City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls
The first time I read this series I completely flew through it! The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare is a companion to The Infernal Devices (see previous blog for more information about that series). I read The Mortal Instruments first and when I read it there were only four books released. The fourth book in the series, City of Fallen Angels, had just come out and I was under the impression that it was the last in the series. It wasn't until the last few pages of that book that I realized it was far from over. I did some googling and found that there were SEVEN books planned (I believe this has been reduced to six since that time). Back then, I didn't like to read incomplete series because I'm very impatient and want to get the full experience immediately with no lag between each book but don't worry, I'm over that now!
The fifth book came out almost exactly one year after I read the first four and after reading that it was clear I needed to do some re-reading so that I could remember some key points in the story. On this second go-round I find that I'm not nearly as absorbed as I was the first time. Knowing how some of the tensions in the first books are resolved takes a lot of the suspense away that originally made me read with a compulsion.
I also realized that I much prefer The Infernal Devices over The Mortal Instruments series, although it is fun to catch the connections between the characters of both and to get glimpses of characters from The Infernal Devices in this more modern series.
As you'll know from my previous blog about these books, the story revolves around Shadowhunters who are half-human, half-angel and are guardians over the human world protecting it from demon activity. The Mortal Instruments takes place in modern day New York and follows both Shadowhunters and Downworlders as they work together to fight against a common enemy. The story is filled with twists, mystery, romance and heartbreak.
Be warned, the first time you read this series you will not want to put it down. You will read with a sort of frenzy, willing certain things with your mind to work out. I'll admit that my second read through hasn't been easy and I'm actually not completely done with it. I'm in the middle of the fourth book now and will probably take a break to read a few other books that I want to read right now. But rest assured I will finish the last book and a half for my reading challenge before moving on to the next re-read series on my list!
Also, watch for the first book of this series City of Bones to come to theaters this fall! The trailer looks awesome, I can't wait!
Books 14-18
