City of Bones
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4.5 • 4.2K Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Discover the world of the Shadowhunters in the first installment of the New York Times and internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly). City of Bones is a Shadowhunters novel.
A simple night out with her best friend, Simon, transforms into a nightmare when fifteen-year-old Clary Fray witnesses a murder at the Pandemonium Club. The culprits are three teenagers covered in strange tattoos and brandishing weapons no one else seems to notice. In fact, Clary is the only one to see the violent display. The next day, more impossible sights make Clary wonder if she’s going crazy.
When a desperate phone call from her mom brings Clary home to a scene of destruction and a grotesque monster that almost kills her, Clary finally gets some answers. One of the teens from the club—Jace, who looks like an angel but acts like a jerk—rescues her and introduces himself as a Shadowhunter, part of a secret cadre of warriors dedicated to driving demons out of the mundane world and back to their own. Jace and his friends Alec and Isabelle hunt their prey on the streets of New York City, unseen by humans…except for Clary.
The Shadowhunters want to know how Clary can perceive the paranormal and Clary wants their help finding her missing mom. Their tentative alliance brings Clary deeper into the world of Nephilim, werewolves, vampires, and demons, where she adapts better than anyone expected. Could this be where she’s belonged all along?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Clare's debut novel, first in the Mortal Instruments series, is a sprawling urban fantasy packed with just about every type of creature known to the genre, and still spacious enough to hold more. Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray witnesses a killing in an "all-ages club"; when she confronts the attackers, she learns that they are spectral Shadowhunters, charged with killing demonic creatures called Night Children. Clary returns home to find her apartment vandalized and her mother missing, apparently kidnapped by creatures in the service of someone named Valentine. An attack by a slithering beast sends Clary to the infirmary at the Institute, hidden home of the Shadowhunters. There she befriends the hunter Jace, who tells her of Valentine's intention to find the Mortal Cup, one of three Mortal Instruments the Angel gave to the first Shadowhunters (the others are a mirror and sword). Great secrets abound both in Clary's past and in her own head secrets that are gradually revealed to her about her mother, her mother's eccentric friend Luke, her relationship with Jace and, eventually, about Valentine himself. Clare's atmospheric setting is spot-on, informed equally by neo-gothic horror films and the modern fantasy leanings of Neil Gaiman. Werewolves, vampires, angels and fairies all fit in this ambitious milieu. At the core, though, this is a compelling story about family secrets and coming-of-age identity crises. Fans of the smart/chic horror typified by Buffy the Vampire Slayer will instantly fall for this new series. Ages 14-up.
Customer Reviews
Almost perfect
I actually liked this book and felt the writing was great. The characters were very likable and I became very invested in the story very quickly. The action scenes were great and the interaction between the characters were wonderful.
SPOILER:
My only frustration was the ending of the romance between the characters. It actually freaked me out and I was not sure I wanted to continue reading the series, but I cheated and looked at the end of the latest book and found the story resolved well so I feel better. All in all....great book!
Speechless
No amount of words or adjectives are enough to describe the sheer beauty and amazing talent that this book contains.
While I was reading this book, I was just riveted by it, everything about it fascinate me, from the cover, to the characters, to the incredible writing. This book may look boring to some, but it is anything but! I still dream about Jace today! I can't say anything to but YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK or you haven't fully lived yet :D
Love at first chapter
I love young adult novels and I'm always looking for the next best one. This book is the best one out now. Most books in this category take place in small remote towns, at least the popular ones. This defies the norm and does such a great job. Its exciting and believable. Set in a big city not a backwoods place, its relatable and just the best. Its witty, smart, and ingenious. If you liked twilight you will LOVE this series it's 180 degrees better.