Addicted to YA discussion

MALEC FOR LIFE

Really enjoying the tv show, but did not read the books.

I'm just no.
As a bloodfan of the books I simply lost it when they had a chance to make a brilliant series out of the books (after screwing up the movie), and was sooooo excited. And then I watched some of the interviews and the actors saying that it wouldn't follow the books, because then you would know what happened. And I just; but thats the point. I want the books to come to life. I watched the first season and it wasn't for me. All(maybe not all) of the actors are talented, but some of them really didn't fit their characters and overplayed(or didn't show any emotion whatsoever .. Alec) their personalities. They also changed the whole shadowhunter universe by bringing in a lot of technology, which is basically forbidden by the Clave and is definetly frowned upon.

I'm obsessed with Magnus and Malec but especially MAGNUS!! What a great interpretation. Had to say it, sorry

I guess I'm behind on this. I still haven't seen the show. I will have to put it on my list of things to watch. I'm glad I saw this post to let me know they made it into a show. :)

Lucy wrote: "Farren wrote: "Lucy wrote: "...the awkward moments with Jace or the actress herself that makes me cringe every time...."

I think I agree with you the acting doesn't seem natural at all...I think I like the movie "City of Bones" characters a bit more...though the story line there was also messed up!

I stopped watching weeks ago. I couldn't stand how they made the characters act nothing like the books. I mean, Izzy never dressed like that, Jace wasn't a wimp, and Clary didn't cry that many times in the entire six book series as they had her do in ONE episode.

I feel like Simon is the only character who is actually like the character from the book and for some reason I'm still watching it even though it's so dramatic and over the top and not really in a good way... I kind of just keep hoping it'll get better in the next episode hahaha

Inda wrote: "I stopped watching weeks ago. I couldn't stand how they made the characters act nothing like the books. I mean, Izzy never dressed like that, Jace wasn't a wimp, and Clary didn't cry that many time..."

How is Jace a wimp in the tv show? The characters act nothing like they do in the books. . .and Izzy's clothing is the best example of that? Also, Clary's been through a lot more in the show than in the books. Is that also part of your problem--the drastic plot changes as well as character changes?

Hey I want to ask something.
I haven't read the books yet... But I have seen the movie and the two seasons of the tv series. Is it worth to read the books too? Because if there is no a big difference in the books I don't want to read the same things with no different plot or hardly extra scenes in there than the series or in the movie.

Please read the books. There is a big different and the show honestly just feels like a soap opera with teens instead of adults. The movie deviated as well, though not quite as much. But the books are very different and far superior.

I keep watching the show in the hopes that it gets better, but I think it is horrible! I really don't like any of the actors. I think their skills are subpar and they all feel really disconnected. I think the plot is so over the top that it is unbelievable and laughable. The most recent episode, Clary and her "if I die" little speech to Simon made me laugh. It was so over the top and badly delivered that I couldn't take it seriously. Am I the only one that feels the actors look too old for their parts? I know it is common practice in Hollywood for actors to play younger characters, but it doesn't really work when those actors actually look older than the characters. Just my feelings.

Thank you!!! That was very helpful I will read the books now!!! :)

@Barbara I don't think the series are that truly awful, but the book is certainly way better, the explanations and plot is much more satisfactory and you feel soooo involved with everyone! The movie though... well, can't be compared.

@Jasmine I kind of feel the same way about the actors ! I mean... when they released the cast I was enormously happy but when I saw the first episode with them I was just soooo disappointed, I didn't feel like their acting was convincing at all... Well, some books are really just made to be books and nothing else...

Jasmine, the characters on the show are 18-19 so a bit older than the books, but I agree that most of them look too old. Kat looks about the right age, and everyone else is I guess passable for almost 20. I think Dominic looks much older than them though, which is strange because I believe he is one of the youngest actors.

So it wasn't only me who think that the series was horrible. I mean, the story was so different from the book. Tho I can't deny that I like Malec but here's the thing, I think the TV series focused too much in the romance part than the story itself.

"is it worth reading the books too?"
OMG
OMG
OMG
OMG
IT IS 1000+ TIMES BETTER THAN THE MOVIE AND SERIES, WITHOUT A SINGLE DOUBT ~ YOU'LL BE AMAZED!!!!

YES I'M SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I THOUGH THEY WERE THE SAME AND I WAS LIKE NAHH NOT AGAIN BUT YOU SAY ITS WAY MORE BETTER SO I'M GOING TO READ THEM FOR SURE!!!

The TV show is waaaay different from the books. They may use one dialogue line from a particular book. Like in S2 E10 there was one line from "CoA" but it was used in a totally different scenario...it's just twisted.

I won't even go as far as calling this an adaptation because it really isn't. It's just all over the place and a TOTALLY different animal in itself.

Jasmine wrote: " I think the plot is so over the top that it is unbelievable and laughable. The most recent episode, Clary and her "if I die" little speech to Simon made me laugh. It was so over the top and badly delivered that I couldn't take it seriously. Am I the only one that feels the actors look too old for their parts? "

I agree with you about the over the top plot. I remember that scene and just rolled my eyes! If we thought Clary had overconfident issues in the books, TV Clary makes her look docile!

The problem for me with the books is that they were all TOO young. I don't think that same premise would play out well on a TV series. I personally don't wish to see a bunch of 16 year old's making out on TV. I think the older actors who most are in their mid 20's lends somewhat of a realistic feel to the story IMO.

The only one I truly think is a good actor in this series is Alberto but I'm not liking his acting as much as I did last season. Dominic does a decent job. I think Kat tends to get over the top and I'm not sure about Matt. He is 50/50 for me. Sometimes he's on point but others he's just wooden. IMO.

I have to agree that some of the acting in the show is cringe-worthy. Being a great fan of the series, I keep hoping the show improves and in many ways it has since the first season, but its nowhere near my expectations. I know that many fans were unhappy when they killed Jocelyn in the show, but personally I felt that for once the makers were trying to do something creative and different with the storyline that would bring some amount of suspense to the plot.

And we do have to keep in mind that even in the book series, the story picked up only from the third book and the TV series has only now reached that part. Hope that the show does justice to the awesome plot of City of Glass....

I actually really like the TV show even if some of the actors could improve a lot. But I don't really have a something to compare it with as I've only read the first book in the series.

I've read all of the books and the first season I was super skeptical about it because they changed so many things, I loved the cast except for Kat, she wasn't Clary at all. After the first episodes I let go of my craziness and decided to give it a chance bearing in mind that this was an opportunity to see my fav characters and be surprised and kept on my toes given it's difference to the book...AND I LOVED IT!

Season 2 is much better (you can actually see the increased budget from ep 1)! I love the characters, except Clary, that's one thing that remained from episode 1= KAT IS NOT CLARY!

In the movie, I hated the cast except for Lily Collins as Clary, she was a perfect fit for me. In the TV show, I loved all the main cast except Kat for Clary, so if they could've just cast Lily into the show everything would have been perfect.

Overall, I really enjoy the show, I just keep in mind that it's not the same as the books and I don't expect it to be :)

I watched 10 minutes of the first episode and the acting / filming was so flipping awkward I couldn't watch any more. Am I alone in this?

Deels ✨ wrote: "I watched 10 minutes of the first episode and the acting / filming was so flipping awkward I couldn't watch any more. Am I alone in this?"

It was bad. Worse than season one. Which is odd because season two was actually pretty good. I am particularly upset about Sebastian.

I finished season 1 but I didn't want to watch season 2 bc of the acting. Others were kinda good, others were a little eh. I don't like kat mcnamara's clary :((

I don't think the acting is awful but the writers should all be fired! There is nothing worse than bad screenwriting!

I actually kind of like the serie. I just feel as if it suddenly started raining they wouldn't get wet just like Disney characters. It doesn't look real...
I watch it anyway though!!

I was quite excited for the show but gave up after 4 episodes. Liked the casting but Clary, Jace, and Magnus didn't seemed right to me.

I used to think it was the acting that was terrible, but this newest episode I realized it was the writers. The beginning scene in the sun. Who writes such crappy, sappy, awkwardness and thinks early twenty-year olds talk like that? Really! It was cringe worthy. I loved the books, and I am so excited for Sebastian, but this latest episode just kind of made me go 'Why'?

How did yall like the season finale?

I was gonna check the series out and it's not on Netflix 😞

the season finale for season 2 was such a let down. it was very anticlimactic for me. I also felt magnus was so petty and dramatic over issues that weren't that serious. I've come to terms that the tv show is separate from the books so i'm just enjoying it as a show. but given that i have read the books, i can't help but be confused and frustrated when they change plot lines or have things not make sense

Jeannie wrote: "...but given that i have read the books, i can't help but be confused and frustrated when they change plot lines or have things not make sense."
I totally agree with you Jeannie! I didn't think the writing could get any worse than it did for season 2! I've pretty much given up on the TV show to be anything close to the books. It's best to look at it as it's own cruel beast! It's too bad. I was hoping for some real magic!

Jeannie wrote: "the season finale for season 2 was such a let down. it was very anticlimactic for me. I also felt magnus was so petty and dramatic over issues that weren't that serious. I've come to terms that the..."

I don't mind little changes when they make adaptions but you're totally right - some of theirs make no sense. It's so weird because I thought 2A was great and I was really happy with the direction they started going in, but the writing in 2B is cheesy and terrible and actually worse than season one. Is it just me or does it seem the writers are trying to "fix their mistakes" and using book content although it doesn't flow with the plot they created?

A lot of people prefer the film to the program.
But I think I actually prefer the program. I

think the casting is really good.
I love Dom Sherwood and Kat McNamara as Clace. I think they have the sarcasm of the characters nailed down to a T.

Emeruade Toubia was cast well as Izzy as I really didn't like the actress who played her in the film. I thought yeah she's badass but she isn't Izzy sexy.

Same with the actor who played Simon in the film. he didn't have Simon's nerd and humor like Roberto does.

And Alec in the film just no. He isn't Alec.
Whilst Matthew is Alec. He was born to play Alec. He's hot, sexy, cheeky, funny.

Harry is Magnus. He just is. He has that flare to him.

I think that the casting was done really well. And that they bring the characters personalities across really well.

And at least with the program, although they add stuff in that isn't in the books and miss out bits from the books. At least this way we get to see all the books.

Alice wrote: "A lot of people prefer the film to the program.
But I think I actually prefer the program. i think the casting is really good. I love Dom and Kat as Clace. I think they have the sarcasm of the cha..."

I agree! I also like the movie, but the series is able to show a lot more. And yes, the casting is great. Personally I feel that as long as the casting is good and the characters have the same depth (or more) than in the books I don't care that much about the changes in the story. The characters are what I love the most about this series :)

I think Jocelyn is awful in the series, she’s just so cheesy. Magnus Alex Isabelle Clary Jace and Simon are great, and Mary’s makes you just wanna slap her in the face. Max is a bit cheesy too. Magnus was really good casting,

I think whether you like The Shadowhunters just depends on what expectations you have about the characters from the books. For me, I always loved Jace's snarky, bad boy, emotionally-wrecked personality--so I went into the tv show with an exact image of what I expected Jace to be. In this regard, the Jace in the show let me down. Somehow, I didn't feel like he embodied the motions, the sarcasm, and the quirkiness that is book-Jace's very own.

This quote embodies the Jace I think of: “I’ve heard the word ‘fear,’” he said. “I simply choose to believe it doesn’t apply to me.”

Book Jace brings a level of sarcasm and wit that makes every scene he's in feel somehow lighter. Even when the scene involves serious maiming and awfully executed plans--somehow, his wit makes the situation seem like things could work out in the end. Show-Jace didn't bring that level of liveliness to the show--he was far more serious, more down-to-earth--more normal. Don't get me wrong--Dom is a good actor. It just goes to show that Jace is such an irreplicable character that he's so hard to get right.

First just let me say, The Mortal Instruments movie SUCKED soooo bad! Honestly it was horrible and the guy who played as Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower) seriously looked...well let me say it in a nice way. He did NOT look like Jace. This is just MY opinion, I don't mean to offend anyone lol ;)

Okay on to the show.

For me the Shadowhunters (The Mortal Instruments) tv series is...it''s decent, I guess. I am not hooked to it by any means but I do still watch every single episode because I have come to the realization that we will never get anything better :( So I might as well watch it. I do have problems this this show. And "some" of the changes they have made are just stupid and some of the affects are darn right cheesy. I don't have to big of a problem with most of the cast. I LOVE Jace (Dominic Sherwood), Alec (Matthew Daddario), Isabelle (Emeraude Toubia), Magnus (Harry Shum Jr.), Simon (Alberto Rosende) and many others. They do an amazing job! Now Clary (Katherine McNamara) she gets on my nerves and I find a lot of her parts hard for me to believe. I really hope she gets better with time.

This is a minor thing but I was sad that they didn't include it in the movie or the show :( the part where Simon drinks the fairy drink and is turned into a rat at Magnus party. I always really liked that part in the book lol!

Anyways The Mortal Instruments will always be one of my most favorite books series of all time.

FloorM wrote: "Alice wrote: "A lot of people prefer the film to the program.
But I think I actually prefer the program. i think the casting is really good. I love Dom and Kat as Clace. I think they have the sarc..."

Yes. As long as there's good casting it has a rhythm to it. A flow if you will.

Sorry, but I couldn't even finish the first episode without cringing. I've heard good things about the show and I'm glad that Cassandra's fame is really taking off, but I can't get past the changes. The movie was more accurate than the show on multiple accounts. But most books don't receive second adaptations... I want to hate it but at the same time, I can't fully despise it.

Cayla wrote: "Sorry, but I couldn't even finish the first episode without cringing. I've heard good things about the show and I'm glad that Cassandra's fame is really taking off, but I can't get past the changes..."

I can see why people wouldn't like it. It really annoys me when certain things from books aren't in the film/program. But they can't include everything. And when they do add things in it is annoying cause like, it isn't in the books. And they say they do it for 'entertaining purposes' and they don't need to do that cause its entertaining enough as it is. But having said all this I read the book series 'Heartland' by Lauren Brooke and then watched the program. And they changed a lot and added characters and stuff like that. And now its my favourite program ever. Because they made those changes they've been able to continue the program further than the series of books.
So as annoying as it can seem sometimes it does work out for the better. But at the same time I understand where you're coming from completely.

I'm trying to catch up on this show but I'm not pleased with how they handled Sebastian's storyline and what comes after. I do like their casting choice for Jordan Kyle though, wow 😍

I also really love the show, but I didn't read the books first so it's definitely different for people coming in with the expectation that the show will be like the books! Honestly I'm glad they changed the plots a little though, because now I'm able to enjoy her books without anything being spoiled for me so it's still entertaining. I also agree that the first season is a little rough, especially the first few episodes, but as time goes by you can definitely tell that the cast gets more comfortable with each other and I also think they finished the books by then so they start to reflect the original characters a bit more.
I really like how Isabelle and Clary have a better friendship in the series, plus Magnus and Alec get a lot of extra moments, so overall the tv series helps flesh out the characters a bit more for me. There are a few parts in the books that I think could've been added in, but I'm still pretty happy with how they handled the adaptation!

I don't think the problem is that they changed things, because I don't mind changes from the source material if they are good changes. The problem is that they change things in a way that makes no sense or just isn't a good idea, then try to backtrack and follow the books again when they realize they made a mistake. The plot is very disjointed sometimes as a result.

If you haven't read the books and think the show is different enough to be spoiler free, I advise you to go ahead and read them anyway because all of the big reveals are the same and are happening way out of order. So unfortunately you can't even read a book then watch the corresponding season because you'll get spoilers for book three in season one of the show, etc.

I didn't know the show was getting cancelled! I know it has bad reviews but I think it has improved a ton from the first season and they could keep it going. Also, PLL was a trainwreck after season 4 and they kept it going for 4 more years and then made a "spin-off" which isn't even her other series, it's PLL all over again with the same characters in it! I don't understand that channel at all 🤷‍♀️

I absolutely loved this show and this show confused my knowledge of the actual books, so I need to reread the books to remember what actually happened in the books.

but the show nevertheless was amazing, but the ending of my favorite couple, jace and clary wasn't what I expected but it was still sweet. and can I even get enough of magnus and alec?