The Mortal Instruments Buddy Readathon #2

[Divine]

Idk why but I'm so excited to be disappointed with this book XD That would probably lessen the impact if I actually will dislike it after reading it. Nevertheless, we persisted!

[Kaye]

YAAAAAAS. I'm going to set my expectations really low. Oh well, crossing my fingers this would be better than City of Bones!

[Divine]

UPDATE: Prologue
Heyyyy I'm so sorry to update just now, I've been quite distracted with other books AHAHHAH still, I tried reading at least the prologue XD
(view spoiler)[Now there's the angel you've been looking for! Although I'm quite curious with how he shrugged off his denim jacket while his wings are you know still there jutting out from the slits? I mean, HAHAHHA I can't really imagine a graceful attempt in doing so. XD I was bugged by this part the most!

Also, I really think that the writing could improve especially in this scene since it should be like a dark and grim part right? Idk but for me, it seemed haphazard, not to mention that the descriptions rely more on purple prose rather than actual depictions of the surroundings. I guess it's my architecture tingles! But really though if you read it closely, it's just like a vague picture of the setting which kinda sucks? (hide spoiler)]

[Kaye]

UPDATE: 1—5
Hi! It's been months HAHAHAHAHA. I finished reading Chapter 5 and I ranted too much about Clary and Jace. xD. I agree with you on the writing, it's decent not amazing. She should improve in setting the atmosphere. Well-established atmosphere is one of the things I look for in a book. (like J.K. Rowling's first book in the Harry Potter Series, that was screaming with mystery, magic, and such)

(view spoiler)[Chapter 1
• Clary let Simon kiss her when it's obvious that she has feelings for Jace. She was being unfair to Simon, comparing how Simon's lips was "softer" and such.
Chapter 2
• I really got mad at Jace for not helping the wolves about the death of Joseph (a cub at Simon's pack). He didn't even felt remorse and continue to be cocky and rude.
Chapter 4
• The Inquisitor was right about Jace. IMOGEN HERONDALE ROASTED JACE OOOOHHH. (but herondale? will herondale?)
• Clary was super rude to Maia. UGHHHHHH.
• Clary's comparing Simon to Jace again.
Chapter 5
• Thank God Alec and Izzy understood that Jace should've paid respect to the Inquisitor. As expected, Clary sided with Jace.

General Thoughts
Overall, Cassandra's writing isn't for me. Her writing's a mix of overused metaphors and dramatic, flowery writing. Some people said it's addicting but everytime I read her books I think of every published work out there that I could've been reading. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I just want to finish the books I started months ago that I haven't picked up. Also have you seen the new Cassandra Clare novel with a Persian main character? (even though I wish she'd venture out to something new instead of publishing works within the Shadowhunter universe) (hide spoiler)]

Happy reading, Mavence! (or should I call you Divine?)

[Divine]

HEYYYY YES IT'S BEEN SO LONG AHAHHA. I agree with HP! It's not even flowery yet it gets the picture to us. And yup you can call me Divine XD I changed my GR name already since I think it would confuse other people I know irl hahahaha I'll probably update next week!

[Kaye]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH Okaaay! I'll try so hard to finish this. Oh God.

[Divine]

Don't worry just think Infernal Devices!!!

[Kaye]

UPDATE: Chapters 6—10

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[Jace is so stupid. I've included this in my progress update but he lacks common sense. To be honest he should've said it in the first place that Valentine killed the Silent Brothers.

"They didn't," said Jace. "Something killed them. I don't know what." pp.113-120

He only told the truth when they got out of the Bone City. Oh...and I now realized that he lied. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[• I found yet another "girl hate" Clary had on Izzy. It's really a pet peeve of mine when a character hates a girl for no reason or vice versa.

There was a small wooden gazebo built over the water; Isabelle was sitting in it, staring out across the lake. She looked like a princess in a fairy tale, waiting at the top of her tower for someone to ride up and rescue her.

Not that traditional princess behavior was like Isabelle at all. Isabelle with her whip and boots and knives would chop anyone who tried to pen her up in a tower into pieces, build a bridge out of the remains, and walk carelessly to freedom, her hair looking fabulous the entire time. This made Isabelle a hard person to like, though Clary was trying. pp.145

Just because Izzy's hair was fabulous. Oh God. I can't stand Clary. She should really make an effort to like Izzy.

• Holy shit. I really like Isabelle!

"Stop it." Isabelle tapped a booted foot in the shallow water at the lake's edge. "Both of you. In fact, all three of you. If we don't stick together in the Seelie Court, we're dead."
"But I haven't—" Clary stated.
"Maybe you haven't but the way you let those two act..." Isabelle indicated the boys with a disdainful wave of her hand.
"I can't tell them what to do!" (whaaat???? so she can't tell them to stop fighting?)
"Why not? Honestly, Clary, if you don't start utilizing bit of your natural feminine superiority—I just don't know what I'll do to you."

pp.147-148
Yes to girl power, right? I really like Isabelle's attitude.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[• I hate when Clary doesn't even care and notice Simon at all when Jace is in the picture, but wonders and chase him when Simon choose to avoid her. I just hate that she continues to play with Simon and Jace's feelings.
• This love triangle among Simon, Jace, and Clary is pointless. When Clary evidently truly loves Jace compared to Simon. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[• I can't stand Clary's whining uuughhh. This particular scene wherein Simon crawls out of the ground and Clary wants to help him but Raphael clearly states that Simon's better off without any help. Shet xD for once, can she just follow what's the right thing to do. Because Raphael's a vampire and he knows what should be done compared to an untrained, clueless Shadowhunter. Look how her stubbornness had caused her. (hide spoiler)]

I'd been reading for hours and I'm still on Chapter 10. I took breaks in between scenes that really got on my nerves. So far besides the writing, the pacing's so slow. But I liked the journey to the Seelie Court, that was the most exciting part so far! I liked learning more about faeries. OMG. Putting aside TMI and talking about faeries, I haven't read the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, in fact, I haven't read a S.J. Maas novel at all! Have you read any of her works? I have read a lot of mixed reviews that I'm afraid to even start. xD

Happy reading, Divine!

[Divine]

HAHAHAH I HAVEN'T. My friend irl and my other friend here in GR said it was full of smut (which were properly executed) and it was good. But idk, I don't feel like ever reading it as well as the Throne of Glass series.

[Kaye]

UPDATE: Chapters 11—15
I'm okay with smut in books if it's totally necessary, would contribute something to the story, and of course, well-written. If I'm able to catch up with the series I haven't even started and way behind, I might. The Cruel Prince, I believe, is also a story about faeries and way more interesting compared to S.J. Maas' books.

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[

"Honestly, Clary thought, it was hardly fair for a werewolf to be curvy and pretty; she ought to be big and hirsute, possibly with hair coming out of her ears. And this, Clary added silently, is exactly why I don't have female friends and spend all my time with Simon. I've got to get a grip."

I'm done reading characters that compare themselves to other characters and will complain that it's not fair (even though we know they're pretty). It's like the "I'm not like the other girls" trope with "I'm gonna hate you 'cause you're pretty" (hide spoiler)]

I didn't include my progress update about Jace and Alec because I'd been so nasty and negative in our buddyreads! HAHAHAHAHAHA. With that said, thank you so much for understanding! I'm usually nice to an amazing book and cruel for literal trash books especially with things I find problematic and annoying.

But moving on, I'm really desperate for something spectacular to happen! Although, (view spoiler)[at the end of Chapter 15, Valentine has Simon (idk yet what's about to happen) but I really don't care that much that it didn't scare me. Frankly, my appreciation for Simon continues to dwindle because he's stuck in a love triangle (hide spoiler)]. In addition, 15 chapters in and (view spoiler)[everything revolves around Jace and the Inquisitor. Jace betraying the Clave according to the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor imprisoned Jace. Jace met Valentine. The Inquisitor asked about his meeting with Valentine. Jace lied about meeting Valentine. Resulting in Jace being imprisoned, again. Jace and Clary. Clary and Simon. (hide spoiler)] we're going in circles!

To end on a positive note, (view spoiler)[I really liked the idea of Clary having the ability to make new runes! That was a bit interesting and Jace being able to fly? I also liked the scene wherein Simon told that he was seeing someone and was about to reveal that it was Magnus <3 So cuteeeee. (hide spoiler)]

[Kaye]

UPDATE: Chapters 16-Epilogue

Good afternoon, Divine! I'm sorry because I haven't had the chance to update first thing in the morning since I finished this late last night!

To be honest, I skimmed the last pages because I was experiencing a bit of a headache. But as far as I remember, the last chapters were eventful. It was full of action and fast-paced, so it was exciting! (view spoiler)[The Inquisitor whispered something to Jace before she died and I was a bit intrigued. (hide spoiler)]

You know I hate Jace, right? BUT, there was a heartfelt scene between Jace and Maryse that slightly tugged my heartstrings.

I have mixed feelings about the Epilogue. The first part, I hated since it had the "miscommunication" trope, wherein a character would've said something but chose not to because of whatever reason or the classic they wouldn't communicate properly and wouldn't talk. JUST TALK, OKAY? HAHAHAHHAHA. But the second half had me hooked. I'm excited to see what's about to happen next, but I'll probably let myself finish reading the Harry Potter series before picking up the third book or if we'd agree on picking up the next book! (I'm so excited to read The Infernal Devices!)

No pressure to finish the book! It's okaaaay! If I were you I would've read something that's worth my time! xD

Hope you're having a blissful reading experience. Divine! (I'd still reply and talk to you about this book so keep on updating! I'd love to know your thoughts! I'm sorry if I'm not an endearing friend to have buddy-reads with! xD)