Scan barcode
A review by starfleckedsoul
Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare
5.0
I started reading this book with such intense expectations, but I have to admit that it did lack the usual wow factor that Cassie had for a third book in the series.
I love how it refreshes your memory of everything in The Mortal Instruments ; it's basically a walk down memory lane and I love that.
I love how well-written the events are, the vividness of it all is striking. The characters are well-developed that it actually hit me very hard when Julian had to have his feelings numbed, because not having to feel anything is a very human thing that's ultimately wrecking and inhumane at the same time.
The humanization in this book is quite evident and you can ask for nothing more than a story that you could get attached to very deeply in the emotional aspects.
What I don't like about this book is the poorly written war at the end. The scene where they fought the Riders of Mannan in LoS is definitely better than the war in QoAaD. I hate to admit that. I feel like it was too bland and too predictable. Except for the part where Julian and Emma become NEPHILIM— the original versions. That bit, I think, was unexpected and yet a bit... Off. I feel like it was so poorly written that I started thinking that Cassie didn't have a really deeper solution to Emma and Julian's crisis.
Nevertheless, I am still happy with it. I mean, how could you not? The epilogue is definitely lit! It definitely screams trouble and great danger in the next installment (TWP).
Despite the shortcomings, I have learned a handful of valuable lessons from this book. For one, sacrifice. I mean, yes, Rhys from ACOTAR also taught me that but he was Fae. The things he mostly sacrificed aren't things we humans could. Shadowhunters, however, are mortals and are more human than we'd like to think. The sacrifices the characters made hit me like a truck. Also , there is also the matter of friendship and the reality of how strong of a bond it is, how it's a life saver more than romantic relationships. Lastly, faith. Julian said, "Faith isn't never having any doubts, it's having what you need to overcome them." And, it is true. Faith is like an anchor tethering you to reality when an abyss of doubt, anxiety, fear, sadness and anger seem to be drawing you near, Julian Blackthorn and Emma Carstairs taught me that.
Overall, it's a great book, but LoS would be my fave amongst the three.
P. S. That bonus story about Jace and Clary was INCREDIBLY AMAZING AND I NEVER KNEW I NEEDED IT THAT BAD UNTIL I READ IT.
I love how it refreshes your memory of everything in The Mortal Instruments ; it's basically a walk down memory lane and I love that.
I love how well-written the events are, the vividness of it all is striking. The characters are well-developed that it actually hit me very hard when Julian had to have his feelings numbed, because not having to feel anything is a very human thing that's ultimately wrecking and inhumane at the same time.
The humanization in this book is quite evident and you can ask for nothing more than a story that you could get attached to very deeply in the emotional aspects.
What I don't like about this book is the poorly written war at the end. The scene where they fought the Riders of Mannan in LoS is definitely better than the war in QoAaD. I hate to admit that. I feel like it was too bland and too predictable. Except for the part where Julian and Emma become NEPHILIM— the original versions. That bit, I think, was unexpected and yet a bit... Off. I feel like it was so poorly written that I started thinking that Cassie didn't have a really deeper solution to Emma and Julian's crisis.
Nevertheless, I am still happy with it. I mean, how could you not? The epilogue is definitely lit! It definitely screams trouble and great danger in the next installment (TWP).
Despite the shortcomings, I have learned a handful of valuable lessons from this book. For one, sacrifice. I mean, yes, Rhys from ACOTAR also taught me that but he was Fae. The things he mostly sacrificed aren't things we humans could. Shadowhunters, however, are mortals and are more human than we'd like to think. The sacrifices the characters made hit me like a truck. Also , there is also the matter of friendship and the reality of how strong of a bond it is, how it's a life saver more than romantic relationships. Lastly, faith. Julian said, "Faith isn't never having any doubts, it's having what you need to overcome them." And, it is true. Faith is like an anchor tethering you to reality when an abyss of doubt, anxiety, fear, sadness and anger seem to be drawing you near, Julian Blackthorn and Emma Carstairs taught me that.
Overall, it's a great book, but LoS would be my fave amongst the three.
P. S. That bonus story about Jace and Clary was INCREDIBLY AMAZING AND I NEVER KNEW I NEEDED IT THAT BAD UNTIL I READ IT.