Clary’s life is turned upside down when she happens upon a meeting of Supernatural beings while out one night. What happens next is a whirlwind of events that will change how she sees herself and the world around her.
The Mortal Instruments is a trilogy by Cassandra Clare, which is basically a teenage version of the television show supernatural with the writing style of J.K. Rowling with the attempted humour of Terry Pratchett.
Clary is a “mundane” and perchance she sees some supernatural happenings at a club one night. What follows is a revelation of epic scale and she is thrown into a world she had never dreamed existed within her own. Set in current-day New York City Clare manages to not only creates characters who are relatively well-rounded but also a city that one can imagine is magical. Not on the scale of Beukes’ Zoo City but well enough for teen lit.
I was not quite sure if I wanted to read this book but I gave in and well I must admit I did enjoy it. It might not be wholly original, a lot of the ideas have been used before and anyone you knows their Harry Potter will see many similarities. Not that The Mortal Instruments can compare to Harry Potter but there is the same type of humour and friendships in this novel.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something a bit different in the young adult genre, it doesn’t quite follow the norms of current teen lit but it does have some very “Oh my god, that is so cheesy. I can’t believe she actually put that in the story” moments. It provides some light entertainment with characters who are ever so slightly deep. Mostly the book is just a action packed, entertainment capsule which you will read quickly but will leave you entertained. I don’t think it will become a classic of the genre but it’s good enough if you are just looking for some light entertainment that is a bit different from the rest of the teen lit out there.
Svagare 