Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Published: March 27th, 2007
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 485
Challenge: 100+ Reading Challenge, 350 Page Books Challenge, YA Series Challenge
Other: First book in The Mortal Instruments series. The fourth book, City of Fallen Angels, just came out. There will be six books in total.
Buy the book: Bookdepository

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.

I was probably the last person ever to pick up this series.. It wasn't because I never heard of it, it was just that the synopsis looked.. like something that wouldn't be for me. The whole blogosphere seems to be addicted to this series, so when I saw the first three books on sale on Amazon, I ordered it and I'm glad I did.

Having already read Clockwork Angel - the first book of The Infernal Devices series, the prequel to TMI- I  kind of knew what Shadowhunters were and how their world is built op. Clockwork Angel was a really slow read for me, and City of Bones was quite the opposite! I devoured the book. I was hooked from the first couple of pages!

I loved the world building, Simon, Clary, and of course, Jace. Oh my, how shocked I was when I finally discovered 'The Big Twist' of which I heard so much.. And The Big Twist really did suck! But I read on, and I was like a kid in a candy store after finishing this book. I just loved it.

Simon is such a nice character. I love how Clare portrais him. Kind of geeky, but with a big heart. It's obvious how he feels about Clary, but not in an annoying way. I'm really looking forward to reading more about him.

Then there's Clary. I liked her, too. I thought she was a nice character to follow around and be introduced to the modern Shadowhunter world. She was easy to follow and I really liked her personality in terms of the fact that she's a fighter and she stands up to experienced Shadowhunters.

But when I talk about Clary, I have to mention Jace too. Oh man, I loved him. I still do! I think he's a great character, although he's cocky, but I like that. I can fully picture him in my mind with every snarky remark he makes. Oh yes, I love Jace.

Despite The Big Twist (of which I seriously hope that it turns out to be a stupid joke to set them up), I loved this book and I'm REALLY looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I'm so glad that I own City of Ashes and City of Glass already!

My overall rating:

Nothing short of addicting and awesome, City of Bones definitely deserves every piece of these five stars!