Infernal Devices Series

(The Prequel to the Mortal Instruments) This series was amazing! I literally could not put it down. I probably ignored my family far more than I should have but I seriously had to know what was going to happen next. What I took a away from this series is the importance of character development. Each character had an amazing backstory and you really cared deeply for the Shadowhunters in the novel. (You also really despised the villians.)

I also gleaned the importance of leaving the audience in suspense. This series definately blows the Mortal Instruments out of the water.

Length of Series

City of Heavenly Fire, the final book in the Mortal Insturments series by Cassandra Clare. I really loved this series; however, I think it drug out a little too far. The series could have been wrapped up in Five books quite nicely. The sixth book was really just a set up for her next complete series. So I feel a little jaded as a reader. . . . She used the fame and momentum of her star series to milk another sale, but I guess a writer's gotta do what a writer's gotta do. Although now I have very little interest in reading the next series. It's important to admit that I'm not her target audience and that her audience will most likely pick up everything she writes because teenagers (especially girls) can be very loyal once you gain their trust. She's done this quite well so good for here.

The length of a series is highly important. Some authors can get away with it (Jordan) others struggle. But knowing your limit is important. I just finished reading "Cress" by Marrissa Meyer. I thought she'd wrap it up in three, but she's held my interest for a fourth. I think the reason is that she draws on a common knowlege base. Using fairy tales that everyone knows, but placing these characters in different situations and tying their world together. I'm intrigued for another book, but let's hope she's not planning a marketing scheme with her series.