City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: McElderry
Release Date: February 19, 2008
Source: Library
Language: English

Synopsis: When 15-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.

Usually when I sit down and start writing up a review, I always put down my likes and dislikes about whatever book I just finished. I found that I didn't really dislike anything about City of Bones... the characters were all great and had individual personalities. The dialogue between characters was never forced and the writing itself was very well-crafted. The only thing that might get confusing is how the world of Shadowhunters works. (if you do get confused, just wikipedia it) What made me smile mostly was the bantering that goes on, especially between Jace and Clary (I love her name! It's so cute...I think of Clafairy from pokemon xD). She's not immediately infatuated with Jace's godly looks and doesn't take his crap. Jace is flirty, self-centered and is used to getting his way so he's amused when Clary doesn't just drop to his feet and fawn over him. They get to know each other as Clary joins his team and Jace pretty much opens her eyes to the world of demons and secrets emerge which explain why her mother's been so mysterious all these years; Jace's team, Alec and Isabelle, aren't exactly fond of Clary but as the story progresses, they eventually warm up to her. Simon, Clary's best friend, I kinda liked. He was geeky cute, and worried about Clary. He's also been in love with her since they were kids and this has Clary on edge, since she just doesn't see Simon that way. To sum it up, there's a lot of excitement, drama, and demon-slaying! There's some romance, but it's light and sprinkled here and there. (but it was done well enough that I got my romantic fill). I'd definetely go check this one out.

rating: 5.0