Part of Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, book 6
First published 2015
Simon Lewis faces a harsh reality during his training at Shadowhunter Academy. Once a vampire himself, he understands the struggles of Downworlders in ways his fellow students cannot. When a training exercise spirals out of control, Simon witnesses the deep-seated prejudice that runs through Shadowhunter society. The incident forces him to confront uncomfortable truths about the organization he seeks to join. Through lessons about Helen and Mark Blackthorn, Simon learns how bias shapes the lives of those caught between worlds. His unique perspective as someone who once lived outside the Shadowhunter community puts him at odds with centuries of tradition. Simon must decide whether he can change the system from within or if some prejudices run too deep to overcome. This story explores the cost of belonging when acceptance means overlooking injustice.
Genres: fantasy, contemporary, young-adult, urban-fantasy
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Shadowhunter Academy
66 pages · Kindle Edition · Margaret K. McElderry Books
Content warnings: racism