Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Posted by Jessi (Geo) on May 31, 2012 | 7 Comments


Review: City of Bones by Cassandra ClareCity of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments #1
Published by Margaret K. McElderry (3.27.2007)
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Paperback, 485 pages
Source: I own it
Buy on Amazon


4.5 Stars

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.

My thoughts

This is the second time I’ve read this book. I just bought City of Lost Souls, so I’m re-reading the whole MI series before I start on that one. It’s hard for me to write this review because it’s hard to be objective about something you already had an opinion of. I loved the series the first time and I enjoyed this one just as much the second time around. It’s a fast paced and easy read, full of twists and turns. I wish I was reading this again for the first time, because unfortunately I already knew what was going to happen. I’d forgotten a lot of it, but I found that as I read, it all came back to me slowly. 
 
The characters are wonderful and realistic. I like Clary a lot, she’s fiery and easy to connect with. She had a few immature moments in there, but she is fifteen. I loved Jace (well, right up until a certain part in the very end, where I just wanted to slap him)…even though he’s rather arrogant, he’s snarky and charming. The supporting characters are great too: Simon, the dorky but sweet best friend; Alec, the rather spoiled and bratty best friend of Jace’s; Isabelle, Alec’s kick-ass, whip-wielding, call-it-as-she-sees it and sometimes a bit bitchy sister; and Magnus Bane, the aloof and flamboyant wizard (with a cat named Chairman Meow – tee hee!). I absolutely love all the characters in this series – they’re very colorful and unique. Even the villain is perfectly portrayed: Valentine is a creepy and sinister baddie that I love to hate. He’s so slimy and manipulative that sometimes it’s hard to see what his real intentions are. I’ll be posting a dream cast sometime while reading this series! :)
 
Clare has a witty sense of humor that had me giggling throughout the entire story. I love sarcastic humor, and this one has it in bounds. She also has a way with the shock factor – forget whatever you think you know, because it’s probably not true in the end. I definitely recommend for paranormal fans!
 
Favorite character: Probably Jace in this one, right up until the very end.
 
quotes
“Don’t order any of the faerie food. It tends to make humans a little crazy. One minute you’re munching on a faerie plum, the next minute you’re running naked down Madison Avenue with antlers on your head. Not that this has ever happened to me.”
 
“You can go ahead and hang your head out the car window if you feel like it.”
“I’m a werewolf, not a golden retriever.”
 
“Oh, it’s big enough, but somehow I was expecting something…you know.” He gestured with his hands, indicating something roughly the size of a house cat.
“It’s the Mortal Cup, Jace, not the Mortal Toilet Bowl.”
 
“Ignore him,” Clary said to Jace, and elbowed Simon in the side. “He always says exactly what comes into his head. No filters.”
“Filters are for cigarettes and coffee.”
I agree! :D
 
assessmentPlot: 4/5
Writing style: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Each one is unique with his/her own voice.
World-building: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 3/5
 
Overall rating: 4.5/5 starfish

 

Jessi (Geo)

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7 responses to “Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

  1. Awesome review for an awesome book. I love this series and I love the characters especially Jace and Clary with their humour.
    One of the best books I read this year.

  2. Nice review! I haven’t started this series as yet but everyone seems to be enjoying it.

    ~Shane
    new follower

    I love your blog. very artistic

  3. I read Maggie Stiefvater’s Mercy Falls series due to the fact that a reviewer stated they wished they could have read it again for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve been meaning to read MI, but have not had a chance to yet. I am now thrilled that you said you wish you could read it again for the first time. Thanks :)

  4. I’ve read The Clockwork Angel and The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, but I still haven’t started this series. I definitely want to start before the movie is out (I have no idea when that is, though).

  5. I just finished City of Bones as I had to see what all the hype was about. Will admit that it did start off a little slow for me, but about halfway through, it really captivated my attention and could not put it down till the end. Looking forward to reading the next one!

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