The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones

Great book. You should read it.

City of Bones is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series. At first I wasn't even sure I wanted to read it, considering there are already four HUGE books out and a fifth to come. But I sucked up my laziness and bad attitude and plunged head first into the novel. And boy am I glad I did! This book is very original, and even more complete with characters who have depth.

For those of you who have read the book, you know probably are in love with Jace (at least I am.) He's sarcastic, confident, and a little bad ass. I've been reading lots and lots of books lately and I've been drudging through boring male characters. They don't even have to be funny, I just want some substance to grab on to! Well, Cassandra Clare hit the mark with Jace. He's a guy that has a lot of baggage and some messed up childhood memories. In fact, I could connect with all the sub characters. From Simon to Alec, Clare made an ensemble cast that fit well together.

Her writing was another great aspect of the book. Constantly when I was reading it I felt like I was reading Harry Potter. I didn't know why, but the style kind of brought me back to J.K. Rowling's style a bit. Besides the overuse of similes, I felt like it was a very well written. That being said, I did think that there were some places that could have been edited down. Maybe it's just me. I'm not a marathon reader...I'm a sprinter. I like to get through books as quick as possible so I can either read the sequel or move on to another one. That and marathon's make me tired...and depressed, considering I don't even think I could finish one. Anyway, the book was fantastic despite it's length.

I would recommend this for anyone who loves witty guys, similes, and original story telling!

Reader reviewed by Mary

This is best book I've read so far!even all of my friends thinks so too! Jace is my favorite character! he's soooo hot! <3 but it should've had more romance.. but i dont care as long as Jace is there :)  and so far i think its better than the Twilight series.

I would recommend this book to any person who likes vampires, fairies, werewolves etc..

Reader reviewed by Ava Harting

The city of Bones was a book that brings you into a different world.You'll fall in love with the characters and the story it's self. The book keeps you on the edge of your seat, you can't put it down once you've read the first couple of chapters! You'll be dying to find out what happens in the next book! So far this book has been one of the best books I've read in my life! After reading a couple pages of my friends I went out and bought the whole set. Your sure to love this book and the two after it!
                                                                TTYL,
                                                                        Ava 

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.

Reader reviewed by Andrea

Finding this book was the best thing. for one thing its a total page turner and it brings ever creature you can possible think of into this one book THAT IT BLOWS TWILIGHT OFF THE ROOF. Vampires, werewolves, fairies,pixies,daemons,angels and don't forget that jerky guy the every girl can't help it but find him irresistible is in City of Bones.One of the main reason I love this book is the characters are so different and well developed that when you read you find yourself at times. Be prepare to read this book more then once because your going to want to visited the shadowhunters over and over again. 

Read this book it will change your mind about fantasy 

Reader reviewed by tarheel34

this book was great! i did not want it to end, but thank the heavens that there was another book. this book is about a girl named Clary and she can see Shadowhunters that no one else can see. she has a best friend names Simon and he is in love with her, and she does not know. There is also Jace. WHOO. i want him to be real so bad. HAHA!,  he is a stuborn, hardcore, gorgous angle that i want. He and Clary have a connection that is clear from the beginning of the book. i just wish that the book was different. :( it makes me sad!!. do you want to know why it makes me sad? you are going to have to read it to find out. i love the type of books that have fictional characters that are not real. this is a must read book!!
GOOK READER>

Reader reviewed by Jenna

CITY OF BONES IS THE BEST BOOK IN THe WHOLE WIDe WORLD, INCLUDING THE SHADOWWORLD!!!!
Clary meets Jace a full time shadow hunter with marks all over his body!!  They fall in love with eachother, then Clary learns that Jace is actually her brother and that their father is the villian, it ia sll down hill from there, read the book to find out mmore, like i said it is very great!!!!!!

Reader reviewed by Maggie

I just finished reading the City of Bones and can't wait for the next one. In this book Clary and Simon run into a mysterious group of teens ( unknowing that Clary has more in common with them than either group thought.) Clary is/ was just a normal teenager but now everything has changed. Her mom has disappeared. The closest person she has to family. Luke, isn't someone that she is getting along with. Stuck with no one to turn to Jace show up to guide her, but getting attacked by downworlders wasn't in her plans either. At the Institute she has people who can and will help. Yet, others who don't care what happens to her as long as they get what they need. The City of Bones with leave you begging for more.

Reader reviewed by Jenna

City of Bones is one of the greatest books ever!!!!!!!!!   It is beautifully written (Thankyou Cassandra Clare) with many interesting details descriptions and most importantly, twists!! The main characters and also side characters in the book are Jace Wayland/Morgenstern, Clary Fray/Morgenstern, Simon Lewis, Alec Lightwood, Isabelle Lightwood, Luke Garroway, Max Lightwood, Valentine Morgenstern, Jocelyn Fray/Morgenstern, the Silent Brothers, Magnus Bane, Mayrse Lightwood, Robert Lightwood. Now I will explain who the characters are. Jace Wayland is a guy who is in love with Clary, but they find out that they are brother and sister. Alec loves Jace. Clary also loves Jace. Alec hates Clary. Magnus loves Alec. Simon loves Clary. Jace hates Simon. Jealous of a mundane as Shadowhunters call it. Alec is Isabelles older brother, Luke Garroway is a really good friend of  Clarys mother, and had always been like a dad to her. Clarys mom was JOcelyn Fray who was married to Valentine who was the villian. Mayryse and Robert Lightwood are Isabelle and Alec and Maxs parents. Magnus is a Warlok. the Silent Brothers are kind of liike Nephilim. That is it. Great book, always the greatest book in the whole wide univers, of anything anything anything.