A review by mercedesreads
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
5.0
So, there's the thing - I love Clary. I loved Clary before I truly loved Clary. I knew bits and pieces about the book from over the years, after all it is a very popular read.
One year after Christmas, my little sister's best friend got the book but she wasn't too found of intensely consuming a book like I am. So, I borrowed this book with intent to read. I borrowed this book and it sat on my self for at least 7-10 years before I started reading it a few days ago. Always in my intended "reading soon" top shelf position.
At some point in time, I avoided The Mortal Instruments Movie when it came out. Particularly due to actor choices that I wasn't fond of. But mainly because I was going to read this book "one day". I'm super against any form of spoilers (which is a fact you may chuckle at in a moment).
Then, at another point in time, Shadowhunters the TV Series was due to come out. The acting choices were different, so good. Too good. I couldn't stay away. That should have been the moment I stopped and went straight to my bookshelf, and you guessed it - I didn't. I watched the Pilot and so much more.
Then, a few days ago, I did it. I made the leap. I decided in a split decision that I was going to start this journey. Not just Clary's journey either. The journey of the ENTIRE SHADOWHUNTER WORLD. To those veterans who happen upon this review I'm sure you just hysterically laughed at me. I would have too.
I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I knew that it's been several years so more books had been published. I knew there was a prequel that included different characters at a historic time period. As you might imagine, after a quick Google search and some YouTube videos, I was (for lack of a better word)... f*cked. But I already committed. So here we go, on to the juicy part that you came for;
******************************
So, as I stated above, I took an embarrassing amount of time to even pick up this book. I completely devoured this beautifully written novel. I must say it lived up to it's hype. I'm giving myself a day to process and then BAM! City of Ashes here I come. (On a side note, reading a physical book paired with an audio book - it really hits different.)
Now, before I continue babbling about nonsense, I would like point out that even though I originally met the cinematic versions of the characters first, I was slightly taken aback. Clary, as I mentioned - along with Magnus and Simon, were everything I imagined. Jace, Hodge, and Alec were even more than I imagined. Isabelle, Luke, and Jocelyn weren't what I expected, but nothing truly bad because I give this book FIVE STARS.
Valentine however will get everything that's coming to him. Jocelyn will wake up. More secrets will unfold. I believe those to be fact. I did very much enjoy the beginning sparks of the Alec and Magnus sub-plot romance. I did fall for Jace and Clary, but honestly how could you not?
This was an excellent introduction into the Shadowhunter World. I'm officially obsessed.
One year after Christmas, my little sister's best friend got the book but she wasn't too found of intensely consuming a book like I am. So, I borrowed this book with intent to read. I borrowed this book and it sat on my self for at least 7-10 years before I started reading it a few days ago. Always in my intended "reading soon" top shelf position.
At some point in time, I avoided The Mortal Instruments Movie when it came out. Particularly due to actor choices that I wasn't fond of. But mainly because I was going to read this book "one day". I'm super against any form of spoilers (which is a fact you may chuckle at in a moment).
Then, at another point in time, Shadowhunters the TV Series was due to come out. The acting choices were different, so good. Too good. I couldn't stay away. That should have been the moment I stopped and went straight to my bookshelf, and you guessed it - I didn't. I watched the Pilot and so much more.
Then, a few days ago, I did it. I made the leap. I decided in a split decision that I was going to start this journey. Not just Clary's journey either. The journey of the ENTIRE SHADOWHUNTER WORLD. To those veterans who happen upon this review I'm sure you just hysterically laughed at me. I would have too.
I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I knew that it's been several years so more books had been published. I knew there was a prequel that included different characters at a historic time period. As you might imagine, after a quick Google search and some YouTube videos, I was (for lack of a better word)... f*cked. But I already committed. So here we go, on to the juicy part that you came for;
******************************
So, as I stated above, I took an embarrassing amount of time to even pick up this book. I completely devoured this beautifully written novel. I must say it lived up to it's hype. I'm giving myself a day to process and then BAM! City of Ashes here I come. (On a side note, reading a physical book paired with an audio book - it really hits different.)
Now, before I continue babbling about nonsense, I would like point out that even though I originally met the cinematic versions of the characters first, I was slightly taken aback. Clary, as I mentioned - along with Magnus and Simon, were everything I imagined. Jace, Hodge, and Alec were even more than I imagined. Isabelle, Luke, and Jocelyn weren't what I expected, but nothing truly bad because I give this book FIVE STARS.
Valentine however will get everything that's coming to him. Jocelyn will wake up. More secrets will unfold. I believe those to be fact. I did very much enjoy the beginning sparks of the Alec and Magnus sub-plot romance. I did fall for Jace and Clary, but honestly how could you not?
This was an excellent introduction into the Shadowhunter World. I'm officially obsessed.