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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
andrikkk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Confinement, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death, Drug use, Gore, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexism
doggipet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest, Death, and Violence
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