We are all the Pieces of what we Remember

Major spoilers ahead not only for City of Heavenly Fire but also for Clockwork Princess!

Another well-loved series off my "To-read List." Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments was one hell of a ride. It made me laugh, cry, love, hate, and feel joy and grief. After finishing City of Heavenly Fire, I am having mixed feelings. I feel glad because by the angel, finally it's over! At the same time, I also feel a little depressed because it was such a great series; what do I read now? LoL. Fortunately, I did not break down like what happened after I read Clockwork Princess a year ago. I was actually trying to control my feelings and emotions because I couldn't afford to cry so much. I just underwent a Lasik Procedure so I couldn't really stress my eyes. Still, after getting my hands on CoHF, I eagerly devoured it in less than two days. Oh my poor eyes, I am so sorry. LoL.

Weapons, when they break and are mended, can be stronger at the mended places. 

Perhaps hearts are the same. - Jace Herondale

Actually, this is not a review. More like just random things and feelings that I wanted to share through this blog. Anyway, I am not really sure how I would express my feelings for the whole series. I also do not have much comment about it. The only thing that I could say is "I love it." Well, not as much as I love the Infernal Devices but it's like it paved the way for me to love the prequel so it has a special place in my heart. 

Ghosts are memories, and we carry them 

because those we love do not leave the world. - Zachariah

It's been a year since I've read Clockwork Princess but the moment Brother Zachariah was mentioned I was like, "oh my beloved Jem, I miss you so much." Actually, whenever a passage has Brother Zachariah and someone is talking about him or about his past my tears would just run down. Which is inconvenient because I have to get a tissue and wipe them because I couldn't freaking read! I also loved it when Magnus said that a "ghost" protected the London Institute and I was teary-eyed because it was Jessamine! And then when they mention Tessa I feel so excited. And it was like a bonus from the Infernal Devices because I learned how Brother Zachariah was healed and able to leave the Brotherhood. And I saw him again in action during the Dark War! And then he and Tessa attended Luke and Jocelyn's wedding and then he was reunited with Church, and Tessa was able to meet Clary and gave her the Herondale ring. Oh my lovely Jem, you are happy now aren't you? And... Ooopps... sorry I've just remembered this is about the Mortal Instruments. LoL. Anyway, I think I would be seeing Jem and Tessa again in the Dark Artifices since they said that they would be going to Los Angeles. Yey again!

When I was a Silent Brother, my loves and losses were muted slightly, like music heard from a distance, true in tune but muffled. Now- now it has all come upon me at once. 

I am bowed under it. I must be stronger before I can see her. - Zachariah

 

Back to business. I feel really sad for Jonathan Morgenstern and Clary and Jocelyn. I grieve for Jocelyn for the son that she wasn't able to raise and love, for Clary for the brother that she wasn't able to grow up with and for Jonathan for the chance to have a family and become a great Shadowhunter someday. Clary and Jonathan's dream in Edom was really poignant. I find it as one of the saddest scenes in the whole series. *sniff

Ave atque vale in perpetuum, frater. 

Hail and farewell forever, my brother. - Clary Fray

Anyway, I am really happy that Jace will continue the Herondale bloodline. And I bet Clary and Jace would realize in the future who Tessa and Will and Jem are. It was just a shame that I wouldn't be able to read about that. LoL. 

We are all the pieces of what we remember. 

We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. 

As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss. - Zachariah

I am really pleased how Cassandra Clare ended it. Clary and Jace, Izzy and Simon, Alec and Magnus by the lake watching fireflies under the stars.

Fear will learn to fear me

Have you ever loved a book and felt disappointed at the same time? If not, I envy you. Because that is exactly how I felt after reading the last book from the Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafie, which is Ignite Me. But before everything else, I am not trying to criticize or judge the author with my post. I just wanted to write how I felt about it. And oh, spoilers ahead!

First things first. Let me say my opinion regarding the most asked question in the Shatter Me Universe: Team Adam or Team Warner?

Personally, I was on Team Adam. I was actually surprised that there were freaking teams during the first book. For heaven's sake, Aaron was described as a psycho. And just until  Destroy Me was released was I able to understand the need for freaking teams. I admit that after reading Destroy Me and while reading Unravel Me I got swayed by Aaron, but I still wanted Adam. Fracture Me had not much effect on me. I fully understand why Adam chose to save James first before looking for Juliette. Adam was being described as the perfect guy for Juliette in the first half of the series. He is sweet, kind, and everything, while Aaron is the psychopath who would want to possess Juliette for personal desires. But then for the sake of having the ultimate twist, the author decided to flip the way we look at both guys. Aaron's character was gloriously redeemed while Adam became the jealous, insecure ex-boyfriend. When Adam told Juliette in Ignite Me that he was happier when he thought that she was dead, who would be pleased with that? Congratulations Aaron, Team Adam had just lost another soul, if there is still a Team Adam after that encounter. And then I don't care anymore because it was too obvious that Juliette would be with Aaron. Seriously, I don't really care that she did not end up with Adam. I loved Gale more in The Hunger Games and uselessly rooted for Xander in Matched. And despite the heroines not choosing them, I still love the books. I just felt a little betrayed for what she did with Adam's character.


Anyway, that was not the entire reason why I was not satisfied with the last book. The next one would be the main reason why I am giving it a 3 out 5 stars.

Shatter Me is just one of the few Dystopian YA novels that I really came to love. Having a kick-ass heroine is a really big plus for me so my fondness for the series isn't really a surprise. I really, really like the series until the last few pages of the final book. I usually feel so much excitement while reading the last book in a series. The final confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist and the war that comes with it draws me. And that is exactly why I got a little disappointed with the last installment.

I'm not a war freak or something. It's just that I've always dreamt of becoming a story writer. And I couldn't write fighting scenes. I don't know how to put them in words. That is why I was always anticipating the final battle. And in my opinion, Ignite Me somehow fell short with this. The end seemed so rush for me. I think so much chapters were spent for the characters' trainings and preparations for the war to the point that I really got excited because it does seem like a really BIG war. But as the end draws near, the pages just got thinner and thinner and still nothing was happening. I almost convinced myself that this must not be the last book. There must be another one solely written for the fight between the combined forces of Sector 7 and Omega Point's survivors and the Supreme Commander and its army. You don't think it was rushed? Well, from what I remember here's what happened during the final battle that was written on the last few, and I do mean FEW, pages of the book:

Juliette announced the war to Sector 7 --> Warner rallied everyone for the big fight --> And while they were fighting, not sure where and how, Juliette and Kenji snuck on the Supreme Commander's ship. --> Juliette ran in to and killed the pressure wave guy. --> Juliette shot the Commander twice. --> The End.

My thoughts after: Uhm... He's ALREADY dead!? Where is my war?

Again, I am not trying to criticize the author. Maybe she is not comfortable in writing those scenes or it's just her style. I just did not know that it was actually possible for me to feel disappointed with its end. Anyway, it was my fault for expecting too much. 

“Maybe we both fell in love with the illusion of something more.” 

- Juliette Ferrars