The Mortal Instruments Boxed Set: City of Bones; City of Ashes; City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #1-3)

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The Mortal Instruments Boxed Set: City of Bones; City of Ashes; City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #1-3)

by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author)

4.58 of 5 stars 4.58 · rating details · 17,430 ratings · 624 reviews

In City of Bones, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is introduced to the world of the Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of warriors dedicated to driving demons out of our world. And she's introduced with a vengeance, when Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque monster sent by the evil and powerful Shadowhunter, Valentine. How could a mere human s...more

Hardcover, 1520 pages

Published October 27th 2009 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

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Dec 22, 2009 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, fantasy

I'm reviewing this set in it's entirely b/c individually this series drives me crazy and I had to read the entire series before I could make up my mind if I like it. In the end I did like it and a prediction (actually more like 2) did come true. I don't normally read such a fantasy type series but the characters kept me going even if the background made no sense to me.
Lucky for me the 3 books were available at my library b/c I don't recommend reading them unless you have all three at hand and a...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: aaangst, bad-boys-brought-to-their-knees, characters-with-superpowers, codependent, family-secrets, fantasy, favorites, horrible-childhood-of-h-h, human-puppies, hurt-comfort, my-desert-island-book, paranormal, perfect, romance, soulmatey-soulmates, tortured-heroes, tough-heroines, vampires, ya, fakecest

Oh, how I love love love this trilogy, let me count the ways! (I enjoy books 4-5 in the series as well, but not as much as I do these ones). I'd say it was my ultimate guilty pleasure except I refuse to feel guilty.

Yummily dramatic? Yes. Delightfully angsty? Yes. With an entertaining worldbuilding, great secondary characters, and delightful quips? Yes.

But I am in it for Jace and Clary, arguably the most deliciously tortured and passionate and dysfunctional soulmatey-soulmate OTP that I have co...more Oh, how I love love love this trilogy, let me count the ways! (I enjoy books 4-5 in the series as well, but not as much as I do these ones). I'd say it was my ultimate guilty pleasure except I refuse to feel guilty.

Yummily dramatic? Yes. Delightfully angsty? Yes. With an entertaining worldbuilding, great secondary characters, and delightful quips? Yes.

But I am in it for Jace and Clary, arguably the most deliciously tortured and passionate and dysfunctional soulmatey-soulmate OTP that I have come across in the entirety of YA. Clary is a fun heroine - tough and resilient, and Jace is the combo of snarky gorgeousness, edgy vulnerability, and more bad luck than a houseful of black cats, but it's together that they get to me. They turn me from a reasonable adult to a squealing 15 year old (if I were 15 this would be my favorite set of books and I'd want to be Clary so badly. As it is, I couldn't resist them anyway).

These books gave me that delightful feeling that I haven't felt in a really long time - that impatience to turn the next page, the need to know what next, and above all that delicious fact in the back of your mind at all time - the knowledge the book is in your bag and you will soon get to read more - that anticipation is almost sweeter than the act of reading itself.

Too many favorite things...

(view spoiler)(less)

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Mar 29, 2013 Deborah Takahashi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-supernatural-romance

One night, at a popular club, Clary Fray, and her best friend Simon, are having a great time until she sees hooded figures murder a guy. The murder is not like anyone she has every seen since he is covered head to toe in black tattoos and, mysteriously, the murder victim disappeared into thin air. In fact, the only people who can see them are their fellow Shadowhunters--an elite group of people who have the ability to vanquish demons. Just when things could not get any worse, the murder, turn "s...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Grace rated it 3 of 5 stars

I honestly thought these were going to be pretty bad, and they're not. Don't think about the logic in them too much and you're good - move along at a nice clip, the broody boy is not too broody, the geeky friend is clearly kind of cool, and the girl... Well, she's less so.

This is another book where everyone is gorgeous, except for the "clumsy" girl in the middle of it all. She self-describes as not pretty, but then there's the ever-present nod to "...but my mother is gorgeous, I wish I was as pr...more I honestly thought these were going to be pretty bad, and they're not. Don't think about the logic in them too much and you're good - move along at a nice clip, the broody boy is not too broody, the geeky friend is clearly kind of cool, and the girl... Well, she's less so.

This is another book where everyone is gorgeous, except for the "clumsy" girl in the middle of it all. She self-describes as not pretty, but then there's the ever-present nod to "...but my mother is gorgeous, I wish I was as pretty as she is!" which really should be outlawed in YA as it's really just code for this girl being a late bloomer and don't you worry, she'll turn out just as stunning as mom. As the series went on, Clary struck me more and more as insanely selfish, which made it hard to root for her. She's also not particularly smart. She does dumb, headstrong things a lot, and doesn't appear to learn from mistakes and really does not apply much analytical thinking.

The writing is good, specializing in Twihard-crack passages that are 90% hormone rush, but the rest of the writing works fine as well. Unfortunately as the series goes on, more and more of the plot relies on the old "I didn't tell you that for no good reason, and then terrible things happened because you didn't know!" routine.

And here's one example of flaws that bunched together and made me kind of crazy: (view spoiler)

It's pretty well-written fluff, but there's nothing really new here. At all. Just the regular bad boy trope with an angelic twist.(less)

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Jan 25, 2013 William miles rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-ever

Well, where to begin? These books are absolutley amazing! I love the way Cassandra Clare writes about her charecters. She gives them a soul. I feel like i've known them forever. I was captivated and addicted by the time i read the first chapter. I love the passion and fire clare writes with. She Is an intelligent woman and writer. I just can't get enough. I've never been so impressed with a series in my life and believe me i have read MANY. I love how she brings the Fey, the vamps, the weres, th...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Maralyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars. The books in and of themselves were probably a 4-star read, but everything about them screams 5 stars.

5 stars: Well-written, Clare. Truly well-written. I actually really enjoyed the writing style; I found it endearing and witty...
4 stars: ...except for the bazillions of similes. EVERYthing was a simile. Despite the fact that Clare is so good at pinpointing the way something feels or tastes or is, the abundance of similes got old fast.
5 stars: Originality. HELLO de...more I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars. The books in and of themselves were probably a 4-star read, but everything about them screams 5 stars.

5 stars: Well-written, Clare. Truly well-written. I actually really enjoyed the writing style; I found it endearing and witty...
4 stars: ...except for the bazillions of similes. EVERYthing was a simile. Despite the fact that Clare is so good at pinpointing the way something feels or tastes or is, the abundance of similes got old fast.
5 stars: Originality. HELLO demon-fighters! What a fresh take in a saturated genre. The premise is AMAZING, the plot is gripping, the details are flawless, the twists are surprising and clever, the world Clare creates is visionary. Very imaginative and realistic within its own setting.
5 stars: The characters. Whether you love them or hate them, they are well done. Personally, I find them quite likable and even the ones that drive me nuts have endearing qualities. Regardless, they are incredibly developed and I find myself rooting for them.
5 stars: The pace of the book. It draws you in immediately. The action begins right from the start, yet it doesn't spill all the secrets from the beginning. In fact, it is such a rich, multi-faceted story that secrets and twists are unfolding throughout the entire book, but somehow you don't feel like you have figured out the entire story until the author gives you the last of it. Well mostly, anyway...
3 stars: The brother-sister sexual tension. The love triangle was well developed, but I couldn't wrap my head around the brother-sister thing. Obviously, the reader can surmise that Jace and Clary are going to work things out in a non-incestuous way, but in the meantime, I felt very creeped out by the sexual tension and even more disturbed by the fact that I was enjoying it and still wanting them to be together (only, of course, if the author found a way to make them NOT be siblings in the end...).
5 stars: I read all three books in about a week (and did little else except pour over them during that space of time) so obviously it was a fun read.

Although there is nothing explicit in them, there is some mild profanity, along with innuendos and suggestive dialogue throughout, that I wouldn't recommend for younger kids.(less)

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Dec 02, 2012 Aly rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: stupid teenage girls with no standards

Shelves: young-adult, young-adult-romance, annoying-shitheads, dickhead-love-interests, evil-harry-potter-twins, fantasy, incest, paranormal-romance, people-you-want-to-slap-in-the-face, shame-on-you, shame-on-your-family, shame-on-your-cow

where to begin with this book?

Jace Wayland is supposed to be a hot, snarky bad boy with a heart of gold, and hair of gold. he snarks the shit out of everything as soon as the opportunity arises, and even when the opportunity doesn't arise.

but Jace does not have a heart of gold, no matter how much Clary and Clare try to convince you. at the end of the book, Isabelle tells Clary that she brings out the kindness that's inside of Jace. we're supposed to believe that Clary changed Jace and made him a...more

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Oct 31, 2012 Dimetary Edwards rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Mortal Instruments! (It's ok, I am not going to spoil too ...much)
What can I say? I mean, this is going to big! I think it is already big! And it's going to get bigger, because they have a film in the making and due to come out August 23, 2012! I mean, what's not to love about half angel, black wearing, rune making, demon staying, badasses? Plus I love how Clare had put all the mystical creatures and mythical folk all together and respected their legend and put more impact to what and who th...more

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Oct 16, 2012 Charlotte rated it 3 of 5 stars

You know, it's weird. I've seen so many terrible reviews, and I'm usually the nastiest reviewer of all. So it's strange that I'm giving The Mortal Instruments (1-3, of course; we won't speak of the awful continuations) three whole stars.

There are several reasons.

1. Freaky Pete. Just...Yup.
2. All of Clare's characters are interesting and original. I swear, Clare was the pioneer of the "asshole boyfriend". Honestly. Was there a true YA "asshole boyfriend" before Jace? Seriously, answer the questi...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Mary rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-scifi, ya-juv

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This boxed set only mentions books 1-3, but this review is for 1-5. I haven't read 6, and probably won't unless someone hands it to me.

First, the POSITIVES(because that's short and easy, and doesn't involve ranting):
**Good canon - a fairly traditional fantasy world with familiar rules, plus one new unknown race to make it feel fresh and new.
**Many of the interpersonal relationships feel very real. We are allowed a little bit into several character's thoughts so we have a semi-omniscient role as...more This boxed set only mentions books 1-3, but this review is for 1-5. I haven't read 6, and probably won't unless someone hands it to me.

First, the POSITIVES(because that's short and easy, and doesn't involve ranting):
**Good canon - a fairly traditional fantasy world with familiar rules, plus one new unknown race to make it feel fresh and new.
**Many of the interpersonal relationships feel very real. We are allowed a little bit into several character's thoughts so we have a semi-omniscient role as the reader.
**Decent attempt at humor; sometimes quite successful.
**Lots of dialogue that is extraneous to the plot, giving us both character development and tension relief.
**Very intense visual imagery--what I call a "movie book".

Then, the NEGATIVES (hold on to your hats):
**The foreshadowing is too thick. The plotline is very predictable. The author should tone back the foreshadowing enough to keep us guessing.
**A few of my complaints are directly based on the book being juvenile fiction. I believe if you are going to write for children or teens, there is a certain level of moral obligation you owe to your reader. This book contains teenage drinking, drug use, sex and almost-sex. Of course it's all written into the plot to make it all 'okay', but knowing the age of the readers makes it SO NOT okay. The storyline tries to convince us that legal adult ages are younger for these special human groups, that teens can work themselves up into a sexual lather and just walk away before going to far because the book characters do it with no problem, and that drugs and alcohol are okay because the characters are strong and can handle it. What a pile of crap. The real message I got from the story was that teen sex, alcohol, and drug use are totally awesome. The author is only considering what her intended audiences LIKES, but not what is actually true. And don't tell me it's a fiction book, so it doesn't have to be true. You still have to write responsibly.
**The romantic relationships and dialogue teach lies about love. For example, one of the characters teaches that true love means you don't need other people in your life besides your lover. Family and friends are unnecessary because your partner fulfills all your needs. Another lie is that the burning lust and obsession that teens feel together, who have "no choice" and want to have sex EVERY DAY, is true and lasting love that makes a marriage work. That if he wants to control you and lie to you, it's for your own best interest and is a sign of true love.
**Although the characters swore a lot, the reader is supposedly spared from the language by cutting off the rest of the word, by rhyming the swear, by describing what they were referring to instead. So....I still know what they said. I appreciate the gesture, but leaving it out wouldn't have hurt the story at all.
**My last beef with the books is that the main protagonist never wants to do the right/honorable thing if it is hard, and her selfish reason are painted as justified. She repeatedly does any impulsive selfish actions that occur to her in the moment, and although there is fear of hurting others after it's done...in the end she never REALLY hurts anyone. She can toy with people's lives and hearts all she wants, and no one will ever really be mad at her. So why change?

FINAL VERDICT is that I would recommend it to adults, especially if you aren't book-judgy like me. There's not so much of language, sex, or violence that it's unacceptable for everyone (really close to all 3 lines though, for me). However, I would strongly recommend that parents read it first before deciding whether it is good reading for their particular young person.
p.s. If you're prescreening it, read all of them. They get worse after the first 3.(less)

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Jul 24, 2012 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

***SPOILERS***
This was a fun series to read in many ways. There are still 2 books left to read but I felt like all the major issues were solved with the 3rd book. I love the fantasy world Clare created. It was interesting and exciting. However, and here's where the spoilers come in, I was so uncomfortable with the whole Jace and Clary as brother and sister thing. Everyone reading the books figures out that they aren't brother and sister pretty early on, but THEY don't know that!! They are still...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Sarah's Reviews added it

The Mortal Instruments is a young adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy, set in a colorful version of our reality where humans walk unaware of not just the vampires, werewolves and warlocks, but also demons and their part-human enemies - Shadowhunters.

The books are fast flowing with vivid characters, a lot of action, and
interesting twists. They contain:

* the use of magic, runes, and mixing of demon and angel blood with humans to create other species
* profanity (including the taking of God's n...more

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Nov 30, 2011 Virginia Nelson rated it 5 of 5 stars

City of Bones first caught my eye about a year ago but it got back-burnered due to time constraints. I loved the cover art and had read some good reviews on it.

And then we got the audiobook and I was hooked on the series.

Clary Frae is a pretty ordinary girl. I liked that she was an artist and that her best friend, Simon, had a huge crush on her that she was cheerfully oblivious to. Clary lives with her single mother and has Luke, her mom's friend, as a male influence.

(Also loved that Clary was g...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Nikki rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a book series I would love to live in! If you are looking to take a vacation and get away from your life for a while, I would most definitely recommend you take a trip through The Mortal Instruments. The world that Cassandra Clare has created is one where the reader will find themselves immersed in fantasy and adventure. Just when you think you've found that perfect spot to stop and come back to reality from, you will get swept up back into the Shadowhunter's world of triumph and chaos....more

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Apr 07, 2011 Elise rated it 2 of 5 stars

Too many similes, too much teenage angst (but that's probably why so many teens read it, right?) too many witty repartees in life-threatening situations that don't even begin to help me suspend my disbelief. Oh, and EVERYBODY'S MONOLOGUING! When someone has a sword pointed at their heart they get all morose and suddenly divulge their deepest secrets, but just enough that when they don't die, the reader has all but one piece of the puzzle. So we're basically left almost knowing how things are goi...more

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Apr 07, 2011 Aly Richards rated it 3 of 5 stars

Okay, on the first go round I loved these books...and the second...and the third times through.
I am one of many fans eagerly awaiting the soon-to-be-released book 4: "City of Fallen Angels"
This vast world of 'Shadowhunters', demons, warlocks, vampires, fair-folk, etc. fascinated me and is amazingly well-developed.
However, if you are a reader who is likely to contemplate the sanity of the characters to the point of screaming "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!" at a book, like I happen to have done....more

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Mar 10, 2011 Natali rated it 3 of 5 stars

Let's start with the fact that I am over 30 and not 16 anymore (which is important to know) and let's continue that in between my heavy reading of difficult literary books I sometimes want some YA fiction or some chicklit romcom book to enjoy myself. This was a good series for that, but far from perfect. It doesn't have the great writing that Hunger Games has, it doesn't have the character outline of Twilight and it doesn't even come close to books like Harry Potter (that shouldn't even be in th...more

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Feb 25, 2011 Sarah added it

Are you looking for adventure, romance, fantasy, and some kick butt action scenes? Well, The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare has it all. The plot will keep you on your toes, and unable to put the book down. It personally took me a little under three days to finish all currently published books. They aren’t that quick a read, having a few hundred pages each, which most leisurely readers find pleasant.
The Mortal Instruments currently has three books in circulation, the fourth of whic...more Are you looking for adventure, romance, fantasy, and some kick butt action scenes? Well, The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare has it all. The plot will keep you on your toes, and unable to put the book down. It personally took me a little under three days to finish all currently published books. They aren’t that quick a read, having a few hundred pages each, which most leisurely readers find pleasant.
The Mortal Instruments currently has three books in circulation, the fourth of which is coming out April 5th of this year. Clare’s books have made their way into many a best seller list, as well as home. Published in at least six languages and twenty-six countries this series is widely popular and mainstream. As a personal rule I do not read mainstream books because the hype about them is ridiculous, I didn’t read Meyer’s Twilight until about three years after publication nor did I finish the last book due to the mainstream effect. Cassandra is one of the few authors I have cast my rule away for, having started to read her work a short while after City of Ashes, the second of her series was published.
This isn’t your mom’s fantasy, though you should have her read it, she might like it too. Set in the heart of New York we see the urban fantasy that has taken a big step onto shelves everywhere. Clary is our heroine, and with best friend Simon in tow; she sees the world for what it really is. Clary’s life takes turn after turn after that fateful she encounters Jace and the other Shadowhunters. With adventure full of vampires, demons, magic, and other various “Downworlders” Clary’s life is turned upside down, flipped on it’s side, then turned again.
Clary is fifteen and living in Brooklyn with her mother Jocelyn. She’s grown up without a father, but has family friend Luke to fall back on when the father shoes must be filled. One night Clary and Simon check out Pandemonium, a popular club where their lives change forever. Clary sees something she shouldn’t have, or should I say people? Standing in an off limits zone Clary stares at Jace Wayland, along with his fellow Shadowhunters Alec and Isabella Lightwood. The weird thing; Simon couldn’t see them. Thanks to this one in a million chance Clary’s world unravels, her mom is missing, and Clary is given a crash course about the world she lives in; which leads her to question her very identity along with a relationship with the snaky blonde heartthrob Jace. That’s just the first book, looks like you’ve got an adventure on your hands!
What’s this? There’s a baddy? That’s right ladies and gentlemen, there’s a bad guy in the form Valentine, resident nut job. A very Hitler Esq. nut job in my personal opinion, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles for this obscenely smart, insane character. Valentine ran a secret group of Shadowhunters who lived to rid the world of Downworlders, talk about teenage rebellion, but that’s in the past… right?
The third book, City of Glass is seriously action packed, with a big battle, character development, some rather large twists that’ll make you say “ wait… what?” and some witty sarcasm that’ll make you giggle. Jaces’ particular brand of humor will make readers giggle through out the whole series, but anyone who’s really read and analyzed The Mortal Instruments will say it’s a defense mechanism.
The Mortal Instruments really has a lot of the characteristics I look for in the YA (Young Adult) books I read. Romance, action, length, some fun humor, and makes you think. Cassandra also put a lot of effort into linking the legends in her books to actual world legends and myth, talk about dedication. That’s something I really like in an author, when you find something interesting; they make it possible to find out more. Give Clare’s work a shot, you might like it; I know I did!
I don’t know about you, but I always like to read the book before the movie, and while doing a little bit of refresher stuff on the official website I found that a movie is in the works. The film rights to Cassie Clare’s best selling series were optioned by Unique Features. The director will be Scott Charles Stewart, and the ever talented Jessica Postigo as screenwriter. Fans of The Blind Side (11/20/09) will be happy to know that the lovely Lily Collins has already been cast as our heroine. According to Collin’s IMDb the movie, which is currently in pre-production should be coming out in 2012. Cassie Clare’s official fan site, Mundie Source shed a bit more light on the subject. Filming, says Collins, is to begin in April. This piece of information can be found next to Alex Pettyfers’ face in the January 2011 archive.
To find out more about Mundie Source check out - http://mundiesource.net/wpd/

For The Mortal Instruments website for facts, Cassie’s blog and more - http://www.mortalinstruments.com/inde...

HAPPY READING(less)

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Dec 12, 2010 Splash Of Our Worlds *Yiota* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Since i'm impatiently waiting for Clockwork Angel to arrive (finally was dispatched yesterday) i decided to do a sum-up review at Cassandra's Clare The Mortal Instruments series (sequel of the Infernal Devices which include Clockwork Angel). I will try not to spoil more than the summaries have already done. Actually i will not spoil at all. Read it :)

First of all, on Clare's writing style. What i can say...i love it. After Harry Potter i couldn't believe i could find a same-style world story to...more Since i'm impatiently waiting for Clockwork Angel to arrive (finally was dispatched yesterday) i decided to do a sum-up review at Cassandra's Clare The Mortal Instruments series (sequel of the Infernal Devices which include Clockwork Angel). I will try not to spoil more than the summaries have already done. Actually i will not spoil at all. Read it :)

First of all, on Clare's writing style. What i can say...i love it. After Harry Potter i couldn't believe i could find a same-style world story to enjoy. Most of them were copying it or they were too predictable for me. And then it showed up! City Of Bones was translated in Greek by Platypus Publications. First i was amazed by the cover (i found really important a book has a good and attractive cover) and then i read the summery. I bought and finished it in less than 24 hours. Same came with the rest two books which i purchased in English. I have to admit that i love Clare's writing more than Rowling's. I do love HP but sorry guys TMI topped it for me(HP fans don't kill me). Clare write in a simple way which make you understand perfectly the situation and the places. It's really easy to become one with the book and live in her world. Also i like her humor much more and how she puts her characters in. Finally a book which hasn't a miserable main character or something like that. They all know why they are there and they are accepting what's is going on in a normal way. According to their personalities of course.

Now on the stories and the characters what i can say? Claire is female character which i admire! Seriously! Most girl characters are either too cowards either too b***s. I can read about her again and again. She is normal! Same goes for Isabelle. Well, actually sometimes you will hate her and sometimes you will love her. I can't get my feeling straight about her. On the boys, well i have a serious problem. I can't decide which one i like. Jase, Alec,Saimon, Magnus even Luke. Thanks miss Clare for making my life difficult. You will find boys: your best friend, your dream, the dream that you don't admit to say aloud or even the dream that you want but afraid of. Plus, i think boys will love them too. They are not annoying or too "gay". As you have already noticed i can't pick my fav character. That's ok i guess. Good to like every one in a book. Even the villain.
The story goes fast and slow. The action scenes are fast and your heart pounding like crazy and when it's need to be slower or more analyzed then that's how it is. The part that really amazed me was the action scenes. I couldn't believe a woman can write such good scenes like a guy. They are at the same level like the love scenes or the normal life scenes. Wow!

There is romance,sadness, sympathy, fun, secrets...You will want to beat characters, kill them, hug them. You will want to be in their position and live with them. To help them. You will want to read more. To put it simply..go buy it!;) For me it's a must.(less)

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Mar 25, 2010 NatashaSonya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites

I have to say I've heard mixed reviews about this book series, many saying the writing and characters are feeble attempts at creating a good story and whatnot. All I can say is screw those people because I enjoyed this series more than I could ever describe in words. I'd gotten all three books in one swing to the bookstore - which I admit could've been stupid of me if I hadn't liked it, but of course it didn't turn out that way - and even with the second book's summary spoiler I was gaping all...more

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Jan 01, 2010 Len rated it 5 of 5 stars

I took interest in this series because a lot of the other members I belonged to in a forum (for a certain book) have were currently reading the last in the series, which is City of Glass. So I thought might as well read the books since I was in the mood.
I never thought I could feel again the feeling I had when I read the Harry Potter series and even when I first watched the Lord of the Rings (FOTR). I knew by the time I was in the middle chapter that I was in love with the story. I think if not...more

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Nov 27, 2009 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

Hmmm. Where to start with these books. These are kind of a mix between Twilight and Harry Potter, though I didn't think they were as good as either. Now that I've finished all of them, I like them a lot more in retrospect than I did while reading them. The plot is compelling and interesting, but I really hated most of the characters for the first part of the trilogy. I also don't think these are appropriate for young teens since there are some references to sex, pornography, homosexuality, and s...more

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Jul 06, 2009 Jon rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 11, 2013 Rach rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm wavering between 3 and 4 stars, 3 and a half would be just right. I wanted to like it more than I did, I really did. I found it difficult to embrace the characters, especially Clary. She's a mundane who has just found out that her world as she knew it is a lie and she seems to be ok with it in a relatively short period of time. I mean, there are suddenly vampires, demon hunters and angels, and it hardly seems to perturb her. At times the writing was a bit clumsy in its efforts to convey the...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I may be a little late to the game with this one. But that’s OKAY. A good book still deserves a good mention. And with that mention, I would like to take a moment for the Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass novels written by Cassandra Clare.

I believe it was shear fate that I read these books. You see, it started a few weeks ago while on vacation in Florida. Those pesky flights can be somewhat underwhelming. Waiting in airport terminals is boring. Airplane seats ar...more

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Feb 11, 2011 Olivia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mortal Instruments Series - PART 1 - Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Series is about a young girl named Clary Fray, who believes she is just a typical 15 year old. Until , one night she is hanging out at the 'Pandemonium' Club with her best friend Simon, and she sees something. Something no-one else is able to see. The Mortal Instruments takes us through a world of Demons, Warlocks, Faeries, Werewolves and Vampires alike. It takes us on a journey into the underworld of New York City where hot, sexy de...more

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Dec 23, 2011 Madison Ridge rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I think this series was pretty awesome.
First of all the characters are portrayed fairly simple. Their physical appearances are to my liking and... I like the couples that Cassandra Clare decides to make hook up.

Jace Wayland/Lightwood/Morgenstern/Herondale; - I like his sarcasm.. It reminds of Will Herondale from TID (Clockwork Angel) Even though he's supposed to look a lot like how Alec looks... Uhh.. okay? His personality is cute, and how he just breaks down for Clary, he's amazing. I've got t...more I think this series was pretty awesome.
First of all the characters are portrayed fairly simple. Their physical appearances are to my liking and... I like the couples that Cassandra Clare decides to make hook up.

Jace Wayland/Lightwood/Morgenstern/Herondale; - I like his sarcasm.. It reminds of Will Herondale from TID (Clockwork Angel) Even though he's supposed to look a lot like how Alec looks... Uhh.. okay? His personality is cute, and how he just breaks down for Clary, he's amazing. I've got to say that. I also absolutely love the name Jace, all the surnames in this book are beautiful as well; E.g- Lightwood, Herondale, Fairchild, Fray. They're all so petite and nice.. love them!

Clarissa Fray/Morgenstern/Fairchild/Garoway; - I like the name given, her nickname suits her well, her style and attitude I don't think suit Jace's type. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think they're perfect for each other! But it's just when I read of her looks and her personality in descriptive detail, I think Clary as a child than a sixteen... seventeen year old girl.

Simon Lewis; - Simon has been shown to be a lovely friend who falls in love with his best friend (How typical) and then expresses his feelings when she is at her most vulnerable... Ugh! Simon can be really sweet, but at times really annoying. He in both issues uses sarcasm, like Jace, but it's not as funny, which I take it's not supposed to retrieve the same reaction? I'm not sure but it bugs me. His minor relationship with Clary was too awkward for comfort, I couldn't suppress my anger whilst reading City of Ashes, when they get together, I got super mad at Cassandra for even making CLary consider dating her best friend. But I guess she was emotionally detached because she couldn't be with Jace, because it was "incest" HA if only they knew! ARGH the frustration! The whole situation with Maia and Isabella is annoying the HELL out of me, Maia OBVIOUSLY should get with him, not izzy. No. That is all. But now that Maia's former partner is back in the picture he has no chance. At all.

So that's my theory and criticism for the characters. I didn't like the brother and sister thing lasting for TWO whole books. I didn't like Jace thinking he was a demonn for ONE whole book. UGH THE RAGE!
The idea and the plot and twists were immensely worth the anticipation I guess ; When Jace dies. When they FINALLY get together after being told they are, in fact, NOT siblings. I ran around my room whooping my ass off. Oh what a day that was, I was so bloody happy I could scream, in which, I did.

So yeah, this is next to my favourite series. But I seriously can't wait for City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire! Ugh the angst!

(less)

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Dec 15, 2011 Carrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

OK, I have to admit that these were pretty fun. I especially enjoyed the third one. I'm a sucker for forbidden love, which these have in spades. The good guys are really good (but tormented!) and the bad guys are really bad (but kinda sexy!) and the whole thing was pretty much completely entertaining.

One complaint- the author has a habit of telling you what things smelled or tasted like, which I liked at first "his mouth tasted of metal and rage", but then it became distracting: "smelled of cold...more

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Mar 14, 2011 Ashley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

I never thought I would find another book or series where I would fall completely in love with the characters after Twilight. The search is over – The Mortal Instruments is the new Twilight. After reading this series, you can’t help but feel like you personally know each and every character. The trials and tribulations each character goes through make you hunger for more and never want it to come to an end. You are constantly left in suspense of what the outcome will be of each adventure that Ja...more

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Dec 24, 2010 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love this series. If you liked the Twilight series, but you prefer a more raunchy and more violent story, this is it (I'm not sure what that says about me, but it can't be good). This is a young adult novel, but has some themes that parents who want to shelter their children should be aware of - I haven't loaned it out to anyone under 17. The characters are interesting, the battle of good vs. evil is always entertaining, and there is some romance for the romantic in all of us. This is a series...more

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The Infernal Devi...: Which series is funnier??	202	204	May 19, 2013 06:21pm
The Page Turners: Mortal Instruments Trivia	34	25	May 19, 2013 10:12am
Never Too Old For...: Mortal Instruments Series	100	246	May 18, 2013 07:21pm
The Infernal Devi...: Reasons Why Clary's Annoying	194	221	May 15, 2013 08:51pm
All Around Mortal...: Is Jace skinny? Is Clary okay? Is Jocelyn too old and hot to be Clary's mom?	11	21	May 11, 2013 06:39am
Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices connections.	28	435	May 08, 2013 12:33pm
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About Cassandra Clare

Hello Goodreadsers. Here's my official bio:

"Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilo...more

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Books by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3)

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)

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“If you insist on disavowing that which is ugly about what you do, you will never learn from your mistakes.” — 131 people liked it

“Pulvis et umbra sumus” — 81 people liked it

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title link	preview: The Mortal Instruments Boxed Set: City of Bones; City of Ashes; City of Glass
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The Mortal Instruments Boxed Set: City of Bones; City of Ashes; City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #1-3)

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