Take a photo of a barcode or cover
sarahlou79's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
4.25
readingrediscovered's review against another edition
5.0
A roller coaster of emotion, but oh so good! I'm still sad that
This was a great ending to the series. I'm really looking forward to the next series Cassie will write! In the meantime, I need to get my hands on every other Cassie book I don't already have!
Spoiler
Simon doesn't remember everything but I'm glad he's going to be a Shadowhunter and re-learn about the whole world.This was a great ending to the series. I'm really looking forward to the next series Cassie will write! In the meantime, I need to get my hands on every other Cassie book I don't already have!
booksonmars's review
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
the final book has made me remember just how much i love this series, and the world and its characters. there was so much space for the relationships in this book to flourish, and i'm so glad clary and jace finally got a break (relationship wise that is). you can really see how much clary has grown up and accustomed to the shadow world, how much jace has emotionally matured. because it's the final book following these characters we do get lots of beautiful and stirring words of emotion, and there were so many moments were i teared up. clary and simon will always be the bestest friends to ever do it. the easter eggs from the infernal devices and setting up the dark artifices were especially scrumptious. i just love this world so much! next on the reread is the infernal devices which i am not and will never be emotionally ready for.
sebasscamacho's review against another edition
4.0
I remember being scared of the size of this book cause it had too many pages but I finished it faster than other books that are shorter cause i couldn’t stop reading by how good the book was. Read the last 100 pages at a sleepover until like 2am and cried.
emilyakerman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
milointhewoods's review against another edition
1.0
if i’m being honest, i despise incest storylines. i don’t understand why someone would want to write one; how anyone can find them at all compelling; and i don’t understand any level of attraction between siblings.
i also really don’t like reading about rape, or sexual assault, especially when a story could easily have not included it. quite a large portion of this book i didn’t enjoy.
i only plowed through it because i absolutely adore some of cassandra clares other series and wanted to understand the basis for the world. i don’t think clary and jace are anywhere near as good primary characters as emma and julian are or james and cordelia. also quite a lot of the side characters aren’t really developed in this story, but go on to be developed later in other books.
it’s not all that bad, and i’ll probably reread it as a marathon or something in the future, but i just don’t like reading about incest. also it’s clear that cassie clares writing develops impressively in the coming series.
there are some enjoyable parts, i think the ending is really sweet and also leads on well to the further novels in the universe, and i do really like reading the little nods to other series and the references because i think it shows a skill for developing worlds. to conclude, this is probably cassies worst series, but it’s not awful. i did prefer the original trilogy to the addition trilogy though.
i also really don’t like reading about rape, or sexual assault, especially when a story could easily have not included it. quite a large portion of this book i didn’t enjoy.
i only plowed through it because i absolutely adore some of cassandra clares other series and wanted to understand the basis for the world. i don’t think clary and jace are anywhere near as good primary characters as emma and julian are or james and cordelia. also quite a lot of the side characters aren’t really developed in this story, but go on to be developed later in other books.
it’s not all that bad, and i’ll probably reread it as a marathon or something in the future, but i just don’t like reading about incest. also it’s clear that cassie clares writing develops impressively in the coming series.
there are some enjoyable parts, i think the ending is really sweet and also leads on well to the further novels in the universe, and i do really like reading the little nods to other series and the references because i think it shows a skill for developing worlds. to conclude, this is probably cassies worst series, but it’s not awful. i did prefer the original trilogy to the addition trilogy though.
romaisa_azim's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? No
4.5
litandlean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
moonwisher's review against another edition
4.0
I'm finding that I can't really decide how I felt about this final installment in The Mortal Instruments series. For the most part, I loved it. I laughed, I cried, I squealed -- what more could I ask for? But I cannot bring myself to give it 5 out of 5 stars. There was still just something about it that made me feel distanced from it. There was some element lacking that left me feeling like I couldn't connect to the story in the way that I wanted to.
Maybe I'm just too affected by The Infernal Devices series. While I have a special place in my heart for Clary and her friends, TID was ultimately SO much better than TMI. The characters, the storylines, the pacing -- everything was just better in TID. And speaking of TID, I really loved that Clare was able to include things and people from TID in Heavenly Fire. My "feels" may not appreciate that, but anytime Jem or Tessa were even mentioned, my little fangirl heart freaked out. God, even thinking about Jem/Tessa/Will makes me want to bawl my eyes out.
But overall, I find that COHF was a worthy finale to TMI, even though I personally feel the story should have ended with City of Glass. I appreciate that Clary wasn't so goddamn annoying in this, and that Jace wasn't do angsty. I liked that their relationship problems were over so that they could actually focus on the important matters at hand -- without the constant make-out sessions. (Random tangent: am I the only one who was amused by the fact that condoms were actually mentioned during the Clace sex scene? A rare occurrence for romance, I believe. And not only that, but I thought it was hilarious that Jace even thought to bring condoms with him, considering they were traveling into a demon realm and he was still unable to touch his girlfriend without potentially killing her.)
I also quite liked the inclusion of Emma's point of view in the books, considering Clare had some setting up to do for her next Shadowhunter series. While I definitely have mixed feelings about The Dark Artifices being written, I'm sure I will still devour them. Plus, I just loved all of the couples in the book. Sizzy, Malec, Clace -- they were all awesome and didn't make me want to rip my hair out.
So, COHF gets a positive review from me. Despite its flaws and frustrations, I do love TMI.
Maybe I'm just too affected by The Infernal Devices series. While I have a special place in my heart for Clary and her friends, TID was ultimately SO much better than TMI. The characters, the storylines, the pacing -- everything was just better in TID. And speaking of TID, I really loved that Clare was able to include things and people from TID in Heavenly Fire. My "feels" may not appreciate that, but anytime Jem or Tessa were even mentioned, my little fangirl heart freaked out. God, even thinking about Jem/Tessa/Will makes me want to bawl my eyes out.
Spoiler
And I did a lot of that upon finding the Jessa wedding comic strip included in some editions of the book. (Yes, people, it exists. Yes, it is absolutely beautiful and devastating).But overall, I find that COHF was a worthy finale to TMI, even though I personally feel the story should have ended with City of Glass. I appreciate that Clary wasn't so goddamn annoying in this, and that Jace wasn't do angsty. I liked that their relationship problems were over so that they could actually focus on the important matters at hand -- without the constant make-out sessions. (Random tangent: am I the only one who was amused by the fact that condoms were actually mentioned during the Clace sex scene? A rare occurrence for romance, I believe. And not only that, but I thought it was hilarious that Jace even thought to bring condoms with him, considering they were traveling into a demon realm and he was still unable to touch his girlfriend without potentially killing her.)
I also quite liked the inclusion of Emma's point of view in the books, considering Clare had some setting up to do for her next Shadowhunter series. While I definitely have mixed feelings about The Dark Artifices being written, I'm sure I will still devour them. Plus, I just loved all of the couples in the book. Sizzy, Malec, Clace -- they were all awesome and didn't make me want to rip my hair out.
So, COHF gets a positive review from me. Despite its flaws and frustrations, I do love TMI.
tavern_bard's review against another edition
4.0
I'm sure it's a fine book for highschoolers and whatnot, it's intended audience, so I don't want to be too harsh on it because of that. I just wish for something more relatable at 26.
Mini rant: Jace brought a condom into hell! Are you serious!? 'She hear the sound of what sounds like tin foil crumpling.' Oh man, I just can't stop laughing at how ridiculous, there's just no way! Heck, it'd be better just to have her create something with a rune real quick. It'd have been more realistic if they have a conversation about what to do without one (since they left so impulsively), and boom, it teaches them to not be so DAMNED RECKLESS with everything they do.
The thing that made this book for me again, was Idris. I get so excited to go into that world, even if I don't know why. The whole atmosphere changes to a strong feeling of fantasy, and it's not as dull as 'highschool' stuff. I have to keep reminding myself for the intended audience of YA, and not to be so annoyed when they keep up this mindset of 'only us children are capable, stupid adults!' Being one myself, I feel kind of disappointed when they remind us they're 17 and 'so mature' - it's just argh.
But, I don't like to focus on the negative things, so I sometimes had a habit of read-breezing too fast over parts I had less interest in. Like how the book started, focusing on these new characters even younger than our main cast. I felt kind of angry to think that this book was just used as a set up teaser like groundwork for the next set of characters, and in some way feel like this one suffered in a hurry to end it?
Something I always admire in this series, is the way descriptions are written. Environments and settings are wonderful to imagine with the way they're written and do an amazing job to make me have a handle on what's happening. The fights are fun too, and I found myself laughing more than a couple of times at playful dialogue, you really get the sense of knowing the characters.
But it's also the dialogue that ails me, I like too often they say things too directly and obvious, like telling the others what we know. "There's a bridge. Let's go to it. We're crossing the bridge. We've crossed the bridge." And I sort of agree with some other comments about the unrealistic timing of things, like how on movies, it could be a middle of a crisis, and somehow they still always find time to make out? I wondered why they're priorities were so far off point when they literally came to another dimension to rescue friends they were SO worried about, but still found the time to have sex. NOT NOW.
The book does so well at going from an adrenaline moment, to a peaceful beautiful scenery, to a funny cute moment, and to the best, the heartbreaking moments. You can really feel the tug at the way some of the words hit home, right at the heart. That's when it seems most real to me.
Speaking of other dimensions: **KIND OF SPOILERY**
My favorite part was when they made their way into Edom to deal with Hell and that whole new dimension. Magnus's past made a play here, but it was kind of obvious they weakened him on purpose so he couldn't have just waved his hand and save them all. "oh no, this realm makes me weak.. you have to do it."
But then it shows us each a personal illusion that each of the characters see, and they each end up pulling themselves out of it when they realize that it hurts because it's too perfect in contrast to what really happens. (Like Isabelle seeing max as still the age of when he died, coming out of her illusion on her knees, crying and alone, reminding us that a child died. Or Alec suddenly remembering that he didn't save max:
It all does an amazing job at making us empathize with being pulled out of a happy illusion and back to the wastelands of lonely ash and barren rock.
**END SPOILERY**
But, I have to say, this was probably my second favorite one. It picked up real fast, so I'm glad I preserved through the ad characters and got to the real story. It's impressive at how the world has been fleshed out as it's own dynamic, and I'm truly sad that it ended. I just wish it was able to focus more on the main characters, and not so much on setting up the next series of books..that's the only reason I marked it down a star; but it was still easy to read around that when you really want to see what happens with the characters you care about.
Actually no. I have some specific issues with the individual characters:
Everyone in the book seems to ignore how much Isabelle is suffering. All the time, they comment about her looking stone faced when remembering something that affects her, like having someone you love completely forget about your existence. And suddenly her whole presence in this book is a sad one; you're only reminded that she's a warrior when they comment about her attacks hitting something in the background. She breaks my heart a couple of times, and I still love her for it, so it pains me to notice that she's down to 'being the hot girl out of my league' for Simon's plot. But she does have her great moments, like when she reels and calls Robert out for everything he's done to their family. Or being the one most to honor Max.
Simon and Izzy.. I get that they're pairing up everyone to have someone, and the underdog nerdy boy gets the hot dangerous girl is a 'concept,' but they go back and forth so many times like asking the readers, 'do we love each other?' It's ....strange.
Alec, my favorite, seems really jealous, manipulative, and immature sometimes, contrary to how we know he isn't; you'd imagine Magnus not wanting to waste time falling for someone like that. Alec drinks a lot in the book for his age, and while they're in hell, he's complaining about a hang over while they're about to rush into the most dangerous place they've ever been to save everyone they love while the fate of the world rests on it. It just seems irresponsible in a way; even though they do make a point where Jace addresses it at one point, saying something like "I haven't been paying attention to how you feel - so sorry?" But yet they still bring up this weird 'Alec still secretly loves Jace,' thing all the time that makes me squint. Even in his illusion, Jace is admitting his feelings, and they make a reference about someone else's parabatai being in love with them - idk, it's just strange, makes Alec look bad, and makes you feel bad for Magnus who doesn't deserve it. Also, something that irked me was he pleaded and pleaded for anyway out of Magnus sacrificing himself, but when Simon stepped up to do it so Magnus wouldn't have to, suddenly Alec was selfishly on board, saying, "hey, it's his choice, we have to honor it." But on the flip side, I was impressed with his bravery in that, several times, he was the first one to shoot when everyone else was afraid to. But only later, they diminish that again by Jace saying Alec's just acting harder cause he's heartbroken - they couldn't just let it be bravery?
Jace seems to be tail-spinning half the time, and GOD THEY'RE SO RECKLESS. It kills me how reckless they are and end up saving the world over it. Ignoring trained professional armies because he thinks he knows better. The best parts of him I find, is when he stops all that cocky "I'm the hero" stuff, and opens up with these beautiful romantic lines. But then I realize that the author is just painting Jace as the 'boyfriend we all want,' he's romantic, he can play the piano, he's got amazing golden skin, he listens to his girlfriend, says exactly what you'd want to hear from your boyfriend, and it's tiring.
Clary, I don't even know where to start when going in on her. You'd have thought that she's the only one who knows how to draw runes anymore by the way everyone pleads for her to save them all the time. I do think she's improved though, she does well at observing the other character's expressions for us and describing what they must be feeling. But at the same time, I feel supporting people for example, Simon, gets short ended because he 'just simply can't compare to her level' and is left behind, or made to feel like no one special.
Which is why it's ironic in the end when it's Magnus who puts in the most effort to help Simon, with Izzy's help to find a way around Asmodeus's deal. The rest would have just what, 'hoped he was okay'? Magnus's speech was most endearing though, it lifted my spirits a bit, to remind us that more importantly than being born into something, it's our actions that define us:
“And there’s something to be said for that, for being relieved of the burden of greatness. Because you were great, Simon. You were a Daylighter, a warrior. You saved lives and slew demons, and the blood of angels rocketed through your veins like sunlight.”[..] “Clary was born special. Simon here had specialness thrust upon him. He adapted. Because the world isn’t divided into the special and the ordinary. Everyone has the potential to be extraordinary. As long as you have a soul and free will, you can be anything, do anything, choose anything. Simon should get to choose.”
Raphael didn't get a very long scene for something so important.. and Luke's sole role seemed to be Jocelyn's boyfriend. I also didn't care too much for Maia's parts.. or the wolves, which is strange that Werewolves are my favorite, but they didn't seem to have anything to do aside keep reminding us they were there. Most of the characters seems to be breaking their own rules most of the time, they made it pretty clear that there was no way around something so many times, and then suddenly they were ignoring that in favor of finding a solution anyway just to wrap an ending up. I mean, I love them and all...but there should realistically have been NO way around that memory thing.
Argh, I don't know, I only read the books cause a friend did, and I'm watching the TV show that I love so much, which made me want to read the books..but I think I'll stick to the show, it really helped me endure the books. At least now I can say I've read them.
Mini rant: Jace brought a condom into hell! Are you serious!? 'She hear the sound of what sounds like tin foil crumpling.' Oh man, I just can't stop laughing at how ridiculous, there's just no way! Heck, it'd be better just to have her create something with a rune real quick. It'd have been more realistic if they have a conversation about what to do without one (since they left so impulsively), and boom, it teaches them to not be so DAMNED RECKLESS with everything they do.
The thing that made this book for me again, was Idris. I get so excited to go into that world, even if I don't know why. The whole atmosphere changes to a strong feeling of fantasy, and it's not as dull as 'highschool' stuff. I have to keep reminding myself for the intended audience of YA, and not to be so annoyed when they keep up this mindset of 'only us children are capable, stupid adults!' Being one myself, I feel kind of disappointed when they remind us they're 17 and 'so mature' - it's just argh.
But, I don't like to focus on the negative things, so I sometimes had a habit of read-breezing too fast over parts I had less interest in. Like how the book started, focusing on these new characters even younger than our main cast. I felt kind of angry to think that this book was just used as a set up teaser like groundwork for the next set of characters, and in some way feel like this one suffered in a hurry to end it?
"Ghosts are memories, and we carry them because those we love do not leave the world."
Something I always admire in this series, is the way descriptions are written. Environments and settings are wonderful to imagine with the way they're written and do an amazing job to make me have a handle on what's happening. The fights are fun too, and I found myself laughing more than a couple of times at playful dialogue, you really get the sense of knowing the characters.
But it's also the dialogue that ails me, I like too often they say things too directly and obvious, like telling the others what we know. "There's a bridge. Let's go to it. We're crossing the bridge. We've crossed the bridge." And I sort of agree with some other comments about the unrealistic timing of things, like how on movies, it could be a middle of a crisis, and somehow they still always find time to make out? I wondered why they're priorities were so far off point when they literally came to another dimension to rescue friends they were SO worried about, but still found the time to have sex. NOT NOW.
The book does so well at going from an adrenaline moment, to a peaceful beautiful scenery, to a funny cute moment, and to the best, the heartbreaking moments. You can really feel the tug at the way some of the words hit home, right at the heart. That's when it seems most real to me.
Speaking of other dimensions: **KIND OF SPOILERY**
My favorite part was when they made their way into Edom to deal with Hell and that whole new dimension. Magnus's past made a play here, but it was kind of obvious they weakened him on purpose so he couldn't have just waved his hand and save them all. "oh no, this realm makes me weak.. you have to do it."
But then it shows us each a personal illusion that each of the characters see, and they each end up pulling themselves out of it when they realize that it hurts because it's too perfect in contrast to what really happens. (Like Isabelle seeing max as still the age of when he died, coming out of her illusion on her knees, crying and alone, reminding us that a child died. Or Alec suddenly remembering that he didn't save max:
“Max,” he whispered.
Magnus’s eyes darkened. “I’m sorry,” he said. “The wishes of our hearts are weapons that can be used against us. Fight, Alec.” He touched Alec’s face. “This isn’t what you want, this dream. Demons don’t understand human hearts, not well. They see as through a distorted glass and show you what you desire, but warped and wrong. Use that wrongness to push yourself out of the dream. Life is loss, Alexander, but it’s better than this.”
“God,” Alec said, and closed his eyes. He felt the world around him crack, as if he were tapping his way out of a shell. The voices around him vanished, along with the feel of the chair underneath him, the smell of food, the clamor of applause, and lastly, the touch of Magnus’s hand on his face.
It all does an amazing job at making us empathize with being pulled out of a happy illusion and back to the wastelands of lonely ash and barren rock.
**END SPOILERY**
But, I have to say, this was probably my second favorite one. It picked up real fast, so I'm glad I preserved through the ad characters and got to the real story. It's impressive at how the world has been fleshed out as it's own dynamic, and I'm truly sad that it ended. I just wish it was able to focus more on the main characters, and not so much on setting up the next series of books..that's the only reason I marked it down a star; but it was still easy to read around that when you really want to see what happens with the characters you care about.
Actually no. I have some specific issues with the individual characters:
Everyone in the book seems to ignore how much Isabelle is suffering. All the time, they comment about her looking stone faced when remembering something that affects her, like having someone you love completely forget about your existence. And suddenly her whole presence in this book is a sad one; you're only reminded that she's a warrior when they comment about her attacks hitting something in the background. She breaks my heart a couple of times, and I still love her for it, so it pains me to notice that she's down to 'being the hot girl out of my league' for Simon's plot. But she does have her great moments, like when she reels and calls Robert out for everything he's done to their family. Or being the one most to honor Max.
Simon and Izzy.. I get that they're pairing up everyone to have someone, and the underdog nerdy boy gets the hot dangerous girl is a 'concept,' but they go back and forth so many times like asking the readers, 'do we love each other?' It's ....strange.
Alec, my favorite, seems really jealous, manipulative, and immature sometimes, contrary to how we know he isn't; you'd imagine Magnus not wanting to waste time falling for someone like that. Alec drinks a lot in the book for his age, and while they're in hell, he's complaining about a hang over while they're about to rush into the most dangerous place they've ever been to save everyone they love while the fate of the world rests on it. It just seems irresponsible in a way; even though they do make a point where Jace addresses it at one point, saying something like "I haven't been paying attention to how you feel - so sorry?" But yet they still bring up this weird 'Alec still secretly loves Jace,' thing all the time that makes me squint. Even in his illusion, Jace is admitting his feelings, and they make a reference about someone else's parabatai being in love with them - idk, it's just strange, makes Alec look bad, and makes you feel bad for Magnus who doesn't deserve it. Also, something that irked me was he pleaded and pleaded for anyway out of Magnus sacrificing himself, but when Simon stepped up to do it so Magnus wouldn't have to, suddenly Alec was selfishly on board, saying, "hey, it's his choice, we have to honor it." But on the flip side, I was impressed with his bravery in that, several times, he was the first one to shoot when everyone else was afraid to. But only later, they diminish that again by Jace saying Alec's just acting harder cause he's heartbroken - they couldn't just let it be bravery?
Jace seems to be tail-spinning half the time, and GOD THEY'RE SO RECKLESS. It kills me how reckless they are and end up saving the world over it. Ignoring trained professional armies because he thinks he knows better. The best parts of him I find, is when he stops all that cocky "I'm the hero" stuff, and opens up with these beautiful romantic lines. But then I realize that the author is just painting Jace as the 'boyfriend we all want,' he's romantic, he can play the piano, he's got amazing golden skin, he listens to his girlfriend, says exactly what you'd want to hear from your boyfriend, and it's tiring.
Clary, I don't even know where to start when going in on her. You'd have thought that she's the only one who knows how to draw runes anymore by the way everyone pleads for her to save them all the time. I do think she's improved though, she does well at observing the other character's expressions for us and describing what they must be feeling. But at the same time, I feel supporting people for example, Simon, gets short ended because he 'just simply can't compare to her level' and is left behind, or made to feel like no one special.
Which is why it's ironic in the end when it's Magnus who puts in the most effort to help Simon, with Izzy's help to find a way around Asmodeus's deal. The rest would have just what, 'hoped he was okay'? Magnus's speech was most endearing though, it lifted my spirits a bit, to remind us that more importantly than being born into something, it's our actions that define us:
“And there’s something to be said for that, for being relieved of the burden of greatness. Because you were great, Simon. You were a Daylighter, a warrior. You saved lives and slew demons, and the blood of angels rocketed through your veins like sunlight.”[..] “Clary was born special. Simon here had specialness thrust upon him. He adapted. Because the world isn’t divided into the special and the ordinary. Everyone has the potential to be extraordinary. As long as you have a soul and free will, you can be anything, do anything, choose anything. Simon should get to choose.”
Raphael didn't get a very long scene for something so important.. and Luke's sole role seemed to be Jocelyn's boyfriend. I also didn't care too much for Maia's parts.. or the wolves, which is strange that Werewolves are my favorite, but they didn't seem to have anything to do aside keep reminding us they were there. Most of the characters seems to be breaking their own rules most of the time, they made it pretty clear that there was no way around something so many times, and then suddenly they were ignoring that in favor of finding a solution anyway just to wrap an ending up. I mean, I love them and all...but there should realistically have been NO way around that memory thing.
Argh, I don't know, I only read the books cause a friend did, and I'm watching the TV show that I love so much, which made me want to read the books..but I think I'll stick to the show, it really helped me endure the books. At least now I can say I've read them.