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A review by megancperry
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
4.0
*4.5 stars
PROS:
1. COOL WORLD + MAGIC STUFF
2. DIALOGUE - JACE
3. ACTION PACKED
CONS:
1. LOVE TRIANGLE - ISH
2. ISABELLE/CLARY RELATIONSHIP
3. 'BEAUTIFUL BUT DOESN'T KNOW IT' TROPE
So, I've read some poor reviews on this novel and they seem to be saying similar things: [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432730315s/256683.jpg|2267189] is just a Harry Potter ripoff (ie. Clary = Ginny, Jace = Malfoy, etc.) Of course, before writing the Shadowhunter Chronicles, [a:Cassandra Clare|150038|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1270502031p2/150038.jpg] was a fanfiction author for HP, but personally I've never read any of hers, and i don't think her previous writings should influence opinions on this series. I've nothing against Harry Potter, but these generic character personalities are just that, generic. 'The hero', 'the foil'; these character tropes have been around since the beginning of time, so they're not exactly mutually exclusive to Harry Potter. Therefore, I have to disagree with these reviewers' ideas.
On a more positive note, I loved the Shadowhunter world. Also this is urban fantasy, so the characters never actually go to the fantasy world, Idris, it was fascinating being introduced to the 'magic' systems and the history of the society. Separately, the dialogue was SO GOOD!! There were parts where I found myself chuckling at the snide remarks between the characters, especially Jace.
However, there were a few things that bugged me. I'll start off with a minor annoyance: the love triangle. This didn't frustrate me too much because it wasn't that prevalent in [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432730315s/256683.jpg|2267189], but I fear it will become fully functioning by the sequel. Also, the relationship between Isabelle and Clary was slightly aggravating; I just wanted a nice, happy friendship, but for some unbeknownst reason they can't seem to get along (I understand the ''new girl' in the Institute = competition' idea but come on, why the girl hate?). One final, minor thing was just the trope-ness of how Clary is 'beautiful but she doesn't know it'. Like every other girl in YA literature. Ugh.
Admittedly, I've been really pernickety throughout this review, but overall [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432730315s/256683.jpg|2267189] is a great, action-packed fantasy with funny dialogue!
PROS:
1. COOL WORLD + MAGIC STUFF
2. DIALOGUE - JACE
3. ACTION PACKED
CONS:
1. LOVE TRIANGLE - ISH
2. ISABELLE/CLARY RELATIONSHIP
3. 'BEAUTIFUL BUT DOESN'T KNOW IT' TROPE
So, I've read some poor reviews on this novel and they seem to be saying similar things: [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432730315s/256683.jpg|2267189] is just a Harry Potter ripoff (ie. Clary = Ginny, Jace = Malfoy, etc.) Of course, before writing the Shadowhunter Chronicles, [a:Cassandra Clare|150038|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1270502031p2/150038.jpg] was a fanfiction author for HP, but personally I've never read any of hers, and i don't think her previous writings should influence opinions on this series. I've nothing against Harry Potter, but these generic character personalities are just that, generic. 'The hero', 'the foil'; these character tropes have been around since the beginning of time, so they're not exactly mutually exclusive to Harry Potter. Therefore, I have to disagree with these reviewers' ideas.
On a more positive note, I loved the Shadowhunter world. Also this is urban fantasy, so the characters never actually go to the fantasy world, Idris, it was fascinating being introduced to the 'magic' systems and the history of the society. Separately, the dialogue was SO GOOD!! There were parts where I found myself chuckling at the snide remarks between the characters, especially Jace.
However, there were a few things that bugged me. I'll start off with a minor annoyance: the love triangle. This didn't frustrate me too much because it wasn't that prevalent in [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432730315s/256683.jpg|2267189], but I fear it will become fully functioning by the sequel. Also, the relationship between Isabelle and Clary was slightly aggravating; I just wanted a nice, happy friendship, but for some unbeknownst reason they can't seem to get along (I understand the ''new girl' in the Institute = competition' idea but come on, why the girl hate?). One final, minor thing was just the trope-ness of how Clary is 'beautiful but she doesn't know it'. Like every other girl in YA literature. Ugh.
Admittedly, I've been really pernickety throughout this review, but overall [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432730315s/256683.jpg|2267189] is a great, action-packed fantasy with funny dialogue!