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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
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
rafacolog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Torture, and Alcohol
oystersauce's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse and Kidnapping
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
annikenr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
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
_chrstnlvly's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
3.5
We all see what we want to see.
I didn't read The Mortal Instruments series when I was younger, but I'm glad that one of the Fable book clubs I joined will be reading the whole series in the next couple of months.
City of Bones was funny, mainly because of Jace's sarcasm. I was engrossed in the story because it was action-packed. However, there were times when I felt that everything was an info dump, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. Nevertheless, I heard that the writing improves as the series progresses.
Despite these issues, I really enjoyed reading it and can't wait to read the rest of the series and become addicted to the Shadowhunters world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Animal death and Abandonment
julia_thebookworm_13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Incest, Violence, Kidnapping, War, and Injury/Injury detail