Book Review: City of Bones

Title: City of Bones
Series: Mortal Instruments (Book 1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: 2005

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....

My Review:
This book has it all! Great characters, originality - Clare did a great job when she created the Shadowhunter world, it all seemed very realistic -, mystery, fantasy, romance and great dialogues. The plot was filled with non-stop action, and there were never a dull moment. This book was addictive and I devoured it in less than a day!

One of my favorite parts of this book were the characters, they were all well-developed and I instantly connected with the three young shadowhunters; Jace, Alec and Isabel. It took me a bit longer to get to know Clary's character, but when I did I found her surprisingly cool! In this kind of stories, when a girl suddenly enters a whole new world (of demons/vampires/faeries) she is usually a bit afraid, careful or wimpish. Clary, however, was determined, cocky and not afraid to fight. (I love when she slapped Jace! So cool and unexpected)

At first I thought that it was a bit strange that Clary all of sudden could see demons, but that was explained later and then didn't seem odd at all. Cassandra Clare did a great job in tying up this story, and all sub-plots within it, during the last chapters. All my questions were answered and we weren't left with a major cliff-hanger.

One thing I didn't enjoy though, was the twist in Jace & Clare's relationship, I wasn't completely satisfied with the road Clare chose. But I am curious to find out how this is going to affect coming books!

If you have read this book you probably remember a character named Magnus Bane. I was sure that I had heard that name before, and I tried to figure out when. Could it be an old Swedish king? It still didn't add up. And then it hit me - I was thinking about the Finnish soccer goaltender Magnus Bahne! (I know - this is totally random and has nothing to do with the book - but I thought it was fun :P)

So overall - a great book set in a great world with great characters! (Did I mention it was great?)

Rating: 4.5 of 5