Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

City of Bones, the beginning of The Mortal Instruments series, has been on my reading list for a while. With the movie being released this summer, I knew I had to finally find the time to read it. My expectations were pretty high since it seemed to be such a popular book, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. City of Bones is the first of five books in Cassandra Clares Mortal Instruments series and I cannot wait to read the remaining four books. This series makes for perfect summer reading as it will suck you in until you finish.

Image from Amazon

Riveting right from the start

The intrigue starts right on page one as we are introduced to a world that exists hidden within our own. This mysterious world is revealed slowly, keeping the reader hooked and wanting to know more. Fifteen-year-old Clary is witness to a murder that no one else, including her best friend, seems to see. What’s more, the body of the victim disappears before her very eyes. Confused and not knowing what else to do, Clary goes home, hoping to put the night behind her. However, the following night she sees one of the attackers again, and this time he wants to talk to her. Through this boy, Clary finds herself pulled into the world of the Shadowhunters, descendents of half angels, half humans who are sworn to protect the world from demons. What’s more, Clary discovers that she is one of them.

Caught up in a world she belongs to yet knows nothing about, Clary must help the Shadowhunters find an immeasurably precious object while at the same time trying to rescue her mother, who has been taken hostage by an old enemy.

If you haven't already tried this series, now is the perfect time! Summer is fast approaching and this is the perfect book to curl up with. And, with the movie coming out in August, there's no better time than right now to start.

An intriguing array

City of Bones introduces us to a wide array of interesting characters. Clary is a young girl of almost sixteen. Like most teenagers, she is struggling to fit in and discover who she is. She feels as if there is something different about her, but while most teenagers feel this way, for Clary it is a reality. As we watch her discover her lost world, it’s easy to feel a connection to her. She is spirited and confident, yet insecure at the same time. Add this to her determination and intelligence and Clare has created a wonderful protagonist.

Jace, a lifelong Shadowhunter, is haunted by the death of his father. While he has a devoted adopted family, he cuts himself off emotionally. Despite his attraction to Clary, this emotional distance extends to her, too. He is bitter and takes his anger out on any demons he comes across. Even with his sometimes sullen attitude and ever present narcissism, he is somehow endearing. As I continue to read, I find myself enjoying his character and yearning to know more about just what makes him tick.

Simon is Clary’s best friend since childhood. He is witty and sarcastic, but still a genuinely decent guy. Early in the book we discover he is in love with Clary, but it is painfully obvious she does not feel the same. Inevitably, he is drawn into the Shadowhunter world and despite his better judgement, does his best to help Clary find her mother.

Isabelle and Alec are siblings and part of Jace’s adopted family. While they get along well, they also bicker just like any teenaged siblings. Together with Jace, they train to fight demons and protect mundanes (humans). Neither especially likes Clary; however, Isabelle does take quite a liking to Simon.

Hodge is tutor to all three teenage Shadowhunters. Exiled from their home city for past misdeeds, Hodge lives in a great deal of regret. He does his best to guide his protges and prepare them for the battles they face. He also welcomes Clary and tries to help her understand her past.

Luke is like an uncle to Clary. He is her mother’s best friend and has been a source of constant support and friendship in her life. When her mother goes missing, though, Clary discovers Luke may not be what he seemed. As he cuts her out of his life and disappears, she learns that you cannot believe those you thought you trusted.

Image from Amazon

City of Bones gives us so many amazing characters. Support your favourite here!

City of Bones comes to theatres August 21st. Watch the trailer for the movie below (then go read the book before the movie!).

Don't wait!

The Mortal Instruments series is quickly becoming an addiction for me. I enjoyed it right from the first page and it just becomes more interesting the further the book progresses. It is a perfect mix of action and emotion, never becoming boring but also slowing down just often enough to reconnect with the characters. While the plot revisits some old creatures such as vampires and werewolves, they are not the centre of the story. The plot is unique and keeps the reader on their toes. Clare does an amazing job of creating three-dimensional characters that we can both care about and want to knock some sense into at the same time. To top it all off, the writing is superb. Without a doubt, the beginning of my summer will be spent finishing off this enthralling series and eagerly anticipating the movie.

Have I convinced you to read this series? Let us know!

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Let me know what you think of the Mortal Instruments series here! I'd love to hear from you. (But please, no spoilers!)