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Teodora 's Reviews > City of Ashes
City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)
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3.25/5 �
Full review on my Blog:
I honestly have no idea what’s wrong either with this series or with me or with the both of us but...we don’t really have chemistry. Why? Dunno. I don’t really feel all the everything that’s going on there.
The thing is, I feel like nothing really happens in there and this second book has almost the same pattern as City of Bones : the bad guy wants something, he raises a whole army to get it, he gets it, the good guys get involved and fight the bad guy, the bad guy escapes and takes the priceless somethings with him aaaand at the very end of the book there is something ploty-twisty to make you go shit, now I want to read and see what’s happening.
I really felt the emotion of meh while reading this (because, you see, “meh� is an actual emotion).
The world is still quite cool. I mean, it doesn’t resemble anything I’ve managed to read before. I give it points for the strange uniqueness, but it is definitely something there that seems a bit hard to touch. I have moments in life when I am a doubting Thomas so I need to be able to feel a thing in order to believe in its existence. The world here feels at times too vaporous to properly touch.
Another good thing about this book was how funny it was. I mean, I had moments when I started laughing out loud because the lines were so witty and I loved that, especially Jace’s lines (because he is so damn sassy all the time) and some of Simon’s (who always has the classic nerdy comebacks).
Besides all that good, I really must say that for now, the baddest of the bad is the romance in this series. It is kind of lame and it kind of annoys me. I am really rooting for Alec and Magnus to save everything though.
The rest of the romance in there…girl stahp.
I do think there is going to be some upgrading there because I seriously doubt Cassie Clare would leave things this awkward. I feel a twist coming, don’t know when, but I’m sure as hell it’s there. The romance is going to alter its cringe, I can feel it!!
(Please note that I haven’t seen the TV adaptations nor do I read spoilers about what’s going to happen so stay with me here).
Also, a last cool thing about this book is the Seelie Court of the Faeries world building. That was for sure where Holly Black got her own skeleton-world from for the Faerieland in The Folk of the Air trilogy (which I loved so much and what’s happening here is amazing).
I don’t know, I find it so great when authors help authors grow like hey sis, would you mind helping me with this shit, you’re pretty good at it � oh yeah, sure girl, let’s do this together, I’ll show you.
So, this book felt kind of meh overall, but it had some pretty great details that I enjoyed and this is why it wasn’t a complete waste of my time.
Full review on my Blog:
I honestly have no idea what’s wrong either with this series or with me or with the both of us but...we don’t really have chemistry. Why? Dunno. I don’t really feel all the everything that’s going on there.
The thing is, I feel like nothing really happens in there and this second book has almost the same pattern as City of Bones : the bad guy wants something, he raises a whole army to get it, he gets it, the good guys get involved and fight the bad guy, the bad guy escapes and takes the priceless somethings with him aaaand at the very end of the book there is something ploty-twisty to make you go shit, now I want to read and see what’s happening.
I really felt the emotion of meh while reading this (because, you see, “meh� is an actual emotion).
The world is still quite cool. I mean, it doesn’t resemble anything I’ve managed to read before. I give it points for the strange uniqueness, but it is definitely something there that seems a bit hard to touch. I have moments in life when I am a doubting Thomas so I need to be able to feel a thing in order to believe in its existence. The world here feels at times too vaporous to properly touch.
Another good thing about this book was how funny it was. I mean, I had moments when I started laughing out loud because the lines were so witty and I loved that, especially Jace’s lines (because he is so damn sassy all the time) and some of Simon’s (who always has the classic nerdy comebacks).
Besides all that good, I really must say that for now, the baddest of the bad is the romance in this series. It is kind of lame and it kind of annoys me. I am really rooting for Alec and Magnus to save everything though.
The rest of the romance in there…girl stahp.
I do think there is going to be some upgrading there because I seriously doubt Cassie Clare would leave things this awkward. I feel a twist coming, don’t know when, but I’m sure as hell it’s there. The romance is going to alter its cringe, I can feel it!!
(Please note that I haven’t seen the TV adaptations nor do I read spoilers about what’s going to happen so stay with me here).
Also, a last cool thing about this book is the Seelie Court of the Faeries world building. That was for sure where Holly Black got her own skeleton-world from for the Faerieland in The Folk of the Air trilogy (which I loved so much and what’s happening here is amazing).
I don’t know, I find it so great when authors help authors grow like hey sis, would you mind helping me with this shit, you’re pretty good at it � oh yeah, sure girl, let’s do this together, I’ll show you.
So, this book felt kind of meh overall, but it had some pretty great details that I enjoyed and this is why it wasn’t a complete waste of my time.
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by
Tea
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 22, 2020 02:09PM
I prefer The Infernal Devices over this series. I even read them before finishing TMI. Her writing improved a lot in the later releases. But if you want to fully experience this world, you should read them all.
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@Tea I am planning on reading them in the recommended reading order so I'll get to TID faster :)
I recommend reading them in publication order. That's what Cassandra Clare recommends too.
On the official website they were recommended to be read in a mixed order and I would probably do that because I think I won't be able to finish TMI until starting TID anyway 😂
Well, the best experience is to read them in publication order. Trust me, I'm still not finished with TMI, but since I read TID, I already know some things that are supposed to be a mystery and some of the charm is gone :/Just know, they only get better :)
@Tea I so hope they do because I am so not into TMI right now :/
Me neither. But I'm planning on binge reading the whole series.
Christy wrote: "Me neither. But I'm planning on binge reading the whole series."I wish you good luck 🍀
TMR wrote: "The question stands with me as well."I am still not convinced
I've never read the mortal instruments. But I've heard some pretty good things about the infernal devices. I think I am gonna give TID a chance soon......
I agree whole heartedly with this, I finished City of bones last week but still can't get myself to start this one. I've been told by alot of Clare fans that TMI is their least favourite series by Clare tho.
Personaly didn't like TMI series the way I wanted to and I've read the books long before the movies was out. If you see the movie or the series you'll think OH GOSH THE BOOKS ARE AMAZING WTF IS THAT?? I don't think your opinion is going to change bc the plot isn't that intrsested and most of the time is repeating itself.
I really hope you will like the other books better! For me TID was the best series and you will enjoy them very very much!!
Rafa wrote: "I've never read the mortal instruments. But I've heard some pretty good things about the infernal devices. I think I am gonna give TID a chance soon......"Honestly, everyone says TID is waaay better than this and I hope it is. I want to read that too, but after I'm through with TMI (so that's gonna take a while)
Ayten wrote: "I agree whole heartedly with this, I finished City of bones last week but still can't get myself to start this one. I've been told by alot of Clare fans that TMI is their least favourite series by ..."Maybe it is because we didn't read the books when we were supposed to. I mean, I think that if it were to read them when I was 13-14 yo I would have enjoyed them
Maria wrote: "Personaly didn't like TMI series the way I wanted to and I've read the books long before the movies was out. If you see the movie or the series you'll think OH GOSH THE BOOKS ARE AMAZING WTF IS THA..."I actually never watched the movies or the TV series but I don't think I'm going to anyway. I still want to finish this series but I sure the other ones are better!
I didn't like this series at all but ended up blown away by The Infernal Devices, maybe read the first three or stop reading then try the other first?
Athena wrote: "I didn't like this series at all but ended up blown away by The Infernal Devices, maybe read the first three or stop reading then try the other first?"I was thinking of reading the books in the recommended order because I am never going to start TID if I were to wait until I finish with TMI
Sooo.... should I start City of Bones then? I have been encouraged to do so but I already DNF'd it once. A lot of people told me that the rest of the series gets better. Confirmation please?
City of Glass is where the quality of this series really improved for me, the current releases are some of the best books I’ve every read and they make the push through the first couple of books entirely worth it when you get there
AspiringAuthor wrote: "Sooo.... should I start City of Bones then? I have been encouraged to do so but I already DNF'd it once. A lot of people told me that the rest of the series gets better. Confirmation please?"Honestly, I enjoy some aspects of it but I am still not that invested. I will encourage you to start the first book and if you are good with it then you can try them all out. Other series of hers are much better, I heard
Ben wrote: "City of Glass is where the quality of this series really improved for me, the current releases are some of the best books I’ve every read and they make the push through the first couple of books en..."I do believe in the power of Cassie Clare, the reviews to all of her other series are insane. But this one is a bit tricky for me
TID is really well done and it's a huge improvement on the writing style in TMI. I will never plan to re-read any of the other Shadowhunter books including all other spin offs published so far except I have re-read TID several times already ❤️
Caseyy's Bookshelf wrote: "TID is really well done and it's a huge improvement on the writing style in TMI. I will never plan to re-read any of the other Shadowhunter books including all other spin offs published so far exce..."Well now, TID keeps sounding better and better
I think she needs to leave Shadowhunters behind. TID was great. TMI went on 2 books too long and then she keeps writing more!
@Shay Well the woman believed in her idea and she got through with it, I'm not blaming her. TID must win the lottery now
Roel � wrote: "I LOVE reading your reviews"
yeah the first 2 books are like that but city of glass&the infernal devices are incredible, city of fallen angels was kind of a step back so it wasn't as good, but after that all the books is the chronicles are great
All I need from this series is only one book not to bore me to tears or disappoint me
I feel the same. The series so far is a big pile of meh to me
Nikita wrote: "I feel the same. The series so far is a big pile of meh to me"I felt meh about all of this so far, don't know what to think anymore
If you’re still interested in trying the series, I’d recommend the Infernal devices. Some people don’t like TMI but end up liking TID a lot more.
CATastrophe wrote: "If you’re still interested in trying the series, I’d recommend the Infernal devices. Some people don’t like TMI but end up liking TID a lot more."I will try to read Cassie Clare's books in the recommendation order because I might never read TID if I wait until I finish TMI
That's how I felt with Chain of Gold too. I liked a couple of characters.. but I'm just not a fan of the writing style. I really want to read these books though.. all of them. lol
Inkslinger wrote: "That's how I felt with Chain of Gold too. I liked a couple of characters.. but I'm just not a fan of the writing style. I really want to read these books though.. all of them. lol"Maybe her style is not for everyone, who knows
Have you read the infernal devices? In my opinion the mortal intruments is the weakest out of all the books cassandra clare wrote and my favorite atm is the dark artifices, but this series may be topped by the last hours in the next couple of years, but we'll see
Lucy Tonks wrote: "Have you read the infernal devices? In my opinion the mortal intruments is the weakest out of all the books cassandra clare wrote and my favorite atm is the dark artifices, but this series may be t..."Nope, but after I read City of Glass I am starting TID before I lose my faith in Cassie Clare
I second the recommendation of TID!! 🙌 I LOVE those books 💞 And like you I struggle to connect with TMI. Hence I haven't gotten any closer to picking up the 3rd book 😅
ℓуη�, ℓσкιѕℓутнєя¢ℓα� wrote: "I second the recommendation of TID!! 🙌 I LOVE those books 💞 And like you I struggle to connect with TMI. Hence I haven't gotten any closer to picking up the 3rd book 😅"I kind of have no desire to pick it up either but I'll make myself get through it, but hopefully, it might be better than the second one!
Honestly, the TMI series is not the best of Cassandra, the only book that I really like is the last one😅...but TID is really awesome💕
@Lulian09 I will get to read TID too at some point in my life 😂
In my opinion this is the second to worst book in the entire shadowhunters world thing. Honestly just stick with it. They do eventually get better and this series will always hold a special place in my heart because it opened up my eyes to reading more. It was like THAT book(s) that got me into reading. So my opinion will always be biased. Honestly though try to stick with it. (I don’t know if you have read the infernal devices but omg please do) :)
@Emmiegilbs I have only read the first three TMI books and this far I'm not convinced but I will definitely read TID before I go on with TMI 😊
Teodora wrote: "@Emmiegilbs I have only read the first three TMI books and this far I'm not convinced but I will definitely read TID before I go on with TMI 😊"You should read them in publication order. So that you can avoid spoilers and see all of the little Easter eggs.
I don't think I am patient enough to finish TMI before reading TID tbh 😂
Teodora wrote: "I don't think I am patient enough to finish TMI before reading TID tbh 😂"You don't finish all of TMI before starting TID if you're doing publication order. Publication order looks a little weird but is worth it. It is City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, Clockwork Angel, City of Fallen Angels, Clockwork Prince, City of Lost Souls, Clockwork Princess, The Bane Chronicles, City of Heavenly Fire, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, Lady Midnight, Lord of Shadows, Queen of Air and Darkness, The Red Scrolls of Magic, Ghosts of the Shadow Market, Chain of Gold, The Lost Book of the White, and Chain of Iron.
Omg that really looks weird haha Thanks though, I'll keep it in mind 😊
