Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Erica

City of Bones
Cassandra Clare
Release Date: March 27, 2007
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 496

Rating: 4 stars

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.

City of Bones was a book that kept me up reading late into the night until I couldn't keep my eyes open and then waking up ridiculously early because I had to finish it. City of Bones was definately a book to keep you flipping pages. I could never guess exactly what was coming next, Clare kept you surprised with what she threw at readers.

The world Clare created was so vivid. She is heavy on descriptions so you really get the overall picture. At times the description was almost a little much.

The characters were so full of life! I loved Jace, he was enjoyable to read about and have a great sense of humor. Alec and Isabelle grow on you as the book go on. At first I found myself not liking them much and almost annoyed with them at first, but then they find a way into your heart. Simon was a really amiable character. Surprisingly, him and Jace were my two favorites. Clary is consistanting reminded of all she must learn, as her world and everything she thought was turned upside down. She was a strong female character.

Overall City of Bones is a gripping fantasy that will leave readers heading out the door to get book 2, City of Ashes. A must read for any fantasy lovers out there.