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ellaep's review against another edition
2.5
I needed to read something just like this. Something easy and engaging, needing no brain power. I will for sure be listening to the rest of the series as a break from the other books I read
slavicreader's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Rereading this as an adult, almost 11 years after I had originally read it - it's been interesting. I can see why this book sparked a flame, that eventually led me becoming an avid reader. However, I can also stand back and acknowledge that it's not the best book out there exactly.
Nostalgic and fun, I'll definitely be continuing on by rereading book 2. Whilst I don't remember all the intricate details anymore, I recall the general gist of the series. Seeing the foundations laid and all the foreshadowing is kind of cool.
Some of the humour was hit or miss for me, and the dialogue - especially at the beginning - was info dumpy and crass. Didn't really this upon a reread, but it also didn't feel satisfying to learn anything new due to the writing.
Overall, it was a fun and quick read. Very appropriate for the YA genre and encapsulates what I remember the 2010s urban fantasy being. Has that nostalgic feel to it.
Nostalgic and fun, I'll definitely be continuing on by rereading book 2. Whilst I don't remember all the intricate details anymore, I recall the general gist of the series. Seeing the foundations laid and all the foreshadowing is kind of cool.
Some of the humour was hit or miss for me, and the dialogue - especially at the beginning - was info dumpy and crass. Didn't really this upon a reread, but it also didn't feel satisfying to learn anything new due to the writing.
Overall, it was a fun and quick read. Very appropriate for the YA genre and encapsulates what I remember the 2010s urban fantasy being. Has that nostalgic feel to it.
goodandbadomens's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
elizlizabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Re-read this after several years and was pleasantly surprised to find it still as good as the first time. Even if one or two jokes aged poorly this is one hell of a book, made me laugh in publicand kick my legs like a teen in public. Successful throwback.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest and Fire/Fire injury
lipsgyu's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
sb_speed82's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely love this book, no matter how many times I read it.
s_baker_19's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
xurlilyan's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
because I am being neutral . This is a good introduction for whatever chaotic yet intresting world waiting for me . I hated a lot of things in this book yet I stayed up until 4 am reading it because it got me intruiged . It's a love-hate relationship what can I say?
I hated all the characters but clary somhow which is weird .. Maybe I am just a hater lol but I do not like reading about teenagers and that's why ya isn't for me I suppose but I might grow to like them just not from this book.
I can not forget two lines ; clary's " normal coffee.. black like my soul" and jace's "I'm not like other guys" these two lines are hunting me until th day I die ..But I like the emo tumblr 2010s twilight core or whatever is happneing in here . Not mad about the nostalgia I felt while reading this .
I was planing on making 90% of this review dedicated on hating on simon but for some reason I can't? he has done something and he is not as useless as I thought he was so...
I love the plot twist even tho I got a little spoiler ( gracias pintrest ugh) ,I still got surprised every time and yes .. I didn't know about the adaptation until recently and tbh I do not think I'm missing out ...
am I looking forward to whatever love triangle or weird relationship is going to happen ? yes . that's what I am signing for besides reading the infernal devices .
I'll read this following cassandra clare's order because I think girly know best ..
I don't know what this review was but see you all in city of ashes.. let's go
because I am being neutral . This is a good introduction for whatever chaotic yet intresting world waiting for me . I hated a lot of things in this book yet I stayed up until 4 am reading it because it got me intruiged . It's a love-hate relationship what can I say?
I hated all the characters but clary somhow which is weird .. Maybe I am just a hater lol but I do not like reading about teenagers and that's why ya isn't for me I suppose but I might grow to like them just not from this book.
I can not forget two lines ; clary's " normal coffee.. black like my soul" and jace's "I'm not like other guys" these two lines are hunting me until th day I die ..But I like the emo tumblr 2010s twilight core or whatever is happneing in here . Not mad about the nostalgia I felt while reading this .
I was planing on making 90% of this review dedicated on hating on simon but for some reason I can't? he has done something and he is not as useless as I thought he was so...
I love the plot twist even tho I got a little spoiler ( gracias pintrest ugh) ,I still got surprised every time and yes .. I didn't know about the adaptation until recently and tbh I do not think I'm missing out ...
am I looking forward to whatever love triangle or weird relationship is going to happen ? yes . that's what I am signing for besides reading the infernal devices .
I'll read this following cassandra clare's order because I think girly know best ..
I don't know what this review was but see you all in city of ashes.. let's go
seltzer11's review against another edition
4.0
It's a 3.5/5 but honestly, I did not think I would give this four stars again. It has been eight years since I last read it ... I was younger than the protagonist at that time. I understand why so many people do not like it but maybe it is the nostalgia I associate with it or maybe I am just a sucker for the story but I still like it. Reading it in German might've made the characters extra annoying but they've grown on me during the six books and now reading the very start again softens me to their stupid and irrational behavior. Clary certainly is one of the most naive and impulsive characters anyone could probably ever meet, Jace is big-headed and stupidly stubborn, and Simon a blind dork, you could almost say you've got your classic YA love triangle. (Again) I am very biased when it comes to everything because I've already seen the bigger picture and I can really tell the detail and thought Clare had already put in the first book that connects throughout the series so reading about the quirks of the characters now knowing what they'll get to is just heart-warming and therefore I really cannot be harsh on them. The story itself is very steady in the beginning, the first book is really just an introduction to the whole thing and merely scraps the surface so I get why there are a few people who say it's rather boring but all I can say is if you stick around and actually notice the improvements in Clare's writing and story-building you'll get sucked right into the story.
One thing that I did not really realize back when I first read it was the scope of the incest bit like it's not a lot and it kinda keeps the story up but it is also really weird???? Like you do not just move from kissing in the hallway to 'hey sis you wanna hang out'? Weirdly enough this also never fades in the series, as it will always be there and realising it again kinda freaks me out.
Overall, it has been nice to read something I was so indulged in as a teenager, as an adult. Makes you realise how much you actually grow over the years.
One thing that I did not really realize back when I first read it was the scope of the incest bit like it's not a lot and it kinda keeps the story up but it is also really weird???? Like you do not just move from kissing in the hallway to 'hey sis you wanna hang out'? Weirdly enough this also never fades in the series, as it will always be there and realising it again kinda freaks me out.
Overall, it has been nice to read something I was so indulged in as a teenager, as an adult. Makes you realise how much you actually grow over the years.