It took me 17 years to finish this series. I started City of Bones when I had just given birth to my oldest child. Back then, it was something to read while I pumped at work, something to escape into, and for a while, it worked. The first few books were entertaining enough: dark urban fantasy, a snarky cast of characters, and a gritty, demon slaying New York. I was along for the ride.
But then the series took a turn. A very weird turn. As the plot progressed, it felt like the story became obsessed with sibling romance, and then, more disturbingly, there were themes that hinted at incestual rape. And that was the point where I mentally checked out. It stopped being about the adventure or the characters and started revolving around taboo drama that felt more exploitative than meaningful. I couldn’t understand the direction it was going or why these themes kept coming up, especially in a series marketed to teens.
It made me wonder: who exactly was this for? Because it stopped feeling like something a young adult audience would, or should, connect with.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.16 // Series Rating: 3.16 out of 5
The only reason this series breaks 3 stars is because of the first few books. They had spark, humor, and a strong enough plot to keep me interested. But the deeper I got into the series, the more it felt like a chore to finish. It wasn't all bad. There are moments of decent worldbuilding and a few side characters that deserved better, but overall, it lost the magic it started with.
Would I recommend The Mortal Instruments? Maybe the first few books, to the right reader. But for me, this series ended up being more frustrating than fulfilling. At least I can finally say: it’s done. Seventeen years later.
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