City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Genre: Young Adult - fantasy/paranormal
Synopsis: 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....

Rating:
3.5 stars

Review: Since this is a rather popular book and series, I decided to do my review a little bit different than usual. I'll simply list the pros and cons, and my overall thoughts on the book.

Pros: The author, Cassandra Clare, sure is a natural story teller. I think to me it was one of the book's greatest strengths. It's somewhat of a lengthy book, but I was never bored with it mainly because she just knows the right way to grab a reader's attention. Her writing simply flowed so well, almost without effort, and the pace was fast and perfect. I liked the characters a lot, and thought they were very likable, especially the main protagonist, Clary, and her best friend, Simon. Generally, I thought that City of Bones was a great introduction to a promising series, and was very entertaining.

Cons: One of the things I want most in a book about a fantasy world, is originality. I thought there were a lot of sub-plots in City of Bones that simply reminded me of other story lines I have read before. There are are just so many recycled ones, it just turns me off from the story somehow.
Second negative thing is Jace. I am very indifferent about his character. He's cool and all, but there's just something not very likable about him to me. Maybe I just don't find the whole "bad boy" persona appealing, and I don't even think the way he was portrayed as one was believable either. Then again, maybe that's just me.

Overall: Ultimately, while I don't think it's the "best book ever," I do think it is as entertaining and interesting as everyone says it is. I recommend it to YA readers, and fans of fantasy/paranormal YA as I think that particular audience will appreciate this story line the most. It's a great story world to live in, and while I'm not running to get my hands on the sequel, I'd still want to read it in the near future, and I do think it is worth your time.

7 comments:

  1. I just finished this one last night.. I liked it, but I didn't LOVE it. and that certain twist at the end... well that was just plain wrong. you know what a mean lol

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  2. I like your pros and cons review! That's what I do with my second opinion reviews (when I read books for the second time). The other books in the series get better---just keep reading!

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  3. That was a great way to review books, with pros and cons. I approve it. Also, I appreciate your honesty with the story. But, like Kelli said above, just keep reading. City of Ashes is awesome, and City of Glass is so much more than just awesome. =)

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  4. I really like the format you used to review this book. I've been wanting to read it for a while now and I think I definitely will now after reading your review!

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  5. You're absolutely right. I think everyone should read these books, simply for the enjoyment factor. They aren't spicily original, but the familiarity of the theme lends them a "hi; you look sort of like my lovely neighbor, but different" kind of feel!

    Julie @ Knitting and Sundries

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  6. Sarah - Haha most definitely wrong.

    Kelli - Thank you, I will keep reading and hope it'll get even better.

    Raila - :) Will read them both when I get them from the library.

    Tara - I'd love to hear what you think of it when you get to read it.

    naida - Yes it is. Not for everyone, but interesting nonetheless.

    jewelknits - Hehe I like how you put that with the lovely neighbor thing. That sounds about right.

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