What Really Happened in Peru Audiobook Review

What Really Happened in Peru audioBook: What Really Happened in Peru (The Bane Chronicles #1) by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan, Simon & Schuster Audio, April 16, 2013

Audiobook Info:  YA Fantasy novella, Received for review from Simon & Schuster Audio, Audio length: 1 hours 13 minutes, read by Jesse Williams

Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

More Info: Audible | Goodreads | Amazon

The Bane Chronicles is a new novella Shadowhunter world spinoff series from Cassandra Clare and co-authors Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson. The first of 10 short stories about my favorite warlock Magnus Bane kicks off with What Really Happened in Peru.

Magnus Bane is such a scene-stealer in all the Shadowhunter books that it’s nice to see him in the spotlight for a change. These bite size standalone stories fill in some of the blanks in Bane’s extensive backstory and help tide us over until the next Shadowhunter book.

This installment teasingly tries to answer the question posed in the title with comedic, sorrowful and insightful anecdotes. It’s a good bonus addition to the Shadowhunters legend and a must for those who can’t get enough of Magnus.

Super fans of The Mortal Instruments series know that Magnus Bane was banished from Peru. I didn’t remember that tidbit, but after doing some digging I think it’s mentioned in City of Fallen Angels? In What Really Happened in Peru, Magnus visits Peru with his warlock cohorts Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss. Magnus gets involved in several antics there, but which was the final straw? (Seriously, which was it?)

This quick read answers some questions about the mysterious Magnus while also providing the silliness you might expect. There are exotic animals, bad dancing, drunken exploits and stolen kisses. With Magnus’ immortal status he has had his share of heartbreak though, some of which we learn about. The story jumps around in time and gets a little confusing at times, but I guess it’s to illustrate all the exploits Magnus gets involved in over the years.

Jesse Williiams recording The Bane Chronicles
Jesse Williams recording the audiobook of What Really Happened in Peru. Photo credit: Simon & Schuster Audio.

Jesse Williams narrates What Really Happened in Peru. This is his first time narrating an audiobook- he is best known as Dr. Jackson Avery on Grey’s Anatomy, of which I’m a fan. Williams has good comedic timing for Magnus, something we don’t get to see a lot of on Grey’s. I think Williams understood the character of Magnus and had fun with it. There are a lot of different characters, accents, and time frames in this installment, so Williams gets to get creative with the narration. I preferred his male voices overall, but I liked that he’s animated and really got into the story. At just over an hour, I’m pretty sure this is the shortest audiobook I’ve ever listened to, but I do think Clare’s books lend themselves well to audio.

The next book in the series is The Runaway Queen, co-written by Maureen Johnson, due out May 21. It’s set during the French Revolution, when Magnus tries to rescue the royal family.

Check out an interview with Jesse Williams discussing the audiobook at MTV and listen to an audio sample below:

 

Ornament

13 thoughts on “What Really Happened in Peru Audiobook Review

  1. wow! I didn’t even think they would do an audiobook for a novella! =) thanks for the review. i think i’m going to just read this one, but if i like the story, i may check out the audio as well just to hear what the narration sounds like.

    1. Lucy says:

      I was surprised there was an audio too, but I think it works really well. And still just as affordable as the ebook! Hope you like the story 🙂

  2. Kelley says:

    Awww, Magnus is my favorite! I didn’t even know there was going to be a series of short stories about him. And on audio – nice touch! I’m so glad you posted this because otherwise I don’t know if I would have found out about it.

    1. Lucy says:

      Isn’t Magnus the best? Hope you check out the novella sometime! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

  3. Quinn says:

    Magnus is awesome! I definitely need to check this out.

    1. Lucy says:

      Yes, since you’re a Magnus fan I think you’ll enjoy learning more about him in this series! Hope you like!

  4. I didn’t realise there’d be an audiobook version. Thanks for the sample audio clip

    1. Lucy says:

      It is a surprise, isn’t it? It’s my first audio novella! And the price is comparable to the e-book version.

  5. I have a real hard time with novellas. I checked out Kim Harrison’s most recent Into the Woods novellas on audio & just couldn’t get into it.

    I didn’t remember he was banned from Peru either. I bet Magnus has lots of stories to tell. I’ll have to keep my eye out for it on audio.

    1. Lucy says:

      Oh good I’m glad I’m not the only one that didn’t remember the Peru banning 🙂

      I think Jesse Williams is narrating all the novellas so I’m interested in continuing the series via audio. There will be a compilation book of all the novellas at some point, so that’s another way to go.

  6. Sunny says:

    I really need to read this series! The novella sounds great and I keep saying I need to listen to an amazing audiobook. Thanks for the sample!

    Sunny @ Blue Sky Bookshelf

  7. […] your chance to catch up on his extensive backstory. The first installment from Rees Brennan, What Really Happened in Peru, debuted last month. I listened to this installment again via audiobook, and not only is there a […]

  8. karla michelle says:

    wawwww jesse i love you baby eres guapo y gran actor soy tú fanatica te amo moreno

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