The Instruments of Good Writing

Cassandra Clare author of City of Bones, book one of the Mortal Instruments series, creates a world that activates the imagination of people young and old.  City of Bones takes place in modern time New York City. It follows the adventures of a young teenager named Clary and her friends Jace, Isabelle, and Alec.            

It all begins when Clary witness’s a murder at a nightclub in the city. Clary’s courageous attitude sends her running after the group of murders. When she finally confronts them, kids not much older then herself, the boldest of the group Jace tells her that the “boy” they killed was actually a demon. Jace goes on to tell her that they are shadow hunters.  Their task is to kill demons and send them back to the shadow world.             

From there the plot escalates when Clary receives a frantic call from her mother ordering her not to come home. Ignoring her Clary races home to find her mother gone and a demon lurking in the shadows. With the help of Jace they kill the demon. Clary who is injured during the fight is then taken to an old cathedral that the shadow hunters call “the institute”. 

Clary later learns that her mother and father were shadow hunters as well and that with the proper training she too could be a demon hunter. She also learns her father is not dead, but the leader of treasonous group in Idris, the city where the shadow hunters come from. Clary, Jace, Isabelle, and Alec work together to help find Clary’s mother and in the process look for the mortal cup, which has the power to create a demon army. The cup that Clary’s dad wants in order to create a multitude to take over the shadow Idris.

            By the end of the book Clary has gone on a whirlwind adventure, making tough decisions that shape the person she will become.  

            Cassandra Clare’s work produces a world that one can only dream of. While fantasy books have not always been the most popular genre of books Clare’s writing style takes the reader away from reality placing them in a new world; a world where demons, angels and shadow hunters roam the earth.            

            In her series Clare brings to life all kinds of characters. Within the first few pages the reader feels as though they are with Clary and the others fighting the war between good and evil. The vibrancy with which she paints each and every character puts the reader in the very heart of the action. Clare makes every character seem important, even ones that are only alluded to.  It is here that things can become confusing. With each new character she creates the reader may not be sure which characters are important to keep up with and which ones are just passing through.

            While reading City of Bones one will go not only on an journey with their imagination, but a personal adventure as well. Clare writes of individual triumphs and self-confidence. She writes a story of over coming fears and coming to terms with the things we cannot change.  

            Using daring plot twists and incredible descriptions Clare’s world comes to life from page one.  In the final chapters of book one the reader will be stunned by turn of events and gripped by the final scene making the wait for book two seem almost unbearable!