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humanmosquito's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
It got worse folks! I’m genuinely speechless and angry something this bad was published.
There’s absolutely no consistency in characterisation and every character in this book moves through the plot like it’s a rubber duck race.
The cherry atop this horrible cake is Clare’s ‘strong female protagonist’ being reduced to tits on a stick.
Edit:
A third of each chapter’s first page is taken up with an epigraph that never has any relevance with the content of the chapter. It’s not even the case of [love poem quote] [kiss scene] [end chapter].
The writing style of the book is bogged down with the usual Cassandra Clare hallmarks: comma splices, images that interrupt the flow of the text and awkward word choices and repetition.
To be fair, although the dialogue is stilted and unnatural, it is still miles better than in ‘Queen of Air and Darkness’.
‘Tits on a stick’ is no joke, Cordelia’s hopes and aspirations take a backseat to her role as love interest, so much so that the climax of the Cursed Bracelet/love spell Plot line is James fondling Cordelia’s breasts for over eight pages. (In fact many long term <i>Shadowhunters</i> fans admit to skipping this part, as it makes them so uncomfortable.)
There’s absolutely no consistency in characterisation and every character in this book moves through the plot like it’s a rubber duck race.
The cherry atop this horrible cake is Clare’s ‘strong female protagonist’ being reduced to tits on a stick.
Edit:
A third of each chapter’s first page is taken up with an epigraph that never has any relevance with the content of the chapter. It’s not even the case of [love poem quote] [kiss scene] [end chapter].
The writing style of the book is bogged down with the usual Cassandra Clare hallmarks: comma splices, images that interrupt the flow of the text and awkward word choices and repetition.
To be fair, although the dialogue is stilted and unnatural, it is still miles better than in ‘Queen of Air and Darkness’.
‘Tits on a stick’ is no joke, Cordelia’s hopes and aspirations take a backseat to her role as love interest, so much so that the climax of the Cursed Bracelet/love spell Plot line is James fondling Cordelia’s breasts for over eight pages. (In fact many long term <i>Shadowhunters</i> fans admit to skipping this part, as it makes them so uncomfortable.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexism
alyssa_simard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Miscarriage, Racism, and Sexism
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