Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is... um... an interesting writer.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w95sR-TzFYk/VG7M8kQRubI/AAAAAAAAEYA/JApt1EFAoq4/s400/Cassandra%2BClare.jpg

Even before she became a published author, she was riddled with controversy - she plagiarized parts of her famous Harry Potter fanfiction trilogy, and went on to write one of the most amazingly un-original urban fantasy series you'll ever find. Think Twilight by way of the Dark Hunters with a bitsy side of the Dresden Files and a heavy dose of Joss Whedon.... except not as good as any of those things, except Twilight.

And she's not a bad writer.... or at least, she wouldn't be if she could actually craft a decent "world," or if she stopped trying to be witty. Unfortunately, her worldbuilding is riddled with giant gaping holes, and she's always trying to impress us with how clever and snarky her characters are, even though this completely kills all suspense. Oh, and her main characters are all racists.

Also see A Note About Cassandra Clare.

In case you're wondering, I'm going to be reviewing the two series thus far concurrently, because there are some overlaps and shared plot threads between them.

The Mortal Instruments

City of Bones - A speshul snowflake encounters a snarky "bad boy," a sexy anime girl and a misogynistic gay guy, and discovers that all mythical things are true. In other words: urban fantasy! City of Ashes - Essentially all the fallout from the previous book, but with more incest angst and torture! City of Glass City of Fallen Angels City of Lost Souls City of Heavenly Fire

The Infernal Devices

Clockwork Angel - A boring teen girl suddenly finds herself involved with Shadowhunters, including a snarky yet emo narcissist, a bitchy hot girl and a token minority. Wait, this sounds familiar.</li> Clockwork Prince</li> Clockwork Princess</li></ul>