I’ve been eyeing this book by Cassandra Clare for a long time, even before the movie came out. I seem to see it everywhere and I was wondering what all the hype was about.
Unfortunately, though it seemed like it had all the ingredients for a novel I would like, this one fell flat for me. I don’t often say that about a book, especially a promising urban fantasy like this one. But Clary Fray just didn’t capture me. And Jace Weyland even less. The book read more like an introductory guide than a story, by necessity of its dizzyingly complex fantasy world. The plot twists were predictable and the prose tried too hard. I wanted to like it, I really did. “Jace unhitched himself from the railing” might have charmed me if used once, but the same expression twice or more? And “he grinned all over his face” is just silly.
I probably will pick up the second book and give it a chance, as I am a little curious about what happens next. But I’m not dying to know, and that in itself tells me that The Mortal Instruments won’t be going on my top books list. Apologies to anyone who did like the story. If you haven’t read it, you may want to skip it and give Divergent a try instead. Or watch the movie: it was much better than the book, for a change.
Erin E. M. Hatton 
Thanks for an honest review! I wonder if some authors these days are trying to “craft” novels strictly with the intention of getting Hollywood’s attention in the hopes of creating a movie dynasty? So while it’s great that you are curious about what will happen next, it sounds like Clare can benefit from honing her storytelling skills and not just her storyboarding skills.
Yes, unfortunately I think so. I almost never give negative reviews, but I just had to to say something about this one.