March 5, 2012

Review: City of Bones, by Cassandra Clare


Author: Cassandra Clare
Title: City of Bones
Series: The Mortal Instruments (#1)
ISBN: 9781416914280
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (March 27th 2007)

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

My rating: 4 of 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”
GoodReads’ blurb

Most people already know about this one. I’m probably the last one to jump into the Mortal Instrument’s train, and probably that means I’ve been living under a rock. Still, I finally got to read this, and I loved it so I’m going to share that, even if you’re fed up with the positive reviews!

I did something very interesting with City of Bones: I went in without an idea of what I’d find. I didn’t even read the blurb! I was told to read it by my lovely friends over at Starbooks, and I just grabbed it and got started. I don’t know if the surprise and delight would have been the same if I had read some background ahead, but.. . wow. I’m so happy that I went in with no preconceived ideas!

Everyone’s going to rave about Jace, about how wonderful a lead male character he is, about how funny and strong and fragile and protective, and even how infuriating he can be. For the record, I do agree – Jace is definitely one of the best guys ever! But, do you know who I loved, that almost never gets mentioned? Alec!

Alec, so serious and straightforward, and haughty, when in truth he’s just insecure and worried. In general, the support cast is, beyond a doubt, amazing – with their little quirks and personalities, each of them has enough backstory to warrant their own novel if Clare ever gets bored.

The backstory itself must be what truly hooked me, beyond the amazingly hot Jace, and beyond sweet Alec and perfect Magnus. I loved the twist to old myths, I loved the concept of Downworld...

I might not love the villain much, but I do understand him. He has a reason to act as he does, even if that reason stems from what I see as paranoia and egotism to the umpteenth, and then gone wrong.

I’ll be honest: I’ve done something I don’t like doing with City of Bones. I’ve gone and read the sequel before writing the review. There, it was that good.

So, if you’re like me and still don’t know this series... get started!

22 comments:

  1. Oh, I enjoyed this a lot too. In fact, it wasn't until book 4 that I felt utterly disappointed by the direction Clare was taking. It was meant to be a trilogy, so I suppose it's understandable that book 4 simply didn't fit well with the others, in my opinion.
    However, I'm a big fan of the first three books. You wrote that you already read and liked the second, I'm pretty sure you'll feel the same way about the third as well.

    I've been busy for a while so I haven't been around as much as I wanted to. I hope you're doing well, Ron.

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    1. You're right: with very few reservations, I loved book 3! (I finished it yesterday in the wee hours of the night). Now I'm kinda worried about book 4... what does happen to make it change directions so bad? Hmmm... Must find out *rushes off to check her audible credits*

      I've had a week of hell too, so don't worry about absentism. Hopefully, the both of us are back on our feet! Thanks so much for stopping by, Maja :)

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  2. Oh my... I'm so glad that you liked it! I love love love Jace. I don't need to emphasize cos you already know! I love Alec too! and Magnus! And I so agree, the supporting characters are amazing! I love Cassie's writing and I love her books. Can't wait for the City of Lost Souls =)

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    1. Me neither! She's quickly become one of my faves, and I think her series is a must! Jace is amazing! So broken and so perfect! I want one of those lol Only thing I'd have liked is more from the side characters - more Magnus and Alec, more Issy. But that's one small complain, isn't it?

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  3. I agree, Alec is a fantastic character, and Magnus is simply magnificent. Magnus is one of the few characters that is featured in both of Clare's series and I've kinda fallen in love with his sparklingly awesome character. He's got a lot of depth and he's a strangely wise character... which I guess shouldn't be that surprising given his age. I also love Simon. Simon is somewhat underrated I think, and I'll be interested in what you think of him as you continue on in the series. :) So glad you enjoyed it!!!

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    1. I think this is wrong in many fan-levels, but I think that, ravenous fan of TMI as I've become, I'd be even more fangirlish and plain worse if an Alec/Magnus book came out.

      And, and... what's that about Magnus being featured in ID too! Oh. My. God. Just Saturday I saw the paperback for Clockwork Prince on sale for 4,90 bucks... I wanted it so very badly, but now? I must own it!

      Now, Simon. I need to make up my mind about him. I mean, I like him - just not as Clary's lover. I've just finished book 3 and he undergoes a most interesting development, though. But he doesn't compare with the rest, to be honest. Not right now, at least!

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  4. Definitely like you. Been living under a rock...or just too lazy to pick it up and get started. Have the sample on my Kindle and WILL read it asap. :-)Awesome review!
    _yay_ @ BookthatThing!

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    1. _yay_! So good to see you! :) Well, it's time for us to crawl out from our rocks, really. I mean, I know it's four books, quite thick for the genre even, and the fifth's on its way... so yes, I understand the lazy factor. But trust me, you won't regret picking this one up. One of the best world ever, with great characters, and the amount of cliche in YA paranormal romance is almost nul! So do read that sample and see if it doesn't grab your attention ;)

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  5. I'm glad you liked it. It was this book that started me on my dive into reading. My brother read and kept bugging me about it til I finally agreed to read it too. I just have to say I'm so glad I read it.
    City of Bones was amazing. The concept of Shadowhunters was new and exciting. I loved all of the characters especially Isabel, I think she is one of my favorites.
    I agree with Maja Book 4 was okay but not as great as the first three books but I still read it in one sitting and I'm excited to read book 5.
    Great Review!

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    1. Completely, absolutely agree on the amazingness of the world and myth built here. :) I've been checking out the blurb for book 4, and a couple of reviews, and I think that Simon's love life might make it less interesting for me (come on, why Simon and not Alec?!?!?) but I'm still looking forward to it. A lot :)

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  6. Nope, you are not the last. I am still in Loserville. Haha... seriously. I'm so contemplating getting all my review books completed, and all summer just catching up on all the books I've been missing out on. Including THIS one!

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    1. If you do manage to get your reviews done, Christy, I'll just put a statue for you lol Mine keep growing. As it is, I'm compromised until May, and counting. But yes, I think we need to do something about books that need to be read ASAP. *Grabs the pompons* I know you can make room for this series! ;)

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  7. Hi Ron! Just stoppin by to say hi :)
    This is a book I have begun a few times already but have yet to sit down and read until the end. IDK why either, I liked it, it engaged me, but it seems another book came along that I wanted to read more.
    I MUST finish it. Soon. I have a box I begin and put down. I think after I finish all of my books for review I will attack that box.
    Gr8 review btw.
    Have a nice week, hope u get some gr8 books to read <3

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    1. Oooh... I don't think I'd have been able to do that with this one... But yes, I know the feeling. Books you just say, "uh, later". And technically it's cool, because no matter how long you take, it still is "later" so you can keep pushing it back and... Ahem. Yes. It's my favored way of skipping books I don't want to review after all lol

      Thanks for stopping by! Good luck finishing those TBReviewed books!

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  8. I may just have to read this series now. to be honest I have had all the books in this series for a while but just haven't started them. But, after your review I guess I will have to rectify that. Great review as always:)

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    1. Gah! *Points at the super cool covers* How could you pass all four books up? lol I'm having trouble keeping my hands off Clockwork Prince. Anyway, I seriously hope you enjoy this series when you do get to it. It was my first with this kind of supernatural creatures and, well, it's left me wanting more! :)

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  10. I love your review and you know what, I am also one of those people who started on this series so late! But I love it and I am in the middle of City of Ashes.

    You're right about the supporting characters, I love them all! Plus, the villain is awesome =D

    I guess we can compare our notes on it! I will be looking forward to your review of City of Ashes!

    Check out my review of City of Bones and enter the giveaway if you're interested!

    Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile

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    1. True about the villain! Besides, what's most disturbing (at least for me) is that I can totally see him doing it... and believing that it's right. That's the way this things start, isn't it?

      I really look forward to comparing notes on the TIM! :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Yes, a perfect villain would totally make you believe that doing the wrong thing is absolutely right; just like it is with Jace. ^_^

      Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile

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  11. Yes I admit that I could rave about Jace probably all day long lol, but I love all the characters in TMI. Everyone is special and so very unique, even Church the cat is awesome. I didn't find City of Bones til after all three were out. After reading it I was so grateful I didn't have to wait for the next books. City of Bones is amazing and Cassie Clare is such a genius. The world of Shadowhunters is such a magical place where anything is really possible. If someone hasn't started this series I highly suggest you start now, your missing out. I can't even say how excited I am for City of Lost Souls to be coming out in May. Highly anticipating it!!!

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    1. Church! How could I forget Church!

      I probably got distracted by Magnus *cough, cough*

      Anyway, I have to agree: I'm so very glad I don't have to wait for the books to come out! I'd have been pure hell. And I love the univers. It's all about the myth and the characters complementing each other so well.

      I'm super excited about City of Souls too!!!

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