Tag Archives: Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices manga – Book of the Week

This week’s Book of the Week is actually Books of the Week – the three volumes of Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices re-visualised as manga, with art by Hyekyung Baek. I’m told they’re very good! You can find them on the New Books display on the Library Desk.

 

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare – review

The first book in The Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Angel is a great book for lovers of the Mortal Instruments series as this serves as a prequel series. The story follows Tessa Gray, who has just arrived from America to find her brother in England but her plans are stopped when she is “taken in” by the Dark Sisters, who claim to know her brother. Trapped in their house and forced to improve an unique ability she never knew she had, Tessa is rescued by a mysterious young man called Will Herondale. Now dragged into a new world with weird beings, Tessa is determined to find her brother but soon learns that this new world may be more dangerous than she first thought.

Book of the Week – Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

ladymidnightLady Midnight has to be one of the most eagerly awaited books – I have lost count of the number of people who have asked me for it in the last couple of weeks.  To be scrupulously fair, I am letting those who have waited for it read it before I put it on display – although I expect reviews from them!  Lady Midnight is the first in a new series – The Dark Artifices – from Cassandra Clare, which is linked to the Mortal Instruments series.  The blurb on the back says…

In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai is a sacred word. A parabatai is your partner in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other – but they can never fall in love.

Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter.  She lives for battle. Alongside her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols Los Angeles, where vampires party on the Sunset Strip, and faeries – the most powerful of supernatural creatures – teeter on the edge of war with Shadowhunters. When the bodies of humans and faeries are found murdered in the same way Emma’s parents were when she was a child, an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma’s chance for revenge and Julian’s chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held by the faerie Courts. All they have to do  is solve the murders within two weeks… and before the murderer targets them.

Of course, you could always read the Mortal Instruments series while waiting for Lady Midnight – we have all of them in the Library too.

Friday 28th March – The Mortal Instruments, reviewed by FF

cityofbonesThe Mortal Instruments is about the life of Clary getting turned upside down about her finding out her whole life is a lie.

It all starts on her birthday when she witnesses a murder that no one else sees. After that things don’t get any better, she starts repeatedly drawing a certain mysterious symbol. She doesn’t know what’s happening or why but it doesn’t stop there. When she gets a panicked call from her mother, racing home she finds her mother is gone and a surprising thing waiting for her, thus introducing Jace, her saviour.

Clary starts her quest to save her mother, her best friend Simon along with Jace’s friends are all along for the ride but its about to get bumpy with a confession from Simon threatening a budding friendship with Jace, Clary is not sure how to react. With secrets about her and her mothers past coming to light its starting to get a bit all too much for Clary.

My favourite character is Jace, growing up with his bad childhood affected him, making him quite cold but Clary seems to bring out the softer side. I like how he fights for what he wants and inspires his friends, he fights for Clary to stay he wants to help her.

I think the book is an amazing read and the movie just as action-packed, with twists and surprises you never know where the story will turn next it has a very suspenseful ending making you grip your seat wishing for more. The story continues in the next book City of Ashes.

Friday 30th August – The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones review by EN

‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’  was very similar to the book. Robert Sheehan, cast as Simon who was Clary’s best friend, acted very well. The film was really humourous. Jamie Campbell Bower and Lily Collins were a great lead duo, and the film was great.

Friday 26th April – Clockwork Princess, reviewed by BM :)

I’m not going to write much, in the fear that it will turn into a rant….. Ok, so! This book, was the last in the Infernal Devices series, a series in which I consider, probably the best I have read. Like, ever:)

It concludes the adventure  of Tessa, Will and Jem and sees the two boys fight for what they both most desire; Tessa. However the more wonderful this book is, I cannot hide the fact that I was disappointed in Tessa, she was not the strong, brave and independent woman in the previous books. This fault, however annoying it may be, doesn’t ruin the book and I simply love it.  Go Cassandra Clare!! Writing books the way they should be written!:)

Thursday 25th April – Clockwork Princess, reviewed by MO

The book, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, was a great read and ended The Infernal Devices trilogy. The novel follows Tessa Gray, as she prepares to marry her suitor, Jem. Although the story and plot were excellent, I can’t help feeling a bit disappointed in Tessa. In the novel, Tessa changes from the independant girl she was in other books, to a more feminine person, who relies on others to save her. I thought the ending was very appropriate, and satisfied the reader. I cannot wait for City of Heavenly Fire, and Lady Midnight! Thanks Cassandra Clare!

Wednesday 24th April – Clockwork Princess, reviewed by EN

I really enjoyed Clockwork Princess but there were some problems with consistency for example in the first two books (Clockwork Angel & Clockwork Prince) Tessa is more independent but in Clockwork Princess she becomes more dependent on Will and Jem to rescue her.

The ending was appropriate in the sense that Tessa didn’t have to choose between Will and Jem. I think that this is good in the sense that they are essentially the same person.