Manga: The Mortal Instruments

The Mortal Instruments Volume 1
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Cassandra Clare's bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments, is adapted into a graphic novel series!

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know... 

So, for those of you who don't know, the artist for this manga adaption, Cassandra Jean, is the one behind those incredibly gorgeous Shadowhunter Tarot Cards which have been on my wishlist forever, and that I know a fair few of you guys have already! She's also behind the Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters and Denizens of Downworld too! 

There are some seriously gorgeous colour pages in this volume, with a page for each of the main characters and I was living for it, like I want to frame them they're so gorgeous! The detailing is really well done throughout the manga, as is the art in general to be honest. Cassandra has thrown her own unique twist on the characters, and each page features her own art style...but she really captures what I envisioned the settings and characters looking like! After the jolt to the system that is the TV show, it was nice to see an adaption that lives up to the books, and is exactly how I imagined it! I've missed the less high tech Institute! The characters have some brilliant facial expressions and reactions that convey plenty and add to each scene. Jace's in particular add an air of mischief to him and just looking at him, even when he's not saying anything, you get that vibe! The demons are nice and creepy too! 

There'a a nice fast pace, and the volume moves along speedily with great attention to detail, introducing us to each of the main characters. Another little detail is Clary and Jace. You can seriously see the size difference between the two of them and it was a nice little touch! I also really loved how this adaption shows you all the little details you might have missed or that you didn't really think too much about when reading the books, like Clary's drawings that are mentioned casually, get featured in this volume as you see her actually doing it, if that makes sense? Like when you read about her doing it you just kind of read it and then don't focus on it too much. It was nice to see one of her character traits highlighted! Characters facial expressions too, to a certain extent. You read how the characters feeling, but I personally didn't picture exactly how they'd be looking during this scene or that, it added another dimension to the story for me! 

There's plenty of humour, what did you expect really!? And the story pulls you in. There's an interesting world, it follows the books brilliantly and it's just a lot of fun all round! It really does put the TV show to shame on the adaption front! I can tell this is going to be a lot of fun, and I'm intrigued as to how many volumes it'll run for, and how many of the books it's covering! 

Volume One is all about getting us warmed up. We're introduced to the characters, the world, various elements to it and what's going on. The plot is just starting to kick off and next volume should really get going and go more in depth with the plot as we track down Jocelyn! There's some nice creepy and ominous moments throughout, but the ending really does end on an ominous note! I hate to play favourites but I really am loving this adaption!