Back (as promised) for a bit of a book review!
I started reading The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare before Christmas, there are 4 books out now (in series order): City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels. I won't go into a whole bunch of detail, but I will rate the overall series a 3 out of 4 on my own scale.
I really enjoyed City of Bones and City of Ashes...but by the time I got into City of Glass...the story was starting to drift a bit for me...as if it was trying too hard. Don't get me wrong...I read all four and eagerly await what is going to be the fifth book, due out in May time frame. In books three and four there was plenty of drama, action, and good story line...but it was almost too much, as if the author had no idea where or how to exactly end each of those books. I was drawn to each of the characters (if at times I was getting a little lost with ALL of the characters (again, a book 3 and 4 thing) and could visualize them and the many different settings presented. The storyline is fascinating, and despite the few bumps I mentioned, a great read. With books 1 and 2...I found myself up late at night reading because I couldn't put it down!
If you enjoy the idea of the supernatural, of a cast of characters saving the world from evil...a bit of a twist on some vampire tales...then I can say I would recommend these books. However, these books were shelved in the "Teen" section of my local Barnes&Noble...and I don't really see these as "Teen" books. As a mother of a 12 year old who will be a "Teen" before I know it...I'm not sure I'm ready for her to read these particular books. The ideas of Heaven/Hell, Good/Evil, etc I'm ok with...the level of violence (while "justified" within the story line) is not terrible, but the majority of these violent acts are committed by the teenagers in the story or upon these teenagers, something I'm a bit uncomfortable with...but what really holds me back is some of the relationships between different characters...particularly the two main characters, as it is implied as an almost incestuous relationship at times, and that I'm definitely NOT ready to delve into with my only child. I think it all depends on the comfort level of the parent with these topics on whether or not this would be a good series for your child.
All in all, good...exciting read...if a bit draggy as it nears the end of the series, with my personal recommendation for age 15 and up.
I have also read the "prequels" to The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, and will perhaps write a new review on those in the next few days.
Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment