Biggs' Zone

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Book Review: Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices Book 2)

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On October 4, 2018

In Book Review, Fantasy

Book Review: Lord of ShadowsLord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
My rating: [rating=4]

This is not going to be a lengthy review. Lord of Shadows is the middle book of a series and I want to avoid revealing too much detail both about this book, and its predecessor (Lady Midnight). I want to remind you that I am not one of those guys that reads a lot of romance novels. Granted this book hardly qualifies as a “romance” novel but it does have a few fanciful moments.

The quick breakdown of the book is the conflict with the Unseelie King continues while the Shadowhunters also track down Malcolm Fade. Amidst all the turmoil between the Faerie Courts, the Centurions and the Shadowhunters, Emma and Julian’s affection for each other continues to grow. They know the law and the law forbids romantic relationships between parabatai. In fact not only is it forbidden, it’s dangerous. It almost as a Jedi-esque quality.

Biggs Review

I think this is a solid middle book. The journey into the Faerie world was especially intriguing and there is quite a bit of action, especially at the end of the book! I could have done without the author’s editorial on transgender personified in one of the characters. It provided no relevance to the story and was clearly a device to illustrate her political stance on the topic. In fact it was so irrelevant, I forgot it even happened within two chapters.

The last couple of pages in this book are probably the biggest shocker in all of her novels. By the end you are left wondering “who IS Emma Carstairs??” and what does Cassandra Clare have against children?! Reading the other series isn’t necessarily a prerequisite but certain parts of this book make more sense if you have. If you have read her other series, then I would recommend continuing with the Dark Artifices. I can’t wait for Book 3.

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diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Lady Midnight

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On June 24, 2016

In Book Review, Fantasy

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1)Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
My rating: [rating=3]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads)

So with Jace and Clary’s story done, Clare takes us a new direction. We are now following Emma and Julian, whom we met at the end of the previous series. The book takes place 5 years after Clary and Jace defeat Sebastian and his twisted army. In fact this is the first book in a new series of books Clare is writing which does have Emma and Julian as the main protagonists.

It’s strange, reading a book that is only a few years after the end of a previous series and the main story has new character’s as the focus. As I’m writing this I’m trying to think of anything else I have read has followed a similar pattern. The closest thing I can think of is Shadow of the Hegemon which, coincidentally, I just finished reading as well.

Thus far, I enjoyed Mortal Instruments more. I felt more vested in the future of the characters. Despite the fact that I’m not really much into romance novels, I did find myself rooting for Jace and Clary, as it were. In fact I was even rooting for Simon and Isabella (who doesn’t root for the nerdy underdog??) The barrier to Emma and Julian’s love seems too political and less organic. I kind of get an idea of where Clare might be taking the story and how it will likely be resolved. My current expectation is a far less dramatic resolution.

The antagonist, however, was interesting and I really enjoyed the fact that they even incorporated some of the details from the Shadowhunter Academy books. My interest as to how the story will continue is piqued but I’m not clawing at Cassandra Clare’s blog page screaming “GIVE ME BOOK TWO!” Although we will likely see book two before we see book 6 of Game of Thrones.

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diablo3-readingThe more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
– Dr. Seuss

Book Review: Clockwork Princess

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On July 5, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3)Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

My rating: [rating=3]
(See this review on Goodreads.)

I’m glad that I read this series, especially after having read all of The Mortal Instruments books. Honestly, the epilogue in this book is what really wraps the series up nicely. I think my biggest criticism about this book is there was a lot of the mushy romance, which isn’t really a theme that appeals to me.

I did enjoy discovering the source of Jace’s charming disposition and even the origin of Isabella’s necklace and Church the cat. Tessa’s use of her “gift” during the climatic standoff was pretty epic in-and-of-itself. It actually had me saying “wow” out loud; I love it when a book elicits an involuntary, audible reaction.

All-in-all I like the author’s integration of her “Shadowhunter” lore with the mythical lore of warewolves, vampires and fae. Again, as a guy reading these books, I didn’t find the sentimentality as appealing which I found was more what these books focused on. Needed more action, less romance.

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Book Review: Clockwork Prince

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On June 9, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

My rating:[rating=3]
(See this review on Goodreads.)

I’ll admit that I was a little concerned about reading the second book since the first one was a little slow and the writing hardly held my interest at times. I honestly enjoyed this book more than the first one, however the writing still seems a little sub-par compared to The Mortal Instruments. I am finding myself feeling more vested into the fates of the characters regardless of the fact that I know some of the genealogical links to the characters in Mortal Instruments.

I still suggest that you read the latter before the former. There is still some mystery as to how certain relationships come about (although one relationship in particular seems to be a very familiar dynamic to Clary and Jace … in fact I might even go so far as to say its practically identical). In fact I think the knowledge you have from Mortal Instruments is probably what compels me to continue reading.

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Book Review: Clockwork Angel

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On April 28, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

My rating: [rating=3]
Click here to go to this review on Goodreads.

It was slow at the start but eventually picked up, however I found the story in The Mortal Instruments to be a much more compelling story. Granted Mortal Instruments was set in the modern world and Infernal Devices takes place some time in the 1800s, so perhaps the setting made it easier to enjoy the former.

Obviously, chronologically, Infernal Devices takes place long before Mortal Instruments but I would recommend reading the latter first. Infernal Devices does contain some origin stories and the main characters are the ancestors of the characters from Mortal Instruments, but I found this book far more interesting after having read the other series first.

I do hate to say it though, the writing seems a little weaker in this book than it did in the other series. Perhaps it was the slow start to the book.

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Book Review: City of Heavenly Fire

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On January 26, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

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

My Rating: [rating=4]
(See this review on Goodreads)

This is probably more of my review of the series than it is this book specifically. The end of a series is always a little bittersweet. You’re exhilarated to see the conflict end for the characters you have grown to love, but you are saddened all the same because the story is over. It’s how I felt at the end of Harry Potter, Eragon and this series.

The good news is, Clare has set the groundwork for an additional series (rumored to take place a few years later but following the adventures of other characters). She has also managed to create intrigue for the prequel series (The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess) which I intend to begin reading soon.

Another technique I noticed Clare seemed to use pretty well was splitting the gender appeal quite well. Since that sounds a little esoteric, let me elaborate. I think she does a great job appealing to both male and female readers. Generally speaking, there is a great balance of the star-crossed romance that often appeal to the ladies and the classic battle of good vs evil for the men. Clare wraps up the story quite nicely and I especially ***SPOILER*** liked Jonathan/Sebastian’s final moments – what a great way to bring an end to his conflict. Simon’s fate was an unexpected twist but it was best for his character, Isabelle and their relationship.

I do have to admit, Clary had this Luke Skywalker destiny laid out for her but I felt like we never really got to see her real potential. We knew she could create new runes and she has the genes of some powerful Shadowhunters, but we never really got to see her fully utilize that potential. I would have liked to have seen more of Clary kicking some demon ass.

Be that as it may, if you are a fan of the supernatural set in the modern world I think you will really enjoy these books.

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