Maria’s Comments (group member since Sep 20, 2010)

Maria’s comments from the Q&A with Cassandra Clare group.

Hi Cassandra, thanks for answering my question about Simon turning vampire! Its a wonder you don't get sick of answering all these questions! Thanks for your patience! I know you still have quite a few books lined up to write, but I was wondering if you have already thought of writing a different book after all your Shadowhunter books are finished. Do you have any other ideas for books that you would like to pursue in the future? Will you always stick to the fantasy genre? I would look forward to any books you write. Thanks for everything!

Hi Cassandra, I read Clockwork Angel 2 weeks ago (i loved it!) and am re-reading the MI books again. At City of Ashes, Simon turns into a vampire, because while he was a rat, he ingested some of Raphaels blood. I get all that. I remembered though that Will had that same problem too in Clockwork, and he knew how to overcome the side effects by drinking holy water, right? My question is, if the shadowhunters know about this side effect (obviously they knew about it way back in the 1800's), how come nobody warned Simon about this? Didn't Jace and the others know about the dangers of biting a vampire? I know he didn't like Simon at the beginning, but that is beyond mean to keep this infomation from him (if he kept it away on purpose). If Simon had known, he would not have sought out the vampires lair, and thus would not be a vampire today! (Though of course the story would not be the same! But with or without Simon becoming a vampire, I love his character any way.)
I was just thinking that if I was Clary, and I found out that Jace knew about this "side effect" and did not warn Simon, I would not be able to forgive him!

I love re-reading the books and comparing trivial similarities and differences between MI and ID. I'm gla that I get to read them 'out-of order', more interesting that way!
Thanks for your patience and all the best with your writing!!!

Hi Cassandra. I just finished ID, and i really loved it. Surprisingly i liked it even better than MI! Your writing continues to improve, and I especially like your deeper character analysis. Meaning you give more descriptions and depth to them, even though they have more secrets that you have not yet revealed! Am looking forward to the succeeding books!

And now to my question... Which other authors/ books, do you admire? Since there are so many books now on the supernatural worlds (vampires, angels, magic etc), have you read any of them? Do they influence you in any way? inspire you? Have you read any contemporary books lately that you can recommend? Thanks a lot for your inputs! All the best with your writing!