Cassandra Clare - City of Bones

Pros: Characters, setting, writing, plot...
Cons: Nothing at all.  Really. 

I was randomly pulling books out of the YA shelves at my library when I noticed a quote on the front cover of one by Holly Black (author of urban fantasy books I've loved, Tithe and Ironside), proclaiming the book in my hands to be "Funny, ...

Pros: Fun story, likable characters, imaginative setting
Cons: Predictable and at times trite

Was this book completely predictable? Yes. Does that keep it from being enjoyable? No. After reading it for free via LivingSocial, I'm not going to sit here and say that City of Bones was the best piece of fiction I've read this year. Honestly, unless I can read the sequels for free as well, I probably won't bother. However, this book is good for what it is. Namely, if I were thirteen years old, this book would be perfect for me and my maturity level. The character development isn't amazing, but it isn't terrible. A lot of aspects of the storyline seem rushed and it's really as if you can visualize the author trying to sound deep and mysterious, but it often comes across as pedantic. Also, sometimes it feels like the foreshadowing is beating you over the head, but it's still a fun read. It sort of makes me nostalgic for the days when I was a fifteen year old wannabe Goth kid.