City of Copying Other Great Works (Mortal Instruments #Too Many)

[S.L.J.]

It doesn't really matter about using old myths and legends as story fuel. But putting an original spin on them is always worth a try.

I once read a book about a Phoenix that could take human form but also turned out to be an alien. I wish I could remember the name of it. :/

[Dia]

Yeah. I know it doesn't matter. What I'm trying to say is that this story wasn't any different than any other YA fiction book in complete originality.

[Evil-cupcake]

Okay, I loved this book. First the angst was normal to me because most teenagers angst alot, like all the time. Trust me, I would know.

Second, the characters developed alot. Simon, the best friend, got his courage. Izzy, the BADA$$ MOFO showed that she isn't impossible to connect to. Jace, finally got over his evil dad, cause you would be perfect after growing up with that. I think the biggest character development was Alec. He came out of the closet. The shadowhunters are old fashioned. If they weren't in a war he would have been in so much trouble. But he didn't care. He loved Magnus, and he was willing to face the disgrace of the clave anyways.

Third, what stereotypes? Magnus was awsome, and there are people like that. Alec was a regular quit guy that happened to be gay, there are people like that. Clary was a girl that didn't fight, why? BECAUSE IT WAS FUDGEING DEMONS. I wouldn't fight and I know Martial arts. Jace is taught that compassion is dystruction, he's a warrior, when some people have it bad they go quiet, others go like him. Okay, Simon is actually just like me so I don't really have to go into detail there.

Okay fourth. EVERYTHING IS SIMALAR AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER. But let me explain the highlights. (Please, don't be offended by my sarcasm, I get scary from ranting, I also read the youtube comments on the trailers were people are literally dissing the movie because they read this disscussion instead of the book.)

Okay, Voldemort sooooo adopted two sons, turned his best friend into a werewolf and tried to kill him just as an excuse to get rid of him, put his wife in a coma because she was the only shred of humanity he had left and made to people belive they were siblings pretty much for the hell of it. And Valentine sooooooo attached himself to someones head and tried to kill someone just because he was the chosen one and was zapped away by love. OMG guys, there exactly the same!!! -_-

and Clary has green eyes! Just like Harry Potter! Okay but anyways, she finds a secret world, who dosn't these days, I found Tumblr, it was a surprisinlgy simalar expreince. She also finds her brother, but omg guess what, Jace ISN'T her brother, her real brothers an arse.

And the institute has ghosts and moving paintings and thousands of kids guise. Some give these people thier money back while we completely ignore the fact that...

Harry, Luke, and frodo all live with thier uncles and get called away by and old wizard(jedi) to save the world from a dark lord. Along with a bunch of friends but mainly just two other companions (including golum) Each with a speacial ability.

Now I love Lord of the rings, Harry potter, Star wars, and the city of bones. I met my best friend because of city of fallen angels. I also can't think of anything that the infernal devices are simalar too. Except that they quote poetry alot.

Okay, now as for the fact that she wrote fanfics. So? It was her ideas just used on a cannon character. Where else are people gonna post there ideas. Fanfics are great, and for the most part original, just in a premade universe, but thats like saying books that take place in real cities are not allowed.

Okay and thats it. I love this series. The writing may not be the best but writing is hard. It takes practice. The further along the series the better the writing and characters get. Everybody takes time to perfect what they do. If you judge a series by one book, then you shouldn't be judging it at all. I know everybody has there own prefernces and I respect that. Ones things certain though. This book, is better than twilight. (BTW sorry for offending anybody, i was mad and ranting and thats why this paragraph sucks too XD, just youtube comments will do that to ya')

[Rachel]

rayful wrote: "So I'll come right out and say that I hated this book. I didn't even bother with the others because, uhm, there's really no point. What I don't understand is how people can really enjoy this book..."

Umm ALL books are just tiny bits of others with a twist. Do you think that J.K Rowling invented everything so anyone who includes magic in their book is ripping her off? No. Its one thing to say you don't like the books. Another to say CC copied people which she didn't. Next time get your facts straight before you go ripping off amazing books.

[Rachel]

Oh and I gotta give you props for copying CC title replacing words here and there. Kinda like your RIPPING HER OFF!!!!! SO LOL HA YOU ARE SUCH A HYPOCRITE!

[Kirstyn]

Every book has a similar storyline, starwars can be traced back to many points from books as far back as the odyssey, same with Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter had many elements from past stories.Rowling herself had an author who said she wouldn't mind getting a check from her for the ideas for her book.

[Olivia]

Okay she did NOT copy harry potter! I don't understand why everyone says that! they are nothing alike! I want someone to give me ONE good reason that proves they are alike. Also the whole Star Wars thing because of the Father? No just no, if you read the other books in the series you would've realized that they are nothing alike! I don't understand how you got the sexist thing because thats just Jace's personality! Izzy's a girl and she always kills demons! How is that sexist? In my opinion, if you don't like a book, i'm okay with that, everyone has their own likes and dislikes even me, but when you start bashing a book and start comparing it to other books that aren't even remotely similar!!! Thats when I get annoyed. Oh yah and I hope no one gets mad at me for posting this because when you post a topic like this and there are millions of people who love this series, your gonna get yelled at! especially when you haven't read the whole series and start comparing it. So next time you thing of a good idea to post, give your head a shake and realize, i haven't read this whole series, I don't know how the story develops, so I can't judge anything or compare it. You might think your a little smart ass for posting this, and you might think your better than Cassandra Clare, but let me tell you something, she's making WAY more money than you, she has way more fans that you, and she actually has a life so she doesn't go around bashing other people stories for no apparent reason.

[Gabby]

excuse you. I'm not even going to-

nope. I'm going to dare. Just because you didn't like the book, gives you ABSOLUTELY no right to say she was copying. GET OVER IT! Yes, this was a fan fiction that became a book, but so is heaps of other work. Like fifty shades. I see no one complaining about copyright, there. I am absolutely sick and tired of hearing other people whine and complain about "Aww, this was copyrighted you should all instinctively hate it." excuse you. I don' think so.
Fanfiction. copyright. *Weighs each option in mind* Yeah, they seem like pretty different things.

[Ariane]

Well, that’s your opinion. Go on and read your Harry Potter and Star Wars by all means, stay there and don't ever read The Mortal Instruments. We would really appreciate that. : )

[Caeselyn]

No wonder I kept thinking about harry potter when im reading this book. But still.i love it

[S.L.J.]

Keshena wrote: "Two words, peeps: Joseph Campbell. Every storyteller from the oral composers of earliest myth to modern novelists are working off a ken of archetypes hardwired into our psyche. Plus, every writer i..."

Preach!

[Cassie]

rayful wrote: "So I'll come right out and say that I hated this book. I didn't even bother with the others because, uhm, there's really no point. What I don't understand is how people can really enjoy this book..."

I find it interesting that mortal instruments could be ripping off deathly hallows considering City of Bones was published in March of 2007 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow did not get released until July of 2007.

[Kristin]

After investing a great deal of time focused on the Young Adult genre, I can honestly say that almost ALL YA NOVELS HAVE SIMILAR PLOTS.

So what if Harry Potter inspired someones work. We can trace much of HP's plot points back to Lord of the Ring.

As for sexism... it happens in real life. Should writers pretend sexism never occurs?

[Kate]

Wo mundane and muggles! Normal people yah know these two stories ARE SO SIMILAR BECAUSE THEY HAVE REGULAR PEOPLE!!! WOH IT'S NOT LIKE EVERY SINGLE OTHER BOOK HAS NORMAL PEOPLE!!! I MEAN WOW. But seriously they're not alike. Also since when do you draw on yourself with a wand? And since when did a stele shoot out spells. Also spells can't make you faster, stronger, more graceful etc. and runes don't hit other things! Your theories are COMPLETELY invalid.

[Kirstyn]

Indeed steles are nothing like wands. Steles are not a weapon in the book. They can neither attack nor defend, while wands can. Wands are used generally to affect a third party negatively, steles are used to create a positive effect for yourself.

[Kate]

THANK YOU!!!!

[[deleted user]]

rayful wrote: "So I'll come right out and say that I hated this book. I didn't even bother with the others because, uhm, there's really no point. What I don't understand is how people can really enjoy this book..."

I agree! I was in the theater watching previews when this trailer came on and I felt a deja vu! I had sent in my query for Escapism to the same publisher in 2007 (the first ed, was denied and then self-published before this "mortal instruments" book even came out. There are features of this story that are very similar to my book. My friend even called me up to mention that she could see the similarity herself! So bizzare...what do you all think? I feel like my book was ripped off... (styx/pandemonium), the girl living in NYC (Toronto in mine) who finds out she isn't who she thought she was (she's supernatural), the mysterious blond guy in the nightclub with the tattoos, the evil forces working against her, the creepy kids. The way inwhich these are all put together resembles my book too but she added fighting and demonic influences...I'd love to hear anyones feedback. Thanks!
http://www.amazon.com/Escapism-The-Se...

[Gail]

rayful wrote: "So I'll come right out and say that I hated this book. I didn't even bother with the others because, uhm, there's really no point. What I don't understand is how people can really enjoy this book..."

IM HONESTLY TRYING GOUGE MY EYES OUT FROM READING THIS.
REALLY. This book is beautiful. Its my favorite book and inspired me. No idea what your problem is.
So you probably think Blue Bloods is a rip off of The Vampire Diaries because they both have Vampires? Or that The Selection is a rip off of Wither because it has a competition for a boy? I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but this is just dumb. So what. Clare and Clary. Similar. Leave her alone. I'd like to see you write a better book.
and Im a huge potterhead, TMI, LOTR, SW fan. But there are a few similarities, but you dont see me bashing and saying some book's are rip off's.
and Jace being sarcastic and mean to mundanes is part of his character.
AND SHE MADE THE CHARACTERS (JACE AND WILL) SIMILAR ON PURPOSE. CAUSE THEY'RE BOTH HERONDALE'S.
just saying.

[Gail]

Turtles All the Way Down wrote: "Katie wrote: "I personally see more connections to WW2 than Harry Potter and Star Wars. This is one of my favorite series. Besides, both were published in 2007 and a book takes more than a year to ..."

Mundane means 'ordinary' so it means its exactly like saying Muggle. I dont see you hating on Harry Potter but oh saying 'Mundane' could mean Jew or Latino or something.
:|

[rachel ~ trans rights are human rights]

@Gail: Blue Bloods is a show about police officers so no, I don't think it is similar to TVD at all. And if it is the title of a book, I've never heard of it at all. I'm not saying that having vampires makes books similar or a competition over a boy makes books the same, I'm saying that there are direct ideas that in my opinion were taken directly out of other novels and mashed into TMI. No clue what you mean by "Clare and Clary. Similar." because I wasn't saying their names were similar; I genuinely didn't remember how to spell the girl's name.

Also no clue who Will is or what a Herondale is? I'm not hating on her characterization, by the way - it doesn't bother me that Jace is mean to mundanes or anything. What I am saying is that Jace is extremely cookie cutter; he has the bad boy attitude but it undeniably cute and falls for the ~totally normal~ Clary. It's overdone and not just because Cassandra Clare did it but because so many authors do it. It's exhausting.

Please don't gouge your eyes out over my opinion. It shouldn't bother you that much.

[rachel ~ trans rights are human rights]

Gabby wrote: "excuse you. I'm not even going to-

nope. I'm going to dare. Just because you didn't like the book, gives you ABSOLUTELY no right to say she was copying. GET OVER IT! Yes, this was a fan fiction th..."

I didn't like it because it was too similar to other things I'd read. Also Clare was caught plagiarizing before. Granted, I'm not holding that against her necessarily, I'm just saying that I feel as though she relies too heavily on the work of others than coming up with her own original work.

(Here's a link to some of the proof to her plagiarism: http://www.journalfen.net/community/b... --- http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/mortal-in...)

[Chisom]

listen, i think that the series is freaking awesome, ok. I find it pretty hard to hate on this book> But im not hatin on u, cause u were only expressing ur feelings, and i comepletly understand. For example, i think Clary is a female dog. Now, causse i said that ppl are gonna think im hatin, but im not, im just sayin wat i think. so u ppl giv the kid a break. just because a majority of ppl like this series doesnt mean everybody has to like it. Everyone is diferent

[Nurlely]

Everyone is free to express their opinions, to love or hate books or authors, to choose to give the series a chance by keep reading it, or to stop at their own decision.

I love TMI and TID so much, and I enjoyed reading the series. I have my laughing, screaming, smiling and cursing moments while reading them, but I can not stop myself from wanting more. I can't say that those series are free of flaws, because they are not. I was annoyed when I came across a bit of contradiction in the series, but since I was usually happy to read more, they didn't bother me much, nor can I remember what was it that I find annoying by the end of my reading.

No one is perfect. If you judge Cassie's whole books because of her fanfic, then it is your choice.

I love Cassie's boooks so much, I don't usually bother myself with her haters. No one in this world can satisfy all people. To balance the love we give to Cassie by supporting her, there should be hatred for her too. No big deal.

Cassie's fans can be very upset with bad remarks given to Cassie but we should not feel intrigued by them. We can keep supporting Cassie the way we always do.

[Gail]

Maria wrote: "rayful wrote: "So I'll come right out and say that I hated this book. I didn't even bother with the others because, uhm, there's really no point. What I don't understand is how people can really ..."

rip off or not rip off your book sounds awesome. i would love to read it. im not calling you a thief because i love TMI. you're plots happened to be the same. so what?

[Gail]

rayful wrote: "@Gail: Blue Bloods is a show about police officers so no, I don't think it is similar to TVD at all. And if it is the title of a book, I've never heard of it at all. I'm not saying that having va..."

I MEANT THIS BLUE BLOODS. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/87... AND A LOT OF BOOKS ARE LIKE THAT. badass hottie falls for a girl who honestly could do better. XD but really. and the other stuff wasnt to you. they were to other people. Herondale is their last name. a bloodline. someone was complaining that Jace and Will are practically the same, sarcastic, badass, hot etc. and i pointed out that they were both herondales and badass seemed to run in the family. and someone was saying that mundane could mean jew or latino and its really bad and i was just pointing out the wrong in that too.

[Sophie]

Firstly, I think I've lost count of how many discussions have stated or included the accusation that Cassie Clare plagiarised. Can't people just drop it already? Keep your opinions (especially the negative ones) to yourself, guys.

Also, on the original topic, I absolutely love this book and the entire series. I don't think it is stereotypical in the least.

[rachel ~ trans rights are human rights]

@Gail: Exactly! The fact that a lot of books are like that bother me. I just really, really don't like how cliche it is.

@Sophie: Accusation? It was proven, so it's not so much of an opinion as it is a fact. But yeah, your opinion is your opinion; just because you don't think it's stereotypical does not mean others can't. (:

[cece (slowpokereads)]

I read this book awhile ago and I probably didn't pay much attention to the copied quotes, etc, but I did know that the writing was horrid, the characters were just bland and "mary-sue" and no connection between ANY of them. :I

I gave it 2.5 stars, I can usually NEVER finish a book if its bad. So I gave it a star for that, .5 stars for actually being able to get people to like the book and another star for effort. Always a star for effort.

I didn't really like Blue Bloods. I thought it was alright. I was younger when I read the series, but I re-read Blue Bloods and was...just no.

[Ariane]

Hi Everyone!!!!

Just look at this dog. haha

Pay no attention to the plagiarisms blah blah…TMI is a good good story.

[Ariane]

Sanja wrote: "Racheal wrote: "Themes, plots, and ideas will always circulate and be rewritten. It's the way the world works. There is no such thing as an original idea anymore. You can only try to make yours bet..."

correct! : )

[Nurlely]

Ariane wrote: "Hi Everyone!!!!

Just look at this dog. haha

Pay no attention to the plagiarisms blah blah…TMI is a good good story."


Hahahahaha......

[J.D.]

I love TID and TMI and some of the ideas, or charactersitics, will be refelcted in my own writing, same as the King Arthur stories, and some Elvis songs :) and a ton of other stuff. It's what makes them...

[ChameleonRose (Jessica)]

Love them, don't see the problem and never once did I think of another series of any kind while I was reading.

[Zhanaestilinski]

No one idea or thought is completely original. There is only inception!!!! Stories and film concepts are often derived from previous works and recycled--and not entirely on purpose. CC might be a fan of HP and Star Wars, pulling plot points from it and subconciously putting it in her work. Ain't no shame in the game. When I got into these books I wasn't looking for some mind blowingly other-worldly original classic. It was just fun to read.

[[deleted user]]

Gail wrote: "Maria wrote: "rayful wrote: "So I'll come right out and say that I hated this book. I didn't even bother with the others because, uhm, there's really no point. What I don't understand is how peop..."

Hi Gail, Sorry I got lost in the feed lol. Thanks for the nice comment! I'm editing the second book to the season presently. Hope to have it done soon. My book is available on amazon for 2.99 but I was thinking to have a free day maybe next week sometime. I will post the date on my goodread profile if you're still interested to check it out. ;) Maria

[[deleted user]]

TMI and TID ARE THE BESTEST OF THE BEST OF THE BEST BOOKS IN THE WORLDS!!!! Cassandra Clare is my FAVorite author.... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[D]

No one here has mentioned the whole "Inquisitor" thing. Harry Potter had the evil High Inquisitor and Mortal Instruments simply has the Inquisitor. Blatant ripoff that no one can deny, right?? Honestly halfway through the first book I could already see the many similarities between the 2 series but that's not why I don't really like MI. I mean it's okay...it's an entertaining read. But I found there to be many inconsistencies, the dialogue just wasn't believable to me, and the characters weren't that likeable (again, this is just my own opinion). But I definitely do find it annoying that Clare ripped off HP so much. I understand taking a bit of inspiration but to have THAT many (Voldemort=Valentine, steles/wands, Voldemort's loyal followers who are pardoned yet shunned in society/Valentine's followers, HIGH INQUISITOR/THE INQUISITOR, etc.) in one story just makes it a phony to me.

[Sarah]

Christian wrote: "rayful wrote: "So I'll come right out and say that I hated this book. I didn't even bother with the others because, uhm, there's really no point. What I don't understand is how people can really ..."

Yeah, exactly, the Deathly Hallows came out BEFORE so what is even the point for heavens sake?

[Sarah]

In one of your posts you left a LINK to a website??? You actually did research on this. Are you kidding me? Sure, TMI does have hints of other books in it, but other books have parts of TMI in them. You can look at it either way. Authors come from the land of people who read, so they are GOING to copy some ideas. They aren't going to write 300-500 page books on completely new ideas. That's like a car company saying: My car isn't going to look like other cars in a SINGLE way. It is going to be different. We'll have to take out the wheel, and the brakes, and voila after all this taking out we have a really unsafe and stupid product!!!!!

[rachel ~ trans rights are human rights]

@Smile The link I posted isn't mine, actually, and it's also not just Clare "basing" her ideas - it's cold, hard plagiarism. I would agree that people need a starting place but then books need to branch out, need to take on a life of their own. In my opinion, TMI just didn't do that. At all.

[Sarah]

Um it isn't plagiarism unless its WORD FOR WORD.

[rachel ~ trans rights are human rights]

It wasn't for TMI but another thing she wrote, and it was word for word. Also it's not? It's the act of closely using; you can look at the definition.

[Gabby]

rayful wrote: "It wasn't for TMI but another thing she wrote, and it was word for word. Also it's not? It's the act of closely using; you can look at the definition."

What? You don't have proof?

[Nellie ☾]

I love both Harry Potter and TMI equally had read all the books but I still don't think that they are VERY similar. I still think that they are different. So they said that Simon is like Harry in looks, and Jace from Draco but I don't think so. As for other great works, I have no comment since I am not familiar with the stories.

And if this is also somehow about the 'plagiarism' in the past, I don't think it's that bad. It was a fan-fiction and she never received money for it. Also, the authors/stories where the words came from are properly credited, so...

But anyway, HP is not like TMI at all, in my opinion.

[rachel ~ trans rights are human rights]

@Gabby: I don't have proof of what?

[Patrick]

I respect your opinion, but I did enjoy this book, and while my heart is a potterhead, through and through. I do enjoy these books. I don't know about her past in fanfiction, I do know people all the time take inspiration from other works, she might have wanted to use that in her book. I know you hate it, and there is nothing anyone can say that will make you unhate it. I do wish you could have found the enjoyment out of it like everyone else. That however is not the case. Can I ask what books you are into?

[Christopher]

The original poster needs to read "The Hero With A Thousand Faces".


It's all really the same story, now isn't it? =)

[Mizuki]

Allarice wrote: "In addition to the Mortal Instruments themselves, there is the steles issue, which reminds me of wands, Valentine reminded me of Voldemort, his followers, who left after his fall and were accepted into society but with bad reputations reminded me of Death Eaters, Valentine coming back reminded me of Voldemort coming back, Clare finding out about the underground world reminded me of Harry finding out about wizards, and the list goes on. "

If there were only two or three ideas being similar, I can still see it as coincidence, but with so many "similarities" within one single book...Sorry, It's rip off.

At the very beginning, I still wanted to view those "similarities" as a coincidence, but after I learnt what C.Clare had done in her fanfics days, my opinion changed.

[Mizuki]

Turtles All the Way Down wrote: "For the most part yes. It's not her real name, but naming your main character after your pen ..."

I have to agree!

[Mizuki]

Turtles All the Way Down wrote: "Also, I'm sure people would stop bringing up her fan history if she had 1. Not used the same Pen Name, and 2. Not named the Mortal Instrument Series after a RonXGinny incest fic she wrote. "

3. If she acknowledged she had once ripped off other people's creations and apologized.