Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Don’t miss The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, soon to be a major motion picture in theaters August 2013.
The first three books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series, available in a collectible paperback boxed set.
Enter the secret world of the Shadowhunters with this MP3 collection that includes City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass. The Mortal Instruments books have more than five million copies in print, and this collectible set of the first three volumes in paperback makes a great gift for newcomers to the series and for loyal fans alike.
Cassandra Clare is the author of the New York Times, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Mortal Instruments series and Infernal Devices trilogy. Her books have more than 20 million copies in print worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Cassandra lives in western Massachusetts. Visit her at CassandraClare.com. Learn more about the world of the Shadowhunters at Shadowhunters.com.
I have never been the sort of girl who was ever been interested in teen vampire romance. Being a bookseller, however, forced my hand at having to read the Twilight series - and to my suprise it wasn't that bad. In fact, I read one a night. So I shouldnt be suprised that when I picked up the Mortal Instruments Series - which I felt I had to read before recommending it to customers - I not just liked, but loved this series. Is there still a lot of teen drama with love triangles and forbidden loves? oh ya. But there are so many redeeming qualities. For starters, Cassandra Clare does an excellent job of developing some pretty dynamic characters. Every character is developed to where you know them and maybe even identify with them. The characters are extremely diverse and so the story balances out well.
There is also a much more complex plot line that is riddled with adventure and intrigue as opposed to other teen vampire romance books. What is so excellent about the series is the delicate balance that Clare constructs between the teen romance, the extreme action and fighting scenes (thats right, they actually fight the bad guys in this series...)and the magic/ underworld culture that is the series. I cannot think of a point in the series where I was not entertained.
This series is also very "clean" so-to-speak... lets just say that unlike the Twilight saga, no one ever does enough to become pregnant... I'm just saying... and all romance scenes are short and clean. There is also little to none inappropriate language. This was an excellent seris that I have been recommending to teens and parents shopping for teens who loved Twilight. I hope you enjoy Cassandra Clares fantasy world as much as I did! Happy Reading!
33 out of 34 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.theReader278
Posted Thu Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I Also Recommend:
I loved reading this set! Those books keep you entertained for hours.
22 out of 24 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.grapeapeAS
Posted Fri Apr 23 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I'm one of those people that reads the occasional Young Adult book, even though I haven't qualified as a young adult for some time. I picked up the first book in this series just to have a book to read on an airplane, but I quickly bought the remaining books and completed reading the trilogy very quickly. Its very easy to get hooked on the characters and before you know it you just have to find out how things are going to end. There are alot of fantasy elements here, so if that is not your thing you probably shouldn't bother with this series. Also, if you are easily offended by religious implications (i.e., angels, demons, God, Satan, etc.) you probably shouldn't bother. But, if you are pretty open minded and like a tale that keeps you guessing until the end, you should definitely check this one out. I promise you won't be able to stop after the first book.
8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book series was awesome! Honestly, I'm not much for paranormal- you know, vampires, werewolves, faeries and all that. it's just not my style. but in the teen reads book club I heard about them and Jace, and thuoght that it might actually be pretty good. I read the first book over the summer, then the other two a couple weeks ago. All of these are just terrific.I honestly can't do this series justice with words, at least in my opinion. All the characters are unique and 3-d in their own way. Jace is a great imaginary boyfriend(LOL) and, just omg read them! By the end of the first book, City of Bones, you have a vested interest in these characters...some you like, some you definitely don't, but all the same these reads are just great...I know I'm rambling, but I can't say how, for someone who doesn't like these types of books, by the third chapter in CoB, I was hooked. City of Ashes is emotional and deep, and Cassandra Clare does a great job in City of Glass in tying it all up, and adding new elements that you didn't expect...there are just great endings and everything works out( for the most part;). In all of the books, there are twists and turns that leave you guessing and trying to figure out what's going to happen. These are highly addictive and leave you wanting more in a good way...Jace also is a great character, he is, in his description, cute and he's witty, witty and just is awesome...( team Jace!)...there are also tons of quotes that are hilarious. This series, the Mortal Instuments, is a great mix of funny, emotional, deep and light...in my opinion these are better than twilight, though I confess I have never read that series. I recomments this to all of my friends. It is also written in a manner that although you know that none of it could possible be true, you want to believe and you can picture it in your head. I can reread these for a long time to come, and it's a great story to discuss. So, in closing no matter your preferences: READ THIS SERIES!
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.if u ever read these following books---- Maximum Ride, Twilight, and shiver u will LOVE THIS. there will be another book u must buy seperate cuz it JUST came out consider urself lucky if u arent on barnes n nobles waiting for it to come out cuz that was me!! MUST READ THIS TO EXPIRENCE LIFE.???????
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I enjoyed this series not once but twice. It's a wonderful story and lot's of fun. Enjoy:)
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.There are no words to descride how amazing this series is! It brings you into the book and shows you a world but in a different view. It shows you the faeries, werewolves, vampires, and witches but it also shows you a new type of creature and a new type of world. It's a thrill ride you don't want to just forget about. I know i wont. The characters are fanstasic. It's like a roller coaster you never want to get off. Jace and Clary are my favorite characters and always will be. It truly is a world I would love to live in! There is so much drama but without drama there wont be any fun. When I was reading the last book I had 3 more chapters left and I still didn't know what was going to happen next. You have to read this series. It really is better then anything I have ever read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 2009
If you can image a cross between Harry Potter, Twilight and Percy Jackson and the Olympians this is the story. I agree with the other review and I am mid 40's that this blows Twilight out of the water which I loved. Its age appropirate for 10/11+ years of age. Lots of action and adventure, love and friendship and acceptance. I read in 3 days because I couldn't get enough of it and will read them all again. Would love to see this come alive on the big screen too. Jace, Clary, Simon, Isabelle and Alec not to mention Magnus Bane. I love that it tells the story from several angles to - not just one perspective. Just when you are wondering what is going on with Clary or Jace the story Switches to them.
Fabulous writing. I just love those that create such wonderful worlds for us to escape to. It is truly a gift.
For the kids that want to ready Twilight that are too young, this story and Percy Jackson can fill that gap until they are old enough. It not as emtionally intense for those 10-13 year olds that are not ready for it.
You will be capitvated with this series.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Jan 18 00:00:00 EST 2013
I've never been the type who liked reading about werewolves and vampires. But this series presents old myths into a new perspective. The Mortal Instrements is definetly a book i'd recomend.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2012
Took a couple of stars off because books 4 & 5 are just not up to par with the original trilogy.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I completely fell in love with this series...it took me three weeks to read these book I had to go out and immediately buy the other two that have already come. One of the things I did not like is Barnes and Nobles shipping I received the box set and the box was completely ruined. There was a big gash right across the front of the box. The books themselves weren't damaged though.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Apr 17 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I Also Recommend:
Totally In love with this book. It keeps you guessing until the end. If your like me, you'll find yourself imagining whats going to happen when your in between books.
Clary, the main character, is a very strong girl. She is faced with things she could have never imagined but she deals with it in a way that makes you think "Wow. I wish I could be like that." Jace is a character that you will end up rooting for. You'll want him to ultimately get the girl. His sarcastic humor will make you laugh and at times, make you want to scream. Simon is Clary's best friend. At the being you find out that he loves Clary. While reading it, all I wanted more than anything was for Simon to just leave. Later, you learn more about him and start feeling sorry for him and his unrequited love. Alec and Isabelle and the adoptive brother and sister of Jace. They are fierce and strong Shadow Hunters. Luke is Clary's father figure. You will want to yell at him but when you learn more about him and his actions, you'll understand why he did everything he did.
All in all, a very good book. I couldn't put it down. I read all the books in about three days each. This series is probably my new favorite books. Read it as soon as you can and you'll never stop!
If you enjoy fantasy type books, I recommend these!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 2011
A MUST READ IGNORE THE GUY WITH THE JACE COMMENT! I LUV HIM! HE MAKES IT FUN! BEST BOOKS EVER CASSANDRA IS A GODESS OF BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! LUV IT OMG OMG
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.1306882
Posted Wed Jul 20 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I loved the first two books in this series, but when i got to the end, i realized how much of a jerk jace was.... i mean i finished these books for simon. The two stars is because the character of jace just really ruined it for me.
1 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Apr 22 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I'm 13 should i read this? Answer to * book lover*
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Apr 22 00:00:00 EDT 2013
So easy to get lost in this series!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.noodleegg
Posted Sun Apr 14 00:00:00 EDT 2013
quite addictive really... just get past the ending of book 1 and you will be fine... LOLOL not gonna tell you more but you will like it...
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Apr 07 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Before this series I was reading the Hush Hush series and fell in love! It was my favorite series but now is tied with this series! I'm on the 5th book and can't wait for the movie!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Absolutely AMAZING! But you should just buy each book sepreatly because its wayyy cheaper! You'll love it from start to end. I know I did! ;D?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I loved this series! Thank you to my best friend who totally made me want to never read them (she NEVER stopped blabbing!) but lended them to me. I was soo bored and I just picked it up randomly... and fell in love within the first few pages!! It had me up all night and begged my friend for the next book. It literally took me half a day to read each book. Now I cannot wait for the movie! It comes out right after my birthday, and I am totally asking for midnight tickets!!! For all you Harry Potter and Twilight lovers, this is the series you will need to pick up! And for those who never do... you are really missing out. After reading this, you will never pick up a Twilight book again... coming from a die hard Twilight fan!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
Don’t miss The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, soon to be a major motion picture in theaters August 2013.
The first three books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series, available in a collectible paperback boxed set.
Enter the secret world of the Shadowhunters with this MP3 collection that includes City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass. The Mortal Instruments books have more than five million copies in print,...