5-Minute Book Club: City of Bones

Introducing the 5-Minute Book Club. On the first Thursday of every month, we’ll pick a YA or MG book and share our quick, five-minute thoughts. And we want you to play along. Read that month’s book? Leave a comment or send a tweet letting us know what you thought.

Ready? On to February's pick: City of Bones.

From the Publisher

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it’s hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

What OPWFT Thought

Debra

Never having read any of C. Clare’s HP fanfic, I wasn’t sure what to expect. And I’ve got one word for you: snarkalicious. While many might love the lush descriptions Clire uses, or the twisty turny plot with a big side of WTFery, I enjoyed this book mostly for it’s scrumptious snark between all the characters, especially Clary and Jace.

For some reason, I just can’t resist lines like:

Jace: “I said his poetry was terrible. It sounds like he ate a dictionary and started vomiting up words at random.”

and:

“That might be handy, an extra pair of arms,” Jace said. “Handy in a fight.”
“Not if they’re growing out of your…” Dorothea paused and smiled at him, not without malice. “Neck.”
“Yikes,” said Jace mildly.

Plus, tons of imagination and world-building in this one (made all the better by the quick-witted dialogue. Have I mentioned that I like snark?)

Jennifer

With it’s non-stop action, a twist readers never see coming and humorous dialogue, City of Bones left me rushing out to find City of Ashes. The Mortal Instruments Series is fast paced and enjoyable reading. Simon is one of the sweetest characters I’ve read in a while and I couldn’t help but root for his place in the love triangle, or should I say square, and at the same time not want him to succeed.

Kathleen

Ah Cassandra Clare. Who else could have had legions of geeks using the phrase “leather pants” as one bizarre adjective and muttering “Still not King” when the coffee machine refuses to work? And she accomplished it before City of Bones was even whispered about in internet circles. Fans of Clare’s wit and snark will find much to enjoy and amuse (look for a sly fashion nod to The Very Secret Diaries). On the character front, Alec was brilliant and refreshing (and his love for Jace was completely heartbreaking) while Luke Garroway was completely crush-worthy (at least for this non-teen).

Krista

For me, I really enjoyed the twists and turns. Just when you thought one issue was solved, you started down another twisty plot turn. Another part I enjoyed was how she incorporated all types of fantasy creatures. You had werewolves, vampires, angels, demons, etc. It was great having all those different types featured in one story and seeing how they interacted with one another. The “glamour” aspect was also very interesting that you could have a really dilapidated building that was actually some beautiful architecture just in disguise. I did enjoy the different type of love triangle with Alec’s feeling for Jace, and that how even in their world, he wasn’t free to be open about his sexuality.

So that’s what we though. Now it’s your turn. What did you think of City of Bones?


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