Hunted - P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Hunted

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

2 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Certain genres should not, under any circumstances, be combined. While Hunted, by P.C. and Kristin Cast, might appeal to the post-twilight preteen crowd, its attempt to combine fantasy and social drama results in an unappealing, shallow, mess of a novel. What could have been a moderately exciting plot is ruined by the bursts of teenage drama which appear throughout the book. Such interruptions effectively prevent the reader from developing any degree of interest in the storyline. In addition to the novel's lack of substance, the author fails to develop the characters, keeping the reader from acquiring an attachment to them. Not only are the characters shallow, but their lack of depth is reflected in the relationships between them. Characters who appear to have a strong friendship periodically turn on each other for seemingly trivial reasons, causing them to lose any respect the reader may have gained for them throughout the novel. With Hunted, P.C. and Kristin Cast were obviously writing to fill a niche between Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and Cecily von Ziegesar's Gossip Girl. However, readers looking for a more complex novel should steer clear of Hunted.

1. Do you think combining the two genres was a good idea? Why or why not?
2. Did you enjoy the other novels in the series more than this? Or less? Why?

City of Glass - Cassandra Clare

City of Glass

Cassandra Clare

4 stars (out of 5)

The difference between good and evil lies not in a person's background, but in their actions. Although it is science fiction, City of Glass by Cassandra Clare, carries this message while providing a riveting conclusion to the Mortal Instruments trilogy. City of Glass is a many faceted novel, containing elements of fantasy, science fiction, and romance. Clare's talent for weaving these very different threads into one story gives the novel a universal appeal. City of Glass neatly ties up all the loose ends which occur throughout the series. However, it does so in such a way that the conclusion does not come across as over done. The novel chronicles the growth of its characters, making it as much a coming of age story as a science fiction novel. Its characters fight many internal battles even as they face the external ones. City of Glass demonstrates the ability of any individual to triumph over the doubt within them.

1. What do you think was the turning point for Jace?

2. What do you think will happen to the newly formed relationship between the shadow hunters and the downworlders? Why?