Dark humor? Anyone? Well forgive me, but I simply cannot help laughing at the scene where Simon turns into a rat and is being cradled in Clary’s arms, comforted, then to be compared to second base by one of the most smug, witty characters you’ll ever read about. Oops, spoiler alert? Don’t worry I won’t give EVERYTHING away. Shadowhunters by Cassandra Clare is in fact the most humorous, slightly unhinged, semi dark, fantastically urban fantasy young adult story. I have definitely attracted some side-eye glances from people with my giggles; however, it is so worth it. Now I won’t lie, it most certainly is not cupcakes and rainbows. The storyline is a fairly dark, supernatural based urban fantasy and it gets pretty complex but what better to read with a morning coffee or at 3 a.m while in the midst of an existential crisis? But in all seriousness, it is a fantastic read- a very entertaining young adult story, you could certainly say stimulating and the best part, it has a tad of romance. The City of Bones is the first in a series of six books with a couple other series under the Shadowhunters name. You don’t have to read all of them but to all those other book lovers out there? I just put 17 books on your to-read list. Boom.
After Clary’s mother is kidnapped, she is plunged into the whole new world of angels, demons, werewolves, vampires, warlocks and all supernatural. “All the stories are true” she is learning and it’s definitely not the stories about flying kittens. She soon learns she is not, in fact, an ordinary human, but pure with the blood of a Shadowhunter. After finding mysterious Jace in the midst of a demon bloodbath and her ransacked apartment, together, along with other Shadowhunters, they make their way through blood, magic, death, and love to get her mother back and ultimately save the entire world. Do you need more persuading? Even I want to know what happens next and I’ve already read it!
This colorful story is perfect for anyone who can enjoy a little horror, untimely forbidden romance, witty dark jokes, and of course the world of the supernatural. These books have definitely wetted my cheeks, both with hysterical laughter at 1 am and of severe pain and loss of beloved characters. But what good book doesn’t make you cry? I feel that any stories that give you real emotions are most certainly worth reading. This story is easily one of my favorites and I truly hope you give this series a chance and let it change your life.
