City of Bones: The Mortal Instruments Series, Book 1

Peach’s Picks Rating


Title:
City of Bones
The Mortal Instruments Series, Book 1

Author:
Cassandra Clare

Illustrator:
None

ISBN:
9781416914280

Publisher:
New York: M.K. McElderry Books

Copyright:
2007

Length:
485 pages

Plot Summary:
Clary Fray; 15-years-old, hip and beautiful, lives a normal life in Manhattan with her mother, Jocelyn. She is led to believe that her father is dead. Suddenly, her life takes an abrupt turn. Her mother is not only missing, she has been kidnapped and suspicious events unfold that are not just normal, they are outright supernatural. It seems that her mother might be involved with the paranormal events that are happening. The story is set in the gritty underbelly of New York City. Clary sees three teens covered with tattoos murder another teen. Oddly, the victim disappears before her eyes. No one else seems to notice. She has entered the world of Shadowhunters, people who track and kill wicked demons. The Mortal Cup, a potentially dangerous magical instrument, is hidden from all but Clary’s mother. There are villainous demons who seek the cup for their own benefit and the destruction of all. Clary fights to save herself, her mother, and the world as she struggles to learn her true identity. The story is full of werewolves, vampires, and all sorts of demons, both friendly and unfriendly.

Critical Evaluation:
City of Bones is the first book in a series of four, three of which have been published to date. The book is fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged. With the exception of Clary, the characters are flat stereotypes that are met time and again in books of this genre and are, for the most part, predictable. A nice touch is the rough tough motorcycle gang style of characters, just the right edgy tone for teen girls. New York City is the perfect background for the gothic feel the author creates. Some of the action and characters are a little too far fetched, but the book is so much fun that the reader can suspend belief and enjoy the read. Romantic triangles with Clary in the middle keep the romance side of the book intriguing. Every girl will want to be as resourceful as Clary. While the book may not withstand the test of time, it is very entertaining for the moment, making a reader look forward to the next in the series. It serves well those who enjoy the paranormal and like to read in a series.

Reader’s Annotation:
One night Clary and her friend Simon go to a club in New York City looking for a good time. Instead Clary witnesses a murder that Simon and the club’s bouncers cannot see and she becomes embroiled in a life and death battle with demons.

Author Information:
Born in Tehran, Iran to American parents
Clare’s family traveled the world, including France, England, and Switzerland during her childhood
Her parents trekked through the Himalayas with her in a backpack when she was a toddler
She attended high school in Los Angeles
She has also worked as a writer for entertainment and tabloid magazines
The name Cassandra Clare is a pen name inspired by a Jane Austen short story
She began writing City of Bones in 2004
She prefers writing in coffee shops and restaurants rather than at home alone
Maintains at blog at http://cassandraclare.livejournal.com/

Genre:
Paranormal, supernatural, horror

Curriculum Ties:
Use in literature classes

Booktalking Ideas:
If you liked the Percy Jackson novels when you were younger, you will enjoy this book.
If you enjoyed Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you will enjoy this series

Read the following passage from page 2: “The boy grinned. He was normal-enough looking, Clary thought, for Pandemonium [all-ages club]. He had electric blue dyed hair that stuck up around his head like the tendrils of a startled octopus, but no elaborate facial tattoos or big metal bars through his ears lips. I’m a vampire hunter” [he said].

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Ages 14-17

Additional Books by Author:
City of Ashes, The Mortal Instruments Series, Book 2
City of Glass, The Mortal Instruments Series, Book 3

Challenge Issues:
Violence, demonology, language, sexual situations
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.

Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
This book received positive reviews in School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Publisher's Weekly. Four peaches are awarded because while the book is a fun escapist read that leaves the reader looking forward to the sequel, the story line is not distinct enough to keep it from blending in with other werewolf/vampire horror stories.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/City-Bones-Mortal-Instruments-No/dp/1416914285/ref=sr_1_1_oe_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273007182&sr=1-1

References:
Clare, C. (2010). “Bio and contact.” Cassandra Clare, Retrieved April 27, 2010, from http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/bio



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