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City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)
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Previous BRs - Authors; A - D > Clare, Cassandra - City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) "revisit" - Buddy Read - Start Date (December 2, 2014) - December 24, 2015

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message 1: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (last edited Jul 02, 2013 08:32PM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
This topic is open for Discussion of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Be prepared for SPOILERS.

What is a buddy read?

Synopsis:

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. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a 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. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Note: This book was done as a BOM in Jan 2011 but without discussion questions (thread is here).
We are revisiting as the movie is being released in August 2013
City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) by Cassandra Clare City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) by Cassandra Clare Ciudad de Hueso (Cazadores de Sombras, #1) by Cassandra Clare Città di ossa (Shadowhunters, #1) by Cassandra Clare City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) by Cassandra Clare City of Bones by Cassandra Clare Град от кости (Реликвите на смъртните, #1) by Cassandra Clare Miasto Kości (Dary Anioła, #1) by Cassandra Clare Město z kostí (Nástroje smrti, #1) by Cassandra Clare


message 2: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (last edited Jul 22, 2013 10:07PM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Suggested reading schedule... (edited 25/6/13)
Some of the chapters are very long, but I've broken this up as best as I can to make about 50 pages per day.
I have this paperback version of the book. So if you are using a different version, go off the chapter numbers
City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) by Cassandra Clare

July 16 Chapters 1-3 (pages 9-49)
July 17 Chapters 4-6 (pages 50-95)
July 18 Chapters 7-9 (pages 96-139)
July 19 Chapter 10&11 (pages 140-200)
July 20 Chapters 12-14 (pages 201-259)
July 21 Chapters 15-18 (pages 260-320)
July 22 Chapters 19-21 (pages 321-368)
July 23 Chapters 22-end (pages 369-442)



Nicole Field (nicolefield) | 1778 comments There will probably be some days where I'm ahead of the count and some days when I'm behind, but I don't mind that much. Is there a reason behind wanting to finish it in five days?


message 4: by Lisa Kay (new)

Lisa Kay (lisakayalicemaria) | 15159 comments I've always wanted to read this series. Drat! I have another "buddy read" starting July 16. Maybe I can catch up.


Nicole Field (nicolefield) | 1778 comments Lisa Kay wrote: "I've always wanted to read this series. Drat! I have another "buddy read" starting July 16. Maybe I can catch up."

Don't sweat it! I'm going to be reading The Night Circus at the same time too. I doubt you'll be the only one with more than one buddy read from what I've seen this month :) Perhaps we could take it slower?


message 6: by Lisa Kay (new)

Lisa Kay (lisakayalicemaria) | 15159 comments They had the hardcover of this one in the Friends of the Library Booksale section and I didn't pick it up. Drat! I wonder if it is still there... for $1.


message 7: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
No rhyme or reason Nicole :)
I can play with the suggested schedule a bit - maybe reduce the pages to about 50-60 per day, especially if you guys have another BR on (I have read the Night Circus ; it is a lovely book!).


message 8: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Oh I hope you find it again LK - what a bargain!


Franky (bookadventuress) Looking forward to start the book in July. It's going to be my first group read. So yay! Excited :)


message 10: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Welcome Franky!


Nicole Field (nicolefield) | 1778 comments Me too, Franky! Glad I'm not the only "newbie".


Franky (bookadventuress) Thanks Karen! And don't worry Nicole, we'll eventually find our way around here :)


message 13: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Hey Franky & Nicole... We were all new once - just ask questions if you're unsure of anything. :)


message 14: by Christine (last edited Jun 16, 2013 05:00AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Christine (inhalesbookslikepopcorn) | 1052 comments I would like to read this as well, July is really crammed with books now :)


message 15: by Nicole (last edited Jun 16, 2013 05:12AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Nicole Field (nicolefield) | 1778 comments Karen wrote: "Hey Franky & Nicole... We were all new once - just ask questions if you're unsure of anything. :)"

I definitely will. Everyone I've been lucky enough to talk to so far has been very friendly. I think I'll fit in here quite nicely. :)

And you're telling me, Christine! I'm just glad to see that people have stopped tossing buddy reads into the thread right now. I have shown zero restraint so far over there since I've joined the group...


Franky (bookadventuress) Nicole wrote: "Karen wrote: "Hey Franky & Nicole... We were all new once - just ask questions if you're unsure of anything. :)"

I definitely will. Everyone I've been lucky enough to talk to so far has been very ..."


Same goes for me. Thanks guys!


Steven (gallifreyan1218) | 5272 comments My friend loaned me this as I said I wanted to read it before the movie came out. Maybe I'll be good on my reading schedule to join this buddy read next month :D

So... TAGGED this thread :D


message 18: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Great. Welcome Christine & Steven!

@Nicole - Buddy reads are my weakness too. I can't help myself but join. Then when I read a book on my own it feels a bit lonely..lol!


Nicole Field (nicolefield) | 1778 comments *grins* I put all the other books I am thinking of reading this month up on the 'read it with me' thread just so I didn't feel lonely. I'm surprised nobody took Gail Carriger or Jasper Fford to read with me, but at the same time, it'll be nice to have a couple of reads I can take my time on and spread out through the month ;)


message 20: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
That's true too Nicole :)


Shawna Britton | 18 comments I'm in so looking forward to this.


message 22: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Welcome Shawna!


message 23: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Ok, I have edited the suggested reading schedule in message 2 to about 50 pages a day which will make it easier for those also doing another BR/BOM at the same time.
I've found this book is also available on audio through Overdrive for those who access this from their library


Jules (julen) Ooh, I think I may join in. I've read part of this before, but abandoned it because something else caught my attention.


message 25: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Great, welcome Julen!


Ozana Ozzy (barbozzy) | 1018 comments This series is so long on my list. I bought all books from TBD, Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series from Cassandra Clare. I heard that ID is better and great.
Looking forward to this one and at first I oposed to BQ but now I like it. Short reviews are something diferent after finished book but BQ while reading are something else.


message 27: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Good stuff Ozana :)


message 28: by Allie (new)

Allie Pratt (princessalliee) | 7 comments I've had this book downloaded for about 6 months and still haven't been able to crack it open. I'm so excited for this!


message 29: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Welcome Dulce! t is just staring at me from the coffee table, but I am being very patient :)


message 30: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (last edited Jul 11, 2013 05:05PM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Saw the trailer for the movie this morning. Looks great!

We start this book on Tuesday and I will post a few discussion questions every day. If you would like to volunteer to write the DQs on any of the days, please just let me know what dates suit you :)


message 31: by Jess (new) - added it

Jess (jesscatt) | 200 comments Hmm, I was planning on joining in on this but I'll be quite a bit behind as I'm still 13th in the hold line for it at the library :S


message 32: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
:(
It is probably quite popular with the movie coming out. You can always come to the thread later when you have the book :)


Robin (Saturndoo) (robinsaturndoo) | 1359 comments I'm joining in on this one :)


message 34: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
Welcome Robin! Just in time for me to post today's questions ;)


message 35: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (last edited Jul 15, 2013 10:39PM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
July 16 Chapters 1-3 (pages 9-49)

1. Lots of action in the first few chapters and new words! Mudies, shadowhunters, infernal worlds, "Hodge" and "The Institute", the night children.... Thoughts on the book so far?

2.Do you think Clary's mum is (was?) a shadowhunter based on the clues given so far (no family history, no background prior to Clary, scars on her arms the same as Jace, her drawings, Luke's reactions)? Any guesses on why/how she can be seen by "mundies" if that is the case? Who has found her?

3. Clary is described as slender, 5ft tall, "carotty" hair, freckles and clumsy. She also seems a bit clueless about the world around her! Do you like Clary so far? And her relationship with Simon? I smell a YA love triangle on the horizon! ;)



message 36: by Jess (new) - added it

Jess (jesscatt) | 200 comments Karen, yes, I will definitely check this thread out and enjoy reading people's thoughts once I get my hands on a copy! :)

And in the meantime I'm gonna stay away from this thread as it becomes spoiler-bound. Haha.


message 37: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
lol fair enough!


Ozana Ozzy (barbozzy) | 1018 comments I think I'll finish Immortal rules BR then I'll catch up with City of bones in a few days.


message 39: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
No problems Ozana :)


message 40: by Imke (new) - rated it 4 stars

Imke (immie75) | 1644 comments July 16 Chapters 1-3 (pages 9-49)

1. Lots of action in the first few chapters and new words! Mudies, shadowhunters, infernal worlds, "Hodge" and "The Institute", the night children.... Thoughts on the book so far?
I like the book so far, it’s a bit vague about what everything is, but I’m sure we’ll find out. When I came to the end of the first section I just wanted to continue, you do know how to end with a cliffhanger like that. But I’m almost finished with today’s reading for the Immortal Rules, I will continue with City of Bones after that. (I cheated a bit and started yesterday, couldn’t wait).

2.Do you think Clary's mum is (was?) a shadowhunter based on the clues given so far (no family history, no background prior to Clary, scars on her arms the same as Jace, her drawings, Luke's reactions)? Any guesses on why/how she can be seen by "mundies" if that is the case? Who has found her?
I think that either Clary’s mum or dad was a shadowhunter or part shadowhunter, and because of that Clary is also part shadowhunter. That may explain why she can see Jace and that Clary can be seen by mundies. I think Luke feels it’s time to tell Clary that she is a shadowhunter or something like that, but that her mother is running from her past or maybe from the institute, or from the night children (are they vampires?). Either the night children have found her or the institute has.

3. Clary is described as slender, 5ft tall, "carotty" hair, freckles and clumsy. She also seems a bit clueless about the world around her! Do you like Clary so far? And her relationship with Simon? I smell a YA love triangle on the horizon! ;)
I do like Clary so far, her description of herself reminds me a bit of myself when I was fifteen (carroty hair, freckles, clumsy and totally clueless). Her relationship with Simon is never going to happen; I think she sees him more as a brother or a very good friend. And it wouldn’t be a YA without a love triangle.


Robin (Saturndoo) (robinsaturndoo) | 1359 comments July 16 Chapters 1-3 (pages 9-49)

1. Lots of action in the first few chapters and new words! Mudies, shadowhunters, infernal worlds, "Hodge" and "The Institute", the night children.... Thoughts on the book so far?

So far I am really liking the book. It has a nice steady pace even with the new words and action. It's also a fairly easy read. Looks like there is going to be some world and character building in the near future as we have only gotten bits and pieces. I like the fact that the world building is being mixed into the story instead of thrown at us all at one time in lengthy descriptive paragraphs.

2.Do you think Clary's mum is (was?) a shadowhunter based on the clues given so far (no family history, no background prior to Clary, scars on her arms the same as Jace, her drawings, Luke's reactions)? Any guesses on why/how she can be seen by "mundies" if that is the case? Who has found her?

Something is definitely going on with Clary's mom. Maybe she can be seen by Mundies because she isn't a full blooded shadowhunter. Luke obviously knows the background story and that is why he is upset. After Clary beating around the bush about seeing invisible people he definitely knows that she needs to be told the history of her family. Somebody linked to the mom's past has found her.

3. Clary is described as slender, 5ft tall, "carotty" hair, freckles and clumsy. She also seems a bit clueless about the world around her! Do you like Clary so far? And her relationship with Simon? I smell a YA love triangle on the horizon! ;)

So far I like Clary but we all know that could change in an instant. Personally, I don't think at this point Clary sees Simon as anything more than just a good friend. I hope we don't have a love a triangle starting. It would be nice to get through one book without out it BUT we all know that is typical of YA books.


Steven (gallifreyan1218) | 5272 comments July 16 Chapters 1-3 (pages 9-49)

1. Lots of action in the first few chapters and new words! Mundies, shadowhunters, infernal worlds, "Hodge" and "The Institute", the night children.... Thoughts on the book so far?

I'm looking forward to delving into this world. My friend loaned me her copy, as she's been trying to get me to read them for a while now. :)

2.Do you think Clary's mum is (was?) a shadowhunter based on the clues given so far (no family history, no background prior to Clary, scars on her arms the same as Jace, her drawings, Luke's reactions)? Any guesses on why/how she can be seen by "mundies" if that is the case? Who has found her?

I definitely think she was more involved with the "new world" that we're seeing emerge into Clary's sphere of awareness. I have NO clue though. :) I have a feeling she's not going to be around to explain it... hopefully, I'm wrong and whoever found her wasn't there to kill!

3. Clary is described as slender, 5ft tall, "carotty" hair, freckles and clumsy. She also seems a bit clueless about the world around her! Do you like Clary so far? And her relationship with Simon? I smell a YA love triangle on the horizon! ;)

I don't *dislike* her, but I don't really *like* her yet either. I think Simon is going to get his heartbrokwn, even though he'll end up being the one that's better for her.

OH GOODIE. A LOVE TRIANGLE. *sigh*


Christine (inhalesbookslikepopcorn) | 1052 comments July 16 Chapters 1-3 (pages 9-49)

1. Lots of action in the first few chapters and new words! Mudies, shadowhunters, infernal worlds, "Hodge" and "The Institute", the night children.... Thoughts on the book so far? I was hesistant to star this for so long but now that the movie comes out I thought I would give it a try and so far I am not disappointed in doing so. I always like it when I get thrown in the new world and the actions and world building goes hand in hand. Mudies = Muggles from Harry Potter hmmm

2.Do you think Clary's mum is (was?) a shadowhunter based on the clues given so far (no family history, no background prior to Clary, scars on her arms the same as Jace, her drawings, Luke's reactions)? Any guesses on why/how she can be seen by "mundies" if that is the case? Who has found her? Clary's mom is definitely hiding something, otherwise she wouldn't have left so many things in the dark, also she wanted to make a run from whatsover. She might as well have been a shadowhunter as she has the same scars on her skin as Jace, that's definitely suspicious. Luke's also acting suspicious with wanting her mom to tell Clary something and her mom keeping her secrets bottled up like that.

3. Clary is described as slender, 5ft tall, "carotty" hair, freckles and clumsy. She also seems a bit clueless about the world around her! Do you like Clary so far? And her relationship with Simon? I smell a YA love triangle on the horizon! ;) I like her just fine but her nickname sounds to me like that of an 8yo. I want him to remain her platonic best male friend and I want her to fall hard for Jace :) I hate love triangles :(


Franky (bookadventuress) Hey there.
JUST received the book via mail. Got really scared that I wouldn't be able to start on time, constantly cursing amazon. But no worries. Will start right now. Marathon reading, yay!


message 45: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
@Imke

1. yes it was quite a cliffhanger! and so soon in the book!

2. I agree there is something about 'running from the past' happening

3. And it wouldn’t be a YA without a love triangle. *sigh* I think you are right!

----------------

@Robin

1. Good point - it is nice to have a book without lengthy descriptions for a change ;)

3. Yes - I'm not sure about her yet. I liked her until she had her mum yelling at her to NOT go home and then she says 'oh I have to go home'! *hand slap to face*

-----------------

@Steven

2. You are probably right. A death so early seems unusual, but I guess that could give Clary "motivation"

3. lol!

------------------

@Christine

1. I am also seeing alot of HP similarities...

3. It is a funny name. Sounds like we all agree on love triangles! lol

---------------------

@Franky - no problem. The sections are short so hopefully won't be hard to catch up ;)


message 46: by Robin (Saturndoo) (last edited Jul 16, 2013 08:11PM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Robin (Saturndoo) (robinsaturndoo) | 1359 comments @Christine....or for that matter anyone else...coincidental with the name Clary vs Clare???? We pronounce Clare with the silent "E" but it could be pronounced with the "EE" sound HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Also is there some significance to the names Clarissa and Cassandra? Is the author giving us a little bit of autobiographical information (character traits,habits,appearance,etc) in the form of this fictional character? Made me stop and wonder with the names being a tad similar.


message 47: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
I agree with you Robin. Especially when I saw a picture of the author with "carroty hair"!


message 48: by Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado (new) - rated it 3 stars

Karen ⊰✿ | 16594 comments Mod
July 17 Chapters 4-6 (pages 50-95)

4.Did you agree with Clary's decision to go back to her house after her mother called her begging her not to go?

5.The Ravenor Demon said to itself "Valentine will never know". This is the second time we have heard of Valentine now. I do feel like there are alot of Harry Potter similarities (mundies v muggles ; valentine v voldermort ; The Institute v Hogwarts). Have you noticed that? Does it impact your feelings towards the book?

6. I was surprised with Luke's reaction when Clary called him. Do you think he is just trying to protect her (or himself?) by not helping her? Or is he just a jerk?

7. Valentine "died" 15 years ago along with his wife and child.... hmmm... sounds like he could be Clary's father and is actually still alive... Thoughts?

8. The descritions of the Institute were interesting - I always love it when authors describe libraries! What did you think of the Institute and it's inhabitants?

9. Another horrible creature tries to kill Clary and it seems there is more than meets the eye with Dorothea! We hit another cliff hanger for a stopping point! Guesses on Dorothea's story? It seems to be too much of a coincidence that she was living in the same building as Clary and her mum.



Robin (Saturndoo) (robinsaturndoo) | 1359 comments Karen wrote: "I agree with you Robin. Especially when I saw a picture of the author with "carroty hair"!"

LOL Yes that made me really start wondering too :)


Nicole Field (nicolefield) | 1778 comments Karen wrote: "@Christine

1. I am also seeing alot of HP similarities..."


I believe this is a series that started its life as Harry Potter fan fiction. Not to say that there isn't also a lot of originality in this, though! I think I remember someone saying Jace = Draco. But I don't find him too Draco-y personality-wise.


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