Title: City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published: March 27, 2007
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Summary: 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…
Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end (Goodreads).
Review: This book was a reread for me as I read the book several years ago but never continued on with the series. I remembered bits and pieces but was missing major plot points so a reread was definitely necessary before continuing to read The Mortal Instruments series.
Things I Liked
- There’s diversity in the characters and creatures found within this book and I would assume the Shadowhunter world.
- Banter between the characters is literally what I live for in books. I was so happy with the sarcastic, witty remarks exchanged by Jace and Clary and even Simon.
Things I Didn’t Like
- Clary seemed pretty whiny to me throughout the book. I mean, I do understand that a lot was happening, unexpectedly, and that she is only 15 but… I would have loved for it to have been toned down a little.
Favorite Quotes
“… Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.”
“It means ‘Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234’.”
“Sarcasm is the last refuge of the imaginatively bankrupt.”
“Where there is love, there is often also hate. They can exist side by side.”
I’m planning to continue diving deeper into the Shadowhunter world by intermixing The Mortal Instruments (6 books) and the Infernal Devices (3 books). This is likely going to take quite a while for me to get through due to my temporary move that limits the number of books and bookish merch I can take.
I definitely have to agree with whiny Clary! I remember it gets better – or maybe I just got used to it.. But I seriously tried to ignore it every time she went all winy and “give me attention”. Up until the point that I just skimmed certain pages.
Maybe I should reread these books and find out whether or not she stays that way or if I just got too used to ignoring it, haha.
Good luck reading all the books! [And more importantly, have fun while doing so. :)]
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Thanks so much! I’m hoping to read book two soon! Maybe I’ll get used to Clary’s whining too! 🙂
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Hey nice review! Hope you love the series, I’m a hugeeeee shadowhunter world fan! The Infernal Devices in my opinion is one of her best series till date so hope you love it! Would also like it if you could check out my blog as well, I write book reviews too!
https://bookchantedblog.wordpress.com
great review, keep writing!
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Thank you! I’ll check out your blog now. I haven’t continued reading the series yet, but I have heard several people say that TID is much better than TMI. I’m excited to keep reading!
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I just bought the whole series due to a really cheap offer but other than my friend’s recommendations I wasn’t very knowledgeable about the synopsis and background until now. I’m a lot more confident about actually liking this book after reading this informative review 😊
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Aw, thanks so much! I’m so happy to hear that! I have the entire series as well, both TMI and TID but haven’t read past this book yet. I hope to change that next month!
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You’re welcome and Good luck x
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