I have finished my first two books! To be fair, I finished the first one about a week ago and just finished the second. Anyway, I was so excited that I couldn't wait until tomorrow morning to post my thoughts about both.
In November of 2009, my sister introduced me to a series of new YA fantasy books titled The Mortal Instruments. These books were highly entertaining. The author of these books has since written number 4 in that series, adding on to the story that she had previously thought she had finished, and has also started writing a prequel series. So, without further ado, here are my reviews!
In November of 2009, my sister introduced me to a series of new YA fantasy books titled The Mortal Instruments. These books were highly entertaining. The author of these books has since written number 4 in that series, adding on to the story that she had previously thought she had finished, and has also started writing a prequel series. So, without further ado, here are my reviews!
Novel #1
Title: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Grade: A-
Brief Summary: Following the death of her Aunt, Sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray journeys from America to join her brother, Nate in London. Open arrival, Tessa is taken hostage by two warlocks who have also imprisoned Nate. She learns that she has magical powers she never knew about, and is being forced to use them each day by the warlock sisters. When rescued by the handsome Will Herondale, Tessa becomes aware of the fantastical world around her, full of vampires, werewolves, demons, and the Shadowhunters, the human warriors who fight the creatures. With their help, Tessa must not only learn more about her mysterious powers, but she must also find her brother and protect him from the dark and evil world.
Review: As I started reading this novel, I was worried that I would never finish it. The novel started very slow. The first chapter or so did not have as much action as Clare's previous books have had. But once Will and the other Shadowhunters rescue Tessa, the story starts to pick up, and it becomes the action packed, romance filled story that is expected with Clare's novels. Because it is a prequel series, you are introduced to characters with familiar names from The Mortal Instruments series (MI), such as Herondale and Lightwood. You also see a few familiar faces, as being a fantasy creature, you are able to live forever.
One of the disconcerting things about this book is that some of the storyline is quite similar to Book One of MI, City of Bone. You have the girl who has been lied to her entire life and has this new adventure in front of her. You have the arrogant, smarmy hero who is also ridiculously handsome. But there a couple of particular moments of Clockwork Angel that are very blatantly similar to parts of City of Bone, and it leaves the reader thinking, "Wait a minute. I've already read this." However, it does have differences too, but the similarities just stand out more, despite being set up in a different way. Clare does have a few surprises up her sleeves though and she keeps you guessing for up until the final scene.
As you can probably tell from the cover, the book is not set during the modern era. It is set during the Victorian Era, which was very exciting to me, as I just took a class about literature during this time period. What I loved about this book is that there were many Victorian themes such as industrialization and technology and womens' roles. This book quickly became not just another YA fantasy novel, but had hints of historical fiction as well. What better way to introduce history to teens than to slip it into an intriguing story. Bravo Cassandra Clare, Bravo.
So even though the storyline is rehashed a little, Clare provides her readers with a new exciting adventure with old and new characters, and leaves them begging for more. Because trust me, the very ending paragraph will leave you hanging.
Title: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Grade: A-
Brief Summary: Following the death of her Aunt, Sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray journeys from America to join her brother, Nate in London. Open arrival, Tessa is taken hostage by two warlocks who have also imprisoned Nate. She learns that she has magical powers she never knew about, and is being forced to use them each day by the warlock sisters. When rescued by the handsome Will Herondale, Tessa becomes aware of the fantastical world around her, full of vampires, werewolves, demons, and the Shadowhunters, the human warriors who fight the creatures. With their help, Tessa must not only learn more about her mysterious powers, but she must also find her brother and protect him from the dark and evil world.
Review: As I started reading this novel, I was worried that I would never finish it. The novel started very slow. The first chapter or so did not have as much action as Clare's previous books have had. But once Will and the other Shadowhunters rescue Tessa, the story starts to pick up, and it becomes the action packed, romance filled story that is expected with Clare's novels. Because it is a prequel series, you are introduced to characters with familiar names from The Mortal Instruments series (MI), such as Herondale and Lightwood. You also see a few familiar faces, as being a fantasy creature, you are able to live forever.
One of the disconcerting things about this book is that some of the storyline is quite similar to Book One of MI, City of Bone. You have the girl who has been lied to her entire life and has this new adventure in front of her. You have the arrogant, smarmy hero who is also ridiculously handsome. But there a couple of particular moments of Clockwork Angel that are very blatantly similar to parts of City of Bone, and it leaves the reader thinking, "Wait a minute. I've already read this." However, it does have differences too, but the similarities just stand out more, despite being set up in a different way. Clare does have a few surprises up her sleeves though and she keeps you guessing for up until the final scene.
As you can probably tell from the cover, the book is not set during the modern era. It is set during the Victorian Era, which was very exciting to me, as I just took a class about literature during this time period. What I loved about this book is that there were many Victorian themes such as industrialization and technology and womens' roles. This book quickly became not just another YA fantasy novel, but had hints of historical fiction as well. What better way to introduce history to teens than to slip it into an intriguing story. Bravo Cassandra Clare, Bravo.
So even though the storyline is rehashed a little, Clare provides her readers with a new exciting adventure with old and new characters, and leaves them begging for more. Because trust me, the very ending paragraph will leave you hanging.
andNovel #2
Title: The Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels
Author: Cassandra Clare
Grade: B
Brief Summary: Simon Lewis is an outsider. He looks like an average teenager, but he really is a vampire who is friends with Shadowhunters, who are usually not so friendly with Downworlders such as himself. Because of Simon's unique abilities, walking in the daylight and being invincible, he is being sought after by many to join their ranks. Meanwhile, Clary begins her training as a Shadowhunter, the life her mother Jocelyn had tried to shield her from. She trains with Jace, which is a perk, but she senses that he is beginning to pull away from her. Is it just teenage romantic angst or there something more dark and mystical behind his mood? When dead Shadowhunter bodies are found in Downworld areas, The Clave start investigating, as do the young generation of Shadowhunters, while Jace takes it upon himself to protect Simon, who already seems to have a guardian watching him.
Review: As excited as I was for this book, I was slightly let down. The story moved very slowly. This was definitely a novel meant to set up the next two books in the series, kinda like New Moon or Chamber of Secrets and Order of the Phoenix. The story is from both Simon and Clary's points of view, so there is a lot of jumping around. And I'm going to be totally honest, I was usually more excited for Clary's point of view, because that's when you get the mushy, romance parts (which are my fave--I'm a sucker for romance).
I do have to say that one of my favorite parts is when Magnus Bane returns. I don't know how I can express my love for this character. He is so unique and flamboyant and I just love it. Everything gets better with Magnus around. This story also lets us see an even softer side of Magnus, which I loved.
The story picks up about halfway through, and from there it's a fast read. It's just getting to that point that is difficult. This book concentrates more on conversations and storylines than on action sequences, which is good, as the story needs to be developed, but bad at the same time because it does move slowly. So, Books Five and Six better be dripping with fast paced action and faster development because after this long winded novel, I just need a little violence.
Title: The Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels
Author: Cassandra Clare
Grade: B
Brief Summary: Simon Lewis is an outsider. He looks like an average teenager, but he really is a vampire who is friends with Shadowhunters, who are usually not so friendly with Downworlders such as himself. Because of Simon's unique abilities, walking in the daylight and being invincible, he is being sought after by many to join their ranks. Meanwhile, Clary begins her training as a Shadowhunter, the life her mother Jocelyn had tried to shield her from. She trains with Jace, which is a perk, but she senses that he is beginning to pull away from her. Is it just teenage romantic angst or there something more dark and mystical behind his mood? When dead Shadowhunter bodies are found in Downworld areas, The Clave start investigating, as do the young generation of Shadowhunters, while Jace takes it upon himself to protect Simon, who already seems to have a guardian watching him.
Review: As excited as I was for this book, I was slightly let down. The story moved very slowly. This was definitely a novel meant to set up the next two books in the series, kinda like New Moon or Chamber of Secrets and Order of the Phoenix. The story is from both Simon and Clary's points of view, so there is a lot of jumping around. And I'm going to be totally honest, I was usually more excited for Clary's point of view, because that's when you get the mushy, romance parts (which are my fave--I'm a sucker for romance).
I do have to say that one of my favorite parts is when Magnus Bane returns. I don't know how I can express my love for this character. He is so unique and flamboyant and I just love it. Everything gets better with Magnus around. This story also lets us see an even softer side of Magnus, which I loved.
The story picks up about halfway through, and from there it's a fast read. It's just getting to that point that is difficult. This book concentrates more on conversations and storylines than on action sequences, which is good, as the story needs to be developed, but bad at the same time because it does move slowly. So, Books Five and Six better be dripping with fast paced action and faster development because after this long winded novel, I just need a little violence.
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