The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare may seem to be yet another Twilight-inspired knockoff populating the shelves lately, but there is assuredly some things more… and some things less.

The first book in the series is titled City of Bones. The story follows Clary, a sixteen-year-old artist who is thrust into the world of “Shadowhunters”, a race of humans (carrying the blood of an angel) who kill demons as a job. She meets Jace, a cynical yet highly attractive Shadowhunter, and later returns home to find her apartment trashed, her mother missing, and a demon lurking in wait to attack. Jace assists in her in her rescue mission for her mother, who is in the clutches of the evil ex-Shadownhunter Valentine, all the while discovering new powers and forgotten memories that change the way she views herself and the world.

The plot, although cliched, is still pretty interesting, with the language easy to follow and descriptive in the right places. It is highly humorous, and I grew to appreciate the dry sarcasm that the characters brought, although at times it seemed unnecessary. The characters are all well-rounded and likable. Interesting though it may be, the plot is fairly predictable and average, but leaves on a cliffhanger to keep you reading the next two books in the series, City of Ashes and City of Glass.

3.5/5 stars