City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Feb 01, 2019 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 5000-2019, 2019-beat-the-backlist-challenge, 2019-in-2019, 2019-library-love-challenge, audiobook, 2019-audiobook-challenge, group-read

Fifteen-year old Clary Fray goes into a nightclub called Pandemonium with her best friend Simon and sees two very attractive people exit into a closed off area. She follows and then witnesses a third person attack and kill one of them. Unfortunately, she seems to be the only one that can even see the three. It’s this encounter that introduces her to a world that’s very much a part of her identity, particularly when her mother leaves her a desperate message that same night and then mysteriously d ...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Lauren rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: demons, audiobooks, young-adult, urban-fantasy, mistaken-secret-identity, incest, tarot

City of Bones
3 Stars

Strong world building but the teenage sniping and romantic angst illustrates once again why I dislike reading YA (I had enough of this nonsense in high school and I have no wish to relive it in my reading).

None of the characters are particularly likable, and there is a complete lack of camaraderie between the so-called protagonists. What should come across as friendly teasing and ribbing is actually harsh and cold, and the derogatory comments are delivered not softly with a City of Bones
3 Stars

Strong world building but the teenage sniping and romantic angst illustrates once again why I dislike reading YA (I had enough of this nonsense in high school and I have no wish to relive it in my reading).

None of the characters are particularly likable, and there is a complete lack of camaraderie between the so-called protagonists. What should come across as friendly teasing and ribbing is actually harsh and cold, and the derogatory comments are delivered not softly with a hint of humor but with scorn and a tinge of malice. There is also an unappealing elitist and prejudiced undercurrent in their words and behavior that makes it difficult to identify with them.

That said, Clary turns out to be a courageous heroine and the gradual buildup of her relationship with Jace is very appealing. Jace, however, can be an obnoxious jerk although he does have his intriguing moments of vulnerability and some slight romantic hero potential, but he isn't quite there yet.

The plot is engaging and the basic premise of a villain with a racist ideology in search of a cup that can help him build an army is compelling, if unoriginal. Moreover, the main antagonist, while despicable, does not have that all encompassing, menacing and world destroying evil that characterizes other works of epic fantasy. Clare's writing also lacks the creativity, foreshadowing, intertextuality and language construction of these stories, i.e. Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter.

On a final note, the Star Wars inspired twist at the end turns the book into a soap opera. Unfortunately, I have a very unhealthy addiction to soaps (they are like watching a train wreck - you just can't help yourself) and now I'm going to have to continue to find out if this travesty is going in the direction I think it is.

Narration: Ari Graynor's narration is not the best - even those characters who are adults sound like snotty teens. I've learned that subsequent books have a different narrator so I will probably listen to the next one as well. ...more

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Apr 16, 2016 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I finished the reread of this book and ended up giving this book 5 stars this time reading it. I loved it so much more this time around. I think knowing the characters this time around made a difference. I know Jace is a jerk but I like him so much and I thought Simon and Jace's interactions were so funny. Claret gets a lot of hate and I actually like her character so much. She's kind of a badass in my opinion. I can't wait to start the next book.

This was the first Cassandra Clare book I have e ...more

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Dec 12, 2010 Logan rated it really liked it

Shelves: borrowed-library, paranormal, young-adult, movie-tv

First impressions: The opening nightclub scene in NYC was fun and intriguing, so I got hooked in right away. I have to admit, however, that the large Stephenie Meyer quote on the front cover of this edition was distracting. I was not a fan of this cover. It doesn't have anything to do with my experience with the book matter, but...duly noted.

Lasting impressions: I was not a big fan of the twist at the end. **SPOILER AHEAD** I didn't want Jace and Clary to be brother/sister. I wanted them to fall First impressions: The opening nightclub scene in NYC was fun and intriguing, so I got hooked in right away. I have to admit, however, that the large Stephenie Meyer quote on the front cover of this edition was distracting. I was not a fan of this cover. It doesn't have anything to do with my experience with the book matter, but...duly noted.

Lasting impressions: I was not a big fan of the twist at the end. **SPOILER AHEAD** I didn't want Jace and Clary to be brother/sister. I wanted them to fall in love! It was Luke and Leia disappointment all over again. Sigh.

Negative impressions: I didn't have major issues with this book. Other than the twist ending and cover, I have no real complaints.

Overall impressions: I really liked this book. From the moment Clary's mom went missing, I was invested in how Clary was going to get her back. Clare does a good job of setting up some tension in the relationship between Clary, her mother and Luke. From the first scene, we know something is up in this world of the Shadowhunters, and with enough tidbits and clues thrown in along the way, we start to piece together the truth about Clary's family. I thought the pacing and flow of information to the reader were handled well.

**SPOILER AHEAD**There is also a nice dose of unrequited love thrown in between Clary and Simon, her best friend. Normally this situation is bungled by writers who can't seem to quite work out how those feelings are discussed among teenagers. Here, I felt Clare had a perfect grasp on what a boy says to his best friend who he happens to love. The scene where this is revealed had spot on dialogue that hit all the right emotions square on the head.

This was a solid book from start to finish, with lots of promise for the rest of the series. I thought Clary was a great protagonist, and her dialogue with Simon and Jace seemed honest and warm. The plot had enough mystery to keep me hooked until the end, and the final battles were well paced. I'm looking forward to the next installment. ...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Sunny rated it liked it

Shelves: own

3.5 stars for the slow start and unsatisfying ending. I had a really difficult time getting into this book. I put it down 3 times because it didn't capture me at first. Having said that, when I finally did get into it, I found it an entertaining story. I can see how it would translate into a great Hollywood film. My one critique of the book is that it is not enough. I was left with too many questions. How will Clary and Jace resolve this brother/sister thing? What role will Simon play in Clary's ...more

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Aug 06, 2010 Jenn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2011

I absolutely love this book. In my opinion it's the best teen series since Harry Potter. The book has strong characters, a well written storyline that sucks you in, and before you know it you've finished the book.

Clary witnesses a murder while out at a dance club. From that moment on her life is never the same. This story is filled with demons, vampires, werewolves, faeries and those that hunt them. ...more

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May 19, 2011 Joyce rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 1-in-series, drm-free-epubs, urban-fantasy, new-adult, ya

This was a very enjoyable read. The world building was very intriguing and fleshed out well.

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Oct 19, 2013 Susan rated it really liked it

Enjoyed the movie and enjoyed the book! I will read the rest of the series.

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Apr 22, 2009 Delitealex rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, own

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Sep 10, 2009 Gaijinmama marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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Sep 25, 2009 Monica rated it really liked it

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Aug 18, 2010 Lisa marked it as to-read

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Oct 02, 2010 Meera rated it it was ok

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2010-fall-seasonal-challenge

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Apr 13, 2011 Crystal Andresakis rated it it was amazing

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Aug 09, 2011 Mariana Bezerra rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2016, paranormal, ya

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Oct 07, 2011 Violet rated it it was amazing

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Jan 02, 2012 Kristi marked it as to-read

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Jan 31, 2013 Kim DeCina marked it as to-read

Shelves: bookopoly

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Jun 25, 2013 Dana rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-ya

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Aug 14, 2013 Liz (Bugetta) marked it as to-read

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Apr 20, 2014 Brenda H rated it liked it

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Sep 09, 2014 Christina T rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 14-000-in-2014-book-count-challenge, 2014-challenge, ya, urban-fantasy, audio, 3-stars, library-find, reread, 1-in-the-series, 2019-book-challenge

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