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City of Glass: The Mortal Instruments, Book 3

(2009, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Cassandra Clare)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Exciting, violent series concludes with a bang.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Lots -- throat slittings, decapitations, stabbings, bone-snapping, strangling, sword fights, injuries and deaths of major and minor characters, including inter-familial killings and killing of children. An angel, tortured for years with horrible results, commits suicide, a living man's heart is ripped out, semi-human creatures are tortured.

  • Sex:

    Some passionate kissing and making out, a character is gay and kisses a man, two other characters have what they (and readers) believe to be an incestuous relationship, a monster attempts to rape a girl.

  • Language:

    "Bitch," "bastard."

  • Consumerism:

    Video game, car, soft drink, snack food brands.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking wine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About City of Glass: The Mortal Instruments, Book 3

Parents need to know that there's lots of bloody violence, including lots of killing and injuries -- see content grid for details. There's also some kissing and making out, a major character is gay, and there's a relationship that appears to be incestuous. Some parents may be bothered by the religious aspects of the story -- angels and demons exist, an angel is tortured and commits suicide, another angel is summoned by a human, and the Shadowhunters have a mandate from God to kill demons.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the classic creatures used here. Why are vampires and werewolves always popular? How are they different here from the Twilight series? How has our view of them changed over time? Do they appeal to you? Why or why not?
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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about City of Glass: The Mortal Instruments, Book 3?

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See all 8 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    manti
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    i think that its perfect for ages 11-16

    i just loved it!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    tpotters
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    i thouht it was an excellent book it keeps you well intersested and it will make you want to read the series =]

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Blazing Innocenc ...
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect for 10+

    So my little brother read these books he was eleven at the time and being bored i ended up stealing them and becoming engulfed in this story. loved them

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    shaddowphax
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    read the others first

    Good book, not too serious but not just a waste of time. Ideal for most teenagers, nothing overly noticable - would be fine for younger ones as language and themes are not explicite.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    corkiepookie
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    AWESOME! but read the others first!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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