leastsquares's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
smiletall_'s review against another edition
4.0
4/5
Whew.
Did I mention that the previous books in this series were super long? Well, this one is even LONGER. It felt like a marathon. And yet, I think I still liked it. I mean, I gobbled the entire story up, so that must mean something, right?
SOO much happened.
This book picks up right after The Lord of Shadows ends, which is great when you can immediately reach for the next book like I did. The fallout from The Lord of Shadows has a huge impact that plays through to the end. There were parts of the story I did not expect at all. And with so many characters and story lines occurring simultaneously, it can feel like a lot. Still, I felt that many of the plot lines were addressed, except those obviously meant to carry on to a future series.
While I still liked Emma and Julian, I think their character arc and development emotionally peaked for me in the Lord of Shadows. That may be because of specific plot decisions made by Cassandra Clare for Julian, but essentially the emotional payout wasn't as explosive as I had wanted in the final book regarding their parabatai bond. What did surprise me was the only moment that made me tear up: a moment around Ty, Livvy, and Kit. Ahhhh, I really anticipate their future story.
When comparing this series to all the rest in this story universe, I honestly think The Dark Artifices was the strongest across the board so far. The entire cast of characters are really likable and solid. Although my aggravation for the Mortal Instruments series carried over a bit, by the end, The Dark Artifices did a lot for even those characters that their own series could not and I was fine spending a bit more time with them. (Mostly Alec and Magnus, less Clary and Jace. And give me more Simon and Isabelle!) The antagonist was still irritating and the weakest aspect of the story. I'm also not sure I loved how the big battle ultimately played out and how some things were resolved, but I felt that the overall conflict and the subsequent repercussions were more nuanced and weighted than any of the previous series. Having recently read through most of these books in close succession, I can also look back and say that Cassandra Clare has done a pretty great job of layering the outcomes of each series on top of each other. What happens in a previous series eventually has massive implications for future ones. And as she continues building out the world, the characters and connections just get richer and deeper.
Clare also has become so much better at introducing and incorporating characters who will eventually lead a future trilogy. Like the way she introduced Emma and Julian at the end of the Mortal Instruments, we are again introduced to Ty, Dru, and Kit even earlier in this series. I think it's pretty clever because I am immediately invested in their characters and want to read about their own journeys. It's also why I had to start The Dark Artifices as soon as I finished the Mortal Instruments (which I was not a fan of). I wanted to learn more about Emma and Julian with all the events and characters fresh in my mind. And even though the next series has recently finished, I think I can finally take a breather since that one jumps back into the past. The final series, yet to be published, will likely be back in present-day with Ty, Dru, and Kit, which honestly, I cannot wait for. I probably also won't remember anything by the time it comes out!
Whew.
Did I mention that the previous books in this series were super long? Well, this one is even LONGER. It felt like a marathon. And yet, I think I still liked it. I mean, I gobbled the entire story up, so that must mean something, right?
SOO much happened.
This book picks up right after The Lord of Shadows ends, which is great when you can immediately reach for the next book like I did. The fallout from The Lord of Shadows has a huge impact that plays through to the end. There were parts of the story I did not expect at all. And with so many characters and story lines occurring simultaneously, it can feel like a lot. Still, I felt that many of the plot lines were addressed, except those obviously meant to carry on to a future series.
While I still liked Emma and Julian, I think their character arc and development emotionally peaked for me in the Lord of Shadows. That may be because of specific plot decisions made by Cassandra Clare for Julian, but essentially the emotional payout wasn't as explosive as I had wanted in the final book regarding their parabatai bond. What did surprise me was the only moment that made me tear up: a moment around Ty, Livvy, and Kit. Ahhhh, I really anticipate their future story.
When comparing this series to all the rest in this story universe, I honestly think The Dark Artifices was the strongest across the board so far. The entire cast of characters are really likable and solid. Although my aggravation for the Mortal Instruments series carried over a bit, by the end, The Dark Artifices did a lot for even those characters that their own series could not and I was fine spending a bit more time with them. (Mostly Alec and Magnus, less Clary and Jace. And give me more Simon and Isabelle!) The antagonist was still irritating and the weakest aspect of the story. I'm also not sure I loved how the big battle ultimately played out and how some things were resolved, but I felt that the overall conflict and the subsequent repercussions were more nuanced and weighted than any of the previous series. Having recently read through most of these books in close succession, I can also look back and say that Cassandra Clare has done a pretty great job of layering the outcomes of each series on top of each other. What happens in a previous series eventually has massive implications for future ones. And as she continues building out the world, the characters and connections just get richer and deeper.
Clare also has become so much better at introducing and incorporating characters who will eventually lead a future trilogy. Like the way she introduced Emma and Julian at the end of the Mortal Instruments, we are again introduced to Ty, Dru, and Kit even earlier in this series. I think it's pretty clever because I am immediately invested in their characters and want to read about their own journeys. It's also why I had to start The Dark Artifices as soon as I finished the Mortal Instruments (which I was not a fan of). I wanted to learn more about Emma and Julian with all the events and characters fresh in my mind. And even though the next series has recently finished, I think I can finally take a breather since that one jumps back into the past. The final series, yet to be published, will likely be back in present-day with Ty, Dru, and Kit, which honestly, I cannot wait for. I probably also won't remember anything by the time it comes out!
horseruth's review against another edition
5.0
Cassandra Clare, as usual, has us hanging onto our seats (or books) as we end a series. This book is no different, and ends well while leaving us wanting more about these characters we've grown to love.
minlara's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
niya_bdzh's review against another edition
5.0
10000/5. Best Cassandra Clare book yet? It is not my favorite, but I aknowledge this masterpiece. Also, are you telling me I have to wait 2 years to see Kit and Ty again? AND WHAT IS UP WITH THAT CLIFFHANGER, THIS IS NOT FAIR! Loved this book so much and it totally went beyond my expectations. I honestly don’t know how Cassandra Clare can create such characters that I know I would die for and a world which I would never get bored reading about. Cassandra Jean’s art made this story even better.
hopecandie's review against another edition
4.0
"consider this, children. some lights were never meant to burn for long."
here we are. i finished the dark artifices trilogy (and am still sobbing while writing this.)
this trilogy was definitely my favorite so far: i can’t deal with all these brilliant characters, the emotions and the world that Cassandra Clare keeps expanding. i am truly in awe, and it’s fair to say now, completely invested in this world.
some events really surprised me and were quite bold, but at the same time captivating?? (yes i’m talking about thule).
i don’t want to spoil the conclusion, but i am deeply satisfied with the ending. i was crying and smiling throughout the last chapters, holding the book to my chest because i didn’t want to let go. i grew so attached to this storyline, it will be a difficult & long time until we have the wicked powers series....
i only have two books left in the chronicles now.... so onward?
here we are. i finished the dark artifices trilogy (and am still sobbing while writing this.)
this trilogy was definitely my favorite so far: i can’t deal with all these brilliant characters, the emotions and the world that Cassandra Clare keeps expanding. i am truly in awe, and it’s fair to say now, completely invested in this world.
some events really surprised me and were quite bold, but at the same time captivating?? (yes i’m talking about thule).
i don’t want to spoil the conclusion, but i am deeply satisfied with the ending. i was crying and smiling throughout the last chapters, holding the book to my chest because i didn’t want to let go. i grew so attached to this storyline, it will be a difficult & long time until we have the wicked powers series....
i only have two books left in the chronicles now.... so onward?
gracemessi's review against another edition
5.0
Basically the infinity war of the shadowhunter books. Absolutely brilliant.
janicewangg's review against another edition
3.0
I’m pretty disappointed in this book to be honest... Don’t get me wrong; it made me feel the feels in more ways that one. It had be crying, laughing, smiling like a maniac, but it was a little anticlimactic, and left so many questions unanswered. Things wrapped up nicely, a little too nicely... A lot of things didn’t make sense and I don’t know. Usually I’m a lot happier with happy endings, but this just didn’t feel right. I know there’s another series coming called the Wicked Powers, but the story between Julian and Emma was just too nice!
1. I still don’t understand the parabatai story. When Jem was explaining what happened in history, didn’t we already realize that? I mean his explanation didn’t explain the curse whatsoever, only that people destroyed records of what happened in history. I want to know more about the origins and why in Thule did all parabatai turned into “demons” even when they weren’t in love. Doesn’t that mean there IS something inherently corrupt about the parabatai bond?? Why was this just looked over? Can we please get a better explanation about this??
2. Why/How did Julian and Emma survive the heavenly fire burning through their bodies when all other parabatai died? No explanation.
3. Annabel. So like in the Fields, Julian knew it wasn’t Annabel because her eyes were red, but when “Annabel” went to Horace’s office, her eyes were blue-green. So is she still alive??
4. Kit. Okay so I know we’re going to get more into Kit’s history in the upcoming series which I am very excited about! He’s a descendant of the First Heir!! I want to know more about his parents and his newfound powers! I’m really happy for him now that he’s going to live with Tessa and Jem but Ty... TYYY. He said he loved Ty!!! I screamed. & then when Ty said there was nothing without Livvy and the hurt Kit felt. AIYAH. MY HEARTTTT. I can’t wait to see their relationship progress in the next series.
5. I really really enjoyed Thule. Like that alternate dimension. I really hope Cassie goes into that world more in the next series since Dark Jace is in our world. Or I hope she writes short stories about it because I definitely want to know more about how their world is doing after Sebastian’s death. How is alternate Livvy doing and so on.
6. Ghost Livvy. So like... I wonder how this is going to play into the next series. I wonder what the consequences are of drawing her spirit.
7. Dark Jace. HE WANTS CLARY. OMG When he said, “‘Not in my world,’ said Jace. ‘In Thule, much lives that is dead here, and much is dead there that lives in your world, Queen.’” I was like, “like your love, Clary”. THEN HE ASKED THE QUEEN TO BRING HIM CLARY. LIKE FFFBDMSKAKSKA. I wonder how this is going to go down in the next series. FOR REAL THIS BOOK WAS NOT AN ENDING.
8. Ash. I wonder what Ash’s character will be like. He seemed like he was good... it also seems like he and Dru will have a romance, but I don’t know. His character is a little iffy.
I don’t know. I am just not satisfied. I’m glad Julian and Emma got their happy ending, but disappointed at the same time. This story is not over and I just feel incomplete.
1. I still don’t understand the parabatai story. When Jem was explaining what happened in history, didn’t we already realize that? I mean his explanation didn’t explain the curse whatsoever, only that people destroyed records of what happened in history. I want to know more about the origins and why in Thule did all parabatai turned into “demons” even when they weren’t in love. Doesn’t that mean there IS something inherently corrupt about the parabatai bond?? Why was this just looked over? Can we please get a better explanation about this??
2. Why/How did Julian and Emma survive the heavenly fire burning through their bodies when all other parabatai died? No explanation.
3. Annabel. So like in the Fields, Julian knew it wasn’t Annabel because her eyes were red, but when “Annabel” went to Horace’s office, her eyes were blue-green. So is she still alive??
4. Kit. Okay so I know we’re going to get more into Kit’s history in the upcoming series which I am very excited about! He’s a descendant of the First Heir!! I want to know more about his parents and his newfound powers! I’m really happy for him now that he’s going to live with Tessa and Jem but Ty... TYYY. He said he loved Ty!!! I screamed. & then when Ty said there was nothing without Livvy and the hurt Kit felt. AIYAH. MY HEARTTTT. I can’t wait to see their relationship progress in the next series.
5. I really really enjoyed Thule. Like that alternate dimension. I really hope Cassie goes into that world more in the next series since Dark Jace is in our world. Or I hope she writes short stories about it because I definitely want to know more about how their world is doing after Sebastian’s death. How is alternate Livvy doing and so on.
6. Ghost Livvy. So like... I wonder how this is going to play into the next series. I wonder what the consequences are of drawing her spirit.
7. Dark Jace. HE WANTS CLARY. OMG When he said, “‘Not in my world,’ said Jace. ‘In Thule, much lives that is dead here, and much is dead there that lives in your world, Queen.’” I was like, “like your love, Clary”. THEN HE ASKED THE QUEEN TO BRING HIM CLARY. LIKE FFFBDMSKAKSKA. I wonder how this is going to go down in the next series. FOR REAL THIS BOOK WAS NOT AN ENDING.
8. Ash. I wonder what Ash’s character will be like. He seemed like he was good... it also seems like he and Dru will have a romance, but I don’t know. His character is a little iffy.
I don’t know. I am just not satisfied. I’m glad Julian and Emma got their happy ending, but disappointed at the same time. This story is not over and I just feel incomplete.