Very dramatic picture, eh? Its three dimensional which you don't get a lot here at Headcase, Bookcase. Don't get used to it. So I bit and tried to go modern with Cassandra Clare. Predictably I didn't like it as well, and surprisingly I don't think it was because I went into it with a bad attitude. First I didn't think the characters were as finely drawn or nearly as interesting as Clockwork Angel, the roles are essentially the same with a few more stereotypes thrown in. Secondly the author attempts to weave several subplots, which we know will eventually make sense, but in reality just frustrate us. Third, I understand the idea of one big happy family tied by their love of demon fighting, but honestly she pushes the envelope a bit much.Quick rundown of characters: Clary (Clarissa, I know all I can think of is that old show Clarissa Explains It All where the best friend climbs in the window) artistic, lonely teenager, different but she doesn't know why, raised by a single mom Jocelyn (who disappears) and her mother's lovelorn friend Luke (a werewolf unbeknownst to her). Jace, misunderstood hunk of a Nephilim she sees killing a demon at an underground club
and his merry band of Shadowhunter "family" including his fighting partner Alec (a closeted gay in love with Jace) and Alec's knockout younger sister Isabelle. This group of kids is essentially on their own wandering the streets of New York except for Hodge their cursed tutor who can't go outside.
The questions abound, where is Clary's mom? Is Clary really a Shadowhunter? Why did her mom leave the group? What's up with the gypsy lady downstairs? WHy can't she remmber anything about this weird group of people? There's also a mundane (regular peeps, like Muggles) best friend Simon who harbors a secret crush on Clary. Undoubtedly my favorite part of the book is where Simon drinks a blue drink at a warlock party to impress Isabelle and turns into a rat. Nonstop entertainment. The book has a few moments where it comes together, the city of bones that the story takes its name from and the mysterious city of the dead it represents is a gothic delight and the Silent Brothers, sightless, silent but brilliant, monks who are healers will give you chills. Unfortunately the plot doesn't always pull through, sometimes Clare is more caught up with taling about the cool stuff Clary is discovering to get to the point and get on with the story, a trap Libba Bray often fell into when her heroines went into their alternate world. As exciting as otherness can be, what makes stories interesting is reality, how the characters learn to deal with the other things in addition to the lives they already lead. WIth varying degrees of success of course
You will undoubtedly figure out the crux of the plot long before the author gets to the point, and it will leave you scratching your head and possibly grossed out for a while. The series is projected to have six books, which seems like a lot, and Clare will definitely have to pull some new tricks to get her readers through. We'll just have to wait and see.
