City of Bones, by Cassandra Clare
It has taken me a long time but I have finally finished this book. Why so long? Was it not that good? Quite the contrary but it is a busy time of year in school(s) so this just sat there taunting me. Now I know why all of our copies keep moving off the shelves! It was originally published in 2007, though I suppose it was caught up in the Twilight fever, like so many other paranormal romance stories. It deserves better because even though it has vampires in it, and one of the minor characters is a werewolf, that is about it, in terms of similarities.
I read somewhere that people were referring to the genre as “urban fantasy” which is fairly apt. The story is set in New York and contains as many fantasy figures and conventions as you can imagine. Pixies, demons, minor gods, portals to other places, witches, magical items. But without the Dungeons and Dragons style of bare-chested hero which is normally associated with fantasy. The human characters go to poetry readings, hang out at emo/goth clubs, live in apartments and drive beaten-up vans. This makes it refreshing.
Clary is the central character and she is caught up in events which involve her but she is not too sure how and why until … everything is explained to her and the world is never the same again. There are impossibly handsome demon killers, providing the romance angle, truly evil forces trying to subvert the causes of good and helpful characters who provide guidance at various times. Typical fantasy stock but well-handled and interesting.
This is the first in a trilogy and I cannot wait to read the rest! If I can find them. I know they weren’t on our shelves this morning so…
One last thing. The books these are closest to are possibly Terry Brooks’ Armageddon’s Children series, with their battles against demons set in an Earth not too far away from ours. 
These are also very good and easy to read; urban fantasy is an apt description of these books. Brooks links his world to the earlier Shanarra series and the elves which are the central focus. We have this series also but they do not have the romance angle that City of Bones introduces. It is not as heavy as the Bella-Edward thing but would certainly account for the appeal to some students.
Filed under: Book Reviews, Fantasy, YA | Tagged: fantasy, supernatural, urban fantasy, vampires
Was Armageddon’s Children the one I started reading of Terry Brooks?? How else is it themed? Is it the post-apocalyptic, depressing story of desperate struggle?? Because of what I have read, that can make a difference. I started reading the beginning of City of Bones over my friend’s shoulder and thought it interesting – but it was set purely in everyday life when the fantasy figures are working behind the scenes. In my opinion, this builds to make a much more fascinating read as it can be believed to be real and around us; everyday, normal, boring us. Rather than being placed in a possible future. Admittedly though, Obernewtyn was awesome, but it also wasn’t very depressing, rather, lots of hope.
What types of fantasy do other readers in our school like??? There should be a census for the library. It would have VERY interesting results (like how many vampire-obsessed girls there are – not me Mr Humphries! They are merely another genre, a bit shallower and good for a light read. I would go crazy if that was all I read). The quiz/census could even be done on the homepage, one for teachers and one for students. Make it colourful and it would catch everyone’s eyes EVERYday. Make them sign in with their school account (hello Mr Edwards for some help I’m sure) and we could get genuine results.
Imagine what the English department could do with it! Maybe.
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Okay, Amy…I am working on it! Some great ideas….leave it with me.
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by the way, sorry!! I meant Mr Humphreys, not Mr Humphries. My apologies!
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