Book Review: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare || Twilight Sleep

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments #1
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books on March 27, 2007
Genres: paranormal, urban fantasy, young adult
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon • Add it: Goodreads

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.

My Thoughts

This was a great book – a very nice play on the world of demons and magic. I very much enjoyed Clare’s explanation of the creation of the half-demons we know as faeries, vampires, werewolves, and more. The creation of the Shadow World and its laws and system was very inspired and quite ingenious. It was different in a simple, yet convincing way. I also loved the complexity of the characters interactions with and relationships to each other. Many have condemned Clare for her twist on the Valentine/Clary/Jace situation…but I think it makes for fascinating sequels. I admit that I was originally a bit put-out by Valentine’s seeming change of heart…but I think at the end of the story, it’s clear that all of the characters are still a mystery – which is the perfect way to keep us coming back for more.

I was impressed by Clare’s ability to weave together action, a bit of romance, the modern world and the fantasy one in a highly enjoyable read.