City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones - Book One of Mortal Instruments Series
Author: Cassandra Clare
Number of Pages: 485
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Strongly Recomended


SummeryWhen 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. . . .

ReviewCity of Bones was a definite thrill ride for me. From the very first page, I was addicted. Cassandra Clare did an amazing job with making the whole ‘fantasy world’ seem believable. It seemed so very real to me. It pained me whenever I was forced to put the book down. But when I wasn’t reading it, I was definitely thinking about it. My mind was unable to focus on anything else. It simply amazed me.

Clary was such a strong character. I loved that she didn’t give in, that she stayed firm on her decisions. She didn’t seem weak and I loved that about her. She did what she wanted and didn’t let anyone come in the way of that. Keeping her own secrets and not blurting out every little thing she felt or thought made her less susceptible to vulnerability. There’s nothing more frustrating than a weak, vulnerable, push over of a main character. I’m happy to say that Cassandra Clare had the sense to make Clary a fighter.

Another character that I adored was Jace. I doubt that anyone can actually read this book and not love him. Everything about this boy is breath taking. His smart ass remarks, his shield that lets no one see what he was actually feeling, and the way he softened himself for Clary. I could go on and on about all the things I love about him, but you’ll just have to take my word that he’s amazing.

Not only were the characters captivating, but the story line and natural flow to the book was flawless. Unbelievably well balanced. Everything helped to move the story along, making it impossible to find a good place to stop. Stopping is physically painful to do. I always needed to know what happened next. Always.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes to be entertained. Which is everyone. This is a magnificent piece of work that should be given a standing ovation. Cassandra Clare is a genius.