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No spoilers if you haven’t seen Shadow Hunters or read Mortal Instruments! (I’ll warn you before the spoiler-y part)
To see my review of the books click here.
Shadow Hunters has good effects for the most part. (Only one demon looked a bit hokey) The seraph blades were awesome!
So far the acting has all been good. The cast really looks like how I pictured them in the books! (Except Jace.) Jace is portrayed better in this version (even though movie Jace was way cuter) and the actor does a good job.
(See what I mean?)
They kept the characters’ personalities true to the book and included the humor! The new scenes were mostly good and nothing felt drawn out or boring. (Plus more Magnus!)
Overall: Good. 8/10 stars!
(Clary, Simon, Jace)
If you’re wondering how I’ve seen episode two already, its on the ABC family website! (I’m not sure it’s available in all countries though.)
Small spoilers if you haven’t seen the show or read the first book you might want to stop reading now!
I’m rereading the book along with the show!
Episode one is from chapter one to about chapter five.
Instead of Jace and Clary going back to her home, Simon comes to them. (Apparently the Institute isn’t protected from GPS..)
Episode two is from chapter five to chapter eleven.
(Jace, Alec, and Isabel)
Changes:
There’s a new Demon sub plot, they’re draining people’s blood.
Pandemonium is Magnus’ club. (Their way of getting Magnus in sooner.)
They changed things to make it look cooler for TV. (Clary’s in the first battle scene instead of witnessing it and there are multiple demons, not one.)
There’s more of the circle members, and we see Valentine’s side of things.
Runes can be hidden. So can Magnus’ eyes.
The Institute has a high tech look and is full of people!
Dot (the fortune teller who lived downstairs) is a Warlock and friend of Jocelyn and Clary.
Good Changes:
Luke is a cop.
Clary and company are 18 not 15.
(Marline is their age and a member of Simon’s band.)
Hodge is really fit!
Bad Changes:
Clary’s mom gave her a stele?! (No way would she do that!)
When Clary gets home from the club, her mom is there and starts to explain things.
Clary’s saved by Jace instead of killing the demon herself. (Why?!) It also wasn’t clear she’d been poisoned.
No sign of Max or Church.
Clary has a magical plot saving necklace. (Lets her know where people are.)
There’s another change, but I don’t want to spoil anything. It looks like there will be major plot changes for episode three though!
(Yes, I was so excited about this show, I made gifs!)
I plan to watch episode three! I hope they keep it good and don’t change too much!
Have you read the books? Seen the show? Want to?
Woven Magic Books 
Great review Molly! I liked the visuals, and the special effects. I also like the cast, especially Harry as Magnus. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him. The actress who plays Clary left me a bit “meh”. Hopefully I’ll warm up to her as the series progresses.😊
Thanks! Magnus was great so far! Yeah, I agree about Clary. She’s pretty, but we haven’t really seen great acting from her yet.
Thanks so much for the review, I’ve really been hoping it would be better than the movie. I can’t wait to watch them!
Thanks! I hope you like it. I wasn’t annoyed much considering how picky I am.
You MADE gifs!?!? How??? I need ALL your knowledge! (Please and thank you 😉 ) I have seen so many mixed things about this. I will be honest, after watching the trailer, Clary seemed to be… not great. The others didn’t look like terrible actors but Clary was painful for me to watch. I feel like they WILL probably change a lot as the series goes on, out of necessity basically, which doesn’t really bother me, as long as they stayed true to the characters and world. But that of course is to be determined. I don’t know. I am still on the fence. I kind of want to give it a try, but then I was so sick of the Shadowhunters by the end of TMI that I don’t know if I care enough. But your endorsement DOES make me rethink skipping it. So good job with the review, but bad job in making me want to watch this almost 😀
I did watch the movie, boy that one was bad in my eyes
I’ve never read the Mortal Instruments
I have a friend who swears by them, but I confess I’m kinda wary about them; ugh!
I have been curious about watching the television series, but I sort of don’t want to ruin my experience should I choose to read the books. I don’t know, I feel like I won’t appreciate the characters as much you know?
I wasn’t thrilled, but it is better than the movie. Episode two was better. My biggest complaint so far is Clary’s acting but maybe it will get better. I’m hoping. I will give it a third episode.so far it’s better than The Chronicles of Shannara.
I’m curious about this one, I need to try it!
First of all, lovely gifs. Secondly, Clary’s mom gave her a stele!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah, this is what bugged me the most about the whole first episode, I just kept thinking: no, no, no. That would not happen.
Anyways. I’ve only seen episode 1 and I didn’t love it. Admittedly, I have a complicated relationship with the books in general, I read them I was like 13 and LOVED them but then when the prequels came out and then the sequels…I kind of got out of it. Then I LOVED the movie, and I thought the actors were so perfect in it and since the first trailer for Shadowhunters…I just didn’t like the look of it. I don’t know, mostly Clary bugs me in the show and I don’t like the look of the Institute. And parts seemed so overly dramatic to me. Again, a lot of it’s probably my love/hate relationship with the books in general. I do plan on watching more because I’m hoping to get into it. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Molly!
I’ve heard that this show is pretty cheesy, so I’m preparing myself for it! I’m glad Jace is better portrayed because man, I wasn’t a fan of cheesy movie Jace lol. Thanks for the review Molly, glad you enjoyed it!
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I ADORE MAGNUS. So very much. I didn’t like Izzy at all in the series, though D: Maybe I imagined her differently in the books? I don’t know. Thankyou so much for sharing the reviews though, Molly ❤ And and, it's such a relief that the series Jace is better – the way the movie portrayed him was cheesy.
I confess that I wasn’t impressed at all and was quite bored so I stopped after episode 2…
You have so good photoshop skills!! Gifs are awesome!! 🙂 Seriously you need to make more hahaha! (Because it’s so hard to find good gifs)
I have read the books (almost read) and liked them but I really dislike the tv show. Alec is so cute! And Izzy is okay…all the others are a bit icky. I maybe also was looking for more acting experience… And their chemistries don’t sync at all. Anyways I stopped watching after 3 episode. I feel like they made better work with the 100 and Shannara Chronicles… Anyways hope you enjoy the show!
I’m glad you enjoyed this one Molly but I’m reading so many mixed reviews that I’m a bit scared to pick it up! I’m glad the changes were welcome and that Jace did a good job. Lovely review!
Thanks! I’ve since watched a couple more episodes, and well, I’m not so sure going to continue watching it. Too many changes and not so great acting.
I loved the tv show 🙂
I’ve still only seen the first two episodes haha!
It keeps getting better as they go on, I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Thanks! I’ll have to watch it soon. ☺
I really love the books but personally the show is a bit disappointing. I’ve given up on the show already, but hope you enjoy it! 🙂