City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) in Nothing But Reading Challenges

Jan 03, 2013 Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, be-still-my-beating-heart, wish-list-physical, demon, dark-themes, this-book-slays, jerk-grumpy-cranky-hero, supernatural, broke-my-heart-once-or-twice, fae-and-fair-folk

I first read this book back in 2014 but I never posted a review. I decided that I wanted to reread all of the books in the Shadowhunter world since all of the books are interconnected in various ways. I guess I wanted to get the full experience, so to speak.

I listened to this on audiobook this time and I enjoyed the story just as much as I did the first time I read it. The world-building in Clare's books is always phenomenal, transporting the reader right into the story. Clare's storytelling is I first read this book back in 2014 but I never posted a review. I decided that I wanted to reread all of the books in the Shadowhunter world since all of the books are interconnected in various ways. I guess I wanted to get the full experience, so to speak.

I listened to this on audiobook this time and I enjoyed the story just as much as I did the first time I read it. The world-building in Clare's books is always phenomenal, transporting the reader right into the story. Clare's storytelling is brilliant and without flaws. Her narration is beautifully lyrical and so smooth that you just fly through the pages. When it comes to plot and artistic prowess, I am completely blown away. The amount of planning that had to have gone into creating the Shadowhunter world just baffles my mind. Clare's Shadowhunter world is creative and original and the way that she plans out her stories literally leaves me giddy. The detail is astounding and impressive. There are no two ways about it, Cassandra Clare can write a damn good story.

Thinking on some of my favorite books, they always have a cast of characters that I absolutely fall in love with. Clare's books have that in spades. Her books have ensemble casts of characters and each and every one of them is important and significant. The reader falls in love with (or hates, in the case of villains) each and every one of them. The emotion that Clare inspires for her characters is nothing short of magical. It's no wonder the Shadowhunter fandom is so large. Clare makes the reader care so much about the characters that they become a part of them. It's easy to ship part of your soul. And Clare's characters will certainly latch onto your soul.

Not much can be said about the romance in this book without being too spoilery, but I did enjoy it. In the end, it is perhaps not exactly what the reader is expecting, and that is a testament to the story. There isn't a true resolution in terms of romance in this book so you will have to pick up the next book in the series to get any answers. And trust me, you will definitely want to.

Overall, the Shadowhunter world is one that will dig its claws into you and refuse to let go. Clare has taken an exciting premise and given it her own creative flair. If urban fantasy is your jam and you love impressive storytelling and characters that will evoke a plethora of emotions in you then you need to jump into the Shadowhunter world now!

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Apr 16, 2016 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I finished the reread of this book and ended up giving this book 5 stars this time reading it. I loved it so much more this time around. I think knowing the characters this time around made a difference. I know Jace is a jerk but I like him so much and I thought Simon and Jace's interactions were so funny. Claret gets a lot of hate and I actually like her character so much. She's kind of a badass in my opinion. I can't wait to start the next book.

This was the first Cassandra Clare book I have e ...more

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Mar 22, 2024 Joni (Jonez) rated it liked it

3.0

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Feb 20, 2013 Marcy rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed "City of Bones" more than I thought I would. Big part of why I wanted to read it was to be able to watch the movie -- but so much happened in this book that I know a lot of stuff had to have been left out. I was surprised by how much stuff happened. And while I wasn't terribly surprised by most of the ending (though I'm sure parts were meant to be surprise-reveals), I did like the direction the story took. ...more

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