Reasons to Read:
1. The movie is coming out August 21st, and you know what they say: the book is always better than the movie.
2. It’s the first book in a series – if you like it, there are 4 (soon to be 5) more! And 2 (soon to be 3) related series! That’s practically a whole summer of beach reads right there!
Page Count: 523 (paperback)
For Fans of: Teen lit, romance, SciFi/Fantasy, “The Hunger Games” series, “Harry Potter” series.
No-Spoilers Plot:
Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is an ordinary, bookishly geeky girl in New York City until the night she witnesses a murder no one else could see. The body disappears, the teenage killers politely introduce themselves as Shadowhunters, demon-killers descended from angels, and Clary is initiated into a world she never knew existed—a world she can see because she’s meant to be part of it. When Clary’s mother disappears, apparently through the work of demons, Clary turns to the Shadowhunters, the Institution that is their home, and the striking, dangerous Jace Wayland, who she might be falling in love with…
The Long and Short:
Heavy on romance, light on reality, this book is teen fantasy done reasonably well. “City of Bones” has relatively few angsty moments, some light humor, plenty of chemistry, and a decent premise. It’s easy to get caught up in, and if you love it, you’ll probably love all 18 other books by Cassandra Clare. Even if you’re not a fan, the writing is very simple, and the pages go by fast.
Every Thursday, I’ll be posting a new book recommendation, aiming for light beach reading material. Got a recommendation for me? Response to the book? Comment below and I'll get back to you!