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Original Essays | October 14, 2009

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About six months ago, at a fundraising event for the nonprofit I founded, Project H, a six-year-old girl handed me a pickle jar full of pennies.... Continue »
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Other titles in the Mortal Instruments series:

  1. City of Ashes: Mortal Instruments #2

City of Bones: Mortal Instruments #1

by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones: Mortal Instruments #1 Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Their hidden world is about to be revealed....

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. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque 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....

Review:

"Clare's debut novel, first in the Mortal Instruments series, is a sprawling urban fantasy packed with just about every type of creature known to the genre, and still spacious enough to hold more. Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray witnesses a killing in an 'all-ages club'; when she confronts the attackers, she learns that they are spectral Shadowhunters, charged with killing demonic creatures called Night Children. Clary returns home to find her apartment vandalized and her mother missing, apparently kidnapped by creatures in the service of someone named Valentine. An attack by a slithering beast sends Clary to the infirmary at the Institute, hidden home of the Shadowhunters. There she befriends the hunter Jace, who tells her of Valentine's intention to find the Mortal Cup, one of three Mortal Instruments the Angel gave to the first Shadowhunters (the others are a mirror and sword). Great secrets abound both in Clary's past and in her own head — secrets that are gradually revealed to her about her mother, her mother's eccentric friend Luke, her relationship with Jace and, eventually, about Valentine himself. Clare's atmospheric setting is spot-on, informed equally by neo-gothic horror films and the modern fantasy leanings of Neil Gaiman. Werewolves, vampires, angels and fairies all fit in this ambitious milieu. At the core, though, this is a compelling story about family secrets and coming-of-age identity crises. Fans of the smart/chic horror typified by Buffy the Vampire Slayer will instantly fall for this new series. Ages 14-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"City of Bones has everything: vampires, werewolves, faeries, true love, and stuff that blows up. What's more, Clare's characters are brilliant — she better not kill any of them off in the next two volumes!" Justine Larbalestier, author of Magic or Madness

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 6 comments:
onyx95, July 23, 2009 (view all comments by onyx95)
Having had her 'sight' taken from her every 2 years, Clarrisa (Clary) Fray never knew her mother was a Shadowhunter. She never even knew what that was or that they existed. Now Clary is thrown into the world that her mother (Jocelyn) had tried so hard to keep her away from. To get her started, she had to battle some half demons, including the type that had kidnapped her mother. Clary found herself and her new Shadowhunter friends (Jace Wayland and Isabelle and Alec Lightwood) searching for a very special cup that had been stolen many years earlier from the leaders of the Shadowhunters. In there time together (so far), they fight against the forsaken, raveners, vampires, werewolves and other demons or half demons.

Book 1 ..... What a way to be introduced to this group of teens. I like the characters, the way of bringing them all together was great. I also liked the reality of the dislike that was felt with Alec and Isabelle even if the slight twist changed the way they interact with Clary. Most of this story was predictable, even the twist wasn't a complete surprise. This book is considered for young adults, it is about teens, but I have to warn about a bit (small bit) of language, and some violence (of course, they are fighting demons) and there is also a bit of alcohol, drug and sex talk (but not much). Looking forward to book 2: "City of Ashes"
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The Book Resort, June 26, 2009 (view all comments by The Book Resort)
Wow! Utterly astonishing! I know you've heard it all before but Cassandra Clare's Young Adult debut City of Bones is scrumptious!



City of Bones is an epic fantasy expedition that seduced me from the beginning & made me turn into something resembling Jello (the red one)! Yes, I was shivering from my Neiman Marcus Target slippers to my corkscrew curls.



City of Bones was a fast-paced read that was jam-packed w/ action so dynamic I was flushed from excitement. Whew!


City of Bones is not your usual young adult tale littered w/ fluff or recycled plots resembling some overdone vampire theme. Over that. City of Bones is a vivacious saga resplendent in dialogue. Cassandra Clare penned an enthralling safari & her Mortal Instruments series exhibits
Clare is one exceptionally talented scribe.

Clare's rendering of Clary as an unparalleled, three-dimensional, empowering heroine is simply a breath of fresh air (am I the only one who thinks Clary Fray is an uber chic rear kickin' fantasy version of Cassandra Clare).


City of Bones is plush in ambiance. Clare simply excels in this gripping young adult fantasy.

City of Bones is as opulent as the highest budget Hollywood production; infact, the book just seems to come to life. It was an electrifying read.

Clare held nothing back when she created this mesmerizing legend. City of Bones delves in dealing w/ family secrets & coming-of-age themes w/ a deft hand. City of Bones melds humor, romance & magic into exquisite subplots that seem immeasurable.


One word to describe Clare's arresting tale? Spellbinding!


Clary's puzzling feelings for Jace are written w/ compassion & understanding. Kudos to Clare for handling all the perplexing emotions Clary experiences poignantly.

Clare pulls you into her vibrant world of Shadowhunters, demons, faeries, humans, vampires & werewolves! Whew! Genius!


I did have a few things figured out way before they were unveiled in the story, but that's because I have a vivid imagination.


City of Bones was like watching a movie ~ so darn theatrical ~ it was breathtaking!


What I love especially about City of Bones is the third person narration! Aahh, Clare showcases more than one character’s experiences! Love that!


City of Bones is truly a jaw-dropping experience.


Just in case you've missed the boat, grab a copy of City of Bones & be prepared for a thrill ride like no other.
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PrincessC176, June 19, 2009 (view all comments by PrincessC176)
It's easy to like the main character, Clary, because she is down-to-earth and no matter what she always seems like a real person. This book not only has a fascinating plot, but the writing holds its own all the way. There are so many twists and turns right to the very end...and you won't see them coming.

With editing help from greats like Holly Black, this book will have you reading other Cassandra Clare novels as soon as they hit the shelves.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781416955078
Author:
Clare, Cassandra
Publisher:
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Lifestyles - City & Town Life
Subject:
Social Issues - New Experience
Subject:
Supernatural
Subject:
Horror stories
Subject:
Horror & Ghost Stories
Subject:
Fantasy & Magic
Subject:
Demonology
Edition Description:
Paperback
Series:
Mortal Instruments
Series Volume:
01
Publication Date:
March 2008
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
Young adult
Language:
English
Pages:
485
Dimensions:
8.25 x 5.5 in
Age Level:
14-17

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