When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murderā 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 you yourself are a suspect. Or maybe it’s not such a difficult choice after all. Because Clary knows who did it: Jace Wayland, her friend and, um, sort of boyfriend . . .plus something about him that nobody else seems to know but her. Armed with clues from runes and tarot cards, Clary starts tracking down Dominic Lightwood, leader of The Shadowhunters Mortal Instrumentsāa secret society sworn to exterminate Downworlders like vampires and werewolves. But what then? How does she find Jace? And how does she stop Valentine from killing everyone she loves?
For who is this book for ?
This book is for young adults. It tells the story of Clary Fray, a teenage girl who witnesses a murder and then sets out to find the killers with help from some unusual sources.
Pros :
- Interesting and unique premise
- Engaging characters
- Well written
Cons :
- It’s extremely clichĆ©
- The characters are irritating and Mary Sue-ish
- It’s poorly written
Learn more about the author
Cassandra Clare is the author of City of Bones, the first book in The Mortal Instruments series. She was born and raised in Te Awamutu, New Zealand, and now lives in Los Angeles.
Reader Reviews
“City of Bones is an addictively readable urban fantasy set in contemporary New York City. Clare’s characters are well drawn and engaging, and the story zips along at a breakneck pace.”
“City of Bones was an amazing book! It’s full of excitement, adventure and romance. The characters are very likable and the plot is well written.”
“City of Bones is an exciting, action-packed novel that I simply couldn’t put down. Clare has created a believable and fascinating world populated by equally compelling characters.”
“City of Bones is an intense, action-packed read that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Clary is a strong and brave protagonist who makes mistakes but always tries to right her wrongs. The love triangle between Jace, Clary and Simon is swoonworthy without being too angsty or clicheĢd. The secondary characters are well developed and add richness to the story. Overall, this was an addictive book with a great plot and fantastic writing.”