Book Review: City of Glass
by Cassandra Clare
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
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....
Why I Picked This Book: My sister in laws. They tend to be the reason a lot, don't they? They love this series, and I decided to finally give in.
My Thoughts:
I tried reading this book a year ago. Got a few chapters in... then stopped.
A year later I decided to give it another shot. And read it in almost a day.
The City of Bones is a world of magic, of demons, of family ties and frustrated youth. Bouncing from moment to moment, you wonder when the characters get time to breathe as they battle to stop bad from getting worse.
This may sound strange, but I loved the supporting cast. While Clary was alright (firey red head intent on saving her missing mother), and Jace's snarky personality kept me intrigued, I was more pulled in by the people that surrounded the two. Alec, and his secret love. Isabelle, with her beauty and glares. Magnus Bane. Oh Magnus Bane, you have me intrigued.
Simon... he was boring. I didn't mind at all when he left the scene.
But his love was admirable.
I loved the idea of the Shadow Hunters. Part human, part angel. Created long ago to keep the demons at bay and the monsters of the world under control. Their bodies are covered in runes to keep them safe, leaving permanent scars as a reminder of who they are. They fight. That is pretty much it. And the humans don't even know it.
I believe almost every fantasy/horror creature is mentioned or makes an appearance in this book. I loved seeing them all mesh and combine, everything existing together. Werewolves, vampires, fairies, demons, warlocks... Take your pick.
The story sped along, though near the end did feel rather long and I couldn't believe everything I had just read was in one book.
Now, speaking of the end. I do not post spoilers on here... But the end. I did not like a part of it. There is a twist in the book that just made me go "Really? You are really going to do that to the characters?" then mega eye roll as a certain big hit movie trilogy came to mind with the same twist, one I never liked. Sorry to be so vague. You will get this when you read the book.
Now, I have read many posts and rants about Cassandra Clare merely being a FanFic writer, and City of Bones is a total rip off. Yes, I will admit: While reading it, I did think much of Harry Potter. This was before I even heard of Claire's FanFic days. It does feel similar. There are other stories as well that you can see the likeness too. People seem to have an issue, major issue, with this.
Me? While the lack of total originality was a bit of a bummer, it also is the way the world works now. Every great work seems to be inspired or based off of another. I enjoyed City of Bones. It was a great story, with minor flaws, and even more promise. I honestly don't care where the inspiration came from.
Small rant over.
All in all, I did like this book. There were things here and there that bugged me (Again though, I can't spoil the read for you. Just know they are there...) and that twist at the end. But regardless of those things, City of Bones was a great read. I plan on reading the rest in the series, and you will no doubt hear about it when that time comes.
My Rating
(4 out of 5 stars)
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