Guest Post: The Mortal Instruments

Hey guys!  Today we're doing something different. Changing it up! We're getting cray-cray up in this piece!

*cough*

Sooo, I've invited my BFF Natalie to write up a guest review post on the blog. I gave her the option of choosing whatever book her heart desired, and in true book soul-mate fashion she chose The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare. 

So, without further ado, I present to you...

City of AWESOME!
a guest review by Natalie Alamo

       

While thinking about Cassie Clare's The Mortal Instruments series, one quote in particular comes to mind. It's from one of my favorite cartoon characters: Roger Rabbit. Of course, I may have taken some liberties...

  "Dear Cassie, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Jace, Jace, Jace, Jace, Jace…"

In my mind, and in the minds of many a lusting teen, it all boils down to one name: Jace.

Okay, I'm just gonna throw it out there. Toss it back if you don't like it, but be prepared for me to chuck it right back at you. Jace Wayland is THE hottest YA hero. PERIOD. He has it all: ridiculously good looks, semi-superhuman strength, angst, a firm set of ideals, he's always ready to do what he thinks is right, no matter what the cost, and...wait for it: Sarcasm. Win!! IDK about the rest of you, but I absolutely MELT for witty heroes. Witty characters in general, actually.

Which brings me to the other characters. Yeah, believe it or not Jace is not the only character in the series. Don't get me wrong, it's hard to match Jace in the smart-ass semi-finals, but Simon, the video gaming musician, and Magnus, the flamboyant warlock are pretty close behind. I constantly find myself laughing out loud!

Obnoxiously.

In public.

Uh...It's awkward for everyone

But that's a story for another day... Back to the review, yes?

Lucky for us, in the world of The Mortal Instruments, it's not all laughs and witty comebacks. In fact, there are plenty of heart wrenching scenes that may leave you screaming, sobbing into your pillow, or throwing your book at the wall...because said scene is likely a cliffhanger (Cassie Clare is EVIL).  The characters certainly face a lot, and I really do mean A LOT, of hardship. But I love that because we then get to see them develop and grow. You become completely and emotionally invested in their lives and struggles. 

     Now, if I had to mention a weak spot (for me personally, so don't jump down my throat about it!) I'd have to say it's the heroine of the series, a Miss Clary Fray. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Clary. I root for Clary. I just wish she was a little more...er...bad-ass? Yeah, that works!

I like my heroines to be just as, if not more, bad-ass than my literary heroes (i.e. Rose in Vampire Academy or Katniss in The Hunger Games) and I often find myself yelling "Come on, Clary! Get it together!" Now I understand that unlike those aforementioned characters Clary is new to this magical realm/world and was unexpectedly thrust into it, but we are coming up to the fifth book here (City of Lost Souls) and I'm ready for a more take-charge Clary! A Clary that defends herself mentally AND physically. Quite frankly, I'm ready to see her kicking ass and taking names.

    With that said, The Mortal Instruments is still one of the best YA series out there! It has it ALL: a strong love story, plenty of action (of both the steamy and violent kind), authentic characters (even the villains), and a realistic world (even if it is paranormal). And it obviously explains the crazy amount of attention the movie is garnering.

I truly can't say enough good things about it and I can't recommend it enough. This series IS and probably always will be in my Top Three. 

   

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Carmen Sandieg--er...Natalie Alamo is a Milwaukee native and aspiring author. She considers herself a foodie, a ghost hunting enthusiast and a supporter of all things awesome. Let's not forget to mention that she's a proud Puerto-Rican and my half-Dominican sistah! Also, I am pretty sure she jumped at the chance to guest review because she's too lazy to maintain her own blog.

Don't worry, Natalie. I won't judge you...To your face!

Follow Natalie on twitter: TheRealNatAlamo