The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones

I first read this series years ago before the third one had even come out and I loved them! They were so fresh and exciting and just wow. I decided to reread them because I got a request wanting me to do a review for the series. Reading them now, being older and all, I still think they are pretty dang cool. But they're not quite as good as I remember. They are dark and gritty and fun with tons of adventure.

Reading it before I would give it 5 stars... reading it now it gets 4. Also after rereading it, the movie wasn't as bad as I first thought. It hits a lot of the important key points... the acting was pretty awful though and Jace was very underwhelming in the looks department but still... I'm very excited for the TV show, anyone else with me?

I did see some of the actors and actresses they got and I don't know... I'm just going to have to wait and see I guess.

I'm very excited the Shadowhunter world is still around and more books are going to be released. I do like the author's writing style, I always have. It's very simple and flows nicely. I'm not even going to tell you guys to read this book because pretty much everyone already has because they are freaking awesome sauce.

I loved this series so much, I've read it a few times now. Jace is one of my favorite hotties of all time. Clary is real and cool. But it's the other characters, Isabelle and Simon, that totally round this book out for me. I'm a total fangirl.

Great beginning to a new series

I loved the plot, loved the story, loved the way author Cassandra Clare pulled you in. But I was caught I will be reading the next book but was this truly a young adult book? There was language, not just a little ALOT! So I want to say there was no need for it. No I am not a prude I just thought that it was not needed in the story. And some things I think were just thrown in here and there that the book could have done without.
I like Clary's character just a typical teenage and well written! I liked Hodge and all his "shadiness" Jace was well written but what happened towards the end, all of a sudden Jace becomes someone different? Overall great book, cannot wait for the movie.

This was a new plot that I had never read before. It was nice, and I really like it! Jace!
Clary actually got on my nerves quite a lot. She seemed like she was always in the way, and Mrs. Clare seemed to write it that trouble just followed her.
But the characters are really original, their personalities really shine through.

Great book. You should read it.

City of Bones is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series. At first I wasn't even sure I wanted to read it, considering there are already four HUGE books out and a fifth to come. But I sucked up my laziness and bad attitude and plunged head first into the novel. And boy am I glad I did! This book is very original, and even more complete with characters who have depth.

For those of you who have read the book, you know probably are in love with Jace (at least I am.) He's sarcastic, confident, and a little bad ass. I've been reading lots and lots of books lately and I've been drudging through boring male characters. They don't even have to be funny, I just want some substance to grab on to! Well, Cassandra Clare hit the mark with Jace. He's a guy that has a lot of baggage and some messed up childhood memories. In fact, I could connect with all the sub characters. From Simon to Alec, Clare made an ensemble cast that fit well together.

Her writing was another great aspect of the book. Constantly when I was reading it I felt like I was reading Harry Potter. I didn't know why, but the style kind of brought me back to J.K. Rowling's style a bit. Besides the overuse of similes, I felt like it was a very well written. That being said, I did think that there were some places that could have been edited down. Maybe it's just me. I'm not a marathon reader...I'm a sprinter. I like to get through books as quick as possible so I can either read the sequel or move on to another one. That and marathon's make me tired...and depressed, considering I don't even think I could finish one. Anyway, the book was fantastic despite it's length.

I would recommend this for anyone who loves witty guys, similes, and original story telling!

Reader reviewed by Erica

City of Bones
Cassandra Clare
Release Date: March 27, 2007
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 496

Rating: 4 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.

City of Bones was a book that kept me up reading late into the night until I couldn't keep my eyes open and then waking up ridiculously early because I had to finish it. City of Bones was definately a book to keep you flipping pages. I could never guess exactly what was coming next, Clare kept you surprised with what she threw at readers.

The world Clare created was so vivid. She is heavy on descriptions so you really get the overall picture. At times the description was almost a little much.

The characters were so full of life! I loved Jace, he was enjoyable to read about and have a great sense of humor. Alec and Isabelle grow on you as the book go on. At first I found myself not liking them much and almost annoyed with them at first, but then they find a way into your heart. Simon was a really amiable character. Surprisingly, him and Jace were my two favorites. Clary is consistanting reminded of all she must learn, as her world and everything she thought was turned upside down. She was a strong female character.

Overall City of Bones is a gripping fantasy that will leave readers heading out the door to get book 2, City of Ashes. A must read for any fantasy lovers out there.

Reader reviewed by Mariah

I had heard mixed things about this book. When I first started reading
it I was unimpressed because the seeing mythical creature thing is not
very original. But as I started read further into the book I was
pleasantly surprised!

The plot after you got past the first part
was wonderful and kept me captivated. The characters were beautifully
crafted and really seemed real. Even though this is a trilogy I was
sure I knew how the book would end even if I was unsure how I would get
there. I was so surprised when the end came! The book was full of
sarcastic humor and funny dialog mixed in with the serious plot. Good
book after the beginning!

Reprinted here with author's permission

Reader reviewed by Aud

City of Bones is an excellent tale of friendship, loyalty, love and family ties. Clary who has always been raised by her overly protective mother just thought she was an ordinary girl... however ordinary girls do not see invisible people. One night at a club she meets a group of kids who claim to be shadow hunters Jace, Isabell, and Alec. Only to Clary's surprise that no one else was able to see them. This first book in the triology set the stage for an excellent suspensful action packed series. Full of secrets and danger around every corner. The only downfall to this book is the extreme terminology used but it doesn't slow down the reading that much once you are in it.