City of Glass: The Mortal Instruments, Book 3

The book came in a tiny bit bent on one corner but no big deal at all! The pages are clean and crisp and nice and clean. Book came in nice condition exactly as described.

City of Glass sent me on an emotional rollercoaster. You know characters are well written when you viscerally feel the emotions that they are experiencing, you connect with them as if they are real people and cannot help but be completed enamoured with the story. Of course, to get this experience you need to follow the characters on their journey from the first book, City of Bones. This is not a book that you could read by itself and fully understand the immersive and expansive world that Cassie has built.Even though I may usually not be consciously thinking about the fact that I’m going to review a book – I believe having been writing reviews much more frequently I am more cognizant of the aspects of a book. I am now subconsciously more aware of a book, especially with a re-read or an author I’m familiar with. I’m so used to having spent the last decade with the characters from the Mortal Instruments, that I feel I had forgotten who they were at the start. You don’t realize just how much they’ve grown until you re-read the books.Each character learns so much over the course of the books that we get to know them and watch them evolve. The Clary I think of is artistic, strong, passionate, fiercely loyal and loving, brave and capable – so it is strange seeing her when she is new to the Shadow World. You can see the potential, although she has not grown and matured into that person yet. In City of Glass, I was amazed to be reminded just how whiny, child-like, quick to anger and throw temper tantrums, and reckless she could be.I’ve mentioned it before, but I am continually impressed with and in awe of how much Cassandra Clare’s writing has improved over the years. Just the level of growth each principle character experiences over the course of the novels is fantastic. There were also so many emotional or action-filled scenes that the plot just raced by, but not in a bad it. I just fell completely into the story and didn’t want to put it down.The fact that, even three books later, Cassie continues to expand the world she builds is incredible. I love when a fictional world, even one set within our own with hidden depth, is so real that you feel like you could live there. You understand the way of the world and its nuances. It was wonderful getting to see the Shadowhunters’ home country, Idris and the city of Alicante.I can’t really discuss more without there being spoilers from the first two books or City of Glass, so all I have left to say is please read this series. If you give it a chance, even if it’s not perfect at first, I hope you will fall in love with it just like I did.

*****Spoilers******This book was full of revelations and twists. We finally get the news I've been waiting for and that's the fact that Jace and Clary aren't siblings after all. Of course it was Clary's mom Jocelyn who cleared it up once Magnus cooked up the antidote to wake Jocelyn. Finally. It was awkward over the last books to watch Jace really not gaf and Clary feeling guilty and both of them longing for one another. Now maybe there'll be some progress in their relationship.The Clave and Downworlders coming together at the end was something that I wasn't expecting. Thankfully Valentine ended up being the catalyst for that union of forces. It'll be interesting to see what the new world looks like. Though I feel we've not seen the last on Valentine's machinations, especially with the real Jonathan's aka Sebastian's body not being recovered after he was left for dead by Jace and Isabella. The saddest thing was that little Max died in the book. He hadn't been a large part of the series to this point but still. It also didn't quite seem real but even more so, the reactions of Jace, Isabella, and Alec to his death were more subdued than I would have expected and they all kind of get over it much sooner than I would have thought possible. Then again, maybe they were too busy fighting and planning to dwell on it or perhaps it was because they're so used to it? Whatever the case, Max is no more.Even though I liked the book more than the others in the series, I couldn't help being frustrated by Clary's irresponsible actions, forcing her way to Idris with her untrained ability to draw runes. She had no supplies, no idea where she was going or how to get there, didn't know the terrain, protocols, or any other information other than that she HAD to be the one to meet with the warlock to save her mother. Her determination is admirable but when will she learn? Sheesh. Thankfully Luke is accidentally pulled through with her or she would have died before anything got started. I think she should have been in Idris but Clary has to be smarter about things. That Jace didn't want Clary there was for a reason but he could have done better to by explaining instead of trying to circumvent Clary's plans to join. Trying to protect Clary is good but even though she's not knowledgeable and untrained, she's still valuable and has proven her presence can make a difference.I can't remember if we're strictly told in other books but one of the issues I always had was how young the characters were. However, in this book, the author makes a point of expressly stating that Alec is 18. And an adult. In fact by age, he's the only adult among the others. Plus Magnus now seems much less of a creeper but I can't say that it seems convenient in this book. Especially since Alec and Magnus share a public kiss in this book.We get to see two angels in the book, one chained for a long time and the other powerful and splendid. Azriel, successfully summoned by Valentine, grants Clary a boon after she just manages to change Valentine's rune just enough to get it. Her wish of course was for Jace who had been killed just prior by Valentine.One thing that was really surprising for me was how much more advanced Johnathan was than Jace as a fighter. And especially after just being introduced to the amazing inhuman feats of strength, speed, and physical prowess of Jace in the last book. I also find myself wondering what name Jace will take after this one. Knowing he's been imbued with angel blood as an infant and the same for Clary was interesting.

loved it! definitely better than the two others and made me fall even more in love with jace!

Llegó un día antes de los indicado, el empaquetado llegó bien, y el libro en excelentes condiciones, parece recién salido de la librería. Muy limpio el libro y no tiene ningún dobles o que esté roto la sobre cubierta. ME ENCANTA ESTE LIBRO! gracias!

Love this book.

Was better than expected, and would buy from them again

I’ve heard so much controversy about this series but know what: it’s a fun series and it’s a lot of fun to read. I got into after hearing all sorts of things about plagiarism and stuff like that but from everything I can see it’s a lot of sour grapes. This is a creative series that sizzles and sparkles with the joy of the the author infused into every page and every character.I haven’t seen the movies etc but the books have me hooked and that’s what good books do. It’s classic urban fantasy reminiscent of Mercedes lackey but in its own world and with its own characters