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cherique89 's review for:
City of Bones
by Cassandra Clare
2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS
This book a good example of a good premise that is weakly executed. City of Bones is the first book in the mortal instruments series told from the perspective of our protagonist Clary. Now, I liked the wolrd surrounding Clary, but have an increasing dislike towards Clary as a character. The merits of the story are good despite her, rather than because of her. She comes across as someone who needs to question and second guess the most obvious things and lacks personality besides superficial details (like the constant references about how she's artist) and the situational (albeit usually bland) reactions. I can image that her behaviour is likely because despite everything, Clary is only 15/16 years old, but this does not negate her falling flat as a character. Furthermore, as much as it pains me to say it, it isn't well written. The text feels a bit stilted and at times a little bit off-putting.
Jace is an alright character for the most part, and the same can be said for most of the characters. But, Honestly the only character I truly liked and wished there was waaaay more of, is Magnus Bane. Simon being is a close second.
Minor thing that kinda annoyed me a little, but I can see tying into the story perhaps later on (or not), but that didn't ruin the book:
* The shadowhunters are kinda racist for most part, (besides the whole hating on 'downworlders'), they say they're about protecting the mundanes (regular folk) but a lot of the time the word mundane is used is as a slur. They look down on people and are pretty pretentious when you think about it.
Overall This book is alright, but what really bums me out is that it had the potential to be so much more. I like the premise and the idea there is a world that us normal people can't see. This isn't an original concept in and of itself, but one that I happen to like, but sadly it is unable to reach its potential because its been situated into unconvincing drama called Clary.
This book a good example of a good premise that is weakly executed. City of Bones is the first book in the mortal instruments series told from the perspective of our protagonist Clary. Now, I liked the wolrd surrounding Clary, but have an increasing dislike towards Clary as a character. The merits of the story are good despite her, rather than because of her. She comes across as someone who needs to question and second guess the most obvious things and lacks personality besides superficial details (like the constant references about how she's artist) and the situational (albeit usually bland) reactions. I can image that her behaviour is likely because despite everything, Clary is only 15/16 years old, but this does not negate her falling flat as a character. Furthermore, as much as it pains me to say it, it isn't well written. The text feels a bit stilted and at times a little bit off-putting.
Jace is an alright character for the most part, and the same can be said for most of the characters. But, Honestly the only character I truly liked and wished there was waaaay more of, is Magnus Bane. Simon being is a close second.
Minor thing that kinda annoyed me a little, but I can see tying into the story perhaps later on (or not), but that didn't ruin the book:
* The shadowhunters are kinda racist for most part, (besides the whole hating on 'downworlders'), they say they're about protecting the mundanes (regular folk) but a lot of the time the word mundane is used is as a slur. They look down on people and are pretty pretentious when you think about it.
Overall This book is alright, but what really bums me out is that it had the potential to be so much more. I like the premise and the idea there is a world that us normal people can't see. This isn't an original concept in and of itself, but one that I happen to like, but sadly it is unable to reach its potential because its been situated into unconvincing drama called Clary.