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athenareader's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 estrellas
Un libro un tanto desequilibrado: entretenido a veces y aburrido otras, con cientos de páginas sobrantes que van generando un cierto sentimiento de impaciencia al ver el épico final retrasado con algunas escenas que no aportan demasiado o un revival de personajes que, si no has leído otros libros de esta autora aparte de los de esta misma colección, se te hará un poco cuesta arriba (pero si los has leído es muy probable que disfrutes al volver a encontrarlos). No es lo que uno esperaría para el cierre de una saga. Conviven escenas de acción interesantes con docenas de escenas absurdas de relleno y conversaciones estilo "¡Oh, miradme qué malo que soy! ¡voy a destruír el mundo! ¡muahahaha!... Oh, pero hermanita ven a darme un abrazo, que a tí te quiero" que resultan demasiado infantiles. Sin embargo, y a pesar de que tras darle tantas vueltas el final no ha sido todo lo épico que esperaba, en líneas generales me ha gustado.
kara_bianca_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Keeping this spoiler free: I adored it. There were times were I felt it was a bit slow, some things that I thought were a bit silly, but overall I thought it was a really good ending to the series! Not too perfect at the end, which is always a bonus! Very enjoyable!
(PS don't read the bonus features first. lesson i learned)
(PS don't read the bonus features first. lesson i learned)
madlovenovelist's review against another edition
4.0
What a lovely ending to The Mortal Instruments series. It was fun getting to revisit characters I’d fallen in love with 10 years ago. When I started book #4, after having watched the television adaptation my disappointment grew as the book and plot had been spoiled for me – should have known that, I don’t know why I thought any different. ‘City of Heavenly Fire,’ however was so different to the television show, I got to experience it for the first time.
This is a chunker of a novel, and the first couple of hundred of pages felt paced a little slow. We are introduced to a slew of new characters. At first I wasn’t sure why we were spending so much time with them, but by the end it’s obvious Cassandra Clare did this on purpose to set up her next trilogy in the Shadowhunter universe. I really enjoyed my time reading this book, but felt it was a little too long, and had moments where this got waffly. There were also a few times where I felt like the author had a checklist of things she wanted to explore and resolve and the scenes did not feel organic to the plot or character motivation. But that is me nit-picking as to the reasons why I didn’t feel like I completely got into ‘City of Heavenly Fire.‘
Cassandra Clare is the master of drama and plot twists, but for some reason this finale did not feel as big as her other novels. I didn’t get all that emotional, the reveals lacked some wow factor... or maybe I’m turning into some sardonic robot and I’m going dead inside? As I said before, I really enjoyed ‘City of Heavenly Fire,’ but it just didn’t have the punch I was expecting – especially with such a huge word count.
Clare’s writing style is as breezy as ever, once I got through the first quarter the pacing picked up and I fell into the regular rhythm and completed the book in one sitting from the halfway point onwards. I loved that we got to explore new places, new characters, and the gang had to work together to face down seemingly insurmountable odds. There is still the silly teen humour and sarcasm at weird moments that is fun, but we can really see how these characters have grown, and they are not so bumbling anymore. Though, I was surprised at the juxtaposition of the Clave – one moment praising our group as hero’s, and the next dismissing them as inexperienced teens who don’t know enough to weigh in on important matters... I mean, pick a lane Clave!
The resolution, or epilogue, where we sort out the character arcs and development was a little meh. I felt, though sweet, we could have gotten a little more insight into their future directions. It just resolved some emotional issues and then ended. I don’t know if that means these characters are going to be revisited in future novels in the universe, or that’s all we get. It was a little of that flipping through the last couple of pages wondering if there were some missing...
The main plot was outstanding. The elevation of antagonists, the theme of the Clave turning on itself and politics of the Downworlders really builds a realistic tapestry with the Shadowhunter universe. Things constantly change and grow, alliances shift, people in power are succeeded... I’m not usually one to enjoy political manoeuvrings that much in novels, but Cassandra Clare has a flare in her writing. The machinations of the political climate are so clearly character motivated that it is engaging to read.
So, I’m glad I’ve finally gotten around to finishing this series, the characters have earned a place in my heart. I would have liked a more succinct story, and a more explosive and resolute ending, but The Mortal Instrument series is hard to deny why it is so epic, so popular. It is the cornerstone for urban fantasy for me, and for a genre that I’m not all that into, that is saying something. A definite recommend for me. I feel the YA demographic will appreciate the themes of identity, found family, coming of age, morality, and paranormal elements all wrapped up in teen drama and angst.
This is a chunker of a novel, and the first couple of hundred of pages felt paced a little slow. We are introduced to a slew of new characters. At first I wasn’t sure why we were spending so much time with them, but by the end it’s obvious Cassandra Clare did this on purpose to set up her next trilogy in the Shadowhunter universe. I really enjoyed my time reading this book, but felt it was a little too long, and had moments where this got waffly. There were also a few times where I felt like the author had a checklist of things she wanted to explore and resolve and the scenes did not feel organic to the plot or character motivation. But that is me nit-picking as to the reasons why I didn’t feel like I completely got into ‘City of Heavenly Fire.‘
Cassandra Clare is the master of drama and plot twists, but for some reason this finale did not feel as big as her other novels. I didn’t get all that emotional, the reveals lacked some wow factor... or maybe I’m turning into some sardonic robot and I’m going dead inside? As I said before, I really enjoyed ‘City of Heavenly Fire,’ but it just didn’t have the punch I was expecting – especially with such a huge word count.
Clare’s writing style is as breezy as ever, once I got through the first quarter the pacing picked up and I fell into the regular rhythm and completed the book in one sitting from the halfway point onwards. I loved that we got to explore new places, new characters, and the gang had to work together to face down seemingly insurmountable odds. There is still the silly teen humour and sarcasm at weird moments that is fun, but we can really see how these characters have grown, and they are not so bumbling anymore. Though, I was surprised at the juxtaposition of the Clave – one moment praising our group as hero’s, and the next dismissing them as inexperienced teens who don’t know enough to weigh in on important matters... I mean, pick a lane Clave!
The resolution, or epilogue, where we sort out the character arcs and development was a little meh. I felt, though sweet, we could have gotten a little more insight into their future directions. It just resolved some emotional issues and then ended. I don’t know if that means these characters are going to be revisited in future novels in the universe, or that’s all we get. It was a little of that flipping through the last couple of pages wondering if there were some missing...
The main plot was outstanding. The elevation of antagonists, the theme of the Clave turning on itself and politics of the Downworlders really builds a realistic tapestry with the Shadowhunter universe. Things constantly change and grow, alliances shift, people in power are succeeded... I’m not usually one to enjoy political manoeuvrings that much in novels, but Cassandra Clare has a flare in her writing. The machinations of the political climate are so clearly character motivated that it is engaging to read.
So, I’m glad I’ve finally gotten around to finishing this series, the characters have earned a place in my heart. I would have liked a more succinct story, and a more explosive and resolute ending, but The Mortal Instrument series is hard to deny why it is so epic, so popular. It is the cornerstone for urban fantasy for me, and for a genre that I’m not all that into, that is saying something. A definite recommend for me. I feel the YA demographic will appreciate the themes of identity, found family, coming of age, morality, and paranormal elements all wrapped up in teen drama and angst.
charisnicole's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't actually finish reading this, the series was too drawn out and became a chore to read.
ktamen's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this one the least of all the books. I liked the parts about the original characters, but didn't like how they interspersed the real, intriguing story with another non-interesting one with characters I cared nothing about just to promote/introduce the next book series.
starrynews's review against another edition
3.0
We get a lot of answers in this final Mortal Instruments book, but a lot of new questions are developed by the heavy introduction of new characters - the Blackwood children and Emma Carstairs - presumably for the new Dark Artifices series. While a quick character appearance from other books can be fun, especially since these books are all set in the same universe, I thought that this book was a little heavy with it. In addition to the heavy time spent on the Blackwood children and Emma that served no real purpose to the occurrences of this book, there was also a lot from the Internal Devices.
Beyond that, we get a lot of resolution from our main MI characters, Clary, Jace, Izzy, Simon, Alec, and Magnus. It is a bittersweet and fitting ending.
Beyond that, we get a lot of resolution from our main MI characters, Clary, Jace, Izzy, Simon, Alec, and Magnus. It is a bittersweet and fitting ending.
darthval's review against another edition
2.0
Finally! I am finally finished, not just with this book that seemed to drag on needlessly, but with this convoluted series!
Let me start by saying this...if you've read the rest of the books in this series, go ahead and read this one. It is actually one of the better books in the series and if you've come this far, you might as well go the whole way. Also, Ms. Clare does finally manage to resolve most of the major plot points. I say most, because she can't help but resist opening some new cans of worms. I definitely see a future spin off series.
My issue with this book is that, true to form, Ms. Clare gets lost in so much excess narrative that the book is about twice the length it should have been. In fact, had the story flowed in a more concise manner, I probably would have enjoyed it quite a bit. Instead I found myself so often thinking, "you are almost there, I can see the resolution, why am I not even halfway through this book????"
Even worse, is the never-ending denouement. Seriously, there was still almost 100 pages to go after the climax. I know the author needed to tie up loose ends, but the result was a chaotic and choppy transition from scene to scene while she cleared up her mess. Honestly, it felt like maybe an editor kept pointing out situations that were yet unresolved and rather than actually writing scenes into the book, she just tacked something onto the end. So, once again I was left wishing the book would just get to the point and end already.
Let me start by saying this...if you've read the rest of the books in this series, go ahead and read this one. It is actually one of the better books in the series and if you've come this far, you might as well go the whole way. Also, Ms. Clare does finally manage to resolve most of the major plot points. I say most, because she can't help but resist opening some new cans of worms. I definitely see a future spin off series.
My issue with this book is that, true to form, Ms. Clare gets lost in so much excess narrative that the book is about twice the length it should have been. In fact, had the story flowed in a more concise manner, I probably would have enjoyed it quite a bit. Instead I found myself so often thinking, "you are almost there, I can see the resolution, why am I not even halfway through this book????"
Even worse, is the never-ending denouement. Seriously, there was still almost 100 pages to go after the climax. I know the author needed to tie up loose ends, but the result was a chaotic and choppy transition from scene to scene while she cleared up her mess. Honestly, it felt like maybe an editor kept pointing out situations that were yet unresolved and rather than actually writing scenes into the book, she just tacked something onto the end. So, once again I was left wishing the book would just get to the point and end already.
nohoneyjustb's review against another edition
3.0
*Slight spoiler but nothing relevant to the plot*
I only gave this book three starts because I enjoyed the series. But not this book. I hated this book.
The way it's written feels SO amateur. Usually, I enjoy different POV's, but when the POV changes every few pages it feels so... Rushed. More like when you read a book where every chapter is a different POV until it gets to the climax and the POV changes constantly because so much is happening so fast in so many different ways. Like in a battle or something, you know? But the whole book is like that and it gives me a headache (you can't imagine how I felt when the book actually reached a climax and the POV changed every few paragraphs). And almost every time a new POV began, I had to actively concentrate on if it says "he thought" or "she thought" to figure out first if it's male or female, and then decide who's head I might be in. It's immensely annoying.
I feel like Clare is trying too hard to circle back. Like you know when you read Harry potter and in deathly Hallows all these things and you were like OMFG NOW I KNOW WHY THIS PART IN CHAMBER OF SECRETS WAS SO IMPORTANT or whatever it may be, but it's done SO creatively and smoothly? With CoHF I feel like Cassandra has just outright said things like "Isabelle stood to Jace's left, Alec on his right. The three of them standing the same way they had been the first time Clary saw them". She was also really blunt and forthcoming about her foreshadowing that I even knew it was a foreshadow as I was reading it. She repeated herself a lot. More than once Emma had the revelation about "suddenly she saw how we would look when he was older". There was a lot of that happening and it left me screaming "SHE REALISED THAT THREE CHAPTERS AGO, WRITE ABOUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT." Another thing that really frustrated me was the character revelations and the way they were explored. A lot of it was the character giving a monologue about all this growth and change in their life, rather than the author weaving it into the story. It was like someone says "oh but why this" and then the character talk about like ten chapters worth of characters growth and revelation in one paragraph.
I almost feel like Clare has lost a lot of the feel of the characters. All the different POV's are so familiar it almost doesn't matter if it's Jace's or Clary's or Luke's. It's like chopping up chapters randomly and changing "he" to "she" each time. Even the younger characters had the mannerisms of adolescents.
The story itself I found to be an epic disappointment. I feel like the story was there but it's almost like Clare was too tired to weave it together. Instead she just cut and pasted her plot ideas. Don't get me wrong, I loved the series. Things were hidden and it was a mystery and carefully crafted. But this feels like she wasn't sure how to write what she wanted to write and she just sneezed it out and said "it's good enough".
And honestly, a lot of it was laughable. I mean really? You expect me to believe that in the ten minutes they had to prepare for their last minute, one-way trip to Hell - not a bad place, literally Hell - whilst grabbing provisions and food and water, that Jace had the foresight to bring a condom? How perfectly arrogant. "Oh, we're probably all going to die but who knows, maybe Clary and I will find somewhere to squeeze in a quickie". I. Think. Not.
I only gave this book three starts because I enjoyed the series. But not this book. I hated this book.
The way it's written feels SO amateur. Usually, I enjoy different POV's, but when the POV changes every few pages it feels so... Rushed. More like when you read a book where every chapter is a different POV until it gets to the climax and the POV changes constantly because so much is happening so fast in so many different ways. Like in a battle or something, you know? But the whole book is like that and it gives me a headache (you can't imagine how I felt when the book actually reached a climax and the POV changed every few paragraphs). And almost every time a new POV began, I had to actively concentrate on if it says "he thought" or "she thought" to figure out first if it's male or female, and then decide who's head I might be in. It's immensely annoying.
I feel like Clare is trying too hard to circle back. Like you know when you read Harry potter and in deathly Hallows all these things and you were like OMFG NOW I KNOW WHY THIS PART IN CHAMBER OF SECRETS WAS SO IMPORTANT or whatever it may be, but it's done SO creatively and smoothly? With CoHF I feel like Cassandra has just outright said things like "Isabelle stood to Jace's left, Alec on his right. The three of them standing the same way they had been the first time Clary saw them". She was also really blunt and forthcoming about her foreshadowing that I even knew it was a foreshadow as I was reading it. She repeated herself a lot. More than once Emma had the revelation about "suddenly she saw how we would look when he was older". There was a lot of that happening and it left me screaming "SHE REALISED THAT THREE CHAPTERS AGO, WRITE ABOUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT." Another thing that really frustrated me was the character revelations and the way they were explored. A lot of it was the character giving a monologue about all this growth and change in their life, rather than the author weaving it into the story. It was like someone says "oh but why this" and then the character talk about like ten chapters worth of characters growth and revelation in one paragraph.
I almost feel like Clare has lost a lot of the feel of the characters. All the different POV's are so familiar it almost doesn't matter if it's Jace's or Clary's or Luke's. It's like chopping up chapters randomly and changing "he" to "she" each time. Even the younger characters had the mannerisms of adolescents.
The story itself I found to be an epic disappointment. I feel like the story was there but it's almost like Clare was too tired to weave it together. Instead she just cut and pasted her plot ideas. Don't get me wrong, I loved the series. Things were hidden and it was a mystery and carefully crafted. But this feels like she wasn't sure how to write what she wanted to write and she just sneezed it out and said "it's good enough".
And honestly, a lot of it was laughable. I mean really? You expect me to believe that in the ten minutes they had to prepare for their last minute, one-way trip to Hell - not a bad place, literally Hell - whilst grabbing provisions and food and water, that Jace had the foresight to bring a condom? How perfectly arrogant. "Oh, we're probably all going to die but who knows, maybe Clary and I will find somewhere to squeeze in a quickie". I. Think. Not.