Scan barcode
josieg2002's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
aeb3's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Hmmm... what did I think...
I think I don't understand what everyone loves about this book.
The pacing was nice, the world felt well-established, and it had the pleasant presence of an unexpected turn or two. But the similes were out of control and the book felt much longer than it needed to be.
I imagine my dislike stems mainly from the subject matter, and it's my own fault for not seeing that ahead of time. I feel like a Bible-belt over-bore saying this, but there were just too many paranormal/witchcraft/occult elements for my taste. I enjoy plenty of books with a focused subset of them, but with City of Bones the paranormal elements are a - if not the - central component of nearly everything.
It turns out that's not my preference.
Which is probably related to, as a late-twenty-something, living as a staff-member among college-dorm-dwelling high school students. Some of them were into wearing fuzzy cat ears in public and donning sprite wings to - uh - sneak into their boyfriends dorm rooms. That whole scene kind of makes me twitch, and for me, this book just hit too close to home on that front.
(Note: The above is not a statement about the book's content which was void of sensuality, the kinky-fairy-kind or otherwise.)
In all, if you like a wide variety of YA paranormal reads, you'll probably like this one.
If you tend to like only a small selection of YA reads and don't particularly bend toward paranormal subject matter, you should probably skip this one.
2.5 stars for innumerable silly similes and being too long for the payoff. And also because it just wasn't my thing.
Hmmm... what did I think...
I think I don't understand what everyone loves about this book.
The pacing was nice, the world felt well-established, and it had the pleasant presence of an unexpected turn or two. But the similes were out of control and the book felt much longer than it needed to be.
I imagine my dislike stems mainly from the subject matter, and it's my own fault for not seeing that ahead of time. I feel like a Bible-belt over-bore saying this, but there were just too many paranormal/witchcraft/occult elements for my taste. I enjoy plenty of books with a focused subset of them, but with City of Bones the paranormal elements are a - if not the - central component of nearly everything.
It turns out that's not my preference.
Which is probably related to, as a late-twenty-something, living as a staff-member among college-dorm-dwelling high school students. Some of them were into wearing fuzzy cat ears in public and donning sprite wings to - uh - sneak into their boyfriends dorm rooms. That whole scene kind of makes me twitch, and for me, this book just hit too close to home on that front.
(Note: The above is not a statement about the book's content which was void of sensuality, the kinky-fairy-kind or otherwise.)
In all, if you like a wide variety of YA paranormal reads, you'll probably like this one.
If you tend to like only a small selection of YA reads and don't particularly bend toward paranormal subject matter, you should probably skip this one.
2.5 stars for innumerable silly similes and being too long for the payoff. And also because it just wasn't my thing.
claire_dobson's review against another edition
3.0
It's almost like the author took her favourite elements from 3 or 4 different books and made a new story out of it. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either and I didn't really connect with any of the characters.
synnef's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
alisebee's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
abooknook's review against another edition
3.0
3
I loved the plot and characters, but as a Christian there were a few things I felt slightly uncomfortable. If you want me to go into detail, please comment.
I loved the plot and characters, but as a Christian there were a few things I felt slightly uncomfortable. If you want me to go into detail, please comment.
thedragonflysdream's review
5.0
In addition to doing a video review of City of Bones, which I will upload and link here later. I just have to write a review of this book.
City of Bones was nothing that I expected at all. With that being said, I wish that I would have read this earlier. The reason I read it initially is because the movie comes out next year and I like to read a book before seeing the movie, so that I can imagine the characters and the world in my own head before seeing it on screen. I didn't expect this book to be so good, mind boggling, and surprising. So glad that I got the box set for Christmas because I am so eager to read City of Ashes.
Clary Fray is a fifteen year old girl who has lived a normal life with her mother Jocelyn Fray, until her and her best friend Simon go to Pandemonium (a club) for Halloween. While there Clary discovers that she can see people that no one else can see. When Clary runs into Jace, Isabell, and Alec she thinks that they are evil because she catches them in the middle of killing someone... but she doesn't know that, that certain someone is a demon and the people she has ran into are called Shadowhunters (demon hunters).
After this the book takes off and doesn't slow down. Clary and Simon both are thrown into a world of the supernatural. I feel so sorry for Simon because he is a mundane and makes some really stupid decisions to get himself into trouble. You'll see what I mean. There is a hint of a love triangle in this book, but I shall say no more just know IT'S GOOD. Wow, so many secrets, mysteries, and twists in this book that will literally have you sitting on the edge of your seat and thinking to yourself... "IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?".
Cassandra Clare, you tore my heart out in this book and left me begging for more. I can't wait to continue the adventure in City of Ashes.
City of Bones was nothing that I expected at all. With that being said, I wish that I would have read this earlier. The reason I read it initially is because the movie comes out next year and I like to read a book before seeing the movie, so that I can imagine the characters and the world in my own head before seeing it on screen. I didn't expect this book to be so good, mind boggling, and surprising. So glad that I got the box set for Christmas because I am so eager to read City of Ashes.
Clary Fray is a fifteen year old girl who has lived a normal life with her mother Jocelyn Fray, until her and her best friend Simon go to Pandemonium (a club) for Halloween. While there Clary discovers that she can see people that no one else can see. When Clary runs into Jace, Isabell, and Alec she thinks that they are evil because she catches them in the middle of killing someone... but she doesn't know that, that certain someone is a demon and the people she has ran into are called Shadowhunters (demon hunters).
After this the book takes off and doesn't slow down. Clary and Simon both are thrown into a world of the supernatural. I feel so sorry for Simon because he is a mundane and makes some really stupid decisions to get himself into trouble. You'll see what I mean. There is a hint of a love triangle in this book, but I shall say no more just know IT'S GOOD. Wow, so many secrets, mysteries, and twists in this book that will literally have you sitting on the edge of your seat and thinking to yourself... "IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?".
Cassandra Clare, you tore my heart out in this book and left me begging for more. I can't wait to continue the adventure in City of Ashes.
jayarna's review
4.0
As a whole I really enjoyed this and can totally understand why it's a favourite of so many. It's certainly high on drama, tropes and in certain areas, a lack of subtlety, but there are also some really strong points. The first one being Clary, who is FULL of agency, and I love to see it. there's nothing I hate more than the main character having no driving force in the story, and Clary is so far from that. This does have Buffy vibes, and I love the setting. However some things are just way too unoriginal for me to rate this higher. Also the incest stuff... Why? It feels really unnecessary and gross. Very cheap move.