City of Bones by Cassandra Clare follows Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenager in New York City, who discovers a hidden world of demon hunters called Shadowhunters after witnessing a murder committed by beings only, she can see. Clary's mother is kidnapped, and she must navigate this dangerous new reality, teaming up with the enigmatic Jace Wayland and his fellow Shadowhunters to rescue her mother and uncover the truth about her own hidden heritage. As Clary dives deeper into this supernatural realm, she uncovers family secrets, battles demons, and uncovers a dark plot that threatens both the Shadowhunter world and her own existence.
The most compelling aspect for me was the author's ability to blend urban fantasy with character relationships. The chemistry between Clary and Jace had me rooting for them from the start, and the way Clare intertwined their personal struggles with the bigger battle against evil was well written. There were moments when I was genuinely surprised by the twists and turns. Now, there were some moments where I was disappointed. Sometimes I felt like the book was going by way too slow. The character development was a little too much. The action parts still were very good, nonetheless. I would recommend City of Bones to anyone who loves urban fantasy with some romance and supernatural intrigue. If you're a fan of hidden worlds, battles, and characters who are exaggerated, this is the book for you. It's a rollercoaster of emotions and a long journey that you won't want to miss.