Book-to-Movie Co-Review: City of Bones

With the recent release of the movie adaptation of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones, my dearest blogging friend,Amber from Paradise of Pages, and I both read the book around the same time (a re-read for me) and went to see the movie within a couple of weeks of each other. Here's the thing: Amber did not like it, and I found it had some redeeming qualities. So for those of you who thought you might want to see this movie but are feeling a bit unsure, we thought it would be a good idea for you to get both points of view, one from someone who didn't like it and one from someone who did.

IMDB.COM SYNOPSIS:

When her mother disappears, Clary Fray learns that she descends from a line of warriors who protect our world from demons. She joins forces with others like her and heads into a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld.

OUR REVIEW(S):

CASTING:

     Amber (Paradise of Pages):
I didn't like most of the appearances of the characters. I think it is more that they just didn't look like what I expected them to. Some of them were closer than others. Jocelyn, didn't expect the British accent from that one, it threw me off. Luke- he was okay for me, not anything special but he was one of the better ones for me. Clary- It mentioned bright red hair throughout all the books, short, freckles, light eyes....then she looks nothing like this in the movie. She is tall, no freckles really and really dark dyed red hair. I think she was quick in her lines she had. It was like she had them memorized and just wanted to spit them out so sometimes it seemed to cut the other one off. Jace- He looks close to what I expected. I just wish he had a little more emotion. He just seemed boring through most of it. I know he comes across as arrogant and full of himself in the book but in the movie I just didn't feel that. Simon- He was okay, like I said with Luke, but he still didn't stand out to me. Isabelle- She probably is one of the most that I disliked. She was supposed to be tall and very slender. Her whip isn't also a snake coil on her arm, it's a real whip she wears as a belt in the books. I just felt like she was corny and her acting was bad. She was nothing like the Izzy I've grown to love. Alec- He was pretty good. Had the hair, the eyes, all of it. even the hatred for Clary in the beginning. Magnus- ugh. Horrible. Nothing what I expected and was nothing like the book. all his flair wasn't there or any of his High Warlock attitude he had. He was just bland, bland, bland.Valentine- WTF is all I have to say. second I saw him come out, I wanted to leave. I was like okay, you did alot wrong with the others, but this, this is unforgivable.

     Amanda (i solemnly swear):

Going into the movie, I hated the casting for Jace, but I actually ended up loving him. He may not have been as sarcastic and witty but he was very convincing as a vulnerable boy with feelings for a girl that he didnt want to have. I was thrilled with the casting of Jocelyn, but I may be biased. She plays a character on the HBO series A Game of Thrones so I loved her, point blank. Everyone else was pretty good for me, I liked the attitudes they protrayed if not the way they looked. Magnus was a disappointment. Had the look, but absolutely awful acting. The only casting I HATED was Valentine. He looked ridiculous, and he played this outwardly crazed short slender man with an awful hairdo, not the large, composed, handsome Valentine we know. Otherwise I was OK with the way the casting turned out.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS/COMPARISON TO THE BOOK

     Amber:

I think the book and the movie were nothing alike. From the first few minutes I could tell it was really different. things happening out of order, things from the second book coming into the first book instead, stuff being in places it's not supposed to be. I kept holding out for the movie to become more like the book and it never did. more and more changed and I just couldn't take it anymore. They were definitely staying on a budget and not wanting to put any extra than they had to, which took away from so much. I don't want to say more than that because of spoilers, but I just didn't like it, at all.

     Amanda:

I'll admit that the movie was very different from the book. The movie only kept the basic story line and switched the order of some scenes, combined some, took some out and even added some. Certain ones didnt bother me, such as the beginning where the club scene comes after the cafe scene followed by another cafe scene. Pointless, yes, but it was fine, it didnt take away from the story. Some parts were changed completely such as where the final fight scene took place and how it actually happened, which bothered me. It worked for the movie, for someone who was going to see it without reading the book, but for someone looking for a close adaptation, it kind of messed things around.

MAJOR SPOILER AT THE END (One involving Simon and one involving Clary and Jace)

     Amber:
This drove me nuts. Everything with Simon was just wrong. The events that unfold were just messed up and I don't know who decided it was a good idea, but whoever it is should be fired. And what is this, Spiderman?? Seriously. Ahhh I wanna scream just thinking about it again. [As for the Clary and Jace spoiler...] I spent a whole lot of time reading the books in the anticipation [of certain information] but for Hodge to throw that out in what comes out a lot later feels like they robbed us all on the suspense of the other movies that made a lot of the story more intense. They ruined it in ways they shouldn't have.

     Amanda:

I took my sister to see this movie, and she's never read the book. I spent the entire movie thinking how shocked she would be at the end when she finds out the big bombshell (about Clary and Jace) that is revealed at the end of the first book. Then I was instantly deflated when Hodge opened his big mouth and ruined it for me. I mean, my sister didnt really catch on to that (guess she wasnt paying very great attention, lol) and she was shocked when the scene went on just like I wanted her to be, but I then felt like a fraud! How could they take that suspense away from all the movie-goers that way? So mad! As for Simon, I mean, it seemed like they were trying to do some sort of foreshadowing there that fell flat. Something that happens in a later book is almost revealed here and that kind of sucked too.

FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE ASPECTS OF THE MOVIE

     Amber:
Least Favorite- Valentine/Simon. I didn't like either of them. Simon as an actor wasn't horrible but how they made his character was bad. Valentine, everything about him to me was bad. His look, how he does things, all of it.
Favorite- This took some thought to be honest, I didn't really like anything about this movie. But I guess if I had to pick anything, I would say Jace. Especially about the part of if you want me to take my clothes off you should have just asked.

     Amanda:

Favorite for me was Clary and Jace's scene in the greenhouse except for the awful cheesy pop music they played!! If I close my ears and pretend that didnt happen though, I loved their chemistry and the budding of their romance. It brought that aspect of the book to life for me.
Least favorite for me was the scene where Hodge revealed that major info. Also when Jace and Valentine reunite kind of fell flat for me because it did nothing to portray the love Jace had for his father and how vulnerable he became upon his return.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

     Amber:
I know my opinion is way different than Amanda's. I give this movie a 0 out of 5. and I HATED it. I seriously regret spending the money on it. Unless the whole cast is different and they fire all the people that worked on the movie, AKA start completely over, I will not see the others. This movie ruined the books completely. If I was Cassandra Clare I would be embarrassed to say this was based off my book.

     Amanda:

Based on my enjoyment of the movie overall, I'd give this one a 4 out of 5. Factoring in how I felt about it in relation to the book I'll lower it to a 3 out of 5. I think many of the changes in the movie worked for the adaptation and made it more exciting and action packed, while being able to fit it into a 2+ hour movie slot, but I was still disappointed with some of the major changes.

We hope our differing opinions help you and that they don't make you more confused on whether or not you want to see it, haha. For those of you who have seen it, did you agree with either of us? Anything else to add? Love hearing from you guys.

Huge thanks to Amber for paying a visit to i solemnly swear, and make sure you all pay her a visit too!!!

A.

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Re-read)

ISBN: 9781416955078
Release Date: March 27, 2007
Series: The Mortal Instruments #1
Page Count: 485 pages
Find it on Goodreads

     GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

"When Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder. Much less a murder commited by three teenagers covered with odd markings. This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons--and keeping the odd werewolves and vampires in line. It's also her first meeting with gorgeous, golden-haired Jace. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in an ordinary mundane like Clary? And how did she suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know..."

     REVIEW:
WHAT I LIKED:

• Surprisingly, I dont hate the characters in this book considering they are characters I would normally not love in another book (teenagers MCs tend to be annoying). This was a re-read for me, and I loved it when I first read it, but admittedly the novelty has kind of worn off. But I dont hate them. Jace is your typical 15 year old, but kind of independent and unique. Clary, yes, annoying, but he's vulnerable and I love me some vulnerable boys. Everyone else kind of did their job as secondary characters and I liked the way they were portrayed. They fit.
• The world building is pretty good. Not wonderful, but better than in her spin-off series, The Infernal Devices, and it makes me want to visit the City of Glass and be a part of the Shadow World.
• I wasnt super into re-reading this book, but I told myself I would do it because I wanted to see the movie. However, when I did read it, though it moved a little slow for me on the second go-around, the plot points and the clever way it all unfolded definitely reminded me of why I loved the series to begin with!

WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:

• The dialogue was often unbelievable or just seemed awkward.The only way I can explain how I felt about it is to say that many scenes in the book felt too obvious and like Clare was trying too hard.
• The ending didnt seem believable for me either. I just cant see how Clary and Jace kind of just picked up an un-awkward friendship like nothing ever happened over the last week. I didnt love it, but I know how the story progresses so I guess that's OK.

RATING: ★★★★

The four star rating for this book is kind of an in-between for how I know I felt about it when I first read it a few years ago (5 stars) and how I felt about it now (3.5 stars). I didnt want to be unfair because I wasnt in the mood for a re-read, but it really is a good book. Sometimes awkward and annoying, but definitely good. I have realized though that its not a book I'm going to add to the re-readable list. Its probably not a series I'll want to revisit for quite some time. After re-reading it though, I also realized that I enjoyed it a lot more (this time and last) than the Infernal Devices series. Still trying to figure out why though...

I know a ton of you have read this over the last few weeks leading up to the recent release of the movie (which I'll be doing a post on with my friend Amber from Paradise of Pages soon), so I'd love to hear what you think! Do you agree or disagree with me on the points I've made?

A.

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

ISBN: 978146975878
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Publisher: McElderry Books
Series: The Infernal Devices, #1
Page Count: 479 pages

     GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

"Orphan Tessa Gray, sixteen, crosses the ocean from New York to find her brother Nate in Victorian London, her only possession a clockwork angel necklace from her mother. She is ignorant of her power to transform; the Dark sisters are not. They kidnap her for the Magister, who wants to marry Tessa and claim her power.

Shadowhunters, warriors of angel blood, battle demons and keep the peace in the Downworld of vampires, warlocks and other supernaturals. Orphan teen Shadowhunters Jem, Will, and Jess rescue Tessa and agree to help save Nate. Vengeful vampire Lady Camille Belcourt and her current lover, warlock Magnus Bane provide entrée to the Magister's secret Pandemonium Club"

     REVIEW:

WHAT I LIKED:

• The plot. Somehow, even with its similarities to the Mortal Instruments, and poor writing taken into consideration, the plot got me. The plot always gets me at some point with Clare's books. She is truly an author I hate to...like (I cant bring myself to say love).
• Jem. Love him. Though, I cant quite say I am team Jem yet. I'm a sucker for a bad boy. Clearly Tessa is too, and though I found Will...plain old corny at times, I still like him. What woman can resist a tortured soul? (apparently I cannot).
• The love triangle. I am not a fan of triangles normally, but this one is kind of subtle. Like, she's totally into Will, and acknowledges some confusion about Jem, but shes not out there like Bella saying "No, I totally love Will [Edward], but I want you to give me attention, Jem [Jacob]." So I can kind of dig a well-put-together triangle. Wonder how long it will stay tolerable, though.
• I didn't find it as predictable as I thought it would be. Now, don't get me wrong - there are tons of similarities between MI and ID but I was expecting to be bored by this one entirely. I was bored at first, yes, but by the end I was screaming obscenities in my bedroom and slapping Sean in the arm while he tried to watch TV, whining to him about my outrages.

WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:

• It took well over 150 pages for this book to get interesting. I dragged through the first three quarters of the book so badly. It wasnt until more than half-way through that I started wanting to read the book, rather than forcing myself to.
• I've never been a fan of Clare's writing. We can all admit it, she's just OK. Occasionally she says something deep, but otherwise its choppy, lame, and at times, awkward. I guess its not bad enough that I cant get past it, though.

     RATING: ★★★ (3 stars)

          I will definitely read the next two in the series, especially since some fellow bloggers urged me through this one and told me that the next two are much better. That happens often in series; the first book is kind of a set-up book, and the rest contain all the awesomeness. I hope that is the case here. My main issue is the awkwardness of Clare's writing, which doesn't surprise me because I read 4 out of 5 of her Mortal Instruments series, which I do like (just not love), so I did know what I was getting into. But somehow, I'm laying in bed last night trying to finish the last thirty pages (finally), and Clare's freakin' plot has me yelling things out and pounding my fist on the bed, with Sean doing his best to nod and agree with things he has no clue what I am talking about! She pulled it out in the end, I suppose, and I hope I enjoy the next two more.

Have any of you read this one? What did you think?
If you've read the series, do you agree with other bloggers than getting through this so-so book was worth it, and the next two are better? Or am I wasting my time here? I'd love to hear your opinions!

A.