Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend? Yes, if you've read the others, if not, start on the first book.
I've decided not to post a synopsis to this as it's the last in the series and anyone who hasn't read it probably doesn't want spoilers.
WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
Review: Let's talk about what I liked first. I really enjoyed the imagery of the book and how I felt like I could clearly imagine all of the places, people, and events going on in the story, and not just in this book but the series. I also particularly enjoyed the portrayal of hesitant alliances and surprise betrayal and felt that most characters had very real reactions and though some of the reactions were extreme you can perfectly understand where these characters are coming from, even if you don't agree with them, which I didn't in a few cases. Also, just something I love personally, is the slyness of the fae, the way they are always honest but don't always speak the truth, it was brilliant, though the Seelie Queen isn't a character I particularly like I did think the betrayal was very well done. I was also quite impressed with the roles that each character, particularly Simon and Clary, played in the war on Sebastian. Simon is one of my favorite characters and seeing him become a warrior but still keep all of the things that made him who he was even though his new life could've meant becoming someone completely different just made me so happy.
Now, for the things I didn't really like. I personally am not the biggest fan of the way Clary constantly talks about how gorgeous Jace is. I honestly don't know why it irks me so much but after so much of it I guess I just start to feel like "we get it you're boyfriend is beautiful can you please explain how you guys plan to survive now." Again that's something that I just personally am not very fond of, especially in the last book in the series. I do wish we had seen more of Magnus, Raphael, Luke, and Jocelyn after they were taken from Idris, especially of Magnus and Raphael interacting with each other. I think it would've been interesting to see what other downworlders and shadowhunters more removed from the goings on of the institutes and the accords thought of the situation and if any came to help, or tried to offer it, but I get why it wasn't included as it wasn't necessary to the story. The only other little tidbit I had any kind of problem with was them finding Simon at the end. I get that happy endings are nice, and as someone who dearly loves the character of Simon as a fan I was very happy with it, but looking at it in a more removed perspective I think his story should've ended with Clary saying goodbye to him outside of St. Xavier's. It would not have been a particularly happy ending but I just feel that after grieving for a friend who you thought you'd never have in your life again it would be even more painful to get a fragment of it back. Plus, not everyone gets to have those kind of endings after a war, some people lose absolutely everything, and while this does happen to the character Emma, I feel that it would've been something a reader could've connected with more if it was a character that they already loved. They've been with Clary for five books before this one and seeing that kind of loss in someone they've grown with would've been more effective, especially since Simon is a character, in my opinion, that is so easy to like and his absence would've been so apparent when everything was said and done, even he technically wouldn't have been dead.
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