Mortal Instruments (1) - City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Many of you might already know it, but I'll post it either way: City of Bones, book 1 of The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare (in German City of Bones, in French La Cité des Ténèbres) I read it in German, it had 500 pages. Originally published 2007. Age: 13 - Death (girls [boys??? depends!])
When Clary Fray observes a bunch of teenagers killing a boy, her world is turned upside-down. Not only does the body disappear into thin air, not only does no one else see the murderers… when they’re standing right in front of them! And now, the blond one won’t leave her alone. But after Clary’s mother has been abducted and she herself nearly killed, she’s glad for her new stalker. Because he’s a Shadowhunter, a Nephilim who kills demons. And Clary’s stumbled into his world of scars and blood…
This book is gorgeous.
First: To the concept. Demons exist and are hunted by Nephilim, who get power boosters by angelic scriptures on their skin? And they are kind of the despised by the other non-demonic species in their world, because they’re arrogant as hell? Some of the Nephilim go Nazi on the other factions, while others try to keep the peace?
It’s so realistic that it actually could exist.
I love the way the different… well, mentalities of the (Ex)Shadowhunters are shown, why some would leave, why others would stay, why the relationship between the Shadowwordlers and Shadowhunters are strained like they are. The obvious explanation would be: Valentine. But actually, the strained relationships are older than time, and the one antagonist united the two sides! It’s really cool.
Plus, I love the werewolves and the vampires, they are fascinating. Especially the wolves, how they stick together… I was always a fan of that species (even though I’m still Team Edward!).
Now to the most fascinating aspect of the series: The characters.
To Clary. Our female protagonist is the personification of fire. She’s full of courage, passion and energy. There’s nothing this girl wouldn’t do for the people she loves, she often acts before she thinks and she’s quick with words who hurt – and those who heal. She’s honest and innovative. And stubborn as hell, as well as easily distracted. At least if she doesn’t get too stubborn… She’s got the single-minded focus thing going on Lark from the Arcana Chronicles is supposed to have…
Her best friend, Simon, is steadier than her, and really has to fight to be accepted in the world he stumbled into. But he really has something – he accepts the people no matter what their exterior says about them. In contrast to Clary, who has some issues with that… this is amazingly honest, by the way. People usually have issues overcoming prejudices et cetera, even though no one likes to admit it to one’s self. But I’m sorry for him, first Clary and then Isabelle?
Isabelle is a hard-ass, but she’s all about family. Once she thinks of someone as her family, she trusts his/her judgement – sometimes over her own. It’s quite nicely done, how she grudgingly begins to trust Clary because Jace does – and then because Clary earns her respect.
As for Alec… he’s fascinating as well, or rather Clary’s view on his relationship to Jace. It’s really well done – how she sees this stuff, how it’s described… I like how he and Clary fight like street cats until they finally begin to understand and accept one another.
Well, I have mentioned Jace a few times, and anyone who knows the series, knows that he is GORGEOUS.
Look at his humour! Shadowhunters look better in black than the widows of our enemies – so great! I love his sarcasm. Plus, he’s honest in his very own way as well – you know what he thinks about people pretty much immediately, and even though he can seem pretty arrogant, he’s not in the “I’m the best being on Earth there ever was” way, but rather like he pretends to expect others to feel that way about him. He has a good heart if you get to know him, and he values strength and loyalty in others. He’s honest enough to himself that he can admit that he was wrong in one of his core values.
Meaning: After you got over your urges to throw apples at him, he kind of grows on you.
And he’s the best thing that could happen to Clary.
Anything else?
Magnus and Miao Tse Tung? Great!
Jocelyn and Luke are interesting as well – especially Luke’s background story and what he’d do to help Jocelyn and Clary. He's got an interesting past and a caring, gentle personality. He's the typical father.
I hadn’t anticipated Hodge. He's a fascinating personality. Week and easily broken, but fascinating never the less. He's just... not evil. Even though, in Clary's view, he is.
Now to the style: it’s tense at hell – one moment you started, the next you’re finished and have no idea were the times went. I was thanking god I got the second part only seconds after finishing the first.
But there are two mistakes: Demons can look through runes, and Clary had demon poison in her veins anyway – meaning Jace’s little stunt wouldn’t work.
In brief:
I give it five stars, one for the ideas, one for the characters, one for the style and the last one for the world. Plus SoGH.
Prequel Series (independant)
The Infernal Devices
Clockwork Angel
Prequel Series (after the series):
The Bane Chronicles
Sequel: