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PNR & Urban Fantasy
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Mortal Instruments & Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare
Another love or hate series. I sort of understand the reasons why some people don't like the books, but I'm a fan. I like the steampunk spin on the Infernal Devices series. After not being too crazy about book 4 of MI (liked it, but not nearly as much as the first three), I have the feeling that I'm going to have more enthusiasm about the next couple of ID books.
MI was one of the first series I read and will always hold a place in my heart. I still haven't read the 4th book and will probably hold off until the last 2 come out.I think I'm more excited about ID books too. Clockwork Angel was amazing and this series is one of the few exceptions I;m willing to make on my 'No new series until there are enough books out' policy. I can harly wait for CP to come out!
I really hope book 4 was just a filler leading onto better things!
Rachael (Piper) wrote: "I really hope book 4 was just a filler leading onto better things!"This is what I keep hearing, so I'm better off just waiting for the rest of them to be released.
I think it was a bridge book, connecting the first three to a different storyline that's about to start.A lot of people were upset over the direction that Jace was taken into, but I think it's going to mean for more action and a less stagnant storyline in the future. You can't have a HEA after book 3 if there are going to be 3 more books. Characters have to change and grow.
I like both of these series. I think many people don't like ID as much as TMI, but I liked them just as much if not more. Of course I'm big on Victorian lit also, so my affection for that time period could have something to do with it. I was a little disappointed in COFA compared to the first three books, but I can see how there needs to be a big conflict established. I guess part of me kinda wishes it had stopped after the first 3. I know she's planning another set about shadow hunters based in LA or SF or some such, so I kinda wish she'd have just gone on with that. Though I also appreciate the connections that the newer TMI books are making with ID. As you can see, I'm ambivalent! Can't wait for Clockwork Prince, though.
One of the best authors around today in my opinion. These books put all other Young Adult paranormal fantasy in the shade. Amazing! I fell for Jace straight away and as yet he hasn't been eclipsed, though he's been threatened a couple of times. Clockwork Prince is on my Christmas list and I can't wait for City of Lost Souls next year. I'm just praying Jace will be OK. The best books I've read since Harry Potter.
I know everyone loves these books, at least most people that I talk to. I'll be honest, the only one I read was City of Bones and I wasn't that enthralled. I don't know wy exactly, it just didn't grab me. And I was disappointed by the ending.I do think i might eventually give them another try because so many people do love them....
Books are such personal things. I've read books before that I've loved and friends have hated and visaversa. Maybe try Infernal Devices first. They're prequels of a sort and can be read and enjoyed quite independently from Mortal Instruments.
As a Jace fan I'm willing to see where his storyline is going. It can't be all butterflies and rainbows if there are 3 more books to go. I am a fan of both series, but since I love historical fiction I'm really diggin' ID. I love the steampunk vibe and I can't wait for Clockwork Prince!
I was a little disappointed in Infernal Devices because I was expecting to love it as much as I loved The Mortal Instruments. I really liked it, but even with the Victorian setting, I wasn't in love with it. Then I remembered that was about how I felt about TMI after one book. I really liked it, I wanted to read the next one, but of course I didn't love it in the same way that I did after I came to know the characters so much better.I expect Infernal Devices will grow on me in the same way. I'm betting on it, anyway, because I've preordered Clockwork Prince to arrive on the same day it comes out.
message 13:
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Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder
(last edited Oct 16, 2011 01:48PM)
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I think that books 1 of MI and ID were both more of a starter/world-building type book. I didn't get hooked on MI until book 2, but for some reason, I felt like book 1 of ID was a stronger start to a series if that makes sense.Maybe I was just enthralled with the steampunk take, who knows?
I was sucked into MI by CoB, but I only liked ID (CA). I just felt like it was too similar or something. I hope I change my mind when the new ID comes out in Dec.
I liked ID a bit better than CoB. Maybe I just like Tessa better than Clary.
Tessa is more likeable than Clary imo. I also really enjoyed Jem's character.
Tessa is more interesting than Clary to me. I mean, I like Clary, but there isn't much about her that is remarkable. She's dating Jace. I like her loyalty. She's a bamf with runes. But other than that she's really not special. In fact, I'd say that the thing that is the most interesting about her is Jace. She'd totally be a Hufflepuff.Tessa, on the other hand, is immediately thrown into a suck situation. She's alone. She hits Will with a vase, because she's industrious like that. She could end up with Will or Jem or someone else or nobody, and it wouldn't make much of a difference to her story based on what we know about her so far. I don't feel like she needs to have that relationship to help form her character. She's immortal and likely goes through life and time mostly alone, even if she is given a relationship first. I think her story will be at least a little sad because of it, and that makes her immediately more interesting. Tessa is a Gryffindor.
Jenny wrote: "Tessa is more interesting than Clary to me. ..."I really have to agree. Clary comes across as a little needy to me. Don't get me wrong, I love both series, but Tessa is such a strong character, I immediately loved her. Clary acts like a teenager, Tessa does not, which makes her a little easier to relate to, for me anyway.
message 19:
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Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder
(last edited Dec 11, 2012 10:26PM)
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Cambria, if you had a hard time with book 1, I wouldn't worry about it because I think you do get a feel for the author's writing style by the end of the first book, so she might not be your thing. I do think that books 2 and 3 were a lot better story-wise than book 1 though. Katelyn, I think my thing about Clary was that she struck me almost as a colt who hadn't grown into her legs when we first met her. She meets Jace, who is this larger-than-life character and he's immediately into her, when she hadn't really shown much of herself just yet. Later, we find that she's loyal and determined, but it takes a while before the reader is shown that. I never fully understood the instant click with them I guess, but I didn't mind it because the time they spent together meant getting to see more of Jace's perspective.
Clary did grow on me by the end of book 3 but with Tessa I had this instant chemistry and liking so I get what you guys are saying.BTW, lovw the Harry Potter references Jenny! Clary= Hufflepuff, Tessa= Griffindor.
It looks like there is the possibility of a future Shadowhunter series that would take place in L.A. and star new characters :http://tmisource.com/2011/04/17/cassa...
Didn't check the link yet, but I've seen Cassandra Clare say on twitter that she wanted to write a series about shadowhunters at an institute in LA once she was finished with the TMI and ID series. (serieses? serieseseseseses?)
That's news to me. Very welcome news though.
Wendy F wrote: "That sounds interesting."Yeah....interesting, but I'm not sure.....
message 26:
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Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder
(last edited Oct 27, 2011 02:06PM)
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It gets harder and harder to find myself excited about spinoffs. Some of them are great, others not so much. So far, I'm liking ID, so here's hoping the new series will be as good as Infernal Devices. Obviously I'll check it out.So far, the one spinoff I'm thinking has the most potential is Bloodlines (VA).
That is only because you are a Richelle Mead FANGIRL! But it's okay, I am too :P
You noticed that, huh? I thought I was so very subtle about it.
What? You're a Richelle Mead fan Stacia? You don't say. I would have never guessed....
I am awesome at being "Captain Obvious." :D
message 31:
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Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder
(last edited Dec 16, 2011 05:18PM)
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I'm not sure if anyone else decided to watch the GR live chat with Cassandra Clare, but I'm catching a few minutes of it right now (not sure if I'll be able to watch the whole thing since dinner is almost ready and I'm HUNGRY).I like how she addressed the love triangle in ID. She acknowledged how people are tired of love triangles and gave the answer that she wanted to write one which was truly balanced, where it wasn't about two guys chasing one girl, but in which all three people loved each other. Will and Jem both love Tessa and she returns the feelings, but Will and Jem both love each other and are willing to sacrifice for each other out of love in the same way that they would sacrifice for her.
I thought that was interesting, and I do appreciate how she wove the concept into something more personal than just two hot guys fighting over a clueless girl.
I also didn't realize that she got 2 executive producers from Lord of the Rings to work on her movie City of Bones. Nice. :)Other random notes :
She said that she would pick Will over Jace because she likes that he reads and loves a British accent, but she thinks Jace would kick Will's butt in a fight because he has a bit more of the special powers. She said that Jace would tie Will up into a pretzel.
She recommended Book of Blood and Shadows and Daughter of Smoke and Bone to read, as well as The Reapers Are The Angels. There were a few others, but even with as fast as I can type, I can't type that fast.
Bummed that I missed the chat but thanks for the updates Amy! :)
I've just finished Clockwork Prince and it was simply amazing. The sheer emotion in this book brought me to tears on several occasions. I can't believe we have to wait a whole year for Clockwork princess. Still, at least I have City of lost Souls to look forward to in May.
I have a weird relationship with the TMI series, similar to the Twilight effect. I devoured the series and immediately after reading the books I had a wow moment/period. Then, I started...thinking and discovered there were (big) parts of the plot I didn't like (view spoiler) I think I would've liked the books more if the characters had another pressing problem, especially since I liked Jace. So, yeah, I have really mixed feelings about this one.
I really wasn't too into the first ID book, but I really liked CP. It just seemed to click with me. I didn't really get the edge of my seat feeling like I did in CoA or CoG though. I liked the anticipation of danger more in the MI series. Still enjoyed this one a lot more than I was expecting to. :D
I realize now, that alot of books I read when I started reading, have higher ratings than what I would give now.I've actually gone back over my ratings and dropped some of them, but the MI and ID ratings are pretty solid for me. Cassandra Clare's writting style really appeals to me.
Random, but I found this a cute answer from CC on her blog :Question : This is actually a question that has nothing to do with the plot/characters at all. You know how the main logo of Harry Potter would probably be the Hogwart's logo, and The Hunger Games has the Mockingjay pin, etc. so do you have anything in mind to represent The Mortal Instruments?
Answer : I would like to think it would be Church, gazing maniacally at the viewer.
Lol, love how you can define characters with Harry Potterness, Jenny. I definitely agree.I was on the fence about reading this series because of its popularity vs the author and Stacia tipped me over it, I think. I enjoyed the series and I'm glad I read them but I always have lingering doubts over clever lines. I really liked Simon in the original series and I think CC has done a great job with Will and Jem and that they have a lot more going on emotionally than previous characters. Tess does as well, I suppose, but for some reason I still think of her as kind of a weak character. Maybe because of the necessity of guys fighting to save her.
I liked the ID more than the MI maybe because of it being steampunk or maybe because I liked Tessa more than Clary.Hmmmm.
All I know is that MI should have ended in City of Glass. :(
http://cassandraclare.tumblr.com/post...Excerpt :
As it’s set 5 years after the end of CoHF it is reasonable to assume that surviving characters from TMI will make cameos. They will be in their early twenties so you’ll get to see what they’re up to in their more adult lives…
Main female will be named Emma Carstairs. This is Jem's last name, but we all know he is an only child, which could mean he has his own children, perhaps?
Clare and Holly Black will be collaborating on a MG series together, coming soon :http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/node/562
Gosh, I need to get my butt in gear and read Clockwork Prince. I've enjoyed ID from the start, especially due to Victorian England setting. I'm quite the fan of Clare's writing and humor. She's rather like Mead that way. :)
I've just finished City of Lost Souls. It was amazing, the most intense of the series. I can't believe we have to wait a whole year for City of Heavenly Fire, but all hope is not lost. Clockwork Princess should be out in time for Christmas. Can't wait.
Following on from my last post, I just checked Cassandra Clare's website and I got those release dates wrong. Clockwork Princess is out March 2013 and City of Heavenly Fire is out March 2014. No fair! What am I supposed to read in the meantime?
The release dates ARE very far apart now.(Weren't they closer together before?)Buy I tell my self, that its only because she is such a good writer, Nadia. It helps a little. Haha! I still have Clockwork Prince and City of Lost Souls to spread out between those release times!
You're right. They were six months apart originally. I think a re-read of the entire lot is in order.
I will possibly re read the MI series before the last one comes out. Hopefully I can make time =)
I just finished up the first three MI. I'll have to remember to work my way slowly through the rest. Haha
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Books mentioned in this topic
Clockwork Princess (other topics)Clockwork Princess (other topics)
City of Ashes (other topics)
City of Bones (other topics)
City of Fallen Angels (other topics)
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Each series can be read separately and apart from each other, but if you would like to catch crossover hints as the story unfolds, then I would suggest to read the books in the order that they were/will be published, which is :
If you would like to read the series separately, here are the series unsplit.
Mortal Instruments :
Infernal Devices :