A review by yustawrites
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

2.25

I've read this book when I was about 14, and now that I am 24 I must say I didn't like it as much. 

I disliked the main characters (Clary and Jace). Clary is rude unprovoked, a know-it-all when she knows nothing at all. She's too judgemental, commenting on other girls' appearances as if she knows them. Overconfident yet very weak. Why is she slapping Jace all the time? That's assault. 


Their relationship was totally unnecessary. There was no chemistry AT ALL so they kissed only to find out later that they are siblings? Just why? It's gross and ineffective.


Not only that, but Clary is also... dumb. "Jocelyn... Could it be my mother??" - well, yes. How common is the name "Jocelyn"? (I'm guessing not really that common). 

Her relationship with Simon, her best friend since childhood - she treats him like an afterthought after the plot begins. She lets others treat him like a non-human, yet she dares to question how friendships change and how Simon has changed. It took this girl 5 days to put him aside as if he meant nothing to her. It is Simon that - regardless of his nerdy, disbelieving and introverted nature - constantly comes back to help Clary with whatever stupid request she makes next. 

Alec, who I remembered as a bit of a villain was actually the only normal person of the four, although he seemed a little underdeveloped as a character. 

I found it weird to read about Isabelle (a 15-year old girl) being so sexualised and sexually provocative. Please - stop. 

Further - chapters: 13, 14 and 15 could have been cut. We learn nothing new and we take away nothing forward to help the plot move forward. It made the story drag. 

Towards the end I began to be a little sad because there were no strong female characters. Especially in the last chapter (not Epilogue) women were at t heir weakest and told to shut up all the time. Gave me very toxic vibes.

I'm bumping my review from 2.5 to 2.75 because of Luke's story. I did enjoy Clare's writing style and I am interested in reading a different, more recent book of hers. 
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