'm a very open-minded sort of fellow!"

"Ragnor is not," Catarina said. "When he found out that you were feeding us guinea pigs, he hit you over the head with your plate. It broke."

"So ended our love," Magnus said. "Ah, well. It would have never worked between me and the plate anyway.”

If you're a fan of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices then this is a must read! If you've not read the books yet, this would be a great introduction to the characters. At approximately a hour long, it's definitely worth your time.
Read more at http://www.2readornot2read.com/2013/09/audio-book-review-what-really-happened.ht... show less

HOLY. MAGNUS. CRAP. The Bane Chronicles... Hello there. :P I'd love to read you especially with Godfrey Gao in my mind while reading the stories, even this short ones. :P

UPDATE: Out now!!! I love the cover! I think it's Godfrey Gao! Damn. *melts* I'm gonna read it now!!!

REVIEW
As you all know, I really like Magnus. Love him even. So WHY?! WHY does it have to have a title like that if you'll just end it like that?! WHY?! Here I am wishing I'll know some of his secrets. But noooooo... I'm a bit disappointed at HOW it ends. :(

BUT I must say I love the second part of the book. That part where he was drunk. So drunk! LOVE that part! I really enjoyed that part. Was laughing at the office while reading it. My seatmate was like "You're so happy show more there. What's up?" LMAO.

“You told us to leave you in the desert, because you planned to start a new life as a cactus,” Catarina said, her voice flat.

“Then you conjured up tiny needles and threw them at us. With pinpoint accuracy.”

“Magnus, you were trying to flirt with your own plate.”

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