City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare

Synopsis: 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.

Review:

a.) Characters: 4/5 score. We’re introduced to Clary, short for Clarissa, and I both like and dislike her instantly. She comes off aloft and airheadish, angst-filled and bratty, artistic and passionate. Simon is a hoot and holler; I fall madly in love with him instantly. The Shadowhunters, from Clary’s POV, often left a bitter taste in my mouth, especially with Jace acting high and mighty. The Lightwood family and Hodge, Clary’s mother and Luke, even side character that were simply mentioned in passing, they were all very strong and real.

b.) Plot: 3/5 score. I have to admit, once the hint was dropped, I knew the plot twist. And I’m okay with that. However, the whole hotel scene only becomes relevant for book two. I wish there had been more foreshadowing about that in book one, because it somehow felt shoved into these pages. Everything else felt fluid, developed, and then that hotel scene kind of left me asking, why was this here?

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score. There is always something about someone’s writing that snags one of my many petpeeves. Her writing style was smooth. I can honestly say I found very little that bothered me. There were cases where I wondered who says that? But each humorous remark, snarky comment, or sarcastic jibe felt true to the characters as well as the storyline. Each character had their own voice, evolved with the plot, and the world was believable. It was a very easy read. There was nothing jarring about her writing that threw me out of the story.
Rating: 11/15 total