Review: City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) – Cassandra Clare

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) – Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Format: Hardcover

Page Number: 725

Source: Bookstore

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary’s own brother.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris – but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee – even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned…

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

5 out of 5 stars

Plot:

The Los Angeles Institute is attacked by Sebastian and the Endarkened Shadowhunters. Julian Blackthorn, his siblings, and Emma Carstairs escape unharmed to Idris. The father of the Blackthorns gets Turned by Sebastian, and the eldest Blackthorn, Helen, ends up taking care of her younger siblings until an uncle from London can come take care of them. Clary sees Emma Carstairs crying and upset and tries to comfort her in a big sisterly way and Clary doesn’t know what to do with herself because Jace has heavenly fire living in his veins; therefore there is little touching and a miniscule amount of kissing. Big battles happen between the Shadowhunters and the Endarkened warriors, and the crew find themselves brought to an alternate dimension that resembles Hell. Demons live in this hellish pit, but the real reason Clary, Jace, Alec, Isabelle, and Simon are there? The Downworlders they love have been taken from them and held hostage. Magnus from Alec, Raphael from Simon, and Luke and Jocelyn from Clary. Simon doesn’t love Raphael, but he has a big connection to him. How will they get out of this demon realm? Do they ever find Magnus, Jocelyn, Luke, and Raphael? What happens to Sebastian? Oh. My. Gosh. This series was so so good. This book was so beautifully written. How Cassandra Clare has woven all these little twists and tidbits of information into the story legitimately baffles me. I don’t get how so many things can be put together to create such an amazing series. I am so grateful to have found these books and to have read them. I cannot wait to read all of Cassandra Clare’s other books alone with whatever she will write in the future.

Characters:

At the beginning I got overwhelmed with all the new characters, but towards the middle I had sorted most of them out. Julian Blackthorn and Emma Carstairs are best friends, but I shipped them together so much. They would have been the cutest couple. I mean, they’re 12, but whatever. Isabelle and Simon are still my OTP. Magnus and Alec are perfect for each other, and Jace and Clary really are a great couple. Luke and Jocelyn are so happy together and it makes me really happy just reading about them. Oh my gosh. The couples in this series. They love each other so much, but for such different reasons. I really enjoyed being introduced to new characters, though. The Blackthorns are a really interesting family and I hope that they’re in the new series she’s writing.

Who Would I Be?:

I would choose to be Emma Carstairs because she just got introduced to the story. I really love that she is best friends with Jules, it reminded me of Clary and Simon. I have always wished I had a bunch of siblings, and it would kind of be like that if I was Emma because she’s always with the Blackthorn family. I think it would be fun to be just starting Shadowhunter training. Although, being Isabelle would be totally amazing. Isabelle is 100% BA and she loves Simon with all her heart, but she doesn’t want to admit it. By the end of the book she knows how she wants everyone to react to her and Simon, so I thinks she is more willing to be public about her relationship. Her vulnerability is really apparent in this book compared to the others. I am so glad to have read these books :)

Series:

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) – Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) – Cassandra Clare

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) – Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) – Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) – Cassandra Clare

#FridayReads (10)

Today we got to read during one of our classes and I almost started crying because of Jace and Clary. I can’t even. It is so sad. I just got to the part in City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) – Cassandra Clare where Jace came to Clary’s room in Alicante and he said, “There is no pretending,” Jace said with absolute clarity. “I love you, amd I will love you until I die, and if there’s a life after that, I’ll love you then.” WHAT? THAT IS SO CUTE AND SO PERFECT. I can’t wait to finish this book. I have so many feelings invested into this series. If Jace dies during the last one I will go all Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters and write a strongly worded letter to Cassandra Clare. I will need a different ending.

Review: City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) – Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) – Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release Date: March 25, 2008

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Format: Paperback

Page Number: 453

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what’s normal when you’re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? Clary would love to spend more time with her best friend, Simon. But the Shadowhunters won’t let her go–especially her handsome, infuriating newfound brother, Jace. And Clary’s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil–and also her father. When the second of the Mortal Instruments os stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor suspects Jace. Could Jace really be willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

5 out of 5 stars

Plot:

Jace and Clary find out they’re siblings and Clary is heartbroken. She loves Jace, but since she knows Jace is her brother, she starts dating Simon. Simon always sees Jace and Clary at the most unfortunate times, for him at least. Jace has feelings for Clary, but he, like Clary, tries to push the feelings down. Valentine is trying to start a war with the Clave because he doesn’t believe in the things they do. He kills and drains blood from a werewolf, a faerie, and a vampire to complete a task with the Mortal Sword. We find out that Alec has a thing for the warlock called Magnus Bane. Simon has a life or death experience, multiple, actually. Lots of demons and some Shadowhunter deaths are included… This book was so good. I’ve already read this book and I loved it even more the second time. I caught onto so many things I’d forgotten from before. It took me a while to finish because I’ve already read it, so I knew what was going to happen. Overall, this is one of the more boring books from this series, but it’s still a great book. I can’t wait to reread the others in the series.

Characters:

Jace is one of my all time favorite characters from any book. He’s perfect, but I will spare everyone from the fangirling. Clary is a strong character, but she gets irritating. She needs to just tell Jace that she’s in love with him. It would make things so much easier on everyone. Alec and Isabelle are still some of my favorite characters. I love Luke and would imagine him as a great fatherly figure, and Magnus Bane would be the perfect best friend. He has parties every weekend and he has a crush on Alec. It’s perfect. Simon is a good character, but I’m always sad when he’s with Clary because he loves her but she doesn’t feel the same way.

Who Would I Be?:

I would choose to be Isabelle because she’s super awesome and stunning. She always dresses nicely and Alec would be a great brother. Being her wouldn’t really be so great in the fact that she’s always in danger, but beyond that I would totally pick her. I love that she has her whip around her wrist at all times as a bracelet, and I love that she’s a Shadowhunter and isn’t helpless like some *cough cough Clary*

Series:

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) – Cassandra Clare

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) – Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) – Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) – Cassandra Clare

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) – Cassandra Clare

Review: The Shadowhunter’s Codex – Cassandra Clare

The Shadowhunter’s Codex – Cassandra Clare

Title: The Shadowhunter’s Codex

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release Date: October 29, 2013

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Format: Hardcover

Page Number: 274

Source: Bookstore

The Clave is pleased to announce the newest edition of the Nephilim’s oldest and most famous training manual: the Shadowhunter’s Codex. Since the thirteenth century, the Codex has been the young Shadowhunter’s best friend. When you’re being swarmed by demons it can be easy to forget the finer points of obscure demon languages or the fastest way to stop an attack of Raum demons. With the Codex by your side, you never have to worry. 

Now in its twenty-seventh edition, the Codex covers it all: the history and the laws of our world; how to identify, interact with, and if necessary, kill that world’s many colorful denizens; which end of the stele is the end you write with. No more will your attempt to fight off rogue vampires and warlocks be slowed by the need to answer endless questions from your new recruits: What is a Pyxis? Why don’t we use guns? If I can’t see a warlock’s mark, is there a polite way to ask him where it is? Where do we get all our holy water? Geography, History, Magic, and Zoology textbook all rolled into one, the Codex is here to help new Shadowhunters navigate the beautiful, often brutal world that we inhabit. 

Do not let it be said that the Clave is outdated or, as the younger Shadowhunters say, “uncool”: this new edition of the Codex will be available not only in the usual magically-sealed demonskin binding, but also in a smart, modern edition using all of today’s most exciting printing techniques, including such new features as a sturdy clothbound cover, a protective dust jacket, and information about title, author, publisher, and so on conveniently available right on the cover. You’ll be pleased to know that it fits neatly into most satchels, and unlike previous editions, it rarely sets off alarm wards. 

The old woodcuts and engravings have been replaced as well: instead, you’ll find lavish modern illustrations by some of the brightest luminaries of the fantastic. Creatures, weapons, people, and places have been carefully and accurately rendered by the likes of Rebecca Guay, Charles Vess, Jim Nelson, Theo Black, Elisabeth Alba, and Cassandra Jean. Chapters are beautifully introduced by the drawings of Michael Kaluta, and along with our condensation of the classic 2,450-page tome, A History of the Nephilim, you will find a selection of the best of the lovely illustrations of that volume by John Dollar. 

This edition of the Codex will be available in Institute libraries and what mundanes sometimes call “book stores” in October 2013.

3 out of 5 stars

Plot:

I love the idea of this book because I love Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments world, but this book fell short. This was a fiction novel written as a non-fiction textbook. It was difficult to get through because there were so many names and dates. The only reason this got three stars was because I’m partial to the Shadowhunter world.

Characters:

The only way I got through this book was because of the written conversations between Jace, Clary, and Simon. If it weren’t for the banter amongst them and Clary’s drawn pictures, I wouldn’t have been able to finish.

Who Would I Be?:

I would be Simon because of his nerdy, witty banter. I love when he makes comments about Clary and Jace needing to get a room. The written story at the end from Simon was the best part of this whole book.

*This review is very short because there wasn’t really much to say about this book. There weren’t any main characters and there was no plot. It was simply a textbook.*