Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare || I didn’t hate it *gasp*?!

City of Bones

The Mortal Instruments #1

Cassandra Clare

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.

Publisher: Margaret K. Books

Published: March 27th 2007

 

---

---

Like I mention in the title, I didn’t hate this book. It’s nothing special, but I was having fun.

Keeping it short because I feel most of us know what this one’s about: After seeing some strange people murder a boy, Clary finds out she’s a Shadowhunter (fancy name for demon killer). Her mother is missing also, so she has to deal with that as well. Yeah.

Since I’ve heard from multiple people to get through the first three books before it gets great, I kept my expectations a blank slate and I guess that helped me enjoy it as much as I did. Again, my mind wasn’t blown, but it was a good time. There was some girl hate which isn’t surprising given when this was published… but again, I expected it, so it didn’t bother me as much as it usually would.

The world is pretty decent, many urban creatures and weird rules and flying demon motorcycles… it is the first book, so I’m expecting this world to expand and become more interesting. This book does feel early 2000’s, but it’s fine? What’s the word… nostalgic! It’s dated, but it’s fine, because it’s great remembering all of the things back then: teen clubs especially.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t have an issue with Clary. She’s 15/16, her mom is missing and she’s in this world that’s completely new to her. I’m not expecting her to have a cool head or know what to do automatically; I’d be freaking out. I didn’t find her annoying, she felt realistic in her reactions. Simon, on the other hand… annoyed me? Yet, he had the funniest lines… so… there’s that.

Izzy was cool, I like the female friendship that was happening and a hopeful Clary/Alec (who is a closeted queer by the way… can’t wait to see that explored) brotp though I had to fight until the end to get there. And Jace… towards the end, the tortured bad boy with daddy issues went to a whole other level…

I guess my main problem was I didn’t care about any of these characters. Or their circumstances. They were basic, nothing really special was happening, I knew no one was going to die and maybe it’s because it’s the first book in a six book series, but… I wasn’t excited or anything.

Now, this series is kind of old, so it’s inevitable that I would have spoiled myself for the twist… it didn’t bother me as much as it might have if I didn’t know? I guess because I do know… other things, I know it’s not an issue. But even now, it’s a decent oh my gosh how are we going to take this? How will this affect them type of thing. It was also annoying in a way? Because now I have to deal with it in book two which isn’t a small book so… second hand embarrassment is a THING.

I’m not really mentioning any type of romance because… not much happened in that department. One kiss… I’m not counting it. Overall, I’m pretty okay with this series, it’s a great time waster and such. Book two should be interesting.