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smcrain's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Clary might just be the most obnoxious fmc in my book. I don't know if it's just because I audiobooked this one and usually when I read a YA fmc, my internal dialogue tones them to a more palatable level for my brain to handle. BUT holy crap this book was a struggle to get through. I am usually a proponent of YA, I've read some amazing ones and always feel upset when people slam them or write them off. I will say this book made me a little embarrassed to admit to liking YA because maybe the author did a better job of capturing the realism of a bunch of 16 years olds, and Clary being the epitome of a whiny, obnoxious brat, but it was a bit too realistic for me in that sense. Would have liked her to be like 80% less annoying, again maybe it's just the fact that I listened to this vs read it. Hearing a person deliver the lines maybe like 100x worse than just reading the words on paper. That being said I'm also very over the urban paranormal setting. I feel like I wanted to try this book out because I'm curious about the prequel books? But I probably set this one up to fail and won't be reading the rest of this series.
skatieee's review against another edition
3.0
Me gusto, es una buena entrada, no avanza lento, pero me hubiera gustado un poco mas de información y avance, me encanto aun asi.
zutsie's review against another edition
4.0
You know, for years I have wondered about these books, figured I would one day get to them, kept forgetting about them, seeing them and remembering them again, and then forgetting about them. You can see the cycle, right? Anyway, recently Natasha started these and I was in a dark place, looking for something to read that would spark excitement in me again, as it had been too long. Naturally, she pushed these on me and I was like yeah alright, let's do it. No. Regrets.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world that Cassandra Clare wove for us with the Shadowhunters. I must confess, early on in the start of the book, I was wondering how it would go. It was weird for me that there were sixteen year old kids out clubbing at midnight on a Sunday, but I figured this is some dystopian/futuristic YA (by the way, totally not, it seems the story exists in the same world we are in now, which makes me question parenting skills here). It started in a club and it didn't really get any better, and the dialogue was a little cringy, but next thing I know? BOOM! Gotcha! I got dragged down this rabbit hole of fantasy that didn't let up and I didn't want it to.
We are introduced to a lot of characters, but not an excessive amount. A lot of them don't really grow much or feature too much (though I would love to see more of Alec, for example). There are things I didn't like about some of them - like the immediate and total dislike between Clary and Isabelle. It just felt weird. Then there was also that stupid love triangle (what is it about YA that insists there must be some form of a love triangle? Be Tris and Four, people!). It was stupid not only because it was a love triangle, but because the one player in it (Simon) felt like he was always just being dragged in and brought up so that there would be a love triangle, not because there was actual shared interest. Then there is Jace, who is a jackass but you gotta enjoy the guy, and I really like how he and Clary are with one another. Yep, Jace all the way. WOW.
Anyway. The book gets rolling and I really liked how easy it was to read, and this read more like mature YA then really young YA, and I liked that. The world doesn't ever feel too ridiculous (demons, warlocks, werewolves, vampires) it all just flows with the book, and that is cool. Clary also didn't chap my ass like a lot of the heroines in these types of books do, though her name did grate on me. It feels uncomfortable to read it and to say it. I don't know, I didn't like it, though her full name is Clarissa and that is just fine. The book also brings in an interesting villain, and I would really like to see what Clare does with Valentine.
Anyway, City of Bones is a pretty solid introduction to what could potentially be a fantastic story, and I will certainly continue with it. It reads easily, has an interesting, dark world it has woven, and has a lot of characters that are well worth reading. I would definitely recommend this. I won't lie, there was a development in the book that had me throwing my toys out of the cot in the extreme. Anger. Frustration. Denial. These were all strong feelings to be had. So we will see where it goes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world that Cassandra Clare wove for us with the Shadowhunters. I must confess, early on in the start of the book, I was wondering how it would go. It was weird for me that there were sixteen year old kids out clubbing at midnight on a Sunday, but I figured this is some dystopian/futuristic YA (by the way, totally not, it seems the story exists in the same world we are in now, which makes me question parenting skills here). It started in a club and it didn't really get any better, and the dialogue was a little cringy, but next thing I know? BOOM! Gotcha! I got dragged down this rabbit hole of fantasy that didn't let up and I didn't want it to.
We are introduced to a lot of characters, but not an excessive amount. A lot of them don't really grow much or feature too much (though I would love to see more of Alec, for example). There are things I didn't like about some of them - like the immediate and total dislike between Clary and Isabelle. It just felt weird. Then there was also that stupid love triangle (what is it about YA that insists there must be some form of a love triangle? Be Tris and Four, people!). It was stupid not only because it was a love triangle, but because the one player in it (Simon) felt like he was always just being dragged in and brought up so that there would be a love triangle, not because there was actual shared interest. Then there is Jace, who is a jackass but you gotta enjoy the guy, and I really like how he and Clary are with one another. Yep, Jace all the way. WOW.
Anyway. The book gets rolling and I really liked how easy it was to read, and this read more like mature YA then really young YA, and I liked that. The world doesn't ever feel too ridiculous (demons, warlocks, werewolves, vampires) it all just flows with the book, and that is cool. Clary also didn't chap my ass like a lot of the heroines in these types of books do, though her name did grate on me. It feels uncomfortable to read it and to say it. I don't know, I didn't like it, though her full name is Clarissa and that is just fine. The book also brings in an interesting villain, and I would really like to see what Clare does with Valentine.
Anyway, City of Bones is a pretty solid introduction to what could potentially be a fantastic story, and I will certainly continue with it. It reads easily, has an interesting, dark world it has woven, and has a lot of characters that are well worth reading. I would definitely recommend this. I won't lie, there was a development in the book that had me throwing my toys out of the cot in the extreme. Anger. Frustration. Denial. These were all strong feelings to be had. So we will see where it goes.
allowvera's review against another edition
1.0
This is my second attempt at this book. I started the new Lady Midnight and just felt like I was missing something so I decided to go back and try this book again. I have no idea why I hate it but I do. I actually like Jace (which I hear is an unpopular opinion). I can't stand Clary's character but I am sure she develops nicely, but I just don't feel compelled to witness that. I will try it again in audiobook form and see if that helps because in all honesty I was completely bored. It could just not hold my attention.
nathaome's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
graciegrace1178's review against another edition
3.0
ohhh i have conflicting opinions about this one hmmm
oznim's review against another edition
4.0
3 and a half stars
Read: 2011
Re-Read: August 12, 2013 - August 24, 2013
Read: 2011
Re-Read: August 12, 2013 - August 24, 2013
roni_gomel's review against another edition
Leave the fake incest out next time :)
martinaruffov's review against another edition
5.0
Estoy releyendo este libro por primera vez en muuuchos años aunque tengo que admitir que no me acordaba de absolutamente nada así que fue como leerlo por primera vez (otra vez).
Mi parte favorita va a ser toda la vida lo perfectamente armado que está este mundo.
Y Magnus Bane, claro está, siempre es bueno tener a Magnus Bane.
Mi parte favorita va a ser toda la vida lo perfectamente armado que está este mundo.
Y Magnus Bane, claro está, siempre es bueno tener a Magnus Bane.
camdensbooknook's review against another edition
3.0
Okay This book I really did enjoy it was mixed with other parts of other books and at first took me awhile to envision the characters because I was just thinking about other books but after awhile I really got into and started to enjoy it! This will have spoilers after this point...
I really liked it until the very end... and it is for that I only gave it 3 stars. I loved the intensity and curiosity in Jace and Clary's relationship. Their kiss was passionate and endearing and I wanted more of it... just to find out that in the end he is her long lost brother?! Not a fan of this particular twist. I don't know, it stumped me on whether or not I want to continue the series but I think I will read the next one and see how I feel from there... other than this big part of the story I found it very enjoyable.
I really liked it until the very end... and it is for that I only gave it 3 stars. I loved the intensity and curiosity in Jace and Clary's relationship. Their kiss was passionate and endearing and I wanted more of it... just to find out that in the end he is her long lost brother?! Not a fan of this particular twist. I don't know, it stumped me on whether or not I want to continue the series but I think I will read the next one and see how I feel from there... other than this big part of the story I found it very enjoyable.