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minzzi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I read this book for the first time when I was thirteen, it was the book that turned me into a reader.
I love the characters, the settings, the whole world behind the narrative. It just makes me smile rereading this book and remembering the happiness this universe brings to me.
However, as an adult with critical thinking skills, I can't look past the flaws in the story anymore.
The dialogue is extremely exposition heavy (specially in the first third of the book), the whole thing with Simon turning into a rat was completely unnecessary to the plot, and above all, the main character, Clary, suffers from a serious case of "not like other girls" syndrome. Seriously, it's bad.
But, even so, this story is so filled with nostalgia that I could never give any books in this series a bad star rating.
I love the characters, the settings, the whole world behind the narrative. It just makes me smile rereading this book and remembering the happiness this universe brings to me.
However, as an adult with critical thinking skills, I can't look past the flaws in the story anymore.
The dialogue is extremely exposition heavy (specially in the first third of the book), the whole thing with Simon turning into a rat was completely unnecessary to the plot, and above all, the main character, Clary, suffers from a serious case of "not like other girls" syndrome. Seriously, it's bad.
But, even so, this story is so filled with nostalgia that I could never give any books in this series a bad star rating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
rafacolog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Kidnapping, Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Torture, and Child abuse
oystersauce's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Incest
Moderate: Kidnapping and Child abuse
kal517's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Incest, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse and Injury/Injury detail
singalana's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I wonder if I'm getting too old for these kinds of books. But despite its flaws, I kind of enjoyed it anyway.
The main character, Clary, gives off a “not like the other girls”-vibe and seems hostile towards other girls in this book.
What I liked: The banter was pretty good at places. The audiobook had a good narrator, but at times, she sounded very posh.
What I didn't like: The author has a case of thesaurus madness, sometimes, the word choices don't quite fit the context, in my opinion. Also, she likes adverbs very much. And the word ‘hard’ (e.g. “She hit the ground, HARD.”)... And there were a few throwaway comments that were quite insensitive.
About the ending…
Spoilers!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Blood, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Car accident, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, and Transphobia
annikenr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Kidnapping, Animal cruelty, Violence, and Animal death
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
3.5
i read this book back in middle school originally and remembered enjoying it. i recently watched brittany broskis show “the broski report” on youtube which was talking about enemies to lovers books and she mentioned being obsessed with this series when she was younger. this made me decide to reread it, since i never finished the series the first time around.
i enjoyed this book as much as i remember enjoying it the first time. it’s a very interesting world with characters that you care about and want to learn more of. the magic system is cool, plus there is the potential for world building outside of new york city which is where this book takes place. i vaguely recall one of the books taking place in the country Idris that is mentioned, which will be fun to read about again.
everyone who has read this book has probably had the same complaint about clary and jace being siblings. i am pretty sure this is why i stopped midway through the series initially way back, besides the fact that it hadn’t been completed by that point. . it’s weird and i feel like it was totally unnecessary for this to be a part of the plot. obviously, i know it isn’t true now so the ick factor on it isn’t as bad and i will continue the rest of the books. i just hope there isn’t anything else like that in the future of this mega series.
i enjoyed this book as much as i remember enjoying it the first time. it’s a very interesting world with characters that you care about and want to learn more of. the magic system is cool, plus there is the potential for world building outside of new york city which is where this book takes place. i vaguely recall one of the books taking place in the country Idris that is mentioned, which will be fun to read about again.
everyone who has read this book has probably had the same complaint about
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Incest and Toxic relationship
bookthief's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
I had read the infernal devices first which I know is not recommended to read before the mortal instruments, but it helped with my understanding of the world. I was able to get into the story quicker since I knew of the shadowhunter verse and understand the different species and laws. At the beginning of the book the plot felt a bit rocky and it was putting the main plot on the side for half of the book. But the plot was very interesting since Clary had her sight taken away by her Magnus due to her mum. Valentine was a good villian as he was name dropped throughout and no one really knew who he was an art from Luke and Jocelyn, making the ending intense when he appeared for the first time.
Clary was a curious and strong female main character, always wanting to follow the adventure to save those she loves even though she can get hurt. I was surprised when she discovered the mortal cup in the painting and she was the only one who could reach it. I would want her and Jace to be together if they weren’t siblings ( I already knew this plot twist and I already know they aren’t actually ).
Jace was a mysterious character, since he kept lots of things secret and his family is also very secretive. He was very brave risking his own life to save Simon when he was a rat and he always tried to rescue Clary no matter the risks.
I wasn’t to give a special mention to Luke. Even though he wasn’t a main character he was still incredible. I thought he was going to die at the end and I’m so grateful he didn’t because he is such a great character.
Overall I loved this book and I can’t wait to read the rest!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Incest, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
augustinedreams's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Grief, and Murder
mindins's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Incest
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child abuse
Estuvo entretenido, pero un poco predecible y las cosas se resolvieron de una manera muy simple para lo complejo que supuestamente era. Se nota que está dirigido a una audiencia más adolescente, pero estuvo bien. Leeré la continuación.