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5 out of 5
by
Cara
from
The United States | Aug 8, 2009
I had begun reading this laying down and drinking the words in steadily but before I knew it I was sitting on the edge of the sofa and forcing to keep up my eyes focused enough not to move too far ahead. I promised myself I wasn't going to write a spoiler review though I really wanted to. Without giving spoilers I can't stress how much a certain line did this or what took me by surprise but y'all are just going to have to read it to feel and see what I felt.
EVERYTHING is finally explained. Thank goodness! It was fun to guess along the way to see if you were right. Sometimes I was off and not entirely sure but part of the excitement is having the dawning relization of "Oh yeah!!! I can see that now!" Definitely is the best of the series and not only because of the plot and resolution, but because of the development of the characters. As far as I could see Clary grows the least but she does. She always was a little more "emotionally" in tune more than the others were. The character that makes HUGE strides is Jace. He started to grow on me in the second book but I absolutely get him now. There is this one line that he says (it's cheesy but who cares) that made me totally melt. *WARNING* if you don't like moments bordering on the cheesy side you may want to read something depressing instead. All the characters we have grown attached to have grown up to be a better version of themselves. One of the most impressive ones I'd say (other than Jace) is Isabelle, which is displayed well in the conversation she has with Clary in the kitchen.
This book is charged with all the elements we are used to but make them ten fold because this is the end. Emotions, battles, loss, betrayl, surprises, and even the jokes carry that much more meaning to them. Out of all the books this one would have to be the most serious. I know that there was always the element of sudden danger, but this one is more so and we don't get to see as many sacrastic comments (which is understandable) but there are still there to ease the tenison.
I want to gush and gush over everyting but I had to say Valentine seemed to fit into the series finally. I always felt he wasn't a villain material but he is, and I can't say why because again a spoiler. Best way to wrap up the series and say goodbye to the Shadowhunter world.
Later note: Find out there is a fourth one! City of Fallen Angels
23 people found this review helpful
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5 out of 5
by
Marcy Jo
from
Cleburne, TX | Oct 10, 2008
It goes without saying that I am a lover of books. Stories, characters, and delicious prose...well...these are things that I throw myself into. My shelves are filled with countless books that i have read and loved, stories that I have enjoyed reading.
I have never enjoyed reading a book as much as I enjoyed this one. Never.
It's a scary thing when you get to the final book in a series or trilogy that you particularly care about. There's a certain amount of apprehension involved,correlating directly to your emotional involvement to the story and characters. Its tricky for the author to wrap things up in a way that is true to the characters, consistent with the themes of the previous books, ties up the major and minor story arcs, and is still enjoyable to read. I've never read the final book in any series that managed to seamlessly do all of those things. City of Glass did.
The characters in a story like this should be expected to change, to be affected by the events around them, and to react to them in some way. This was handled fantastically!
Clary was very Clary-ish. Particularly early on in the book she was just as rash and independent and headstrong as ever. Watching her character progression over the span of the book (as well as the series), I must say that she usurps Gemma Doyle for the crown of female protagonists in the category that I refer to as "Girls Who Do Things." And she does "Do Things." Regardless of the fact that Jace disabled her truck tried to keep her from Idris, despite the fact that she lacks the training or even the in depth knowledge of their society, Clary refuses to sit on the sidelines. She refuses to be relegated to the role of bystander or victim. She was very true to the character that we got to know in City of Bones and City of Ashes.
Jace, well, what can I say. Jace's journey here is epic. As he has in every book before, he broke my heart. Watching him struggle with himself, with his past, with things he cannot control...it is beautiful.
The 'minor' characters (though I am loathe to call them that, seeing how real and well developed they are) really shine here, too. I can't really elaborate without giving anything away, but WOW. They all grow to meet the challenges before them, and we see a different side of *everyone* in Idris, though they stay true to the characters we knew. To say that I am ecstatic about the character development here is a gross understatement.
All of the story arcs--both for the individual characters as well as the main conflicts--are tied up nicely. The foundations for everything that happens have been building since COB. The resolutions are not gratuitous or indulgent. They feel as if--rather than the writer giving the series the ending she wanted it to have, regardless of whether or not it fit the themes of the other books--the author allowed these characters to tell their stories through her. It was the way endings should be...but so rarely ever are. Nothing in this book (or the epilogue) will taint your love for the series...it will grow it.
Ashley said that reading City of Glass was like riding a roller coaster in the dark, and she was not wrong. I laughed, I cried, I squealed, I shouted at the characters, I yelled "Yes!" and "No!" Oftentimes I did all of those things within the span of a single chapter. It's an emotional whirlwind reading experience. I was physically unable to put the book down from the moment I picked it up. And the ending? Well, the ending left me breathless.
I don't say this lightly: there are probably two dozen books that I easily list as "one of my favorite books of all time."
City of Glass is not on that list.
City of Glass *IS* my favorite book of all time.
For sheer emotional connect, suspense, excitement, character WIN, romance, frighteningly believable villainy goodness, and moments that made me flail around like a toddler in the candy closet, it is unparalleled. Amazing. Wonderful. Fantastic. Words fail me.
So for those of you eagerly counting down the days between now and March 24, take heart. City of Glass is well worth the wait. I had really high expectations for it, really high hopes, and it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. It was better.
45 people found this review helpful
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5 out of 5
by
Sophie
from
Reno, NV | Mar 23, 2009
The end of the Mortal Instruments trilogy brings with it nothing short of a big wide grin. If I could I would've given it 4 and 3/4 stars just a little shy of the coveted 5. The reason? Well, if I had one eensyteensy critique, it would be that it wrapped up a little too neatly. Conversely, you are thinking what if it didn't wrap up neatly, then I would be complaining about that and yes, you are correct.
I love Cassandra Clare's writing style. Her incredibly rich characterizations. And a plot that feels like you are in the midst of a centrifuge - spinning away.
There were two very poignant moments for me. One was the expected death of a Lightwood, however, I didn't expect it to be little Max. Wow. That hit me in my motherly soul and it stuck there resonating for a while. And the way it was done or hinted at made me all the sadder. The story Isabelle relates of Max holding Jace's soldier just broke my heart. But, Clare didn't stoop to just pulling on our heartstrings for the heck of it. No, it was a pivotol moment in the plot. For without this death, Jace would've hesitated in killing Sebastian. I know that Jace would have.
The other incredibly moving moment was when Jace arrived at Clary's asking her to "spend the night" with him. Tears just dripped down my face. The image of them lying there with their hands clasped was incredible.
The climactic battle and raising of Raziel, again, was rich with descriptions so much so that the movie-in-my-mind as I read the passages couldn't be stopped. I just had to keep reading until the end.
The very ending, where Clary's searching for Jace and finally finds him brought the trilogy to a satisfying and realistic end. There was no wedding, no surprise hybrid children (yes, I'm thinking of another series endign book). It was just the two of them watching fireworks, knowing that they are safe within each others love.
Perfect happy ending.
15 people found this review helpful
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4 out of 5
by
Samantha
from
Biddeford, ME | Jan 26, 2009
First off, I want to say that I really enjoyed this book, as I did the other two in the series. Clare is very good at keeping me enthralled for an entire book. I didn't want to give this series a chance, but did enjoy it very much.
What I would like to comment on, however, is why reading this series always makes me feel weird inside. Does anyone else find, that when they find something they don't like about an author, or maybe something that doesn't sit well with them, they feel weird reading their books? Like they have trouble making the disconnect?
I think I feel this more strongly with Clare because I used to read her fanfiction. In fact, to be honest, much of this book very much reminded me of her Harry Potter fanfiction. I also read her "Very Secret Diaries".
I guess what makes me feel uncomfortable is all the fandom wank that surrounds her. I hated the fact that she stopped doing the "Very Secret Diaries," was excited when other people seemed to try, and disappointed but understanding when she asked them to stop and had it taken down.
Then I read this. And I have never been able to look at her the same. It's the same way Doris Kearns Goodwin makes me feel awkward now. Why I don't think I'll be able to read anything by James Frey.
I'm glad I gave this a chance, because I did really enjoy it. However, part of me still feels a little uncomfortable that I did.
14 people found this review helpful
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5 out of 5
by
Karin
from
Washington, OK | Nov 7, 2008
March 2009
The third and final installment in the Mortal Instruments trilogy definitely lives up to the reputation of the first two – CITY OF BONES and CITY OF ASHES. CITY OF GLASS picks up a short time after CITY OF ASHES ends. Clary has a mission. Madeleine, her mother’s friend, is possibly the only person who knows how to wake her mother from a coma. Clary will have to travel to Alicante in Idris to get what she needs.
Alicante is the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters. It is known as the City of Glass because of the beautifully tall glass towers that guard the city from harm. The only way to get to Idris is through a portal and Magnus, the warlock, has arranged one. Clary is planning to go through the portal with Jace and the Lightwoods. The only problem is, Jace doesn’t want Clary to go so he lies to her about when he and the Lightwoods are leaving. He thinks it is too dangerous for Clary.
After being left behind, Clary eventually finds her way to Alicante. She uses her ability to create runes and makes a portal for herself. Being new to the Shadowhunter world, Clary doesn’t know that using a portal and entering the city without permission is against the law. If she is found she could be put to death.
Once in the City of Glass, Clary is thrown in the middle of the largest battle the Shadowhunters have ever had to face. Valentine’s evil plans are in the final stages and everyone is on full alert, not knowing what he will do next. Jace and Clary’s complicated relationship keeps them just as confused as ever, but provides great excitement for the reader.
Cassandra Clare works magic with this novel. The excitement begins on the first page and doesn’t stop until the final sentence. She brings everything full circle for a completely satisfying ending – even though fans would be more than happy to read about these beloved characters forever. One thing Cassandra Clare fans need to keep an eye out for is the release of THE CLOCKWORK PRINCESS: VOLUME 1 of THE INFERNAL DEVICES. THE INFERNAL DEVICES is a trilogy of prequels set one hundred and forty years ago in Victorian England. Tessa, a warlock, is the main character. The first prequel to the Mortal Instruments trilogy is scheduled to be released Fall 2010.
6 people found this review helpful