City of Ashes
discussion
Does the series get better?
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Krissie
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Jul 28, 2013 02:15PM
I read the first two books, and maybe it's just me and that I read TID first, but I'm always subconsciously comparing Jace & Clary to Will & Tessa. I guess during some of my reading I found some things not adding up, which made me ask myself "Why is this happening?", and the characters were a little bland. I really want to like this series. Does the writing get better? Should I keep going?
reply
|
flag
I have resolved to completely abandon Clare's novels after she finishes up her TMI series. So, I haven't read any of her other books; I'm not exactly qualified to judge the quality of the other series. Even so, I've actually heard better things about TID, so it may well be that the prequel is in fact better than TMI.As for the writing in TMI, it honestly doesn't get better. In the past I raved about this series, but after I took a step back and scrutinized it, I found that it lacked so many things. The writing is stylistically subpar, and Jace and Clary practically begin to go in circles, a pattern that starts when Clare writes what is clearly an ending to the series and then tries to revitalize it by tacking on a few more novels.
The choice is definitely up to you, but the writing doesn't get better, and many of the characters continue to be bland. As things stand, I'm only finishing because I started, something that I feel compelled to do with almost everything.
They are both really good series and for me as MI goes on it really starts to become its own thing.
It gets sooooo much better
It does get much better. City of Glass is my favorite. The whole series builds towards epicness. City of Heavenly Fire is going to be huge.
HEAVENLY FIRE COME OUT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shiny wrote: "HEAVENLY FIRE COME OUT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!"Totally right I just can't wait
The Mortal Instruments does get better. You just have to give it time. At first,I thought it wasn't going to get better,but it does. I have read all 5 books and I'm still waiting for CoHF. The book covers are absolutely beautiful.
Yes, it gets better in CoG. But CoFA is as bad as CoB. Again gets better in CoLS. I don't know how to judge her writing anymore. I really wish CoHF be as good as CoLS.
I agree with Catherine. CoG was so much fun, we have a lot of Alec/Magnus moments, but then CoFA is a total waste. Of course, I did not read TID so I cannot compare, but from what I've read in most comments is that TID is a better series than MI.
Sakura Yue Michaelis wrote: "I agree with Catherine. CoG was so much fun, we have a lot of Alec/Magnus moments, but then CoFA is a total waste. Of course, I did not read TID so I cannot compare, but from what I've read in most..."TID is much better than TMI. But I found similarities (about 10 to 20% may be) between the main characters (Jace and Will of course). TID would be a perfect series if there was no TMI before.
I didnt think so.. I kept reading in hopes that it would, and I found myself regretting it something terrible... I didnt bother with the other series...
Wow! I can't believe so many people didn't like the series. I have read all the books from both series and can honestly say I loved them both. I didn't love Tessa as much as Clary, but that was partly because of the time frame the novel was written. I enjoy books more when they take place in the present. TMI was very enjoyable for me. Even though I knew while reading them that they were originally supposed to end after the third book, I thought that the events following in CoFA and CoLS were well thought out. I've never considered whether her writing was too simple or whatever because I've always thought that the plot more than made up for it, good writing or not.
Ryann wrote: "I read the series several times over, and while I love it, I don't really think it gets better until the second to last book, The City of Lost Souls, and then it takes a turn for the worse in The C..."I really appreciate your thoughts! I've resolved to finish the series and will be reading CoFA soon. It's not the best series, in my opinion, but I like to see through the series I start. So far, CoA is probably my least favorite. I just found it really... off.
As for your comparison of Clary and Tessa, to be fair, Tessa grew up in a very different era than Clary where men were taught to fight for the woman. In my opinion, I thought her strength lay more mentally than physically, but that's just how I saw it! I guess we can agree to disagree. :)
And by the way, did you receive an ARC? Because I thought the release date for CoHF wasn't until 2014.
Read City of Glass! That book is epic! A lot of stuff goes down. I wasn't IN LOVE with the series after City of Ashes but i was after City of Glass. City of FA is not as great but the ending is awesome and City of Lost Souls is amazing
Stop at the third book because the following ones are crap.
Yes, the series does get better. I read the first 2 TMI books, then found out about TID and read Clockwork Angel. I really loved the Infernal Devices and I found that that series is better written TMI. But, TMI does have an amazing story line and it gets better with age. Keep reading!
Kay wrote: "I read the first two books, and maybe it's just me and that I read TID first, but I'm always subconsciously comparing Jace & Clary to Will & Tessa. I guess during some of my reading I found some th..."I'm glad to see I'm not the only one out there who enjoyed TID and can't get into TMI. I just finished the third book and I'm still feeling "eh" about the whole thing and debating whether or not to continue. I hate leaving series unfinished, but for me this just seems to be dragging on more than it needs to.
Yes, the series gets better. Don't give up on it!
Yes, it absolutely gets better. I think the second book is my least favorite out of all the books. Just keep reading, because it definitely gets better.
Hey guys, I noticed people were still responding to this thread and thought I'd mention that I decided to continue the series. I read CoG--which, at the time, made me want to slap some of the characters; it probably made me angrier than CoA--and am currently 35% through CoFA, which isn't too bad thus far.
Ashleigh wrote: "I know what you mean about wanting to slap some characters."Glad I'm not alone. Who's at the top of your to-slap list? :P
They aren't my favorite books but I thought the third book was a step up from the first two. I really only read them because I need to find out what happens to some of the characters I actually like.
Dreamer7787 wrote: "Kay wrote: "I read the first two books, and maybe it's just me and that I read TID first, but I'm always subconsciously comparing Jace & Clary to Will & Tessa. I guess during some of my reading I f..."My feeling exactly. Couldn't put down TID, but I'm having such a hard time with TMI...but due to my personality I just can't quit on a series...so I will read them until they are completed...as long as it may take me to do so.
I read TMI before starting TID and i think they're too similar because they are both about shadow hunters. alone, they are both great series, but if you compare one to the other you will always come out with a favorite because of one reason or another. I personally prefer TMI because i was able to connect with the characters a lot more than in TID. It also makes me think that most people would like whichever series they read first more... mostly because some characters are similar and they both follow the lives of shadow hunters and girls that come into the world of Nephilim rather unexpectedly... I don't think its easy to like them both the same, it's more of which series you connect with more, and then you end up sticking with that oneSo as for the original question, i would say the writing definitely gets better as the plot thickens and strings are tied and broken between plot elements but once again, i also think it has to do with opinion based on which series you read first.
City of Ashes is the weakest of all the books, imho. Keep reading. Haven't started TID yet, I need a break from TMI for a while.
Kay wrote: "I read the first two books, and maybe it's just me and that I read TID first, but I'm always subconsciously comparing Jace & Clary to Will & Tessa. I guess during some of my reading I found some th..."i wish you had read TMI first because clare relates to the future of shadowhunters and family trees in TID that are in TMI
Kay wrote: "I read the first two books, and maybe it's just me and that I read TID first, but I'm always subconsciously comparing Jace & Clary to Will & Tessa. I guess during some of my reading I found some th..."It get's much better in my opinion. I have just started to read the Internal Devices being I just finished City of Lost Souls... I think you should like the books a lot!!! I did anyway.
I stopped reading this series after book 4. I felt that it should have ended with that book, or possibly even book 3. I only read the 1st novel in the Prequel series, and I liked it. but I just wasn't really compelled to continue on with either series. And yes it was due to the characters, the back & forth & how she refused to just bring the TMI series to a close when she clearly had nothing else compelling to write about concerning the plot & characters.
Kay wrote: "I read the first two books, and maybe it's just me and that I read TID first, but I'm always subconsciously comparing Jace & Clary to Will & Tessa. I guess during some of my reading I found some th..."The books do get more interesting as you keep reading. I think the fourth book is probably the worst, if i'm honest. it lacked action, but explained a lot about everyone, everything and all the situations people are. really helpful.
Miss Perfection (Rachel) wrote: "It does get much better. City of Glass is my favorite. The whole series builds towards epicness. City of Heavenly Fire is going to be huge."OMFG . CITY OF GLASS WAS SOOO GOOD. WAS LIKE IT WAS WRITTEN BY GOD HIMSELF.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧SHINY (*◕‿◕*) *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ wrote: "HEAVENLY FIRE COME OUT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!"AGHHHHH NEXT MONTH..... IM EXCITED.
~*~Princess Nhya~*~ wrote: "I stopped reading this series after book 4. I felt that it should have ended with that book, or possibly even book 3. I only read the 1st novel in the Prequel series, and I liked it. but I just was..."nailed it. this author needs more ideas which excludes shadow hunter world. she is such a one trick pony.
Yes so much better
Kay wrote: "I read the first two books, and maybe it's just me and that I read TID first, but I'm always subconsciously comparing Jace & Clary to Will & Tessa. I guess during some of my reading I found some th..."YES
Yes, the series does get better as the stories get more complex.
DEFINITLEY!!!!!!!!! THE SERIES GETS WAY MORE INTERSTING.
I'd say that TMI is far better than the TID so yes it get way better in the third book City of Glass. Best series ever!
I wont be continue the series.it is getting more and more ridiculus. Maybe the writing has improved but the writer is still the same. There is no such thing as logic in the entire series.
City of Ashes kinda got boring but then it gets better when you read the other books! I would prefer TID because it has my husband in it....Righttt..You are wondering who my husband is? Well he's Will Herondale ...Obviously!!!!
Ashleigh wrote: "Kay, Jace and Clary are at the top of my to slap list"why? :(
Kay wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "I know what you mean about wanting to slap some characters."Glad I'm not alone. Who's at the top of your to-slap list? :P"
Clary is at the top of mine. She really annoys the crap out of me. But the fact that we react so strongly to things like this, shows how invested in this series we actually are. Lol
Bella ~The chick from London~ wrote: "City of Ashes kinda got boring but then it gets better when you read the other books! I would prefer TID because it has my husband in it....Righttt..You are wondering who my husband is? Well he's W..."I know he can be a dickhead and he is WAY too young for me, but I am REALLY attracted to Jace. Lol.
She should have stopped after the third... I feel like she's dragging on the series for no good reason. The infernal devices on the other hand were AMAZING!
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
City of Glass (other topics)
City of Ashes (other topics)
Books mentioned in this topic
City of Glass (other topics)City of Glass (other topics)
City of Ashes (other topics)
