random incoherence and infantile meanderings

I enjoyed reading about Clary and her friends. I was impressed with the way the author took away everything about 3/4 of the way into the story. But I didn’t like the ending. No, that’s too strong really. I didn’t connect to the ending. It just felt different somehow and I didn’t get drawn in like I had been in earlier sections.

So the reading was enjoyable.

The more I think about it the book, after the fact, the less impressed I find myself.

Take the main character’s name. Clary. What is the author’s name? Cassandra CLARE. So… great. Is this a Mary Sue of epic proportions? And if so, what does that say about the surprise reveal at the end of the book? Ugh.

Then there is the magic system. The Shadowhunters prepare themselves for battle by drawing runes and sigils on their body with a magic stick. As they use the powers, the tattoos disappear, leaving only traces of silvery scars. That sounds really cool, as it involves both tattoo magic and runic magic. Except, of course, it isn’t developed in any real way. At one point Clary learns two, maybe three runes. And that’s incidental, accidental, and of only passing importance (apparently.) I didn’t think of it while I was reading, but now that I am done, I find myself disappointed in a lost opportunity.

There are other examples too. When her mom gets abducted early in the book, I never really felt that Clary was upset. In fact, I think she was more damaged by the family friend abandoning her than she was by the disappearance of her mum.

Because writers get better by writing more, I expect the next book will be better. The characters were pretty fun and the world is interesting. It just needs a big dose of depth splashed all over it and the next book will be a lot more engrossing.