Book Review #1: The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

   I realize that a series is more than one book but you MUST read this in one go round. My friend Caela told me that I HAD to read The Mortal Instruments after failing to properly describe what the story was about. I thought that it was a good idea because I didn't actually have to buy the books!
   Its based on a girl, named Clary, just as her life is dramatically altered when she starts seeing people that others can not. From there her mother is violently kidnapped, the man she's grown up knowing as a father-figure tells her he wants nothing to do with her, and she's left with a group of people called the Shadowhunters. More specifically, a boy named Jace.
   The Shadowhunters are a race of people who descend from an angel who mixed the blood of man with the blood of angels. They are faster, more agile, warriors who fight demons who've infiltrated the human world. They also become invisible and amp up cool fighting abilities by placing runes on their bodies. (Sounds weird, but trust me, by the end of the series, you'll want rune tattoos too. I know I did!)
   Then there are the Downworlders (these are your warewolves, vampires, faries, and warlocks) who don't like Shadowhunters (because they are the ultimate authority when it comes to anything supernatural). And also normal humans are called mundanes.
   The series takes you on Clary's journey of self discovery, deeply embedded secrets, totally intense fighting, and forbidden love that twists your heart out. The storyline is predictable but OH-MY-GOSH kind of fantastic! Make sure when you start the series you have your weekend cleared. Once you sit down to read them, you'll want to devour them as fast as possible. They are the type of books that make me want to read faster. Five hearts totally, hands down! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥