Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader

“If you’ve been reading the Mortal Instruments for any length of time, you know that only two things are certain: Dead doesn’t necessarily mean dead, and you never know whose blood is going to wind up running through your veins.”

Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, epic urban fantasy set in a richly imagined world of shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, fairies, and more, has captured the imaginations and loyalty of hundreds of thousands of YA readers. Originally a trilogy (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass), the series has extended to six titles, plus a prequel trilogy, the Infernal Devices, and a planned sequel series, the Dark Artifices. A feature film is planned for 2013.

Shadowhunters and Downworlders, edited by Clare (who provides an introduction to the book and to each piece), is a collection of YA authors writing about the series and its world.

Authors Who Contributed:
Holly Black / Kendare Blake / Gwenda Bond / Sarah Rees Brennan / Rachel Caine / Sarah Cross / Kami Garcia / Michelle Hodkin / Kelly Link / Kate Milford / Diana Peterfreund / Sara Ryan / Scott Tracey / Robin Wasserman

Personal Thoughts:

I’ve only read a few essays collections that discuss a book or fiction written by someone else. The last one is The Girl Who Was on Fire which discuss one of my favorite YA dystopian series, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I’m not sure if there are more anthology books out there with this kind of format, but if there is I won’t hesitate reading them since I find this kind of book insightful as a whole.

Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader is a collection of essay pieces by YA authors about Cassandra Clare’s fantasy series, The Mortal Instruments and its world.

The essays in this book discuss different topics from The Mortal Instruments world, characters, story themes, and more TMI related topics. Some of the essays are well thought and rigorous researched. They certainly give me more ideas and point of views about the fiction I already love & enjoy. It is like rediscovering the whole Mortal Instruments series once again.

There are essays too that are fun to read with all the witty opinions or thoughts of the contributing author(s) about Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instrument series. Sometimes reading the contributor’s essay is like discussing The Mortal Instruments world with a friend – dissecting every angle, scenes, characters and ideas presented by Cassandra Clare from the first book, City of Bones up to the last book released so far, City of Lost Souls. There are some essays too that makes me appreciate more the last two books that is already out than I did when I read them for the first time. They makes me want to go back and reread the whole series once again with a better understanding and views of the characters and their world. It is like I am a mundane who finally see things around the Shadow world without its glamour.

Though not all of the essays in this material are good or really important. Some topics are just repetition of things that readers of the series like me already know. Not that I don’t want to be reminded of those things, I just wish that they dwelved unto them deeper, explaining more of the why and not how, giving more reasons and deeper explanations than telling how things are presented or happened. Because for someone who have read and reread The Mortal Instruments and even The Infernal Devices like me, I’m pretty familiar with the in and outs of the Shadowhunters & Downworlders world.

Here are the list of essays in this book with there corresponding author:

• “Unhomely Places” by Kate Milford
• “The Art of War” by Sarah Cross
• “Sharper Than a Seraph Blade” by Diana Peterfreund
• “When Laws Are Made to Be Broken” by Robin Wasserman
• “Simon Lewis: Jewish, Vampire, Hero” by Michelle Hodkin
• “Why the Best Friend Never Gets the Girl” by Kami Garcia
• “Brotherly Love” by Kendare Blake
• “Asking for a Friend” by Gwenda Bond
• “(Not) For Illustration Purposes Only” by Rachel Caine
• “The Importance of Being Malec” by Sarah Ryan“Villains, Valentine and Virtue” by Scott Tracey
• “Immortality and Its Discontents” by Kelly Link and Holly Black
• “What Does That Deviant Wench Think She’s Doing? Or, Shadowhunters Gone Wild” by Sarah Rees Brennan

If I have to choose one topic from the above list that I think really stand out, I’ll pick Michelle Hodkin’s essay about Simon Lewis. Michelle obviously do her research well, providing not only facts, but also deeper explanations and reasons about Simon, his role, religion and his character as a vampire.

This book is clearly for fans of The Mortal Instruments series but I think you don’t need to be a fan to enjoy this book. But a little warning, this book should be read only if you read at least one book of The Mortal Instruments world so you’ll get a better grasp of what every author is talking about. There are some spoilers too for The Mortal Instruments books, so be warned.

* This review is based on an electronic book I received courtesy of the publisher, Smart Pop Books / BenBella Books, Inc. via NetGalley.

Book to Movie: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (Movie Teaser Trailer)

I’m writing this just after seeing the teaser trailer, which means I am still high right now with all the excitement and goosebumps. So forgive me, If I ramble a bit or much.

As you all know, I love Cassandra Clare‘s The Mortal Instruments series novels. I’m in love with Cassandra Clare‘s writing and the Shadowhunters world she magically created in The Mortal Instruments. The moment that Cassie announced online that there will be a film adaptation coming I squeal with glee. Just imagining seeing those characters that I love, moving live on screen, quoting some of my favorite lines from the book makes me super excited. But when the final casting was announced, I admit I didn’t much like the list. I am one of those who can’t see Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace. Even I approved of his acting & fighting skills, having watched him as the young King Arthur from the Camelot series, I still can’t picture him as the perfect Jace Wayland. Ok. Maybe Jace isn’t perfect, in fact he got real flaws but for me he is always the perfect & the best Shadowhunters in Cassie’s world. It took awhile before I finally accepted the fact that I have no choice but to accept it and just wait and see what will happen.

So now that the teaser trailer is up online, probably spreading fast at the moment I finally see what Cassie means when she say that there is something in Jamie that is so Jace. In that short teaser trailer I see now that Jamie can be Jace. I can’t get enough of his freaking accent alone. He sounded so Jace in my head delivering those lines. You can’t here it on the trailer below but you can watch it from the trailer commentary with Cassandra Clare, posted in mtv.com.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Film Teaser Trailer

More than the stunts and effects that all looks pretty amazing, what really gives me a high is seeing my favorite characters live, moving and in action. This is only a teaser trailer but it already looks so much promising. I can’t wait to see the final trailer, hoping to see Magnus and more of Alec and of course the movie in August next year. It will be a long wait but after seeing this teaser I know I can handle the waiting because it looks so worth it.

What do you think of the teaser trailer?! Are you as excited as me right now for the movie? Have you read the book, what did you think of it? If you haven’t and you are interested in watching the movie, I suggest pick the book first.

City Of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare

“Hearts are breakable. And I think even when you heal, you’re never what you were before.”

Sysnopsis From Book Jacket:

The Mortal War is over, Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love her life, Downworldsers and Shadowhutners are all at peace at last. And most important of all Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her. His mother just found out that he’s a vampire and now he’s homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side along with the power of the curse that’s wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous girls, neither of whom knows about the other.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve iont the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself haas set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. BLood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels (quoted from the book’s jacket).

Personal Thoughts:

I got this latest addition to The Mortal Instruments series last Thursday night but as much as I want to read it as soon as it landed on my hand, I need to wait till my spare time allow me. Trying to do work instead of picking up the book was extremely hard. When I started reading it, I was hooked into it. First few pages of the book and I found my self smiling and laughing already. It’s always a treat to read about the world of shadowhunters and those lovely characters inside this world.

As expected there are more of Simon Lewis in the story. I never felt attached to Simon before but in this book he has certainly begun to grow on me. City Of Fallen Angels give so much more dept and emotion to his character. Reading more of him is like discovering an old friend and becoming more close to him. Same thing goes with Iz, she doesn’t have much exposure like Simon but you’ll definitely feel her presence. She’s one of the surprising revelations of this book. It’s nice to see the different side of her. I’m beginning to like her more. The development of Simon & Iz’s relationships is nicely built.

More of Simon doesn’t actually mean less of Jace. For awhile it bothers me that Simon is getting the spotlight from Jace. But after few chapters more of reading I begun to understand the need of it. Jace in here is different. He is more vulnerable and worried. It’s so disturbing to see him in despair and tormented. But as usual Clare knows best how to handle her characters. She’s definitely aiming for something bigger because Jace torture has a huge role in the plot. A bit cruel for Jace but worth journey for readers. Magnus Bane is also back together with Alec. It’s nice to see the new side of Alec. I love him with Magnus and it so sad that they don’t have much part in the story. I miss Magnus witty commentary so much, hopefully to get more of those in the coming books.

I’m still amazed with the author’s world building skills. She’s definitely has talent in writing. Honestly, after reading the three books I don’t know if Clare can manage to deliver more for the series. But she did a great job in this one. City of Fallen Angels is intense. Everything has been taken to a new level. It makes the series becomes more darker and more engaging. Somehow it feels like I’m starting a new series again. Except for the fact that I already discover the shadowhunters world and already connected with the characters.

I like that Cassandra Clare doesn’t focus on couple relationships alone. It’s not about just Jace and Clary or Simon and Iz and Maia. Every characters has their own part in the story. I also like the idea of balance between good and evil. How every actions have its own consequences. The side story with the Sellie Queen, I was surprised that it didn’t use much as part of the plot, obviously it’s something that need to be reveal in the next books.

The ending is beautifully painful and heart-breaking, which makes me want the next book so much. I hate it when it just end like that. What will happen to Jace now? Isn’t it enough that he was tortured the whole time in this book? And now Clare is also torturing the readers! I don’t know how I will manage waiting for the next book that will be release thirteen months from now. I’m just thankful that a least there is Clockwork Prince in the middle of waiting.

With all that, City of Fallen Angels is a nice addition to The Mortal Instruments series. It was as well-written as the previous books. With a growing characters, wrapping world and unpredictable plot filled with darkness, pain and mysteries, City Of Fallen Angels is definitely worth the wait.

City Of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) by Cassandra Clare

“People aren’t born good or bad. Maybe they’re born with tendencies either way, but its the way you live your life that matters.”

To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters — never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City — whatever the cost?
Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

Personal Thoughts:

Most of the time when I read a series, the first book is the only great book within it. It’s rare for me to totally love all books, but with The Mortal Instruments I find every books enjoyable. City Of Glass, the third installment in the Mortal Instruments series is absolutely fantastic. This book lives up to the expectation of the first two books of the supposed to be Trilogy (now will be a series of six books). Cassandra Clare is quickly becoming one of my favorite young adult authors. I’m also loving the multiple points of view writing, it’s a lot more exciting to explore the views of different characters who have different perception of the world around them. Cassandra Clare does a good job of keeping each of these point of view exciting and bringing them together at the right moment. The cliffhangers within chapters where the point of view switches to someone else totally works for me.

The setting of City Of Glass take place to Idris and Alicante, home of Jace and other Shadowhunters. I’ve been imagining this place since book one and I just love the rich descriptions of the place. Every details that Cassandra Clare used makes the place more alive to me. More than 500 pages long, this book is the longest book in the series so far but the pacing of the book is fast enough to stop the story from dragging. Something that is hard to put down once you start reading it.

One of the reasons why I love this series so much is the superb cast of characters. They are all great. All are well crafted and developed one stage at a time, detail by detail. Each characters has distinct voice and easy to recognize. It’s easy to know who is talking right away with each switch of point of view.

Jace is a favorite of mine in this series. He is totally awesome in this book. His character development is beautifully crafted. From being tough, sarcastic and self-loving to the City Of Bones, he also shows more of his softer and less secure side. With his inner struggle fighting his evil side, it’s easy to feel his heart ache. Sometimes emotionally disturbing and frustrating. Clary is still a strong character, sometimes stubborn but somehow still likeable. She become more stronger and braver in this book. She makes mistakes and learned from it. Magnus Bane is still as witty as he is. Inspite of my silly bad hopes for his character I’m glad he doesn’t turn out the bad guy. I love his character so much that I somehow I expect a lot from him. But he is still lovely as he is. He is wise, confident and consistently in character. Alec also grows into the shadowhunter that he was born to be. He acts more as a responsible older brother and he finally face his inner fear which is confronting his ownself. The conversation between him and Jace revealing Alec’s gender is well delivered. Simon also transformed not just literally but his character grows together with the other characters. His conversation with Jace adds more fun into the story.

Valentine’s other side of character is also revealed. The depth in his evil doing are somehow justify. He is not just the typical paper-thin villain afterall. In his own twisted way, Valentine believes that he is doing the Shadowhunters and the world good. His ideas to clean the unseen world and help the humanity is good but for someone who is able to do a lot of evil things might be unable to care for other. Nevertheless Valentine loved his family dearly. When his wife Jocelyn ran away, he spent years searching for her. He was also fully capable of killing Jace, which was in his best interests, but he could not bear to. It simply shows that Valentine, like all people real or imaginary, is not purely black or white, but a moral shade of gray.

The story is quite predictable. I’ve seen much of it coming way ahead, with all the hints given from City Of Ashes. Clary and Jace relation, Jace real identity, his real parents, Shadowhunters and Downworlders unity, Valentines defeat and even Sebastian’s real identity and the location of the third mortal instruments. The only thing that didn’t happen which I thought it would be is that Magnus Bane is one of the evil character. When Clary and Sebastian find Magnus Bane at Ragnor Fell house I thought for awhile that he is actually on Valentines side or he has his own bad motive.

Overall, In-spite of being predictable and derivative this book is beautifully written. I don’t know how Cassandra Clare works magic with this novel, but it is definitely done well. With the right pacing, continuous flow of events, engaging and unforgettable characters, unexpected funny lines, clever detailed fantasy world, thoroughly engrossing writing style this book is impressive. I have enjoyed the series so far and looking forward for the next three books of the series.

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

“Fate is never fair. You are caught in a current much stronger than you are; struggle against it and you’ll drown not just yourself but those who try to save you. Swim with it. and you’ll survive”

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? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who’s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn’t ready to 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.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

Personal Thoughts:

City Of Ashes is a pretty nice installment to the Mortal Instruments series. Just like its prequel (City Of Bones), it is jam-packed with adventure, standout characters and a solid plot. The writing is as good as the first book. The characters were all well written. There are definitely a lot of them but they are still memorable and easy to distinguish. The old characters from City of Bones are back and there are new characters introduced. There is the Inquisitor, Maryse, Robert, Maia and Seelie Queen. Clary is still a strong protagonist, she is now discovering more of her mysterious power. While Jace become more revealing in this book. He shows a lot of emotions while keeping his strong persona and sarcastic and funny humour at the same time. He also discover more of his abilities and power which the Seelie Queen called “Angel’s own gift”. The other characters are still visible and continue to add more colours to the story.

As for the story, City Of Ashes is much more relationship driven compare to the first book. There were a very good balance between the dangerous actions and the private lives of characters. It continue to emphasize the sibling dilemma between Clary and Jace; the family issue between the lightwoods and Jace; and the father-and-son conflict between Valentine and Jace. There is also Clary dealing with Jace and Simon, Simon dealing with his new life and Alec dealing with his own internal issues. More aspects of the Downworlders are also presented in this book; there are more faeries, werewolves, warlocks, vampires and demons. We also got a chance to see a part of the faerie world. All these and more add more depth and character to the unseen world that Cassandra Clare created.

The magic element of the book is still creatively used in the story. The fantasy magical world seems alive with all the detail and artistic description that Clare used. The fun magic system like the runes, stele and markings are really amazing. I appreciate the idea of giving names for the Seraph Blades even if it’s a bit confusing somehow.

As for the ending, it doesn’t provide much of the resolution. The sibling dilemma between Clary and Jace is not yet solve. But with a few hints given in this book I have the feeling that my theories are correct. Although I love the first book more than this one, I did enjoy it all the same. City Of Ashes is still a great book and a good sequel. It got everything expected from a paranormal series. It has danger, romance, actions, adventures, fantasies, magic and funny moments. With all this, I am excited to continue with City Of Glass to find out more.

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

“That to love is to destroy and that to be the one loved is to be the one destroyed.”
– Jace Wayland

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder – much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing – not even a smear of blood – to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know….

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Personal Thoughts:

Despite being almost 500 pages long, the City of Bones is a fast read. It’s hard to get board with this new world created by Cassanrda Clare in Mortal Instruments series. There are so much to imagine and so many characters involved. There are shadowhunters, angels, vampires, werewolves, faeries, warlocks, wizards, witches and demons. It’s full packed, action driven with witty conversations and interesting plot. Cassandra Clare created a fantastic world with such ease. She tells so much yet it’s easy to understand and imagine. As if you just step into a portal and transported in this new world she created.

The writing is neither poetic nor lyrical, it’s more direct and story driven. But it never spoil the description of the unseen world Cassandra Clare built. A new world that is dark, magical, enchanting and edgy. Written in a third-person point of view with different view points used, the story is unbelievably good. She switch views from one character to another without breaking the flow of events. She balances all viewpoints well, and each time, we want just a little more.

The characters are simply great. All are consistent and like-able. Clary as the protagonist shows a strong character. She may not have the physical strength like the other characters but she know how to carry her self. She is smart enough to focus on her mission saving her Mother. She didn’t let anyone push her around. Despite being attracted to Jace, she is not consumed by it, but focus on what is really matters in her life.

Jace is my favorite character in this book. He is good at what he does, quick-witted and sharp tongued. It’s fascinating that in-spite of his strong persona, he has this sense of humor that is so refreshing. I enjoyed his arrogance and sarcastic humor even sometimes it get a bit much, it was still fun nonetheless. The interaction between him and Clary often bring me to laughter. With his tragic past and shadow of mystery he is surely someone to look forward to the next book.

The supporting characters were all well developed and beautifully written. Cassandra Clare captures their distinct personalities incredibly well. Isabelle, Alec, Luke and Simon all played a fairly large role in the story even Magnus Bane and Hodge Starkweather. Each characters are creatively used in the story and not just get thrown around to used as plot devices. I can’t wait to see what Cassandra does with all the characters in the rest of this series.

Overall, City of Bones is a fun read. With a whole bunch of paranormal creatures, characters to love and a plot that makes almost 500 pages seems short this book is worth every page. Cassandra Clare will not just make you read each words she written but will let you absorb, experience and bring them to life. Definitely worth reading.