I honestly don't know how to feel about this book. I didn't hate it, but I didn't really like it either. I just didn't get it. I've seen so many reviews that say this book is /scary/terrifying/funny/the bee's knees but I didn't get any of that.
I loved the mythology and folklore in the book, and the only character I truly enjoyed was Carmel. Cas was either too pompous, prideful, or too gooey eyed over a ghost who's murdered countless people. And for some reason he just can't bring himself to kill her, even though she ripped someone IN HALF right in front of his own eyes. I just don't understand. Yes, she ended up not being evil, but where was the logic behind any of this? And he fell in love with her within days. A murdering ghost he just met. Anything passes for love in YA novels. I should just stop reading them all together because all one has to do is look longingly at someone they just met and they are ~~~IN LURRRVE~~~ And then somehow Anna isn't actually a ghost because they can makeout, which makes even less sense than a ghost actually being possessed.
And don't even get me started about how none of the characters, with the exception of Cas' mother and Will, had no emotion what so ever. If I saw my friend being ripped in half, or even just heard about my friends dying gruesome deaths, I would shit my self then go huddle on my bed and cry/pee/vomit simultaneously.
The last few chapters was when the book got really interesting, no surprise there. Too bad the book as a whole couldn't keep me interested as the last chapters did.
I read the first three books of The Mortal Instruments series within days of starting them and was so into the series I pre-ordered City of Fallen Angels. It took me over two weeks to finally get through this book. It just wasn't exciting for me. I had to force myself to keep reading throughout most of the book. After about 1/3 of the way through, it picked up a little bit but it still wasn't up to par with the other books. I honestly believe the series should have ended with City of Glass. Don't get me wrong, CoFA wasn't horrible, It just wasn't that good.
I did like seeing more of how The Infernal Devices ties in with The Mortal Instruments, so that was a plus (I prefer TID over TMI.) Jace and Clary were more annoying this time around with their hot and then cold “relationship,” Jace's self loathing, and Clary's inability to listen and do as she's told . Everything was just a repeat of the past books. Another thing that really bothered me was the message this book puts out about abuse, Right after Jace purposely cuts Clary with a dagger during a hot make-out session, Clary says, "you would never hurt me" Uh, did you just miss the part where he sliced your arm from your elbow to your wrist. But it's okay because an evil demon has been making him have nightmares about doing it for weeks. Seriously, Clare? and relationships. Clearly, the relationship between Jace and Clary is unhealthy.
I felt the ending was way too contrived. I will continue to read the series only to see what happens with the characters I actually like (Isabelle, Magnus, Alec, Simon) but I will read it before, and if, I buy it this time.
I must say, this wasn't as good as I expected. This is coming from someone who read Clockwork Angel, from the prequel series just released a few months ago, first. The writing was a lot better in Clockwork Angel than City of Bones.
Let me start by saying I still really liked the book. The characters were good. I liked how strong-willed Clary was and how witty and charming Jace was. I usually find myself annoyed by the “bitch” of the story but Isabelle was a very refreshing character (unlike jessamine) as was Simon. I felt the story dragged a little bit. There wasn't much action if you think about it. A lot of the story just focused on Jace and Clary, which is fine with me, but there just wasn't enough action mixed in.
Over all I enjoyed the book. I just didn't find myself flipping through the pages like a mad man like the way I had done for Clockwork Angel until the very baffling end. It is very strange and revolting storyline to have, in my opinion.
In comparison, I feel more drawn to the Infernal Devices characters. I feel like I know more about them, excluding Will, than I know about the Characters from The Mortal Instruments. I still have 2 more books to read at the moment, and i'm sure some of my opinions will change. But this is my first glance at the series based on the first books of both series.
I had a hard time getting through this book. We're supposed to like the relationship between Kaylee and Nash, but other than the fact that they are both bean sidhes and are attracted to one another, there is nothing else there. Where are the common interests? What are their thoughts about one another (aside from Nash being ~OMGSOHOT) and their opinions? They never have discussions about things other than bean sidhes, hellions, demons, reapers, etc. and this is a huge problem for me. It's like they've meshed into one character and it's such a disappointment.
Also bothering me is that we hardly see any interaction with Kaylee and Emma, unless Emma is doing Kaylee a favor (such as covering for her, or borrowing her car.) You would think that Emma's near death last book would have opened Kaylee's eyes and she'd want to spend time with her best friend, seeing as she almost lost her. forever. But, no. She just wants to spend time with Nash. Nash, Nash, Nash. Someone who has absolutely no depth, and she doesn't even have decent conversations with. And then it seems like the author is casually working up to some Nash-Kaylee-Tod triangle. Just what we need, 2 brothers in love with a girl that is extremely naive, hypocritical, gets in over her head and puts other people in danger.
The continuity is that great either. I specifically remember at one point in the book Kaylee is thinking about how she has surpassed her curfew and is going to be late, then later in the book when she gets grounded she is thinking to herself how she “forgot about her curfew because too many things were happening” when she was actually very much aware of the fact that she was purposely ignoring her curfew earlier. Little things like this are just a minor annoyance, but still annoying, nonetheless.
I feel like the author doesn't realize how long it actually takes to get from Arlington to Dallas. I feel like she portrays it as just a drive up the road when in actuality it takes about 20-30 minutes to get from Arlington to Dallas, and that's without traffic. So sometimes I don't understand how they can get to and from places so fast. I still find it neat that the book is set in my home of north Texas though, as this doesn't happen very often.
I will give the series a second chance and hope the third installment isn't as boring and repetitive (Awkward scenes of Nash and Kaylee dry humping all. the. time., Painful descriptions of Nash's good looks and her insecurities about the popular jock wanting her for one thing she isn't even giving up. Surely he wouldn't risk his life several times just for a lay so she needs to get over it or break up with him if she can't.) I saw that the next book has a better rating overall than this one so i'm hopeful. I just have a hard time reading a series where I don't particularly care for the two main characters. Tod is a different story, though.
36 Books
See all