who says you have to be crowded into the living room, kitchen, and/or dining room to hold a book club? we are ladies of the 21st century. we don’t need no stinkin’ couches. so pull up a blog and join in the conversation.
the members of the BOOK HUNGRY are (alphabetically): patty blount, kelly breakey, blake leyers, karla nellenbach, and myself. we pick a book to read. we discuss via phone. we post a review on our individual blogs the 3rd thursday of the month. click on their names above and enjoy.
this month’s BOOK HUNGRY selection is:
CITY OF BONES by cassandra clare
what it’s about from amazon:
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 strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .
Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.
my opinion:
i’d read this book before, but it was so many moons ago and i didn’t remember enough about it to be able to participate in the monthly call, so i requested it again from the library.
as i re-read it, i recalled my initial reaction was “meh” and the end was “eww.”
those impressions didn’t change with a second re-read.
i mean, this book was fast paced and interesting up until the end. i didn’t like the end at all. it doesn’t make me want to read the other books, of which the gals informed me, there are four more, not to mention a movie coming out. i realize there’s a huge following of this series (and her other one) but i don’t see the appeal here. maybe i’m tired of paranormal? maybe i’m not a huge fan of what the ending suggested?
blake did tell us not all is as it seems, but again, with my bookshelf overflowing with books i’m desperate to read, i don’t think i’ll be sticking with the mortal instruments series. maybe later i’ll try the infernal devices series…?
have you ever read a very popular book and felt the opposite way from public opinion?
p.s. during our call, i learned that cinnamon and cayanne pepper are two spices that help increase metabolism. who knew? well, karla did and now i do too!
Abigail Mumford 
Not sure y’all are making me want to read this…
But thanks for passing along the metabolism tips. I can’t do cayenne pepper (pepper chokes me), but I love cinnamon. Though I suspect it doesn’t work for the metabolism all that well if it’s in a big ol’ cinnamon bun, huh?
alas, the cinnamon in a cinnamon bun probably just adds to your buns, not your metabolism, but i like where your head’s at ;)
of course, i’ve read a popular book (trilogy) that i HATED and everyone i know loved. ahem. you know which one as i sent you ranting email after ranting email whilst reading it ;)
i do know which one and i agree with you. i can’t believe i read that whole thing. i’m ashamed.
in other news, one of the main reasons why i’d give the rest of this series a shot is because it’s almost all published. i’ve been at the start of so many trilogies, it’s nice to arrive late to the party and be able to read the whole series start to finish at once.
The first time I read City of Bones (about three years ago), I would’ve disagreed with your “meh” thoughts and would’ve agreed with your “eww” thoughts. After re-reading this, however, I can relate to “meh” for two reasons: 1) I’m a little over paranormal right now and 2) I have read the rest of the books in the Mortal Instruments series as well as the Infernal Devices series and know that the story, and Clare’s writing, gets so much better (not that the writing in this book is bad). If y’all do read more, I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts!
Looking forward to our next review chat! :)
Clearly there’s a reason these books are so popular and I’ll probably give it at least one more book to see if I can figure it out… In other news, WELCOME!!
Thanks, doll! It is a pleasure to be a part of the Book Hungry gang! :-)
We’re happy to expand the cuddle huddle! ;)
Agree! But I may have to read the others to see who Clary ends up really being.
Right. You read the others and report back to me. And, GO.