Hi guys! I hope you're having a lovely Sunday, it's truly horrendous weather here so I've cosied up with a cup of tea and I'm going to tell you all about the final installment in the six book 'Mortal Instruments' series by Cassandra Clare. Now it's no secret to anyone that has read this blog long enough to know that I used to do book reviews regularly that I absolutely adore these books. This will obviously have spoilers so if you've not read books 1-5 then cheerio.
After Allegiant (the 3rd book in the Divergent series) I was really concerned for how they would end these books, however not only was I concerned for the welfare of the main couple, Jace and Clary- but I also adore Simon, the 'best friend' character. At the start of the book, he is a vampire, and therefore immortal- which for me felt like a very easy way to lull fans of the character into a false sense of security. Basically, I thought Clare was going to kill off my favourite character, which didn't fill me with hope for the book.
The novel opens with a scene in the house of the Blackthorns, a shadowhunter family- with the focus on family friend Emma Carstairs. The references to other areas of Clare's writing, such as the Infernal Devices series, work well- as while they are put into context for those who hadn't yet read other books by C.C, they are also a wonderful tribute to those who have, at times religiously, studied the entire universe Clare has created. There is a lot of 'world building' throughout all of Clare's novels, and after 9 books (3 in Infernal Devices/6 in TMI) you really get the impression of knowing everything about the lore, and history of this world she has created.
It was revealed that 6 characters we know by name would die in the book, and fans were prepared for a bloodbath- however it is far from that, by the end of the novel- all 6 of the 'main' characters are alive and well- Clary, Jace, Izzy, Simon, Alec and Magnus. There was a short moment after the climactic battle, where Clary stabs her twisted brother with a sword now filled with the 'heavenly fire' that had previously been burning in the veins of her boyfriend, Jace, that I really believed that everyone was going to get away safely. With the exception of Jordan, who dies early on in the book- all of the characters that Clare had made us care for were safe, and there had even been an appearance of Jem, one of the most beloved characters from the Infernal Devices. However like all good books, a twist in the tale essentially ruins any chance of a truly happy ending.
The ending of the book takes place in hell (obviously) and while attempting to leave- the 6 characters are left trapped. A greater demon, who also happens to be Magnus's father, turns up and demands Magnus's immortality in exchange for them leaving. After some serious arguing, the demon's attentions to turn to Simon, and he ends up demanding both his immortality and his memories. Simon agrees. At this point my cosy feeling towards the book began to fade.
Simon is then returned to his old human self, and the other return to their shadowhunter lives back in New York. Clary and Izzy especially refuse to give up on returning Simon's memories, and just when they believe all is lost- they find a flyer for Simon's band, which he has named 'The Mortal Instruments'. They then sit him down and try to bring back his memories, with limited success.
Flash forward to the last few chapters of the book, the wedding of Clary's mother and step father, an event which really could have happened in the first book. Tessa, another character from the Infernal Devices, makes an appearance and in a touching moment for all fans of TID, Tessa and Jem are reunited. Then Simon turns up and I started to get a bit teary. In his first true moment of recognition, he turns to Clary and says 'You're Clary. You're my bestfriend.' and in the last few pages we see Clary and Jace, Jocelyn and Luke, Izzy and Simon, Jem and Tessa, and finally Magnus and Alec all happy.
In all honesty, I never expected things could ever end so well.
I haven't been this happy with a conclusion to a saga since the final HP book, but perhaps for critical reviewers, this would be a little safe. However I genuinely believe that this final book was an ode to the fans, those who had stuck it out through thousands of pages and all types of emotions to find out how the characters survive. And for that, I can never thank Cassandra Clare enough.
Characters; 5/5
Plot; 5/5
Overall; 5/5
Until next time,
The novel opens with a scene in the house of the Blackthorns, a shadowhunter family- with the focus on family friend Emma Carstairs. The references to other areas of Clare's writing, such as the Infernal Devices series, work well- as while they are put into context for those who hadn't yet read other books by C.C, they are also a wonderful tribute to those who have, at times religiously, studied the entire universe Clare has created. There is a lot of 'world building' throughout all of Clare's novels, and after 9 books (3 in Infernal Devices/6 in TMI) you really get the impression of knowing everything about the lore, and history of this world she has created.
The ending of the book takes place in hell (obviously) and while attempting to leave- the 6 characters are left trapped. A greater demon, who also happens to be Magnus's father, turns up and demands Magnus's immortality in exchange for them leaving. After some serious arguing, the demon's attentions to turn to Simon, and he ends up demanding both his immortality and his memories. Simon agrees. At this point my cosy feeling towards the book began to fade.
Flash forward to the last few chapters of the book, the wedding of Clary's mother and step father, an event which really could have happened in the first book. Tessa, another character from the Infernal Devices, makes an appearance and in a touching moment for all fans of TID, Tessa and Jem are reunited. Then Simon turns up and I started to get a bit teary. In his first true moment of recognition, he turns to Clary and says 'You're Clary. You're my bestfriend.' and in the last few pages we see Clary and Jace, Jocelyn and Luke, Izzy and Simon, Jem and Tessa, and finally Magnus and Alec all happy.
In all honesty, I never expected things could ever end so well.
I haven't been this happy with a conclusion to a saga since the final HP book, but perhaps for critical reviewers, this would be a little safe. However I genuinely believe that this final book was an ode to the fans, those who had stuck it out through thousands of pages and all types of emotions to find out how the characters survive. And for that, I can never thank Cassandra Clare enough.
Characters; 5/5
Plot; 5/5
Overall; 5/5
Until next time,
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