Review - City of Bones

I just finished City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, so I figured I'd review it while it's still fresh in my mind.

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....Taken from GoodReads.

The story of Clarissa (Clary) Fray, City of Bones chronicles her journey into a world parallel to our own where demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves, and Shadowhunters live just out of our sight. Referred to as Mundanes, humans can't see any of these Shadowhunters or Downworlders. She and her best friend Simon, another Mundane, are thrust into a supernatural world when Clary's mother suddenly disappears, and Clary must rely on the Shadowhunters, Jace, Alec, and Isabelle, to help her find her. Because Clary has the Sight, it's very possible that she has Shadowhunter blood, as well, but she has no idea how.

That's a terrible summary, but there's so much happening in this book that I really don't want to give anything away! I really enjoyed how the action started so quickly in the book. A lot of books feel the need to drag the introduction out (I'm guilty of doing so, as well.) This one jumps right in, and it's really refreshing. I also enjoy how developed the characters for Jace, Isabelle, and Alec are, as well as Simon and Clary. They're tangible, and it makes it easier to relate to them. And can I just say how brilliant the cover is?! It's eye-catching, and it makes you literally want to read the book.

On the downside, I was really excited about the potential romance in this book. I thought it was fun, and edge, and rebellious, but what happened kind of...squashed that. I really can't say more, but I have to say I wasn't too pleased with that. At all. Either way, I'd give this book a 4.5 out of 5 and definitely recommend it to anyone! Oh, and the book is a part of a trilogy. The next book is City of Ashes.

Finally...I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday and bought half the store. Ok, maybe just eight books, but it was great! Just a part of my loot includes Graceling, Things Not Seen, and Living Dead Girl.