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bailz15's review against another edition
3.5
Reread on audio. This isn’t my favorite book of the series because most of the plot could have been avoided if when weird things were happening, the characters just communicated. But that comes with the territory of a YA fantasy so not a harsh critique.
Favorite non-spoiler quote: “Or maybe it's just that beautiful things are so easily broken by the world.”
Favorite non-spoiler quote: “Or maybe it's just that beautiful things are so easily broken by the world.”
fflur_jones's review against another edition
1.0
You can tell that the series was originally meant to be a trilogy because this book is bad.
Firstly, Clare manages to make every single character annoying somehow - especially Jace. His emo 'woe is me' attitude really got on my nerves and his relationship with Clary was completely twisted in this book into something dark and horrible. Despite all the magic involved in making it that way, Jace was emotionally abusing Clary and Clare shows this as an act of love which is so wrong and so dangerous. I wish for once YA could let us enjoy a romance without throwing in a forced star crossed lovers theme into it. It would have been so much more beautiful to see their love blossom organically.
Secondly, this book's plot is poor. The pacing is all off with long long passages of no action before 10 pages jam-packed with content. And ugh the talking. Who knew characters in a book could discuss what they were going to do for ages before actually doing it.
I wondered why I couldn't remember anything from the 3rd book onwards and now I know why. Would definitely skip this one if I was to reread them again.
Firstly, Clare manages to make every single character annoying somehow - especially Jace. His emo 'woe is me' attitude really got on my nerves and his relationship with Clary was completely twisted in this book into something dark and horrible. Despite all the magic involved in making it that way, Jace was emotionally abusing Clary and Clare shows this as an act of love which is so wrong and so dangerous. I wish for once YA could let us enjoy a romance without throwing in a forced star crossed lovers theme into it. It would have been so much more beautiful to see their love blossom organically.
Secondly, this book's plot is poor. The pacing is all off with long long passages of no action before 10 pages jam-packed with content. And ugh the talking. Who knew characters in a book could discuss what they were going to do for ages before actually doing it.
I wondered why I couldn't remember anything from the 3rd book onwards and now I know why. Would definitely skip this one if I was to reread them again.
elle_of_pemberley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
softballknitter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
connie_joy's review against another edition
5.0
This series... I am currently struggling to withhold from building a Shadowhunters shrine.
It's getting so GOOD. My heart was in my mouth while reading this, and the plot twist - AHHHHH.
Simon is really coming into his own, and we are learning more about Isabelle. So far in this series, she's kind of just been a firey, hot woman with a whip (and I'm by no means complaining about that...). But in this book, we see her more vulnerable side and I love her even more because of it. Jace is still in absolute crisis - but would he be Jace if he wasn't?
I've started the next one already (City of Lost Souls) because...
Cliffhanger!!!!
Please make sure you have the next book on hand, for your own sanity.
Cassandra Clare, I applaud you.
It's getting so GOOD. My heart was in my mouth while reading this, and the plot twist - AHHHHH.
Simon is really coming into his own, and we are learning more about Isabelle. So far in this series, she's kind of just been a firey, hot woman with a whip (and I'm by no means complaining about that...). But in this book, we see her more vulnerable side and I love her even more because of it. Jace is still in absolute crisis - but would he be Jace if he wasn't?
I've started the next one already (City of Lost Souls) because...
Cliffhanger!!!!
Please make sure you have the next book on hand, for your own sanity.
Cassandra Clare, I applaud you.
mela_318's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.0
thepeachybookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that this book focused a bit more on Simon… I've always loved Simon and poor buy just has the worst luck! However I was so happy to read more about him and see his luck turn around at least a little bit.
Loved this book, and as usual with all of Cassandra's books - I couldn't put it down!
Loved this book, and as usual with all of Cassandra's books - I couldn't put it down!
acbailey's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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