City of Bones

While I found this book average and full of inconsistencies in characterization, it was entertaining. It is an easy and engaging read. I don't regret reading this book.

I almost put the book down in the beginning because it was full of tropes I have outgrown. Sometimes characters were cruel and spiteful just to be cruel and spiteful, which I think is an indication of poor writing skills. It was full of teenage drama, and not the good (or at least well-written) kind.

I didn't feel like I knew Isabelle at all. I couldn't really get a grasp of her character, beyond the jealousy and insecurity. That was very disappointing. Alec was a little better defined, but I don't feel I knew him very well either. I think Clary was written best. She had very real and believable reactions to what was happening. Jace was kind of boring. The witty banter between Clary and Jace that was supposed to count as flirting (?) was trite. I couldn't hear their individual voices. It was basically like reading one person having a clever conversation with herself. Most of the time the chemistry wasn't there. The end of the book was pretty intense, which adds half a star to the rating.

I give this book a 2.5
I usually round up, but I don't think this book merits a 3 star rating from me