theatomicpirategirl's review against another edition
3.0
((check out my other reviews on my blog, Atomic Pirate Girl's Book Work Booty
A finale to a book series I started forever ago! Did it live up to the hype? Was I disappointed? Well, lets just say that I know there are folks out there who are not going to like this review...so...yeah...heads up there....
I have found that when it comes to the final book in a series, I am left pondering the implications of what that book brings to the entire world that the author created. Was it an epic ending? Was it a cop out? As I finished reading City of Heavenly Fire, I was left feeling really one thing in particular: this book was way too long.
“But isn’t that how most final books are?” I thought to myself when I was about half way through this 725 page behemoth. Example: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. That was a long book…but that was a book that I loved to have frustrate me with the twists and turns. I remembered gasping out loud and crying out “what is this craziness?!” There was the perfect amount of pacing with heartfelt moments, plot twists, and action scenes with a pinch of horror. It had an ending that was appropriate for what the story was. There were no random new characters introduced. J.K. Rowling kept us focused on the characters at hand. And, when there was a death, it was important and it was moving.
For Cassandra Clare’s finale, well, I was left feeling bored and impatient. There were wasted words and sentences everywhere, which didn’t move the story along. There were new characters introduced into this world who did nothing for the story. They were only introduced to set up for the next book series in the Shawdowhunter world. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the idea of the Shadowhunter world and the twist they bring to the Young Adult fantasy fiction world. But, for me, these new characters served no purpose to any of the existing characters or the plot. And when characters died, well, I didn’t care. They’re lives just ended in an anti-climactic and unemotional heap of nothingness. I should feel something when a character dies. I should feel pain or sorrow or joy. No. I was left thinking “oh get on with it.”
The main six characters of this series, where not so much an issue for me. They are who they are. I accepted them for all their flaws. They are not the best characters, but they make no qualms about who they are. My main issue was a feeling of all the characters in this world created by Clare are being forced together…unnaturally. I’m not sure how to describe what I mean by this statement. I suppose it was all the coupling that was going on. Jace and Clary’s relationship I felt didn’t develop it something mature and strong. Isabelle and Simon was a lot of back and forth teenage angst and jealously. Didn’t really care about Jordon and Mia. Also, I was super annoyed that Clare shoehorned in two characters from her Infernal Devices Series (a book series I actually really enjoyed…better than this one) and I ended up being annoyed at their presence in the books. The only couple that wasn’t super annoying was Magnus Bane and Alec. They at least had emotions that seemed genuine…though there was this strange element of romance novel-ness to them.
But that’s beside the point. I can forgive strange couplings of characters as long as the main story is moving along, as long as the action is propels the reader forward. And the main story…well, it didn’t. I wanted to continually yell at the book to “get along lil’ doggies!” Too many subplots with characters I could give two shits about. There were wasted words and sentences. I was being told, not shown, emotions and the world. This book was, in general TOO LONG. Like 300 pages too long. By the time I realized this, I couldn’t just stop where I was and abandon the book. I was far too along in the world to just give up. I wanted to. But I didn’t. I was applauded by co-workers for finishing the behemoth of the book. I shouldn’t have to be congratulated for muscling through a book.
When it all comes down to it, I was sorely disappointed in this book. Not from how it ended. The ending wasn’t half bad. No, I was disappointed in the composition and the overall writing itself. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, just because your book series has the title of New York Time’s Best Selling Series, doesn’t mean that an editor shouldn’t be afraid to say “you know, you might want to cut back here” and “you know, you said the same thing twice…just in a different way.” It was things like this, this lack of editing that drove me bananas. Awesome for those that really loved this book. Kudos to you. But for myself, I just couldn’t get past unwanted characters and plot fodder.
I know. This review is not very nice. But, all is not lost. Try reading Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices book series. It's only three books long and the characters are much more likable and the story is so much more compelling. Maybe that's because its set in Victorian England and has a steam punk feel to it that makes me like it more. I would suggest those books over this series completely.
Thanks for reading folks. I appreciate you.
Remember to always be yourself...unless you can be a pirate. Then ALWAYS be a PIRATE!
A finale to a book series I started forever ago! Did it live up to the hype? Was I disappointed? Well, lets just say that I know there are folks out there who are not going to like this review...so...yeah...heads up there....
I have found that when it comes to the final book in a series, I am left pondering the implications of what that book brings to the entire world that the author created. Was it an epic ending? Was it a cop out? As I finished reading City of Heavenly Fire, I was left feeling really one thing in particular: this book was way too long.
“But isn’t that how most final books are?” I thought to myself when I was about half way through this 725 page behemoth. Example: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. That was a long book…but that was a book that I loved to have frustrate me with the twists and turns. I remembered gasping out loud and crying out “what is this craziness?!” There was the perfect amount of pacing with heartfelt moments, plot twists, and action scenes with a pinch of horror. It had an ending that was appropriate for what the story was. There were no random new characters introduced. J.K. Rowling kept us focused on the characters at hand. And, when there was a death, it was important and it was moving.
For Cassandra Clare’s finale, well, I was left feeling bored and impatient. There were wasted words and sentences everywhere, which didn’t move the story along. There were new characters introduced into this world who did nothing for the story. They were only introduced to set up for the next book series in the Shawdowhunter world. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the idea of the Shadowhunter world and the twist they bring to the Young Adult fantasy fiction world. But, for me, these new characters served no purpose to any of the existing characters or the plot. And when characters died, well, I didn’t care. They’re lives just ended in an anti-climactic and unemotional heap of nothingness. I should feel something when a character dies. I should feel pain or sorrow or joy. No. I was left thinking “oh get on with it.”
The main six characters of this series, where not so much an issue for me. They are who they are. I accepted them for all their flaws. They are not the best characters, but they make no qualms about who they are. My main issue was a feeling of all the characters in this world created by Clare are being forced together…unnaturally. I’m not sure how to describe what I mean by this statement. I suppose it was all the coupling that was going on. Jace and Clary’s relationship I felt didn’t develop it something mature and strong. Isabelle and Simon was a lot of back and forth teenage angst and jealously. Didn’t really care about Jordon and Mia. Also, I was super annoyed that Clare shoehorned in two characters from her Infernal Devices Series (a book series I actually really enjoyed…better than this one) and I ended up being annoyed at their presence in the books. The only couple that wasn’t super annoying was Magnus Bane and Alec. They at least had emotions that seemed genuine…though there was this strange element of romance novel-ness to them.
But that’s beside the point. I can forgive strange couplings of characters as long as the main story is moving along, as long as the action is propels the reader forward. And the main story…well, it didn’t. I wanted to continually yell at the book to “get along lil’ doggies!” Too many subplots with characters I could give two shits about. There were wasted words and sentences. I was being told, not shown, emotions and the world. This book was, in general TOO LONG. Like 300 pages too long. By the time I realized this, I couldn’t just stop where I was and abandon the book. I was far too along in the world to just give up. I wanted to. But I didn’t. I was applauded by co-workers for finishing the behemoth of the book. I shouldn’t have to be congratulated for muscling through a book.
When it all comes down to it, I was sorely disappointed in this book. Not from how it ended. The ending wasn’t half bad. No, I was disappointed in the composition and the overall writing itself. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, just because your book series has the title of New York Time’s Best Selling Series, doesn’t mean that an editor shouldn’t be afraid to say “you know, you might want to cut back here” and “you know, you said the same thing twice…just in a different way.” It was things like this, this lack of editing that drove me bananas. Awesome for those that really loved this book. Kudos to you. But for myself, I just couldn’t get past unwanted characters and plot fodder.
I know. This review is not very nice. But, all is not lost. Try reading Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices book series. It's only three books long and the characters are much more likable and the story is so much more compelling. Maybe that's because its set in Victorian England and has a steam punk feel to it that makes me like it more. I would suggest those books over this series completely.
Thanks for reading folks. I appreciate you.
Remember to always be yourself...unless you can be a pirate. Then ALWAYS be a PIRATE!
leejeyden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
juliaoliveira's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
4.0
bwallace22's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
taylorgaydarzhi's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ebear20's review against another edition
5.0
Was this my favorite book in the series? No. But it is in my top three. Cassandra Clare finishes the series perfectly. We're tears shed? Yes. A lot. The only reason this isn't my favorite book in the series is because I didn't really enjoy the characters that she added. I didn't enjoy the characters that her new books will be based around. Why can't she just continue with Clary, Jace, Simon, Isabelle, Alec, and Magnus? Because honestly in the order those are my favorite characters
anabellaedpb's review against another edition
4.0
Sin duda a partir de este libro es, que se pone la cosa mejor y mejor.