Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Tercera relectura de estos libros y me siguen gustando como el primer día. Nada más que añadir.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(This feels low, but I just didn't connect with this one as much as I did with City of Lost Souls)
‘Go forth and light the lights of war.’
I enjoyed this read a lot, so I can't really explain why I came out of a series finale feeling... empty?
I think the fact that Cassandra Clare was simultaneously writing a series finale while also trying to nod to the Infernal Devices series and to set up the Dark Artifices series ultimately dragged this one.
This is highly unfortunate, because the plot and the stakes and the many conflicts were highly compelling. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and stressed (in a good way) reading this book (anyone who knows me can tell you I had a couple of days of "WAIT. Is Magnus okay?!"). But I think constantly being dragged into the world of Emma and Julian and being expected to fully care about and be invested in them, despite the fact that there was no way that their story and characters could be developed properly when Clare was wrapping up an epic six-book fantasy series, affected my enjoyment of the book as a whole.
Clare may have bit off more than she could chew with all the different character perspectives and things she was trying to accomplish, is what I'm saying.
All that said, when it comes to the main plot and the Mortal Instruments characters we have come to know and love, this is an excellent finale. While there are things that irk me about how the book concludes (SpoilerI do not appreciate the last-second redemption of Sebastian/Jonathan, a character who does not deserve redemption, and I really do think Clare said "damn consequences" and tied a very complicated story and situation up with way too neat and pretty of a bow), it's a worthy end to what has been an intense, fast-paced, emotional rollercoaster.
It is impressive as always that, even though these books get very, very dark, Clare manages to maintain a level of humour. Simon and Raphael ribbing each other, an intoxicated Simon shouting to Izzy while every significant Shadowhunter bemusedly looks on, and Alec being done with the horny, heterosexual teenagers with which he's found himself surrounded are particular highlights.
Also, apologies to Clary and Jace and to Simon and Izzy, but Alec and Magnus are the romantic highlight of this book. Alec Lightwood's worry and heartbreak over Magnus Bane is the emotional lynchpin of this book, and I will not be convinced otherwise.
‘I don’t want the world. I want you.’ (Whomp.)
Sebastian Morgenstern remains one of the most horrifying villains in fiction to me, and he really hits it out of the park in this book. His cleverness and near-infallibility combined with his sadism and complete disregard for life is just... horrifying. The fact that his threat is combined with sexual domination amplifies this. He is difficult to read and the way Clare weaves him through this book in particular is masterful.
Clary Fray is also bearable in this book. Yay. This makes it even more frustrating that Clare didn't just focus on the series's characters in this final book.
Because, man, did I want to enjoy this more. It doesn't help that the epilogue was too long and frankly felt a bit cowardly. Never have I seen an author backtrack quite so significantly from her emotionally ambiguous ending.
‘In the end they destroyed themselves. Everyone does, you know. We demons get the blame, but we only open the door. It is humanity who steps through it.’
‘Go forth and light the lights of war.’
I enjoyed this read a lot, so I can't really explain why I came out of a series finale feeling... empty?
I think the fact that Cassandra Clare was simultaneously writing a series finale while also trying to nod to the Infernal Devices series and to set up the Dark Artifices series ultimately dragged this one.
This is highly unfortunate, because the plot and the stakes and the many conflicts were highly compelling. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and stressed (in a good way) reading this book (anyone who knows me can tell you I had a couple of days of "WAIT. Is Magnus okay?!"). But I think constantly being dragged into the world of Emma and Julian and being expected to fully care about and be invested in them, despite the fact that there was no way that their story and characters could be developed properly when Clare was wrapping up an epic six-book fantasy series, affected my enjoyment of the book as a whole.
Clare may have bit off more than she could chew with all the different character perspectives and things she was trying to accomplish, is what I'm saying.
All that said, when it comes to the main plot and the Mortal Instruments characters we have come to know and love, this is an excellent finale. While there are things that irk me about how the book concludes (SpoilerI do not appreciate the last-second redemption of Sebastian/Jonathan, a character who does not deserve redemption, and I really do think Clare said "damn consequences" and tied a very complicated story and situation up with way too neat and pretty of a bow), it's a worthy end to what has been an intense, fast-paced, emotional rollercoaster.
It is impressive as always that, even though these books get very, very dark, Clare manages to maintain a level of humour. Simon and Raphael ribbing each other, an intoxicated Simon shouting to Izzy while every significant Shadowhunter bemusedly looks on, and Alec being done with the horny, heterosexual teenagers with which he's found himself surrounded are particular highlights.
Also, apologies to Clary and Jace and to Simon and Izzy, but Alec and Magnus are the romantic highlight of this book. Alec Lightwood's worry and heartbreak over Magnus Bane is the emotional lynchpin of this book, and I will not be convinced otherwise.
‘I don’t want the world. I want you.’ (Whomp.)
Sebastian Morgenstern remains one of the most horrifying villains in fiction to me, and he really hits it out of the park in this book. His cleverness and near-infallibility combined with his sadism and complete disregard for life is just... horrifying. The fact that his threat is combined with sexual domination amplifies this. He is difficult to read and the way Clare weaves him through this book in particular is masterful.
Clary Fray is also bearable in this book. Yay. This makes it even more frustrating that Clare didn't just focus on the series's characters in this final book.
Because, man, did I want to enjoy this more. It doesn't help that the epilogue was too long and frankly felt a bit cowardly. Never have I seen an author backtrack quite so significantly from her emotionally ambiguous ending.
‘In the end they destroyed themselves. Everyone does, you know. We demons get the blame, but we only open the door. It is humanity who steps through it.’
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a perfect conclusion. My heart was breaking at the end and I honestly can't believe this adventure is over. I love these characters so much I don't want to say goodbye!!
Un final apoteósico y maravilloso para la saga "Los instrumentos mortales"
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
The journey of this was *chef's kiss.* This entire series had both my middle school and adult self laughing, frustrated, and gasping all the way through. I'm so happy to pick this back up in adulthood. I felt like a kid again reading this and I think that's the beauty of it. The magic, action, plot twists were amazing. And the characters, I loved how everyone complemented one another and brought something different to the table. It's so hard to pick a favorite in this series. Can't wait to continue with this universe!