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hsecen's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favorite things to read is multigenerational stories - coming to understand the parents, their backgrounds, and motivations and then seeing how that effects their children and their own motivations. Will, Tessa, and Jem are some of my favorite characters in the Shadowhunter World and I've been really excited to see how their children turned out.
For the first book in the series, I thought it was pretty well done. The conflict certainly captured my attention. All is not resolved by the last page of course, and I could tell that the future conflict will be wild and I'm so excited to find out what will happen next. I loved that this story touches upon James and Lucie's heritage and how having Tessa, a warlock, as a mother has effected them. They are descended from angels and demons. It's been mentioned in previous books but hasn't been fully explored until now and I'm here for it because I find myself wanting to know more about how the Herondale family will handle all of this.
I've always thought Cassandra Clare does platonic, friendship love really well, and this book was no exception. The relationships between James, Matthew, Thomas, and Christopher (the Merry Thieves, love this nickname), between Cordelia and Lucie touched my heart and I can't wait to see them continue to grow in the rest of the series. I've also seen the Shadowhunter Family Tree so I have hints of what future pairings will happen with this group, and there were definite hints at those pairings. It was so sweet to see some of the relationships starting to blossom and again I can't wait for more. Some of the other hints of pairings really confused the heck of me though and I know some of the details included in the family tree have been retconned so I don't totally know what to trust at this point. I'm so desperate to find out how everything comes to pass.
There were a few things I didn't totally love - some details seemed to conflict with what previous books mentioned which annoys me. I tend to prefer a little more attention to detail. Also I realize this is the first book and many more details still need to come to light, but I'm getting a sense at certain tropes that may be written in future books and they're not my favorite to read.
Overall, this was a great introduction into this new series. It is only the first book and I'm reserving judgement on some of things I'm sensing until I'm given a better sense of the plot. Clare has done a good job dropping little hints about what's occurred and what will happen in the future and I am really excited to continue to learn more about this generation of Shadowhunters.
For the first book in the series, I thought it was pretty well done. The conflict certainly captured my attention. All is not resolved by the last page of course, and I could tell that the future conflict will be wild and I'm so excited to find out what will happen next. I loved that this story touches upon James and Lucie's heritage and how having Tessa, a warlock, as a mother has effected them. They are descended from angels and demons. It's been mentioned in previous books but hasn't been fully explored until now and I'm here for it because I find myself wanting to know more about how the Herondale family will handle all of this.
I've always thought Cassandra Clare does platonic, friendship love really well, and this book was no exception. The relationships between James, Matthew, Thomas, and Christopher (the Merry Thieves, love this nickname), between Cordelia and Lucie touched my heart and I can't wait to see them continue to grow in the rest of the series. I've also seen the Shadowhunter Family Tree so I have hints of what future pairings will happen with this group, and there were definite hints at those pairings. It was so sweet to see some of the relationships starting to blossom and again I can't wait for more. Some of the other hints of pairings really confused the heck of me though and I know some of the details included in the family tree have been retconned so I don't totally know what to trust at this point. I'm so desperate to find out how everything comes to pass.
There were a few things I didn't totally love - some details seemed to conflict with what previous books mentioned which annoys me. I tend to prefer a little more attention to detail. Also I realize this is the first book and many more details still need to come to light, but I'm getting a sense at certain tropes that may be written in future books and they're not my favorite to read.
Overall, this was a great introduction into this new series. It is only the first book and I'm reserving judgement on some of things I'm sensing until I'm given a better sense of the plot. Clare has done a good job dropping little hints about what's occurred and what will happen in the future and I am really excited to continue to learn more about this generation of Shadowhunters.
simplyeevee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
makenzimae's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing!
I expected nothing less of Cassandra Clare and she came prepared in this action-and-romance-filled addition to the Shadowhunter tales. Totally enthralled and obsessed!
I expected nothing less of Cassandra Clare and she came prepared in this action-and-romance-filled addition to the Shadowhunter tales. Totally enthralled and obsessed!
vivizinha's review against another edition
3.0
Oh I have a lot to say about this book and I'm gonna write this review in parts.
1 star for Luce Herondale - I just loved her character she is quirky but also very perceptive and adorable. She is in my opinion shadowed by her brother by everyone and I don't appreciate that. I love how she is self aware of that too. I love how determined she is and her and Jesse is just so thrilling for me. Also her shenanigans with Grace Blackthron seems to be leading somewhere!!! I also loved her friendship with the Merry Thieves (mostly Thomas) and how she calls Will "Papa" and he calls her "little darling" in Welsh.
1 star for Will, Tessa and Jem: my lovely trio. All the scenes they were in I was truly amused and happy and it made me want so much more of them. I love the fact that Will is still very Will, that Tessa always seems to be reasonable and that Jem is still able to be an uncle, a loved friend and a parabatai.
1 star for - all of the LGBT characters, but mostly: Anna Lightwood, Alastair Carstairs, Thomas Lightwood and Ariadne Bridgestock (she is determined to get her girl back yayyy). I loved all of them and their relationships were so interesting. I love the gay angst and I'm so here for it. I truly love all of these characters.
Now, for the aspects of the book i really didn't like:
1- James Herondale and Cordelia Cartairs relationship: I just have no words to show how disappointed I'm in myself even for not liking them individually nor their relationship. Firstly, I couldn't connect with their characters; I really don't like when a character already has been pining over their love interest and the first thing we get to know about them is that (this in Cordelia's case); since I didn't see a development towards their relationhip (because it felt very weird) I coudn't appreaciate their engagement (besides I don't like this plot point but whatever). Also James is really dramatic. Also I wanted more development towards Cordelia and Luce's friendship since they are going to parabatais and I felt like it was sidelined for this aspect.
2- The plot- I feel like things took time to happen and only in the epilogue it was revealed a grand plot twist. I love the ghosts part (I love Jesse), but I wished it was explored more. I feel like Luce is always forgotten that is also a Herondale and that didn't make sense becaus she can control them. I wasn't satisfied when I finished the book, like not all plot points were thoroughly connected.
That is it. However, I'm really excited and looking forward to picking the next book. I have so many characters I hold dear in my heart who made this book for me and I would like to spend more time with them,
1 star for Luce Herondale - I just loved her character she is quirky but also very perceptive and adorable. She is in my opinion shadowed by her brother by everyone and I don't appreciate that. I love how she is self aware of that too. I love how determined she is and her and Jesse is just so thrilling for me. Also her shenanigans with Grace Blackthron seems to be leading somewhere!!! I also loved her friendship with the Merry Thieves (mostly Thomas) and how she calls Will "Papa" and he calls her "little darling" in Welsh.
1 star for Will, Tessa and Jem: my lovely trio. All the scenes they were in I was truly amused and happy and it made me want so much more of them. I love the fact that Will is still very Will, that Tessa always seems to be reasonable and that Jem is still able to be an uncle, a loved friend and a parabatai.
1 star for - all of the LGBT characters, but mostly: Anna Lightwood, Alastair Carstairs, Thomas Lightwood and Ariadne Bridgestock (she is determined to get her girl back yayyy). I loved all of them and their relationships were so interesting. I love the gay angst and I'm so here for it. I truly love all of these characters.
Now, for the aspects of the book i really didn't like:
1- James Herondale and Cordelia Cartairs relationship: I just have no words to show how disappointed I'm in myself even for not liking them individually nor their relationship. Firstly, I couldn't connect with their characters; I really don't like when a character already has been pining over their love interest and the first thing we get to know about them is that (this in Cordelia's case); since I didn't see a development towards their relationhip (because it felt very weird) I coudn't appreaciate their engagement (besides I don't like this plot point but whatever). Also James is really dramatic. Also I wanted more development towards Cordelia and Luce's friendship since they are going to parabatais and I felt like it was sidelined for this aspect.
2- The plot- I feel like things took time to happen and only in the epilogue it was revealed a grand plot twist. I love the ghosts part (I love Jesse), but I wished it was explored more. I feel like Luce is always forgotten that is also a Herondale and that didn't make sense becaus she can control them. I wasn't satisfied when I finished the book, like not all plot points were thoroughly connected.
That is it. However, I'm really excited and looking forward to picking the next book. I have so many characters I hold dear in my heart who made this book for me and I would like to spend more time with them,
bshehu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.5
awes0me93's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
saraalk's review against another edition
5.0
Oh. My. God. I loveddd this book but also hated it for the pain it caused me. One of my favorite things about this books is the dynamic of the group of friends. Also I LOVE Cordelia I find like a lot of protagonists are really whiny and I find most of them annoying but I really Cordelia she a BAD B. I despise Grace and her mother I will not explain further. What I did want more of in this was POV from the rest of the merry thieves. Okay now I can talk about James and Cordelia oh god why? Why!? WHY?! Why must CC always hurt us with the romance. Also Matthew has feeling for Cordelia?? No no I REFUSE to have another love triangle that will rip me apart like will Jem and Tessa. EVERYTIME they were mentioned or talked about it I cried. Looking forward to the rest of this series.
After rereading this book is so good. Still every time Jem, Will, or Tessa was mentioned I cried.
Third time reading and it still doesn’t get old. I love these characters more and more each read. And yes I still cry every time Jem, Will, or Tessa was mentioned. God I LOVE THESE CHARCTWRS AHHHH
After rereading this book is so good. Still every time Jem, Will, or Tessa was mentioned I cried.
Third time reading and it still doesn’t get old. I love these characters more and more each read. And yes I still cry every time Jem, Will, or Tessa was mentioned. God I LOVE THESE CHARCTWRS AHHHH