When fifteen-year-old
Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she
hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by
three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre
weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the
police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there
is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was
he a boy?
This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know... Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end. |
“Sarcasm is the last refuge of the imaginatively bankrupt.”
I’ve heard so much about this series, so was definitely excited when my friend loaned me the first three books.
The story jumps right into the action as Clary and her friend Simon head into a club, running into the other three main characters, Jace, Alec, and Isabel. I instantly spot the personality stereotypes and while Jace is often funny and I liked his personality, he just never does it for me as a lead love interest. Simon is more impressive in that department as the ignored friend. I’m intrigued with Alec and his hidden interests in Jace. Isabel is a turn-off with her abrasive attitude. Clary is a decent enough heroine, the story being told mainly through her viewpoint, although nothing stands out about her much. I loved the magician Magnus! The villain is intriguing too and I’m curious what’s going on with Clary and her real connections.
I could tell from the first few chapters the story was heading into some kind of twist in the end. When it arrived I wasn’t too surprised and had predicted some of it. Still, it helps to form a promising start to a series that has strong potential on where it can go if done right.
There’s always something going on, even if the pace is not lightning fast, and there is plenty of ‘think time’. Fortunately there is not much angst, but the slight potential of a love triangle may loom. The book could have been better with a slightly shorter length, as I don’t think it holds enough story for the over 400 page count.
As a young adult, it works well establishing an interesting world of vampires, demons, magicians, and shape shifters. The young group bonds with a type of system that appeals to their age but works in a world filled with dangers.
Cassandra Claire writes well with action scenes and excellent dialogue, but some of the similes and descriptive phrases fall short. The chemistry of the two mains is obviously to be the heart of the story, but frankly I hold little stock in their bond. I don’t feel the chemistry myself and care more about the side characters and how they interact with the protagonists.
It definitely ends on some twists (some expected, some not), and I was anxious to read the next book so I could find out where the story would continue with the villain and his plan mingling with the world building and how this will affect the main character’s lives. I love the consistent adoration of reading and books too!
Overall it’s not spellbinding, but it’s a good, intriguing set-up for a series.
Book Quotes:
“The meek may inherit the earth, but at the moment it belongs to the conceited. Like me.”
“This time Magnus answered it, his voice booming through the tiny entryway. "WHO DARES DISTURB MY REST?"
Jace looked almost nervous. "Jace Wayland. Remember? I'm from the Clave."
"Oh, yes." Magnus seemed to have perked up. "Are you the one with the blue eyes?"
"He means Alec," Clary said helpfully.
"No. My eyes are usually described as golden," Jace told the intercom. "And luminous."
"Oh, you're that one." Magnus sounded disappointed. If Clary hadn't been so upset, she would have laughed. "I suppose you'd better come up.”
"What welcome?" Magnus asked. "I'd say is was a pleasure to meet you, but it wasn't. Not that you aren't all fairly charming, and as for you-" He dropped a glittery wink at Alec, who looked astounded. "Call me?"
Book Trailers:
Similar Reviews:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
