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City of Bones
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City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (September Group Read)
I still don't know if I read it or not :S
Jeshu wrote: "I still don't know if I read it or not :S"
Lol, if you did, I guess it couldn't have made much of an impression. :)
Lol, if you did, I guess it couldn't have made much of an impression. :)
I'll rephrase my sentence XD: I still don't know if I should read it or not.Yeah, that sounds much better (stupid language barriers! xD)
Jeshu wrote: "I'll rephrase my sentence XD: I still don't know if I should read it or not.
Yeah, that sounds much better (stupid language barriers! xD)"
Aah - I see...
Wow, don't worry about the language barriers Jeshu, I can barely write one sentence in another language, let alone have all the in depth conversations you do! :D I really admire people who fluent in more than one language - it just never clicked for me at school.
Yeah, that sounds much better (stupid language barriers! xD)"
Aah - I see...
Wow, don't worry about the language barriers Jeshu, I can barely write one sentence in another language, let alone have all the in depth conversations you do! :D I really admire people who fluent in more than one language - it just never clicked for me at school.
Jeshu wrote: "I'll rephrase my sentence XD: I still don't know if I should read it or not.Yeah, that sounds much better (stupid language barriers! xD)"
I have the first three but I'm not eager to read them at all. I've heard about an incestuous relationship and this (view spoiler) makes me feel physically sick.
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Yeah, that sounds much better (stupid language barriers! xD)"
I have the first three but I'm not eager..."
I'll take the brunt for both of us (or all three of us!) with this one if you like. Finally managed to find a copy in English but I 'spect I won't be able to get around to reading it until after the weekend.
Oooh, I have it and I will read it. We really need to organise when we decide to take one for the team because we all have such similar YA taste.
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(It was 12€ as well, blummin' expensive!)
I've been trying to avoid it as well! XD
I quite liked Shiver in the end. :P I know. I saw the RRP for book 3 I was fuming. I hate it when authors charge more for a popular book knowing that the fans will pay.
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Jeesh! And let's be honest, that wasn't a very good book! It was horrific. I am scarred because of that book.
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I know. I need that time back. I would use it well. I know it was hideous!
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This is true. :P I don't either. :( Awww... it sucks. Next time there's one we don't like we'll see about someone taking it for the team! I wish I could've done that this time but you've bought it now!
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Yes we can! It will avoid all this hassle.
You can count on me! i still haven't encountered a book worst than the twilight saga, so I won't mind being in charge of a monthly read we don't particularly like :)
Yay! That's good to know Jeshu. We will take turns though.
Emma wrote: "Lara wrote: "can i say that i'm totally weirded out?? [spoilers removed]This contains spoilers for the books in the re..."
that's how i feel.....i'm now gonna have to read the whole darn series to see if my instincts are right!!!
Lara wrote: "i'm now gonna have to read the whole darn series to see if my instincts are right!!!"
Yep, that's what happened to me. It was a sneaky device for the author to use to make you keep reading. She's done the same kind of thing with the fourth book in the series, which is like the start of another trilogy. Something's happened to one of the characters and now I'm going to have to read the last two just to see how it all turns out!
Yep, that's what happened to me. It was a sneaky device for the author to use to make you keep reading. She's done the same kind of thing with the fourth book in the series, which is like the start of another trilogy. Something's happened to one of the characters and now I'm going to have to read the last two just to see how it all turns out!
I am really enjoying this book. I'm on page 126 & I just find everything so fascinating. So far my favorite character is Jase. I think Simon is interesting too & I look forward to knowing more about him. What is everyone thinking so far? Who is your favorite character(s)?
Emma wrote: "Lara wrote: "i'm now gonna have to read the whole darn series to see if my instincts are right!!!"Yep, that's what happened to me. It was a sneaky device for the author to use to make you keep re..."
sometimes, i enjoy reading a book that just ends when the book does, i'm getting tired of reading all these series....but then again...i'm hooked!
i'm waiting to read some of my other books before i download more...OR i'll just buy them next month when i get the october's books....sigh, hi, my name is lara & i'm a bookaholic!!
I'm on page 143, I'm not enjoying it at the moment. It just hasn't grabbed me. Simon is the stereotypical best friend that's in love with the MC. Figured that out on page 1. I'm sick of YA being so obvious.Just posting because this one has gone quiet.
Char, I agree. I had a hard time finishing the book. I just couldn't connect with the characters as much as I wanted to towards the end. It was like a movie that started off well but couldn't keep the momentum going for the viewer till the end credits.
Heather wrote: "Char, I agree. I had a hard time finishing the book. I just couldn't connect with the characters as much as I wanted to towards the end. It was like a movie that started off well but couldn't keep..."I get what you mean, the opening scene in Pandemonium was interesting but now it's all angsty teen romance and there's way too much sarcasm and I love sarcasm.
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Tara-Jayne (♥ I Read, I Love ♥) , The Great & Mighty Mod! :P
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rated it 5 stars
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Char wrote: "there's way too much sarcasm and I love sarcasm."
I love sarcasm too, but sometimes it was just an overload.
Also, the thing that got me about it was that practically all of the characters were sarcastic, which meant you could just interchange the punch lines between any of the characters (probably with the exception of some of Jace's because they did tend to be more arrogant) and it wouldn't have made a difference.
There wasn't enough distinction between their different senses of humour - it was like Clare thought up some funny lines (and admittedly some of them were pretty funny) but just shoved them in the mouth of whichever character was most convenient.
I love sarcasm too, but sometimes it was just an overload.
Also, the thing that got me about it was that practically all of the characters were sarcastic, which meant you could just interchange the punch lines between any of the characters (probably with the exception of some of Jace's because they did tend to be more arrogant) and it wouldn't have made a difference.
There wasn't enough distinction between their different senses of humour - it was like Clare thought up some funny lines (and admittedly some of them were pretty funny) but just shoved them in the mouth of whichever character was most convenient.
I agree. I think if just one of them and I think I'm going to use Jace because apparently he's the Mortal Instruments hottie had that brand of humour it would be fine. It's like they're all the same but with different names. It may as well be a monologue when it comes to that.I haven't found one that's made me chuckle. I've seen some that have been obvious and I can see why they'd appeal but it just feels like no effort went into character development and I need to believe in the characters to give a book a semi decent rating.
Char wrote: "I agree. I think if just one of them and I think I'm going to use Jace because apparently he's the Mortal Instruments hottie had that brand of humour it would be fine. It's like they're all the sam..."
Yep, the character development is certainly a bit lacking. In the latter books in the series, some of the characters do change but...I don't know...they're just sort of puppet-like. It's hard to explain, but it feels like Clare needs them to react a certain way to serve the plot and to push the readers buttons in terms of the romance angst etc, so she just changes the characters accordingly, rather than thinking about how they actually would react.
When I write, (and I know other writers have said this too so it's not just me, I swear I'm not mental) the characters often take control themselves and if you try and force them to do or say certain things - to become slaves to the story - you read it back and it just looks contrived and flat. If you've really got your head into a character, they tell you where they want to go and what's going to happen.
Yep, the character development is certainly a bit lacking. In the latter books in the series, some of the characters do change but...I don't know...they're just sort of puppet-like. It's hard to explain, but it feels like Clare needs them to react a certain way to serve the plot and to push the readers buttons in terms of the romance angst etc, so she just changes the characters accordingly, rather than thinking about how they actually would react.
When I write, (and I know other writers have said this too so it's not just me, I swear I'm not mental) the characters often take control themselves and if you try and force them to do or say certain things - to become slaves to the story - you read it back and it just looks contrived and flat. If you've really got your head into a character, they tell you where they want to go and what's going to happen.
Really? I don't like it when authors manipulate characters to do what they want them to do. It kind of contradicts creating them, I mean what is the point if they don't have any free will?I get what you mean completely. When I write I find that Alexis, my MC, just takes over and I can go over the same paragraph again and again if there's something that isn't her.
Char wrote: "Really? I don't like it when authors manipulate characters to do what they want them to do. It kind of contradicts creating them, I mean what is the point if they don't have any free will?
I get..."
The second book seemed the worst for it, it felt like two different stories spliced together sometimes. One where some dramatic action was taking place, and then another where the characters were busy being all glib and sarcastic. The flow felt totally off.
Then in the third and fourth books I just found the way Jace acted when he was with Clary completely weird - like he had a split personality disorder or something. At one point I was reading a scene and I was totally convinced it was going to be revealed that it was some kind of shape-shifter demon masquerading as him because it seemed that strange for him to be talking and acting that way.
That's what happens to me sometimes. I'll keep reading over and over a scene, thinking something's just not right and then I realise it's because I've just over-manipulated my character. It's a tricky balance, to allow character development but remain true to who they are in the first place.
What is your book about? :)
I get..."
The second book seemed the worst for it, it felt like two different stories spliced together sometimes. One where some dramatic action was taking place, and then another where the characters were busy being all glib and sarcastic. The flow felt totally off.
Then in the third and fourth books I just found the way Jace acted when he was with Clary completely weird - like he had a split personality disorder or something. At one point I was reading a scene and I was totally convinced it was going to be revealed that it was some kind of shape-shifter demon masquerading as him because it seemed that strange for him to be talking and acting that way.
That's what happens to me sometimes. I'll keep reading over and over a scene, thinking something's just not right and then I realise it's because I've just over-manipulated my character. It's a tricky balance, to allow character development but remain true to who they are in the first place.
What is your book about? :)
Gah! No! I have books 2 & 3 waiting for me! Curse me and my desperate need to finish series off. Wow! That bad? I've spent weeks working myself up to reading this series, it's been on my "avoid for as long as possible" shelf and I'm really beginning to see why.
I know it is, you have to do that but at the same time you have to allow them room to grow. It's a tough line and Clare seems to have issues with it.
My book is kind of a dystopian vampire novel. (Dystopian AND vampires. I need to finish it pronto... I'll have that Lamborghini in no time lol :P) Vampires have taken over the world but there this organisation (the Resistance) trying to wrestle back control of the UK. I only add to it occasionally though. I just don't have the time. :(
Char wrote: "Gah! No! I have books 2 & 3 waiting for me! Curse me and my desperate need to finish series off.
Wow! That bad? I've spent weeks working myself up to reading this series, it's been on my "avoid..."
I sound like I'm really ragging on the series don't I, lol? Sorry, not trying to put you off reading them or anything. The truth is I did still kind of enjoy the series in a way. It was entertaining but for everything thing I liked, I found a thing I didn't like at the same time. I also wish I had stopped at Book 3. Now I've read 4 I'm going to have to read the rest and 3 would have been a satisfactory conclusion.
Ooh - sounds interesting. And Alexis is a member of the Resistance?
I find it so frustrating when there is no time to write!
Wow! That bad? I've spent weeks working myself up to reading this series, it's been on my "avoid..."
I sound like I'm really ragging on the series don't I, lol? Sorry, not trying to put you off reading them or anything. The truth is I did still kind of enjoy the series in a way. It was entertaining but for everything thing I liked, I found a thing I didn't like at the same time. I also wish I had stopped at Book 3. Now I've read 4 I'm going to have to read the rest and 3 would have been a satisfactory conclusion.
Ooh - sounds interesting. And Alexis is a member of the Resistance?
I find it so frustrating when there is no time to write!
Yes you do! Lol. It's okay. I've done a good enough job of doing that myself. Really? I can see why that happened. I've not found too much I do like about it which is unfortunate. Really? Book 3 was the end you know. Clare decided to cash in and write another 3 though. She was recruited against her will shall we say. The Resistance are the good guys but some of their methods aren't the best.
I know! I miss it.
Char wrote: "Yes you do! Lol. It's okay. I've done a good enough job of doing that myself. Really? I can see why that happened. I've not found too much I do like about it which is unfortunate. Really? Book 3 wa..."
It's a shame you're not enjoying it at all. :( Yep, you can absolutely tell that it's two separate trilogies.
I like that in a book, no black and white division between good guys and bad guys!
It's a shame you're not enjoying it at all. :( Yep, you can absolutely tell that it's two separate trilogies.
I like that in a book, no black and white division between good guys and bad guys!
I know. I hate it when I don't like anything about a book. It really upsets me. :( Can you? Once the next trilogy is finished I'll find out if they're worth buying.I think it makes it more human because humns make mistakes and they pay for them.
Char wrote: "I know. I hate it when I don't like anything about a book. It really upsets me. :( Can you? Once the next trilogy is finished I'll find out if they're worth buying.
I think it makes it more huma..."
Good idea. I probably should have done that but I'm too impatient and my curiosity always gets the better of me.
Absolutely, I totally lose interest in a book if the main characters are all perfect and the bad guys are just pure evil. People are far more complex than that.
I think it makes it more huma..."
Good idea. I probably should have done that but I'm too impatient and my curiosity always gets the better of me.
Absolutely, I totally lose interest in a book if the main characters are all perfect and the bad guys are just pure evil. People are far more complex than that.
Hahaha! That's the problem isn't it really? I'm exactly the same. I'm determined not to do it this time though. I know. If it's all black and white I get bored. It makes the book to easy to figure out.
Char wrote: "It makes the book to easy to figure out. "
And we're back to another thing I wasn't impressed by in the Mortal Instruments series - I found it really predictable, which (ironically enough) surprised me, because some of the reviews I read kept referring to twists and cliff-hangers.
I think I should stop now because it's going to sound like I have a vendetta or something and I don't. The truth is, I don't think I've ever read a series of books that left me so confused as to whether I liked them or not. It's as though one half of my brain is telling me to chill out and just enjoy the adventure and the other half keeps pointing out these little annoying details. Maybe I am mental....
And we're back to another thing I wasn't impressed by in the Mortal Instruments series - I found it really predictable, which (ironically enough) surprised me, because some of the reviews I read kept referring to twists and cliff-hangers.
I think I should stop now because it's going to sound like I have a vendetta or something and I don't. The truth is, I don't think I've ever read a series of books that left me so confused as to whether I liked them or not. It's as though one half of my brain is telling me to chill out and just enjoy the adventure and the other half keeps pointing out these little annoying details. Maybe I am mental....
Really? I've heard about all these twists and turns... don't they exist? Lol, I think if a book leaves you feeling frustrated then you should go ahead and tell people why. If you say it enough you'll find someone who's willing to listen to you and maybe even agree. I think your brain didn't know whether it wanted to read or edit. It got a bit confused. :P
Char wrote: "Really? I've heard about all these twists and turns... don't they exist?
Lol, I think if a book leaves you feeling frustrated then you should go ahead and tell people why. If you say it enough ..."
Not for me unfortunately - I seem to have a knack for spotting red herrings and carefully placed clues.
And the person that would be willing to listen appears to be you tonight - bad luck! lol. I think you hit the nail on the head - I totally got torn between reading and editing.
Lol, I think if a book leaves you feeling frustrated then you should go ahead and tell people why. If you say it enough ..."
Not for me unfortunately - I seem to have a knack for spotting red herrings and carefully placed clues.
And the person that would be willing to listen appears to be you tonight - bad luck! lol. I think you hit the nail on the head - I totally got torn between reading and editing.
I just got this yesterday and have read more than half already. So far I really like it and I'm already planning to read the rest of the series!
I am only half way through this book. I wasn't going to read it (mostly because my daughter read it when she was in grade 9)but decided to give it a go as I had similar thoughts about reading "Harry Potter" all those years ago.So far (and I appear to be the only one) I am not liking it. It feels like a retelling of "Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings". Not having to guess at much so far. VERY PREDICTABLE. I read a comment that Cassandra Clare throws twists into her novels. I will continue to read and hopefully be treated later on in the book.
Laura wrote: "I am only half way through this book. I wasn't going to read it (mostly because my daughter read it when she was in grade 9)but decided to give it a go as I had similar thoughts about reading "Harr..."Well, I think Char isn't enjoying either, so at least you're not alone :P
Me? I'm still avoiding it! heeheehee
Emma wrote: "Char wrote: "Really? I've heard about all these twists and turns... don't they exist? Lol, I think if a book leaves you feeling frustrated then you should go ahead and tell people why. If you say..."
I'm spotting them too. (view spoiler)
I don't mind. I like having chats about books. Even if it's a book that someone hasn't enjoyed
Laura wrote: "I am only half way through this book. I wasn't going to read it (mostly because my daughter read it when she was in grade 9)but decided to give it a go as I had similar thoughts about reading "Harr..."I'm not enjoying it either. I'm also about halfway through it. It's not grabbing me at all. It's very predictable and basic information isn't being given to the readers.
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Basically Books!
Books mentioned in this topic
After Obsession (other topics)Son of the Shadows (other topics)
i liked isabelle....she was cool. and i like the world the author created."
This contains spoilers for the books in the rest of the series too: (view spoiler)[ It didn't weird me out particularly because I was never convinced they were actually brother and sister, I figured it was just a plot device and it would come out eventually that Valentine had lied. I do think the characters would have reacted a bit different to the way they did in the second and third books though. Even if their feelings were an accident, you would be pretty revolted by the thought you had kissed your own brother/sister. Ick. Not want to do it again! (hide spoiler)]
Isabelle had some good moments - the golden whip is pretty cool, but Jace is my favourite character.