stepnic's review against another edition
4.0
It took me awhile to get into this book and also awhile to get through it entirely (though the last part is mostly real life keeping books away). While predictable at times (probably due to the fact that I've read so many books of this genre), it was an enjoyable read. I don't have any current plans to finish the series, but if I came by the books, I wouldn't turn them away either. It was a nice read.
mustashleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, I actually really enjoyed this, I had super low expectations and was a little worried it would end up being Twilight-esque. Thankfully it's actually a decent plot. A lot of action, an alright cast and some plot twists that I did not expect. The downfall is the main character, she's not an awful person, she is just written badly, and the amount of unnecessary streams of consciousness just do not need to be shared. I rolled my eyes quite a few times with the thoughts "why the hell did that need to be said" I know it is for teenagers, I respect that it needs to be dumbed down a little but so much dialogue could have been kept out, like when a dad unnecessarily explains his joke after he told it. I enjoyed it enough to want to keep reading, I just hope that the writing improves a little.
ksd1441's review against another edition
I made it just past the beginning of Part Two, and it was hands-up-I-surrender. The first chapter was so promising, too. But from there, this book took a horrible belly flop into a child's inflatible pool full of tapioca pudding. I could not bring myself to care one smidgeon about any of the characters. They'd do one good thing and then immediately shoot themselves in the foot. After the origial beginning, it was a mish-mash of stories I already heard: a strange combination of Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Twilight (And Harry Potter is my jam, so that kind of hurt. And nobody is allowed to mess with GenI Star Wars). I'm okay with a sarcastic quip every now and then, but most of the teens spoke fluent sarcasim, and that was super annoying (Hello Isabelle, Jace, Alec, anybody at this stupid Clave). And Clary seriously lacked some backbone, and she was pretty much a baby duckling that kept imprinting on a new face every chapter. There were a few potentially interesting tidbits, but I honestly could not care less how it ended up.
mstewart9753's review
3.0
This was my first time ever reading a shadowhunter book and it was not the best start but I have high hopes for the future ones. I listen to this on audio which was definitely a good idea because I don’t know if I would have made it through otherwise. I knew almost all of the plot points due to seeing them others place so nothing really shock me. One thing that bugged me throughout it is that clary’s viewpoints on the others felt very one dimensional went was annoying seen we were reading from here point of view post of the time. Wished we got to see more of the side characters but hopefully we will in future books. I leave on a post that I think the world cc built was very interesting and original and I’m very interesting to find out more about it.
zoflora225577's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
carrotsandpigeons010's review
5.0
If I could give this book more than five stars I would. I can’t even put into words how much I enjoyed this book. Once I started I couldn’t put it down. It makes you laugh, and it makes you want to cry. I saw bits and pieces of myself in these characters and at times I wanted to hug them while they cried. This book was absolutely incredible and I highly recommend
shoelessmama's review
3.0
5/10 Even though I found many things to dislike about this book it had me hooked the whole way through. It was almost 500 pages of not especially well-written twists and action scenes yet it inexplicably kept my mind off of the length. I don't usually care for love triangles and this book had several, not kidding, several. I judge Y/A a little more harshly when it comes to language (some) and blood and gore (chock full) but it was entertaining enough to let that slide (for me, not for my teenagers when I have them). I also found the constant sarcastic tone a little grating at first, but either it let up as the book went on or I grew used to it. There was a BIG twist at the end that I didn't care for but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't seen it coming and I'm sure I'll grow accustomed to it. Even though I'm giving this a middle of the road rating I'm still hooked, as previously stated, and will probably continue on with the series. That is, as soon as I've waded through the bagillion books that came into the library all at once due to neglecting my hold/suspension list- oops!
hobbes4626's review
5.0
i would recommend this book for anyone interested in shadow hunters, demons, vampires, warewolves, romance, suspense and great twitsts and turns! Couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed the characters, and loved how they interacted with each other and the reader got to witness powerful changes that occur within each one of them. Through the characters interactions with one another, they grow, mature as a result. great story, great ending......off the begin book 2
rdallalio's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75