City of Bones
Cassandra Clare, 2007
Fantasy Young adultRomanceHorror
A girl who sees what others can't is pulled into a New York of tattooed demon-hunters, rune-magic and a boy with gold eyes who is trouble. Witty banter and rune-lit New York keep the pace quick, while Clary’s curiosity gives the drama a personal edge.
Feels like curiosity, unease and passion. About adventure, identity and love.
Who it’s for
You may like it if you enjoy urban fantasy with snappy dialogue, hidden magic and a heroine piecing together who she is. The 2007 YA voice and dramatic romance can feel dated or overheated to some readers.
Why read it
It offers a quick, banter-driven escape into a secret New York, with identity and attraction pulling you through.
A page from the book
Being ninety percent certain is fine, until someone else does the arithmetic.
“You guessed? You must have been pretty sure, considering you could have killed me.”“I was ninety percent sure.”“I see,” Clary said.There must have been something in her voice, because he turned to look at her. Her hand cracked across his face, a slap that rocked him back on his heels. He put his hand to his cheek, more in surprise than pain. “What the hell was that for?”“The other ten percent.” Cassandra Clare.Before City of Bones, Clare wrote the Draco Trilogy, a Harry Potter fan fiction read by millions under the handle Cassandra Claire — the extra 'i' was later dropped.
Books that feel like this
More by Cassandra Clare
City of Glass
Cassandra Clare, 2009
Clary crosses into the Shadowhunters' hidden city of glass to save her mother, with Jace, Simon and a war following close behind.
City of Ashes
Cassandra Clare, 2008
The second Mortal Instruments book: Shadowhunters, demons and a bond that won't break, in a New York where every loyalty is tested.
Clockwork Angel
Cassandra Clare, 2010
A girl who can become anyone by touching their belongings is held captive in gaslit London, where angels and clockwork hide in plain sight.
Where to get it
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Questions readers ask
- Is City of Bones for me?
- You may like it if you enjoy urban fantasy with snappy dialogue, hidden magic and a heroine piecing together who she is. The 2007 YA voice and dramatic romance can feel dated or overheated to some readers.
- What is City of Bones like?
- Witty banter and rune-lit New York keep the pace quick, while Clary’s curiosity gives the drama a personal edge. Feels like curiosity, unease and passion. About adventure, identity and love.
- What should I read after City of Bones?
- If you liked City of Bones, try Vampire Academy (Richelle Mead), Hush, Hush (Becca Fitzpatrick) and Quicksilver (Callie Hart).
A taste of the feed
A seventeen-year-old's job description, if the job were killing vampires.
By the way, my name’s Rose Hathaway. I’m seventeen years old, training to protect and kill vampires, in love with a completely unsuitable guy, and have a best friend whose weird magic could drive her crazy. Hey, no one said high school was easy.
Vampire Academy · Richelle Mead
A man forced to kneel can still swear revenge in his heart.
Heat flushed Chauncey’s neck; it took all his energy to curl his hands into two weak fists. He laughed at himself, but there was no humor. He had no idea how, but the boy was inflicting the nausea and weakness inside him. It would not lift until he took the oath. He would say what he had to, but he swore in his heart he would destroy the boy for this humiliation.
Hush, Hush · Becca Fitzpatrick
What you call a woman decides how much room she is allowed.
Don’t call her Sunshine,” he commanded. “Why not?” If Carrion’s plan was to poke the bear, then he sure as hell knew how to go about it. But Kingfisher didn’t respond to the taunting note in his question. He just cocked his head a little, nostrils flaring, and spoke in a low rumble. “Because she is moonlight. The mist that shrouds the mountains. The bite of electricity in the air before a storm. The smoke that rolls across a battlefield before the killing starts. You have no idea what she is. What she could be. You should call her Majesty.
Quicksilver · Callie Hart
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