A review by pewterwolf
The Runaway Queen by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson

3.0

Review Taken From The Pewter Wolf

In the height of the French Revolution, Magnus is staying in Paris. When we join our hero, he is on his way to ride a hot air balloon (after he thought it was be great one wine-fuelled evening). But, due to weather conditions, it never happens. He returns home to find a handsome count (with black hair and blue eyes), asking Magnus for his help to rescue the French Royal Family...

Now, I went into this with very low expectations. After the very disappointing [b:What Really Happened in Peru|17334079|What Really Happened in Peru (The Bane Chronicles, #1)|Cassandra Clare|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1366745722s/17334079.jpg|22634595], I held very little hope with this story. And, to my surprise, I enjoyed this. There was a story! And it was a good story at that! It was enjoyable and fun sunny read (which was perfect as I was in the garden one sunny afternoon with a glass of Diet Coke).

I do wish the story was a bit longer and more indepth and I wish that this was published before What Really Happened in Peru (I fear that story lost several fans). But that's not Walker Books fault so I don't hold you to account, dear publisher.

Now, on some of the reviews I've read, I was interested over Magnus's attention. He agreed to the count's plea for help as, according to some reviews I read, Magnus was feeling... er... randy. That's right. To these reviews, Magnus had a crush on this guy. Which makes me want to know more about Magnus's psychology and he's need to be loved. Maybe this issue is tackled in the latter books of the Mortal Instruments series (books 4 to 6, which I am very wary of going near)...

So, I enjoyed this story more than the first installment of the Bane Chronicles. Maybe there is hope with this series. Or maybe I should stick with the stories that Cassandra writes alone or with Maureen Johnson and steer clear of Sarah Rees Brennan...