Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments

I enjoyed the books. I know that no movie or show based off of books are nearly as good, so I will not rate this compared to the books, but as a stand alone show.

The acting is beyond dreadful, the lines are cheesy and the plot is very rushed. As always if you love fantasy shows with magic, demons, and such, you might overlook everything else and enjoy it for what it is.

Let me start by saying that I loved the books and hated the movie so much I tried to get through it twice and never made it beyond the first 15 minutes. Does this stick completely to the books? No, of course not. It follows the story line much better than the movie. Remember, this isn't a mini series so they need to set up a broader world. The characters are true to type and so much better cast than the crappy movie. I can already see that I am going to like Simon. He's pretty much exactly like in the book and bonus, Alec doesn't look like one of their dads :D. 1pilots are almost always meh and require setting up the premise so don't worry about it being plot heavy. They settle in nicely in the second episode. (already on Hulu plus a week in advance). Give it a shot if you like the books.

I love the books having read them all more than once, the movie was OK ish but I was very excited when I heard a series was being made. I watched the first episode and I wasn't sure, the acting was a tad wooden but that's not unusual for a new series in the pilot episode especially for new young actors. So I watched the next one and it started to grow me and now I'm hooked and can't wait for each new episode. Yes it is slightly different to the books but no film or TV adaptation is 100% true to the book, what works on the page doesn't always translate to screen hence they say 'based on'. I have likened this series to True Blood, I watched the first episode or two of that and thought it was a bit naff but I stayed with it a became an avid True Blood fan, loving every episode. I am hoping Shadowhunters will be the same. In conclusion give it a chance, it could be a really good watch.

I've read almost all the books, but the story of Clary, Jace, Simon, Isabelle, Alec and Magnus... That one I know from start to finish. Can't say I appreciate the movie, but I've found this TV show to be quite interesting. Sure, it has deviated from the books, but I hardly know a TV show based on a book that hasn't. Even movies do it all the time. So I gave it a shot and I'm willing to follow it through. If I wanted to see the story of the books then I'd read the books. When I watch Shadowhunters is really to see what they're willing to do differently. And so far although it hasn't been great, it isn't poor either. I've found it to be a good show to follow. And until it becomes impossible to watch then I'll continue seeing it.

Also true that the cast is a little green and that shows quite well, especially in the scenes that would require more emotion more deep into it. But seeing most are newcomers I'm more than willing to let that slide.

All in all I believe if people go into this with a open mind and not expect to see what they read in the books they'll appreciate it for the value it has.

The new season of Shadowhunters clearly makes a stable foundation of what makes its book counterpart so intriguing. I believe this is the time where it shines and subsumes itself to the character and environment of the book that all readers are familiar of. Season 3 is the stepping stone of what could become a long running show.

My advice, withhold all judgements on the first two seasons and be carried away of the new season.