Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments #1)

onyxdarkling
Nov 23, 2013
2 min read

City of Bones is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series, and takes pace in New York. The main character, Clarissa, or Clary, Fray lives with her artist mother and spends most of her time with her best friend, sweet, geeky Simon Lewis, who plays in his friends' band. The story begins in downtown New York City, when Clary and Simon go to the Pandemonium Club. Inside, Clary witnesses a gruesome murder - even more shocking, a murder committed by three odd-looking teenagers. Clary is bafled when she realizes that only she can see the trio. After several more encounters with the teens Clary learns that they are shadowhunters, nephilim warriors who protect humans from demons and other monsters, living alongside "downworlders" - vampires, werewovles, and fairies, to name a few. She also learns that she is one of the few who can see the shadowhunters, most likely meaning she has shadowhunter blood.

After learning a shocking truth about her father and her mother suddenly goes missing, Clary spends more and mor time with the three teens: Hostile Alec Lightwood, his spunky, fasion-forewrd sister, Isabelle, and their close fried, sarcastic, impulsive Jace Wayland. If Clary wants her mother back, she will have to team up with the shadowhunters, facing truths that she wishes she didn't know and learning secrets that could shatter her world.

Clary is a ver real person. She's a regual teen who's been dragged into the shadowhunter world and is trying to fit in, which I think is very relatable. She cares a lot about her best friend, Simon. I loved Simon! He's just so lovable and cute. He's very loyal to Clary and is a bit geeky, standing by her and willing to believe even crazy things like the world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders.

This book was original, with a good mix of humor and action that I haven't seen in a while. while the characters may seem easy to read, each of them have more going on than you see at first and they are likeable and relaitable. There were a couple slow spots in the plot, but it was a very enjoyable read. However, I felt like it dragged sometimes and I wish it had been a bit more suspenseful. Overall, a great book. Four out of five stars for this one.

For those of you looking for more, the book was adapted to a movie and was released in 2013.

You can see more about the author here. Or click here for more on the books and here for the fansite.