David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion

Meaghan and I will be doing a buddy read of City of Bones starting Friday, May 24. Even if you've read this before, feel free to jump in with comments anytime - or re-read right along with us. The movie comes out in August, so this is good timing before we all rush the midnight showings --

Ooh, ooh, ooh, I'm going to try to join this one! I bought the 5 book bundle recently (it was on sale for $19.99), so I've been meaning to read it. We'll see how I manage my current books, but I'm going to remain hopeful.

I'm in on this! It'a reread for me but it's been over a year so I want a refresher!

Ooh yay enjoy!! This book is decent but trust me, it only gets better from here, kind of like The Infernal Devices series :)

I will jump in with comments I'm sure. I just recently reread the whole series a few months ago!

I got an early start - currently just about 10% in. It isn't as witty as Clockwork, but it is entertaining. Not sure how I feel about Alec yet.

It gets more witty as it goes, but I like the Infernal Devices a lot more than TMI. I love all the characters, they are one of the most amazing group of characters I've read. Alec grew on me after the second book. I think my favorite it Simon, though.

As the series gets going, there a ton of deleted and extra scenes you can find online. This is condensed version, and I like it because it says which book its from!

http://theboynevercriedagain.tumblr.c...

FYI The postcards story is my favorite, and I wish it was included with one of the books--its absolutely hilarious! You can't read it until CoFA though!

Oh, I forgot about this! Crap. I really need to read my library books. I definitely can't start tomorrow, but I'll decide whether to move it up my TBR list or just wait and read it on my own.

14% in. I think because I have now read The Infernal Devices and also watched the movie trailer, I'm enjoying this one much more this time around.

(view spoiler)[Not sure what 15 year olds are doing at a club like Pandemonium though? On a Sunday night, at midnight? (hide spoiler)]

Jenny wrote: "As the series gets going, there a ton of deleted and extra scenes you can find online. This is condensed version, and I like it because it says which book its from!

http://theboynevercriedagain.t..."

This is great, Jenny!

Jenny wrote: "It gets more witty as it goes, but I like the Infernal Devices a lot more than TMI. I love all the characters, they are one of the most amazing group of characters I've read. Alec grew on me afte..."

Agreed! The bantering back and forth in this series is awesome!

Jenny wrote: "As the series gets going, there a ton of deleted and extra scenes you can find online. This is condensed version, and I like it because it says which book its from!

http://theboynevercriedagain.t..."

Thanks, Jenny! You always have the scoop!

Simon is turning out to be the comic relief. Although Jace is a close second, and so much of it is so funny that it's hard to nail it all down to just a few lines, but these made me laugh out loud:
"Unfortunately, we're all out of bitter revenge at the moment, so it's either tea or nothing."
"Look, I know you don't like my cooking." "Then stop."

It just gets better and better. Y'all were right!

"Then stop!"

LOL I love that line!

I'm about 31% in right now. I'm enjoying it so far, not nearly as much as Clockwork Princess but I'm still enjoying it. I don't think Jace is nearly as bad as Will was! I'm not too sure about Simon yet, though, I don't love him or hate him at this point. He's just kind of there.

Nothing can compete with Clockwork Princess! That book is in a class of its own. The rest of these books aren't anywhere near that category.

Jen, you will find tons of awesome, hysterical lines in this series! That's what I loved the most!

Karen wrote: "Nothing can compete with Clockwork Princess! That book is in a class of its own. The rest of these books aren't anywhere near that category."

Nothing. So true.

Ok I keep falling asleep listening! I wake up every 2 hours and find they're talking about something or doing something and I have no idea what it is - lol! I'm determined to get back to the action, though. I'm at about 50% - (view spoiler)[They've just gotten out of the hotel and away from the vampires and werewolves. Simon has just turned back into himself. So I guess we're looking for Clary's mom - but this is certainly a circuitous route, and although I'm enjoying the ride, this is a lot like Clockwork Angel in that the whole point is slow in being defined. (hide spoiler)]
The audio here is done by Ari Graynor. She's ok, but there isn't really that much differentiation between the voices. It's there, but slight. I do like her voice for Magnus. And I have to say that a drunk Isabelle is pretty entertaining . . .

Jen, the route just keeps going and going! Haahaa! I'm 86% in (view spoiler)[Clary just found out Valentine's her father! I don't remember why he kidnapped Jace so I:'m glad I'm rereading! (hide spoiler)]

I'm enjoying my reread because I get to picture each character as their movie-selves this time around! ;-)

Me too, Karen, there were a lot of details I forgot that are important!

A bit more than 75%. (view spoiler)[I don't think Valentine is Clary's dad. I think he's Jace's dad. Just finished the whole story by Luke. I think I need to go over it again. (hide spoiler)]

Hang on, guess I was COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. Surely this all can't be true. (view spoiler)[ And "Jonathan Christopher" sure does sound like Jace. Uh-oh. (hide spoiler)]

Hopefully I have more time in the next day or two to read this. Been busy this weekend.

Jen wrote: "Hang on, guess I was COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. Surely this all can't be true. [spoilers removed]"

Oh oh indeed! Ms. Clare loves throwing twists and turns at us!!

Meaghan wrote: "Hopefully I have more time in the next day or two to read this. Been busy this weekend."

I hear ya, Meaghan! It is Memorial Day weekend!

This is only the beginning, Jen!

Stayed up late last night to finish it. What a payoff at the end! (view spoiler)[OK, let's face it, there is absolutely NO WAY that Jace and Clary are brother and sister. (hide spoiler)]
And the ending was just ok - I'd be let down if I didn't already know this was simply a first book to the series. I have to say that the pacing was a bit off for me, the same as for Clockwork Angel. Fortunately I know from experience that the series will just get better and better. (view spoiler)[I can't wait to see how they get Valentine, and how she resolves the whole brother/sister issue. Alec seemed to be much happier in the end, and of course this has to do with Magnus. (hide spoiler)] Oh, the things to come! I can't wait!

Yay, Jen! You are so smart lol, but that's all I'm telling you! The next two books in the series are my favorites!

Jenny wrote: "Yay, Jen! You are so smart lol, but that's all I'm telling you! The next two books in the series are my favorites!"

LOL! Line'em up! Next one is right after Icons!

I did not love this book, probably my least favorite of Clare's books I've read so far. I will post my review once it's complete. I didn't feel overly surprised by anything and everything just fell flat for me (the romance(?), the action, the villain...). Oh well, I know what Clare is capable of writing so I will continue on.

Here is my review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Valentine was evil to me in the way the Jace remembers him. Also the fact that he burned down his house with innocent people inside....
The Simon-Clary thing is your classic best friend scenario where the boy likes the girl but the girl doesn't like the boy THAT way. She's just trying to make the best of the situation with Jace at this point.
The next two books are my favorite in the series, and I totally fell in love with the characters. For me, that's what this story is about, the characters.

I don't think Valentine was a stand-up citizen or anything of that manner but I've definitely seen worse villains (including Mortmain in TID).

Usually I feel bad for the Simon character in books and I just didn't feel bad for him, unfortunately. I felt like it was basically a high school crush which maybe it was. I didn't hear wedding bells in their future, lol.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next book though based on past experiences with Clare. :)

Keep in mind, Meaghan, that none of Clare's books can top Clockwork Princess. That one was mind-blowing! I liked Book 3 of this series the best.

I love the mortal instruments series! I got it a week before the movie came out. Haven't started the prequel yet.