City of Bones

Cassandra Clare writes about Shadowhunters, a group of Nephilim that hunt demons. In addition, they are on the hunt for a group of rogue Shadowhunters, led by Valentine, that are trying to find the Mortal Cup. This book includes memory charms, vampires, werewolves, and all matter of underworld characters that will make you think about which side you want to root for. The characters are younger, so teens and adults alike can understand the angst of young love and the drama of coming of age. I like this book because of its diverse group of characters and well-thought-out story, and… show more.

City of Bones is a great introduction to the world of the Shadowhunters, an organisation of demon hunters. And you don't just encounter demons, there are vampires, werewolves, warlocks, faeries, and ghosts, to name but a few. It can be a bit overwhelming to begin with as there is a lot of back-story at times, but stick with it.

Just thinking of The Mortal Instruments makes me feel warm and fuzzy. It's like a comfortable fluffy blanket, candle, and a pumpkin-spiced latte all rolled into the pages of a book. I really felt a part of the action and enjoyed… show more.

So Clary may not be your typical witch. But she has powers and to me powers = witch, or at least witch adjacent. And this is an awesome book and start to an amazing series. Clary’s story dragged me under from page one. It was hard to stop reading and I one-clicked the next in the story right after finishing it. There is so much mysticism and mystery lying under, in, and between the buildings of New York City and this book puts you right into that world.

Oh, how I love my Shadowhunters and Downworlders! I’m definitely Team Jace, although I have a deep love of Magnus Bane, too. Cassandra Clare won my heart in this first installment in the Mortal Instruments series, starting with Clary, an ordinary girl who sees something unworldly at a dance club, which thrusts her into the world of humans with angel blood, vampires, werewolves, Fae, and other magical beings. The world building is gripping, the story grabbed me and I could not put the book down. You know a book is great when it was not only made into a movie… show more.

Full disclosure: I love the Shadowhunters series. Angels. Demons. Fae. Parabatai. Cassandra Clare created such a fun and interesting world with a vast cast of endearing characters. City of Bones is the first book in the series. This is where the very ancient demon Magnus Bane first meets Alec Lightwood, a young handsome Shadowhunter. By the way, Shadowhunters are Nephilim, whose main reason for being is to vanquish demons and other supernatural creatures. Although Magnus and Alec are only side characters to the more central story of Jayce and Clary, I thoroughly enjoyed the development of their romance. You will… show more.

I devoured the books in this series, one after another. It’s like a YA paranormal soap opera on a post-Halloween sugar high—pure drama candy. If you have ever dreamed of discovering you have powers and can suddenly fight demons hidden in our mundane world, then raise your hand because this one is for you. You just raised your hand, didn’t you? 

Here’s a little-known fact about me… in my next life I’m coming back as a Shadow Hunter. Maybe even in this life, if I can find the time. That is how good these books are, and for me, it all started with City of Bones. While not entirely set in the Faerie Realm the skills you'll need to survive can be gleaned from the epic descriptions of the training the Shadow Hunters undergo. And if you want a series that goes on forever...something I personally enjoy when it's a series I love, then this book will get you hooked… show more.

Although this series is more of an urban fantasy telling, City of Bones is the precursor to the exploration of an enormous paranormal and magical society. Interested in the lore and mysteries of creatures from legends? This book has established a parallel shadow world within a typical modern-day community that brings together demons, vampires, werewolves, and children of angels. At first glance, City of Bones may come across as cliche, but Clare has created a compelling and different take on some overused tropes, where creatures of the night war in the streets of New York.

At every flip of the… show more.

City of Bones is among my “recent” favourites. There is hardly a still moment for the female MC (Clary) in a story that seems to be going 200-miles an hour at times. It’s a fitting read as a coming-of-age book where the world around you suddenly changes and not all of it is pretty. Clary has to adapt fast to an environment where she is a blank sheet of paper and knows almost nothing about demons and shadow hunters. I think the MC is a good portrayal of a strong teenage girl in YA Urban Fantasy.