Okay, seriously. This book is not particularly well-written. It's not terribly written but it's not great. T**spoiler alert** "Luke, I am your father"
Okay, seriously. This book is not particularly well-written. It's not terribly written but it's not great. There are massive info dumps. In fact, there is one random chapter entirely comprised of backstory... in the middle of the book. Much of the dialogue just doesn't feel right. There are some great lines but there are also a great deal of entire conversations that go on and on and on page after page that feel stilted and unnatural. The author gets bogged down in description. We learn that Jace has blonde hair and golden eyes. And then we are reminded that he has blonde hair and golden eyes. And then we're told again (as if we've forgotten). And again. And again. And again. And again. Every single outfit that any character puts on is described in unnecessary detail. Speaking of Jace, there is a scene at the end of the book where he acts so incredibly out of character, along with his continual use of the word, "father" in every single line he utters, made me laugh out loud. I was almost expecting him to throw in one of those, "My father will hear about this." He turned from reluctant anti-hero, loner, bad boy into ... Draco Malfoy. It was jarring. It took me out of the story. And I really, really, really wish Clary had smacked some sense into him. He was just a little forgiving of his "father." Not to mention, he should have been ten when his "father" died. I'm sorry, but at ten years old, he should have had a VERY clear recollection of just who his father was. Either the author got sloppy. Or Jace is the greatest villain of them all. Speaking of which, this book is incredibly predictable. I guessed that Valentine was Clary's father and that Jace and Clary were siblings far too early on. In fact, the entire thing reminded me of Star Wars. But with vampires.
However, this book is strangely entertaining. I read the entire thing in two days (not exactly a challenging read). Some of the characters were very well written. Alec, especially. I wish his healing was not glossed over. Honestly, I rather read a book focusing on him than on Jace and Clary (two of the biggest idiots I've seen).
I've heard that the next book is much better written and less predictable.
I might pick it up. Just to find out what happens next to Alec.
Alrighty, I had to edit this because I have more to say.
The entire book is written in third person from Clary's point of view. Fine. Except, there is half a chapter that randomly switches to Jace's point of view. What? It's jarring. It feels weird. It certainly doesn't flow well. And, honestly, with someone so conceited and self-obsessed (oh wait, I forgot ... he's not conceited ... he's broken) as Jace, I don't care what he thinks during those four random paragraphs.
Still debating whether to get the second book a go. It probably won't take me more than a day or two to read it but I really hate unoriginal ideas. This story felt way to familiar and predictable.
I also hate info and description dumps. And cringe-worthy metaphors/similes....more
I like this ten times more than Hunger Games. It's better written but just as brutal.I like this ten times more than Hunger Games. It's better written but just as brutal....more
Strange though it may seem, I was torn between giving it two stars and four stars. It was good and I found it impossible to put down but at the same tStrange though it may seem, I was torn between giving it two stars and four stars. It was good and I found it impossible to put down but at the same time horribly depressing. The twist (or whatever you may call it...something involving a train, I won't give it away) just seemed to me to be too much and at that point I was glad the book was over. Yet I wish there was another to read at the same time. This is a series of contradictions I do not really like them but I can't stop reading them!...more
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