City of Bones – Cassandra Clare
*Warning – may contain spoilers*
Author: Cassandra
Clare
Publisher: Walker
Books Ltd
First published: 2007
Edition: Paperback;
advertises release of the movie
Pages: 442
Blurb: Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in
Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn towards a group of
sexy demon hunters, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City – and the
dangers of forbidden love.
History of my copy: One of my friends
recommended the series to me years ago, probably around 2010-2011. I eventually
picked up my copy just before the film was released back in 2013 and
immediately became hooked. I am in love with the Shadowhunter world and Clare’s
books!
This is actually a review of a re-read... I have no idea how
many times I’ve read this book now, and I still love it! Especially when you
pick up on links to Clare’s other Shadowhunter novels.
Plot: The first
instalment of The Mortal Instruments introduces us to seemingly mundane Clary
Fray and her best friend Simon. It turns out though that things aren’t quite as
ordinary as it seems when Clary discovers she is actually a Shadowhunter, just
like Jace, Alec and Isabelle who she meets. Thrown into a world of demons and Downworlders,
Clary must find out who she is and where she belongs, whilst also trying to
save her mother.
City of Bones
fantastically introduces us to the Shadow world and the key characters, whilst
also setting the scene for the next 5 books and the imminent war. Touches of
romance and family dilemmas add to the plot, making it fast paced and real page
turner. Once you’re hooked on this one, you’ll be hooked on all of Clare’s
other books too!
Setting: City of Bones takes place almost entirely in New York, mainly in
the New York institute, a building that mundanes see as a ruined church. For
the majority of the time, Clare’s setting is gloriously detailed, from the
vampire haven of Hotel DuMort to the eerie City
of Bones. The one thing I have always had trouble picturing, however, is
parts of the institute, especially as the TV show, Shadowhunters, portrayed it
so differently to the few bits I had set out.
Characters: It’s really hard on a
re-read to judge characters on what you know from that specific book, rather
than everything else that you learn later. For example, I remember not being a
huge fan of Alec when I started the series, but come the end he is one of my
favourites. The same goes for Luke.
Without
a doubt, though, my favourite character is the one and only Magnus Bane. Again,
although I didn’t love him in the first book, I never disliked him, but my
appreciation for him has just grown continually. He’s such a magnificent
character and person and every time he appears in any of Clare’s books, I just
get super excited.
Jace is another character I
wasn’t too sure on. Sure, super-hot and cool and a great Shadowhunter, but he
always came across as too full of himself and his story seemed a bit too
tragic, but again, I learned to adore him.
Clary is a fantastic lead
character, and Clare has her priorities sorted perfectly. I feel like she was
perhaps too trusting of the Shadowhunters initially, but I guess they do save
her life enough times. And Simon! Even from the first book, I love Simon
endlessly. He is witty and brave and sticks out like a sore thumb, but in a way
that just makes me love him more.
To read or not to
read: Must read. In case you
haven’t already figured this out, I would recommend City of Bones and, subsequently, all of Cassandra Clare’s books to
absolutely everyone. I adore them. They are brilliantly written and have lots
of little links between the books which makes them even more fun to read. Whilst
not her strongest book, City of Bones
is a phenomenal debut novel and really set the scene for high expectations from
Clare.
