City of Bones

Before I tell you about this story, let me tell you that I picked up this book twice before actually reading it, and since then I have read it two times. The main character, Clary appears to be simple girl with a fairly simple life, but that's how all books start, right? Well, this book is unlike any book I have read. Clary has a best friend named Simon and a father she has never met. On a normal day after school, Clary returns home to find her house filled with boxes. Her mom tells her that they will be traveling during the summer; however, Clary has other plans. Furious with her mom, Clary makes the choice of going to the latest all-ages club with her best friend, Simon where Clary witnesses something that changed her life.

She watched a murder take place, surrounded by hundreds of people. She screamed for the bodyguards, and called for Simon. When everyone gathered around her, they asked her why she was yelling. The shadow hunter-murderers smiled at her, and Clary realized that they were much more dangerous than she had ever imagined. They were invisible to everyone’s eyes but hers. The murderers claimed that she had “the sight” and that she must have some connections to the shadow hunters or the down-worlders, but Clary had no idea what that meant. That night, on her way home she got a voicemail from her mom yelling and screaming for Clary not to come home.  She told Clary, no matter what she does, don’t go home.

Clary comes to see that her life was not as simple as she thought it to be. Her mother was married to Valentine, a down-worlder, and she was a part of a group that is now considered evil. Her mother is carrying the hidden “Cup” that can turn any human into a shadow hunter, or those who kill the down-worlders. She turned to the shadow hunters she had met in the club for help and they led her to the Institution, where she talked to the head instructor. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an adventure as well as a little thrill, mystery and excitement. Throughout this story I admire Clary because she a more independent, strong and capable person. She has learned how to pay attention to clues and look for the missing detail as well as, be able to pick up when someone turns against her. Clary works hard to help the shadow hunters, but will she be able to help save her mom?