Book cover of City of Bones

Book description

Discover this first installment of the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly).

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…

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Why read it?

12 authors picked City of Bones as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This was one of the first books I picked up after my reading slump in 2012, and I absolutely couldn’t put it down. The story concept was fascinating; I love it when story worlds have supernatural elements and societies hidden within the “regular world.” The characters are written very well, and you feel as though you are watching a movie while reading with the authors great attention to detail in the scenes she sets.

The world building is great and offers a unique take on the classic fantasy creatures, werewolves, vampires, and fey. You really feel that “found family” book…

From Stephanie's list on slump busters.

I did not want this series to end!

A strong-willed protagonist who discovers that she isn’t human and wields runes to fight demons invading her world, what’s not to love? Enemies to lovers, plus demons and Nephilim, SWOON!

I consumed this entire series in weeks! It is the OG of Young Adult Fantasy books that include Nephilim. I highly recommend this book series.

This book is a unique way of looking at humans being caught up in a supernatural world.

It provided real and unique outlook on a seemingly normal girl who gets swept away and brought into a world that surrounds her every day. It has its own sense of awakening where people can look around our world, outside of the pages and wonder what they are missing right under their nose.

It’s a great voice that instantly draws in the readers. The magic in this series intrigued me with how it worked. Invoking and storing magical runes on their bodies was…

From Kris' list on getting magical powers.

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Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

Cassandra Clare writes about Shadowhunters, a group of Nephilim that hunt demons. In addition, they are on the hunt for a group of rogue Shadowhunters, led by Valentine, that are trying to find the Mortal Cup. This book includes memory charms, vampires, werewolves, and all matter of underworld characters that will make you think about which side you want to root for. The characters are younger, so teens and adults alike can understand the angst of young love and the drama of coming of age. I like this book because of its diverse group of characters and well-thought-out story, and…

City of Bones is a great introduction to the world of the Shadowhunters, an organisation of demon hunters. And you don't just encounter demons, there are vampires, werewolves, warlocks, faeries, and ghosts, to name but a few. It can be a bit overwhelming to begin with as there is a lot of back-story at times, but stick with it.

Just thinking of The Mortal Instruments makes me feel warm and fuzzy. It's like a comfortable fluffy blanket, candle, and a pumpkin-spiced latte all rolled into the pages of a book. I really felt a part of the action and enjoyed…

So Clary may not be your typical witch. But she has powers and to me powers = witch, or at least witch adjacent. And this is an awesome book and start to an amazing series. Clary’s story dragged me under from page one. It was hard to stop reading and I one-clicked the next in the story right after finishing it. There is so much mysticism and mystery lying under, in, and between the buildings of New York City and this book puts you right into that world.

From Tricia's list on magical realms just beyond our reach.

If you love Cassandra Clare...

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Book cover of Dragon-Eyed Dream

Dragon-Eyed Dream by L. Darby Gibbs,

In Book 1 in the epic dragon romantasy series Annals of the Dragon Dreamer, Zyla Powerbane rises from orphan obscurity to dragon rider as she completes a seemingly never-ending set of tasks to return her world to balance and save the sentient Lynkyn forests that are key to dragon survival.…

Oh, how I love my Shadowhunters and Downworlders! I’m definitely Team Jace, although I have a deep love of Magnus Bane, too. Cassandra Clare won my heart in this first installment in the Mortal Instruments series, starting with Clary, an ordinary girl who sees something unworldly at a dance club, which thrusts her into the world of humans with angel blood, vampires, werewolves, Fae, and other magical beings. The world building is gripping, the story grabbed me and I could not put the book down. You know a book is great when it was not only made into a movie…

From Kelly's list on to indulge your love of Fae.

Full disclosure: I love the Shadowhunters series. Angels. Demons. Fae. Parabatai. Cassandra Clare created such a fun and interesting world with a vast cast of endearing characters. City of Bones is the first book in the series. This is where the very ancient demon Magnus Bane first meets Alec Lightwood, a young handsome Shadowhunter. By the way, Shadowhunters are Nephilim, whose main reason for being is to vanquish demons and other supernatural creatures. Although Magnus and Alec are only side characters to the more central story of Jayce and Clary, I thoroughly enjoyed the development of their romance. You will…

I devoured the books in this series, one after another. It’s like a YA paranormal soap opera on a post-Halloween sugar high—pure drama candy. If you have ever dreamed of discovering you have powers and can suddenly fight demons hidden in our mundane world, then raise your hand because this one is for you. You just raised your hand, didn’t you? 

From Casey's list on to escape the real world.

If you love City of Bones...

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Book cover of A Tale of Stars and Shadow

A Tale of Stars and Shadow by Lisa Cassidy,

A corrupt kingdom. A rising darkness. Can a broken warrior save a world?

Mithranar is a country divided by ignorance and magic. Oppressed by their winged folk rulers, humans struggle to eke out an existence. Their only help comes from the mysterious Shadowhawk, a criminal who has evaded all attempts…

Here’s a little-known fact about me… in my next life I’m coming back as a Shadow Hunter. Maybe even in this life, if I can find the time. That is how good these books are, and for me, it all started with City of Bones. While not entirely set in the Faerie Realm the skills you'll need to survive can be gleaned from the epic descriptions of the training the Shadow Hunters undergo. And if you want a series that goes on forever...something I personally enjoy when it's a series I love, then this book will get you hooked…

From Michele's list on for surviving the Faerie Realm.

If you love City of Bones...

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Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

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