Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Please discuss our steampunk/cyberpunk themed read for January here.

I truly enjoyed this book. I found the character of Tessa interesting, despite her concept of women being strictly from fictional reading. But I think the concept is believable.

The members of the Institute are way cool. I think the twists in the plot lines are excellently designed and provide suspense and mystery.

I'm particularly interested in what people thought about the familial relationships portrayed in the book. I have certain feelings of irritation. To me, it was a bit too simple about Aunt Harriet.

Why do you think it was too simple about Aunt Harriet?

I guess when Nate was explaining about how he found out, I just felt it was a bit too simple to plain Aunt Harriet. It was the explanation -- not the unseen character.

I checked this book out at the library and I thought I wouldn't really enjoy it, but needed some new books anyhow. I couldn't put it down though! I loved it.
I think it is written beautifully which I am glad, because I will be reading City of Bones tonight.


*Spoilers!*





Anyhow, I really enjoyed Tessa's character. I like how Tessa questions how women should behave/dress/speak, while Jessamine preaches it.

When I came to the bit with Nate in the library or wherever, and Tess is comforting him and the rest of the Institute is on their way to talk to him, I kept knowing that something wasn't right. When Nate was questioning that they wouldn't all be leaving, I knew he was being suspicious. If this were a movie I feel like I would have been shouting at the screen when Jem and Will go to see the Dark Sisters. "No! Go back! It's a traaaaap!" The book did a really good job though at keeping me in the dark, I never would've thought who the Magister was until you find out in the book.

I can't wait to find out more when I read the second book about Tessa's parents and more about what will happen at the Institute.

I'm really trying to like this book. I picked it up because it was the monthly read, and I like trying out those books to stretch my reading list a bit. But I have to say, I'm not sure I can finish it. Am I missing something because this is a prequel and I haven't read the series? I found the writing style very awkward--it feels like Tessa has to compare everything to a novel because her character isn't developed enough to make actual observations, which drove me crazy. I don't know. Am I alone here? I would love to here from others. Especially if you can convince me that I should read the rest (I'm a little less than halfway through)...I do hate putting down a book I haven't finished, but on the other hand, there are so many books and so little time!!!

I just finished the book - I didn't LOVE it but I thought it was ok, and will probably read more in the series, mostly because I'd like some of the plotlines/questions to be answered. At least this month, I'm a little tired of the whole 'bad boy' being a romantic hero - if someone is going to treat the heroine like dirt, no matter what his reasons, I hate to see her keep going back to him. But, I guess that's just me.

Have you read The Mortal Instruments books? This book came out after the third book in that series so I read it then - makes me think that is how they should be read. I love this book and the sequel but The Mortal Instruments is my favorite YA series of everything I have read so these tie in with it - a lot. As a stand alone series it is hard for me to judge how good it would be. Just regarding the next book in this series, Clockwork Prince - it does answer a lot of questions raised in this book - but not all of them. (because there will be another book of course).

Terry -- That's what I was wondering. Even though it's technically a prequel, I wonder if it's better read after the fact. It seems more of a character study at this point, but like I said, I'm only halfway through...

So you did't read The Mortal Instruments first? I definitely would read them before even going on to Clockwork Prince.

No, I hadn't read them. I picked this up because it was the book of the month.

Although I am a huge fan of both of these series, it is I think quite unusual for an author to write three books of a six book series and then release the first book of a prequel trilogy. Then we got the fourth book of the original series, followed by Clockwork Prince. It works for me because I read them that way and The Infernal Devices trilogy is providing us with information as to the ancestry and history of the story in The Mortal Instruments. Also Magnus, the warlock, is immortal and he has a big role in The Mortal Instruments books as well as, so far, a small part in these. I really personally would not recommend reading these prequel books first. (and the above probably really confused you!)

Wendy wrote: "it feels like Tessa has to compare everything to a novel because her character isn't developed enough to make actual observations..."

I thought it was because Tessa had led a rather sheltered life--steeped in books. I can relate to that :)

But then, I didn't care for Will. He was the moody jerk to the max; I kept thinking there would be some background as to why so that I could forgive him a bit, but there were only glimpses that there might be reasons, and it wasn't enough.

And Nate! Every time he was mentioned it was all rosy-coloured memories, and then suddenly he turns up and then it suddenly becomes, Harriet and I always knew he was a useless louse, maybe we shouldn't have encouraged it so much!

Hmmm...fair observation about life in books, Wren...I guess I can relate too; it just didn't sit well with me as a writing style. And I agree about Nate. I decided the book wasn't for me, so I just skipped to the end and read it :) It's one thing to have a twist, but I feel like you need to have some clues planted so the reader can go "aaaaah". :)

I read this book, and also the first three books of the Mortal Instruments series, a while back - and enjoyed the world-building in both. I think she does a really great job of sucking you into her fantastical plots.

That being said, while I did like this book on the whole, I did find Will to be a bit irritating (I don't seem to be alone in this opinion). I don't care for his attitude, and I had similar issues with Jace's personality flaws in the Mortal Instruments series.

I do plan on reading the Clockwork Prince and the first three books of the Mortal Instruments series, hopefully the leading "men" (boys, really) don't ruin them for me with their unpleasant temperaments.

Well, I LOVE JACE so won't even go there. I will say Clockwork Prince does explain Will's behavior and kind of turned my opinions of several characters upside down. I didn't much like Will after Clockwork Angel. There are four books in the Mortal Instruments series now and a fifth one out in May (it's on my calendar - the fourth one ended in a really bad cliffhanger). There will be six books. Thee is only supposed to be just three in this series.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who had a hard time with this book. I have to admit that I haven't read any of the Mortal Instruments books and it sounds like I might need that background to really enjoy this book. I had a hard time getting into it and finishing it. In fact I read 3 other books while reading this one because I kept putting it down and finding something else I was more interested in (took me forever to finish it it seems like!).

I can't say that I really cared for any of the characters. It is good to know that Will's behavior is explained in the next books because he didn't seem to have too many redeeming qualities in this one. Tessa just seemed like such a weak character and I really couldn't get behind her as the heroine in the story. I wanted to but just couldn't.

Not sure I will read anymore of this series...too many other books out there that I really want to read.

I liked this book, but people are right, there are a lot of issues that are brought up here that I agree with. I've read the Mortal Instruments series and it helped, but I wasn't a huge fan and have only read them once, so it was difficult to get back in the world. There's a lot of lovesickness in the series.

I also have issues with the author, which sometimes prevents me from enjoying the story. There are funny lines that just seem smart but a little out of character, and I have to wonder if she's still borrowing from other places for inspiration.

This is the only place I have read this much negatives about this book...and author. If she is borrowing from other places for her inspiration I'd like to know where so I can read it. She is my favorite YA author and one of my favorites overall. But as we all know, not everyone likes the same book(s) or there wouldn't be so many of them!

In her previous works, she borrowed a lot of snappy lines from Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as Dr. Who, I believe. But those were as a younger, unpublished fanfiction writer.

I think part of the negativity is that many people haven't read the Mortal Instruments series, which helps with integration, I think.

I totally agree that I probably would not be so into these books if I had not read and loved The Mortal Instruments.

I read a really good article a year or two ago that said every line possible has already been written, every situation has been written about, and every plot is just a do-over of something written centuries ago. It is the way the author puts it all together and their writing that makes them different and some better than others. It isn't that a lot of authors copy something else but their minds just think them up - just like someone last year or last century thought it up. And this part of the article made me chuckle - something like, "how many ways are there to say I love you, how many ways to say I will love you forever, how many ways to say I would die for you?" So true.

I did read The Mortal Instruments before I read Clockwork Angel and I think that kind of stopped me from enjoying it because CA to me felt like a historic retelling of TMI. The characters are just so alike, I was shocked how the author could put so little creativity into this new series.
On the contrary, I'm reading the sequel Clockwork Prince right now and so far it's a lot more enjoyable and doesn't constantly remind me of Clary and Jace.

I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one who struggled with Clockwork Angel. I have read The Mortal Instruments series and enjoyed it immensely. I'm looking forward to the release of book five. But I believe the plot of Clockwork Angel could have been better developed. I had a difficult time connecting with any of the characters. Tessa made me want to scream and Will came across as immature. As far as character development, Tessa and Will simply aren't as well developed as Clary and Jace. I don't think I'll continue with this particular series.

Ok, so I'm not done with this book yet, but I will be by tomorrow I am sure. At first, I was not sure of this book. It seemed so odd to me. I didn't know where it was going, the writing was strange, etc. But I pushed on b/c I had heard such great things about this book. And, WOW, I am so glad I did. I cannnot wait to finish so I can read the next one! LOL! I'll contribute more when I'm done!

So what genre does this book fall under?

I'd say the genre is a mix of steampunk and paranormal.

Infinite Playlist wrote: "I'd say the genre is a mix of steampunk and paranormal."

Yes, I definitely think this, but how about historical fiction, as well? I mean, it's set in 1800s London, and she does give some information at the end about the church having been real and such.

Ok, so I finished this last night and it was SO good. I had a hard time getting into it but since I heard great hings about it, I thought I would push on. I think the language got me a bit confused at first (it's been a long time since I read a 19th century type of language book!). I have to say I will be reading on in this series, and cannot wait to see what happens with Will!

I just finished this trilogy recently, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Clare writes very well, and I love the Downworld she has created. I really admire Tessa as a protagonist, and love that she reads so much.