City of Bones

by lou16

City of Bones is the first book in the Mortal Insturments series by Cassandra Clare. It's basically a fantasy story about the dark side of New York City that's hard to put down.

When you see that Stephanie Meyer (author of the Twilight Saga) has said that this is a story world that she'd love then you have to at least take a look at the book don't you?

On the first page I read a description that made me smile and I decided that this was definitely going to be a book I enjoyed.

The author of City of Bones is Cassandra Clare and the way she wove her story, along with her descriptions transported me into her world and I enjoyed it so much I quickly went out to get the next book!

Shadowhunters in New York?

This book is based around some Shadowhunters living in New York City.   Shadowhunters are demon hunters.   The book starts by introducing us to a Mundane (human) called Clary Fray who is the star of the book.   Visiting a nightclub she sees three Shadowhunters killing a demon which is strange for one very good reason - humans aren't supposed to be able to see the Shadowhunters.

The book really makes you look at the world differently - do we actually see what's really there or is it just an illusion, I guess it's like a mash up between the Matrix, Twilight and Supernatural.

The characters include people like Valentine the evil cult leader of the Circle (a splinter group of shadowhunters), Magnus Bane the High Warlock of Brooklyn and Brother Jeremiah - one of the Silent Brothers.   With names like that in the book you just know it's going to be good!

Clary Fray

The main character from City of Bones is a human teenager called Clary Fray.   Her mother Jocelyn is an artist and her father died before she was born (or that's what her mother has told her anyway).   Jocelyn's best friend is called Luke and has become a father figure to Clary.

Clary only has one friend and that's her best friend Simon who she's known since they were both very small children.   It was when Clary was out clubbing with Simon that she saw three teenagers kill another teen, when Simon comes into the room with the security guard they can't see anyone except Clary ......... little does Clary realize that her life is about to take her on an adventure that will change her life forever.

Later Jocelyn decides that she needs to take Clary away from the city for a while and after they fight Clary goes out with Simon and refuses to answer her mother's phone calls.   Once out she encounters one of the teenagers from the nightclub - Jace.

When Clary decides to answer Jocelyn's call her mother tells her not to return home, but to go to Lukes and tell him that 'he's found me'.   Of course Clary does what all characters in books and movies seem to do - she directly disobeys her mother and goes home to find her mother missing and more.

There's a demon in her appartment which she manages to kill although not before it poisons her - Jace turns into her knight in shining armor taking her back to what is known as the Institute where she meets the other Shadowhunters there - Isabelle, Alec and Hodge.   

The Shadowhunters

The main cast of Shadowhunters in this book live at the Institute which is run by Hodge, a shadowhunter who has been banished from Idris (the shadowhunter's home).   Jace Wayland was trained as a child by his father to be the best shadowhunter that he could be - he then witnessed his father being killed and was taken in by his father's friends the Lightwoods.

The Lightwoods had two children of their own Isabelle and Alec who are also shadowhunters and the three of them are taught (and live) at the Institute by Hodge.

It's at the Institute that they try to discover why it is that Clary can see them and so the story starts to unfold.

City of Bones - An Epic Story for Readers Young & Old

This fantasy story was actually written for young readers, but I don't think they should be the ones having all the fun!

My daughter read it and thought that I might enjoy it so I started and anyone who can describe hair like this -

"He had electric-blue dyed hair that stuck up around his head like tendils of a startled octopus.."

certainly deserved to have a few more pages of their book read by me.   A few more pages were all it took - I was hooked.   I actually wasn't expecting to enjoy it as I don't generally read fantasy novels, but I loved it so much I went straight out and brought the next two books! 

Have You Read City of Bones?

The Mortal Instruments Movie

City of Bones is only the first book in a saga called The Mortal Instruments and it's now going to be turned into a movie starring Phil Collin's daughter Lily Collins (The Blind Side, Mirror Mirror) as Clary Fray.

Find out more about the movie here - The Mortal Instruments Movie

You might also like

The Discworld Evolution of Granny Weatherwax

Terry Pratchett's Discworld is one of the most successful fantasy series of a...

Is Thirteen (Volume One) the Scariest Horror Book Ever Written?

Viral internet marketing campaign, meme or reality? That's the question that ...

Strong Female Characters in Fantasy Literature

I love a good book where the female lead doesn't always wait around for the m...

lou16, on 06/18/2012
 
Thank you! Would you like to post a comment now?
2

Comments


   Login
BrendaReeves on 07/17/2012

It sounds like a great story. I just can't get into reading anymore. I used to read constantly. My friends say the same. It must be an age thing.

katiem2 on 06/24/2012

I love a great transformation story that takes me along as it is captivating. Thanks for the great review, City of Bones sounds like a great read right now. :) K



Disclosure: This page generates income for authors based on affiliate relationships with our partners, including Amazon, Google and others.
Loading ...
Error!