4.4 (26,499 ratings)

City of Bones: The Mortal Instruments

Name: City of Bones: The Mortal Instruments
Rating: 4.4 (26499 reviews)
Author: Cassandra Clare
ISBN: B00JP1JTGG

by Cassandra Clare

shifters

About this book

Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray thinks she is an ordinary teenager until a night at a New York City club shatters her perception of reality. After witnessing a trio of tattooed strangers commit a brutal, invisible murder, Clary discovers that the mundane world she knows is merely a thin veil over a dark, supernatural landscape. When her mother vanishes and a grotesque creature attacks her home, she is thrust into the dangerous realm of the Shadowhunters—warriors sworn to protect humanity from the demonic forces lurking in the shadows.

This pulse-pounding urban fantasy introduces a hidden society where vampires, demons, and shifters walk among us. At the center of the chaos is Jace, a lethal and arrogant Shadowhunter who becomes Clary’s reluctant guide. As they navigate the dangerous underbelly of the city, Clary must confront the revelation that she possesses a unique ability that makes her a target for the most powerful enemies in the paranormal world.

Perfect for fans of high-stakes adventure and slow-burn paranormal romance, this story masterfully balances gritty action with deep emotional tension. As Clary uncovers secrets about her own lineage, she realizes that the line between hero and monster is razor-thin. Prepare to be hooked by this unforgettable journey into the unknown.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B00JP1JTGG

Reader Reviews

Exciting Adventure!

July 11, 2012

Originally posted on my blog: [...] I have SO many favorite quotes this time over, you guys, I just HAD to share some :D Simon grinned, \"You've never heard of Dungeons and Dragons?\" \"I've heard of dungeons,\" Jace said. \"Also dragons. Although they're mostly extinct.\" Simon looked disappointed. \"You've never killed a dragon?\" \"He's probably never met a six-foot-tall hot elf-woman in a fur bikini, either,\" Clary said irritably. \"Lay off, Simon.\" He squinted at her. \"Do you remember...

A ripsnorter of a read. 7/10

April 14, 2011

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments 1) by Cassandra Clare. 7/10 City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Wow. I'd heard good things about this trilogy so I waited until all three were released. I'm glad I did. If I'd rushed out and read it as soon as it was released, I'd be jonesing for my next Mortal Instruments fix for ages. I don't like jonesing for anything. Clare writes her characters beautifully. She describes them very well, but it's her dialogue that makes her characters come alive. Brilliant....

Captivating but Still Real World

October 6, 2011

Unlike many of the reviews that I have read; I have not read any of Cassandra Clare's fan fiction on Harry Potter of Lord of the Rings. As well as I have never read the Harry Potter series because I just couldn't get into them when they became popular. As for the book City of Bones I really enjoyed it and went on to read the other books in The Mortal Instruments series. The thing that first caught my eye about this book was the cover. People always say to not judge a book by its cover but we...

After a fight with her mother she runs out with her best friend Simon

March 14, 2015

This is a story about Clary. A 15 year old girl who gets her world turned upside down after a night out in a club. She encounters things she never knew existed and finds out later exactly why that is. After a fight with her mother she runs out with her best friend Simon, and finds out that her life will never be the same after her mother is kidnapped. Clary is determined to get her back no matter what, so she takes in the help of Shadowhunters Jace, Alec, and Isabelle. The rest you will have to...

Fun and readable, but cliches and plot holes abound ...

November 11, 2013

I just finished the book and I'm going for a three star review because I didn't think the book was great, but I also didn't think it was terrible, especially not when you consider its target audience is over a decade younger than me. I've read some other reviews before writing this, which actually made me consider the book more closely, and will influence the review below. That said, there will be some major spoilers, so beware. First of all, as stated above, this was just a fun book to read. A...