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sydneykidny'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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
emilywemily6's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Holy plot twists Batman. The last 50-100 pages were crazy full of twists and turns. Lots of betrayal, misrepresentations of the past, etc. Overall, this book felt a little more YA than I typically like. Clary is clearly 15 and while the shadowhunter teens are older it is not by much. Some of the things they said or did were stupid honestly, but not overly so (it was only sometimes). I like these characters, they are very distinct and I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes. Though with a title like City of Bones I would have thought that this book would spend more than 2 chapters in the actual City of Bones. Clary was kind of dense when it came to catching on to the plot twists too lol. This book is a bit shallow in terms of world building, etc. but I’m hoping I get more throughout the books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia, Incest, and Sexual content
ashe01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
I’m not quite sure how I went so long before starting this series, because this book was great! This is such a captivating story, and the numerous plot twists throughout were actually insane! I had problems at times keeping up, because it felt like the world building was so large that it’s a lot to retain and figure out story-wise. I found myself at times getting confused with all the names being mentioned and the different types of beings. The transition from chapter 20 to chapter 21 (and the entirety of that background story chapter) was INCREDIBLE, probably my favorite part of the whole book! I thought it was a very unique take to share such vital information to the story, and it was done beautifully!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest and War
cristina_reading24's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse and Incest
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: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Incest, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
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: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Death, Incest, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
breedawnwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Yes. I love it. This book is everything to me. I will not accept slander or negative comments at this time.
Please give me 5-7 business days to fully process and write a real review. 🫡
Please give me 5-7 business days to fully process and write a real review. 🫡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Incest, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
lilo000's review against another edition
adventurous
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Homophobia, Incest, and Injury/Injury detail