City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments (Book 1 of 6)
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Age Group: Young Adult
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Release Date: August 1, 2007 (Already Released)
Format: Paperback, pages
ISBN-13: 9781406307627
Australian RRP: $19.95 AUD
Source: Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Source: Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Cover love?
The character on the front cover is Jace. The cover looks great with the others in the series, although the fact that Jace appears god-like and half naked makes the book look like it's an adult novel, and might deter readers.
I've heard of this series for over a year or so, but for some reason that I cannot fathom now, I never got a chance to read it. Then word about Cassandra Clare escalated with the release of Clockwork Angel, the first of a companion series set two centuries ago, in the same world. And I knew I had to check out this series. And I'm telling you now, it is freakin' amazing!!
The Mortal Instruments series combines elements of paranormalcy: Vampires (Children of the Night), Werewolves (Children of the Moon), Faeries (the Fey), Warlocks (Lilith's Children), Demons, and Shadowhunters (Nephilim - a mix between angels and humans). And the awesome thing is, all these paranormal creatures stay true to legend, whilst all combined in this epic urban fantasy.
Cassandra Clare's writing is utterly memorable, and I felt absolutely absorbed in the twists and turns of Jace and Clary's adventure. She has a brilliant way of presenting dialogue that I admire. In particular, her "street talk", including swearing, is very cleverly included to allow this book to identify with all readers. She rarely puts the actual swear word in writing, preferring instead to describe it. The reader knows exactly what the character has said, but the actual word is never used. Now that is intelligent writing, "showing, not telling".
I fell completely in love with her characters. One hottie by the name of Jace, in particular. Clary is an apt heroine, albeit fitting into the cliched role of the "beautiful-but-doesn't-know-it-girl-who-discovers-a-whole-new-world-and-awesome-magical-powers-that-come-naturally-and-gets-the-guy". You know what I'm talking about.
And then there's Alec, Isabella and Simon - awesome characters with dynamic personalities. Alec gets his own side story which I don't want to spoil... but it was a pleasant surprise and I admire Cassandra Clare for bravely including that story in there.
There's a twist in this book that simply left me speechless. I was so full with emotion that I gasped and almost screamed out loud in frustration. It's definitely a plot twist that will leave readers hanging on for more. Cleverly done, and had me hook, line and sinker.
Cassandra Clare's pure brilliance has catapulted her and her series to one of my all-time favourites, up there with JK Rowling, Richelle Mead and Suzanne Collins. If you have not read this yet, I beg you, please read it!! This is a book that all readers (even avoiders of paranormal) will love, because every new page is a treasure, waiting to be uncovered.
Rating:
Links:
City of Bones Official Website | City of Bones at Walker Books AUS | Cassandra Clare's Website | Goodreads | Mortal Instruments Wiki
(Reviews coming for these novels:)
City of Ashes Review | City of Glass Review | Clockwork Angel Review
Synopsis
Clary Fray is an ordinary teenager, but everything changes the night she witnesses a murder, committed by a group of teens. The group are Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to driving demons out of this dimension and back into their own. Drawn inexorably into a terrifying world, Clary slowly begins to learn the truth about her family - and the battle for the fate of the world.
Review
I've heard of this series for over a year or so, but for some reason that I cannot fathom now, I never got a chance to read it. Then word about Cassandra Clare escalated with the release of Clockwork Angel, the first of a companion series set two centuries ago, in the same world. And I knew I had to check out this series. And I'm telling you now, it is freakin' amazing!!
The Mortal Instruments series combines elements of paranormalcy: Vampires (Children of the Night), Werewolves (Children of the Moon), Faeries (the Fey), Warlocks (Lilith's Children), Demons, and Shadowhunters (Nephilim - a mix between angels and humans). And the awesome thing is, all these paranormal creatures stay true to legend, whilst all combined in this epic urban fantasy.
Cassandra Clare's writing is utterly memorable, and I felt absolutely absorbed in the twists and turns of Jace and Clary's adventure. She has a brilliant way of presenting dialogue that I admire. In particular, her "street talk", including swearing, is very cleverly included to allow this book to identify with all readers. She rarely puts the actual swear word in writing, preferring instead to describe it. The reader knows exactly what the character has said, but the actual word is never used. Now that is intelligent writing, "showing, not telling".
I fell completely in love with her characters. One hottie by the name of Jace, in particular. Clary is an apt heroine, albeit fitting into the cliched role of the "beautiful-but-doesn't-know-it-girl-who-discovers-a-whole-new-world-and-awesome-magical-powers-that-come-naturally-and-gets-the-guy". You know what I'm talking about.
And then there's Alec, Isabella and Simon - awesome characters with dynamic personalities. Alec gets his own side story which I don't want to spoil... but it was a pleasant surprise and I admire Cassandra Clare for bravely including that story in there.
There's a twist in this book that simply left me speechless. I was so full with emotion that I gasped and almost screamed out loud in frustration. It's definitely a plot twist that will leave readers hanging on for more. Cleverly done, and had me hook, line and sinker.
Cassandra Clare's pure brilliance has catapulted her and her series to one of my all-time favourites, up there with JK Rowling, Richelle Mead and Suzanne Collins. If you have not read this yet, I beg you, please read it!! This is a book that all readers (even avoiders of paranormal) will love, because every new page is a treasure, waiting to be uncovered.
Links:
City of Bones Official Website | City of Bones at Walker Books AUS | Cassandra Clare's Website | Goodreads | Mortal Instruments Wiki
(Reviews coming for these novels:)
City of Ashes Review | City of Glass Review | Clockwork Angel Review
