Scan barcode
cowardlyteaman's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I don't think Cassandra Clare thought of 17-year-old boys as her target audience when she wrote this book, yet here I am enjoying it. More than I'd like to admit. Or maybe I'm just gay, who knows.
But really, I do think this trilogy is enjoyable for a larger audience than some might have been lead to believe.
This book was a difficult one to rate, I though, because I don't want to like it as much as I do. It was cheesy at times, and dramatic, but we are dramatic, aren't we? 17-year-olds, I mean. I still remain a bit disturbed by the fact that I am older than the main character. Anyway, I actually don't mind it being a bit dramatic. I found it (mostly) engaging instead of distracting, actually, only with the occasional sigh whenever Tessa's brother Nate was brought up.
The story is good, I think. I enjoy a good drug dealer and mad scientist. The creatures as well, though I think some of the features like blue skin were a bit—off or childish, I still enjoy a good werewolf, vampire, and the warlocks are cool, too. And I enjoy many of the characters as well, although I regrettably find Tessa quite cliché.
Then there's the whole thing about Will... We're given the reason behind his dick behaviour in this book, but I'm honestly tired of the «I push people away to protect them» trope. Even if it was given a proper-ish enough reason here, it wasn't really enough for me to excuse it. However, I did like him more towards the end of the book. He's Welsh, though, and I greatly appreciated the little Welsh line put in there. Fi hefyd, Will. Fi hefyd. I especially like his relationship with James...
Or should I say Jem. No, I shouldn't. The nickname sends shivers down my spine. It's horrid. And the same thing applies to «Tessa». And why not throw in «Nate» while we're at it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but t's something horribly American to make up these weird and awkward pet names? Jem? Of all things? I daresay James is a perfectly fine name for a respectable gentleman. Theresa, also MUCH better than Tessa, which every time is mentioned only reminds me of that wretched (donkey???) thing from Winnie the Poo. Tussi, if I'm not mistaken. Will as a shortened version of William is wonderful. It's normal, fine, elegant even. Now, I just remembered that Tessa and Nate are, in fact, American, so I can agree to disagree on that just because of—cultural differences, but Jem? Good God. Just call him James, all of you.
But then there is James, who I adore. He's witty at times, gentle, and together with Will an excellent portrayal of peak male friendship. He is practically married to his best friend, and I respect that. Without stretching it too far, I might compare it to Sam and Frodo.
Then there's the matter of his actual marriage. To Theresa. To be very honest ... I just don't feel it. I don't feel their bond at all. The only thing it counts for it the drama, which is a shame. I actually enjoyed the drama here, between James and Will, but that's because I love drugs.(/hj) I do think it's interesting how the trio's dynamic will play out in the end, since Theresa so obviously isn't done with Will, and Will just had a life-changing epiphany about love. But I don't see her with either of them. Unfortunately.
As a little honourable mention, I want to say that I really liked Gabriel being portrayed with personality. By that I mean that he's realistic, I think. He's kind of like your trademark Draco Malfoy, but I would say better written. Draco is just straight up a dick. Gabriel is a dick as well, but he really did help Theresa to train, and was nice to her, despite her relation to Will. It was unexpected. A pleasant surprise.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading the next one.
But really, I do think this trilogy is enjoyable for a larger audience than some might have been lead to believe.
This book was a difficult one to rate, I though, because I don't want to like it as much as I do. It was cheesy at times, and dramatic, but we are dramatic, aren't we? 17-year-olds, I mean. I still remain a bit disturbed by the fact that I am older than the main character. Anyway, I actually don't mind it being a bit dramatic. I found it (mostly) engaging instead of distracting, actually, only with the occasional sigh whenever Tessa's brother Nate was brought up.
The story is good, I think. I enjoy a good drug dealer and mad scientist. The creatures as well, though I think some of the features like blue skin were a bit—off or childish, I still enjoy a good werewolf, vampire, and the warlocks are cool, too. And I enjoy many of the characters as well, although I regrettably find Tessa quite cliché.
Then there's the whole thing about Will... We're given the reason behind his dick behaviour in this book, but I'm honestly tired of the «I push people away to protect them» trope. Even if it was given a proper-ish enough reason here, it wasn't really enough for me to excuse it. However, I did like him more towards the end of the book. He's Welsh, though, and I greatly appreciated the little Welsh line put in there. Fi hefyd, Will. Fi hefyd. I especially like his relationship with James...
Or should I say Jem. No, I shouldn't. The nickname sends shivers down my spine. It's horrid. And the same thing applies to «Tessa». And why not throw in «Nate» while we're at it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but t's something horribly American to make up these weird and awkward pet names? Jem? Of all things? I daresay James is a perfectly fine name for a respectable gentleman. Theresa, also MUCH better than Tessa, which every time is mentioned only reminds me of that wretched (donkey???) thing from Winnie the Poo. Tussi, if I'm not mistaken. Will as a shortened version of William is wonderful. It's normal, fine, elegant even. Now, I just remembered that Tessa and Nate are, in fact, American, so I can agree to disagree on that just because of—cultural differences, but Jem? Good God. Just call him James, all of you.
But then there is James, who I adore. He's witty at times, gentle, and together with Will an excellent portrayal of peak male friendship. He is practically married to his best friend, and I respect that. Without stretching it too far, I might compare it to Sam and Frodo.
As a little honourable mention, I want to say that I really liked Gabriel being portrayed with personality. By that I mean that he's realistic, I think. He's kind of like your trademark Draco Malfoy, but I would say better written. Draco is just straight up a dick. Gabriel is a dick as well, but he really did help Theresa to train, and was nice to her, despite her relation to Will. It was unexpected. A pleasant surprise.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Violence, Murder, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicide, Pregnancy, Incest, Rape, and Self harm
bookswithlauren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Blood, Death, Drug use, Child death, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Suicide, and Violence
amberkaylynn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Blood, Gore, and Self harm
cait's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“You and I, Tess, we’re alike. We live and breathe words. It was books that kept me from taking my own life after I thought I could never love anyone, never be loved by anyone again. It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them. Reading your words, what you wrote, how you were lonely sometimes and afraid, but always brave; the way you saw the world, its colors and textures and sounds, I felt – I felt the way you thought, hoped, felt, dreamed. I felt I was dreaming and thinking and feeling with you. I dreamed what you dreamed, wanted what you wanted – and then I realized that truly I just wanted you. The girl behind the scrawled letters. I loved you from the moment I read them. I love you still.”
I. Am. In. Agony.
Love triangles are not supposed to work. There is supposed to be one guy who is obviously right and the other who is obviously wrong and the main protagonist’s inability to decide is supposed to be infuriating since only one of the dudes is worth her time.
But that’s not the case here. I love Tessa and I love Jem and I love Will. No matter who she ends up with, my heart is going to break and I really can’t bear to even think about it.
In the aftermath of Mortmain’s failed attack on the Institute and subsequent escape, Charlotte’s leadership is in question with the Clave and she has only two weeks to track down Mortmain to guarantee that her position is not usurped by Benedict Lightwood. But, with no new leads and an even more preoccupied Will, time is not on their side.
This book was phenomenal. Truly phenomenal. I’m so emotional and all over the place after reading it that I’m not sure how to share how I felt about it. It’s definitely taken position on my list of favorite books and I can’t imagine how Clockwork Princess could possibly top what this novel had to offer.
There was so much development throughout this story as Sophie and Tessa begin combat training with Gideon and Gabriel Lightwood by order of the Clave, Will pursues Magnus Bane’s help in hunting down a demon for a reason he refuses to explain, Tessa and Jem become closer and closer, and Jessamine’s behavior becomes more and more bizarre. Every new revelation was more shocking than the last, every moment was fraught with tension, and every new character aroused in me a deep suspicion and paranoia – Surely this one was the one who would turn on them?
And this book was steamy. That scene. In Jem’s room. When he speaks to her in Chinese. *swoons* How am I supposed to live if this poor, beautiful, kind boy gets his heart broken?
And that scene on the balcony with Will? And then when he finally faces off against the demon who cursed him? How am I supposed to live if this poor, kind, misunderstood boy gets his heart broken?
My heart is the one that’s breaking right now.
Overall, I find myself deeply satisfied with this story and both eagerly anticipating and absolutely dreading the conclusion. Easy 5/5. I’m in love with this world and these characters.
"It's too late," she said.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore, Addiction, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Grief, Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Classism, Death of parent, Drug use, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Ableism, Self harm, War, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Medical content
More...