When I heard there was a book that followed descendants of Nephilim (Genesis 6:4)--creatures believed by some Bible scholars to be the children of angels and human women, I was intrigued. I personally can’t with confidence confirm or deny what chapter 6 of Genesis is speaking of when it speaks of the “Sons of God” and the “daughters of men” but as a theory for building upon the lore of angels in fiction I find it interesting. Also because the book builds upon that concept I assumed it had to take other Biblical concepts and Christian lore is one almost never explored in fiction so I was drawn in. The first book in this series is the one I had the best reception towards and it was a YA urban fantasy, practically in one of the genres I write. Let’s delve into my thoughts. 

The setting:  Clary Fray is a normal girl living with her single mother Jocelyn in New York city when she witnesses what looks like a murder, only the body vanishes almost magically. The boy who did the killing is Jace and reveals himself to be a Shadow Hunter–someone with Nephilim blood who can see creatures of the shadow world. Because Clary can see him he believes she’s not a mundane (a degrading term for normal human) and she must be like one of them. This throws a wrench in her whole reality.

The Protagonist:

Clary Fray was a refreshingly human YA heroine in this first novel. Clary is small in frame, has orange red hair, freckles and is completely unassuming in all superficial terms. Clary is artistic and can be outspoken when pushed, and a loyal friend to Simon Lewis, her childhood companion. Many YA protagonists attempt the “normal but not like other girls” syndrome though they don’t do it convincingly. Clary differed from these other girls for many reasons which made her more likable protagonist:

• Clary is a normal unassuming girl and we aren't given reason to doubt it. She has a small inner circle of friends and only one close friend, Simon. Clary is constantly jabbed at for being small, skinny and a freckled red-head by the leading male in the story Jace. We get the impression Jace picks on her to hide his attraction for her but his interest in her is unique and uncommon. In the local headquarters of the Shadow Hunters Isabelle, the tall dark haired beauty is the most admired female in the story and Clary constantly feels inadequate around her. I appreciate these little insecurities and Clary’s lack of attention from various guys because that's the number one killer of representing an “average” undesired girl. I reviewed Keeper of the Lost cities and even though the protagonist is only 12, it feels like every boy she meets likes her but I have to hear her complain about “not fitting in” or being liked. Clary being an awkward wholesome girl was a relief from the typical Mary Sue.

• Jace is absolutely the classic angsty YA guy, all the way down to having Daddy issues and breakdowns that would rival James Dean–however in this book it's kept relatively in check. Largely by Clary. Jace is a bit of a narcissist (self professed) and every female in the book has to talk about how attractive he is, something he seems aware of and smug about. But Clary doesn’t indulge Jace’s vanity or drool over him like a lot of other leading women. Too many YA girls seem to just keep their mouths shut and stare while angsty guys act like jerks just because “oh well, he’s hot.” Clary’s only 15 years old so I excuse her being nervous or uncomfortable around Jayce and being attracted to him. It makes her human and relatable to young girls who might feel the same way, but I appreciated that when Jace acts like too much of a jerk she has snappy retorts and a spine. When he's too mean to her friend Simon she objects, she tries to close the door in his face when he comes to her on the night of her birthday and is initially acting smugly. Clary’s vulnerable enough to be interested but not so overwhelmed with teen hormones that she lets him get away with everything.

• Clary’s call to action is a selfless one. Clary doesn’t leave her normal life as what the Shadow Hunters call “Mundane” so that she can follow the hot guy, get superpowers or have excitement. She leaves because she has a mysterious phone call from her mother telling her not to come home and then she returns to find Jocelyn has been kidnapped and her home wrecked. Clary’s normal world is destroyed so she doesn’t have anything to come back to. She’s forced into the new world and has no choice but to take action.

The Mythology of the World was engaging and unique:

Having a Biblical setup for the world, rules and context was interesting and different than what I was used to. I liked the idea of making the battle between good and evil a clear line from those descended from angels vs. all kinds of dark forces. I’ve read Greek Mythology, Norse, and Egyptian but because inventing a lore of angels and the types of demons out there begins on actual Biblical truth–I was immediately curious. I understand when you use demons as a threat and invent roles for angels for your book everything isn't going to be accurate and it can’t be, Milton did his best in Paradise Lost but there were still historical inaccuracies I’m sure as he ventured to explain things only God was there to witness.  No writer can go strictly off the Bible when using the concept of demons and angels because they have to take creative license in order to tell a partially fictional story. My middle grade novel is an Urban fantasy that deals with a Christian framework and to send a message of a bigger picture that children can still find action packed and engaging, I have to invent my own rules for what exactly the battle between good and evil looks like in my book and how it pertains to my characters. In Mortal Instruments the Shadow Hunters are the warriors aware of the battle waging between good and evil, and all kinds of horror creatures and monsters exist: werewolves, vampires, demons etc. 

I found it interesting the different rules and context they invented for all these creatures as well as the Shadow Hunters relationships to them.
The book had more life and complex realistic relationships than any of the pop culture TV portrayals:

I know that books are typically longer than movies, and filmmakers can’t include everything in a 2 hour film or even a TV series. However, what I don’t understand is when they fill up time with things that aren't in the book but leave out what was. One of the more refreshing things in City of Bones was that the characters had realistic relationships and they acted like real people most of the time.

• Clary and Jace seem to be at odds with each other and he’s always pushing her buttons. Clary is awkward and uncomfortable around Jace because he’s supposed to be so good looking and she feels dorky compared to his beautiful sister Isabelle. 

• Isabelle and Jace act like a brother and sister. You get the sense they’re both vain but they love each other, they just don’t act like it. And Isabelle seems to notice Jace likes Clary before anyone else does.

• In the TV series Shadow Hunters every character is generalized to be the typical leather wearing supermodel with the emotional variety of a block of wood. Television and film tend to adapt characters lacking whatever personality they had prior. In the book I appreciate people having personalities and acting like human beings to some extent, in shows and films everything has to be “angsty.”

The book series became susceptible to the classic YA tropes which I take issue with in the second novel. But I found the first book entertaining despite the subtle hints that it was headed in that direction.  What kind of tropes am I talking about? This could (and probably will be) an article on its own, but I mean the tendency for forced drama, angst, and sexual tension to overwhelm plot, actions leading to consequences and character growth. Jace’s typical YA guyness annoyed me throughout the first book. But at least the leading protagonist is contending with him instead of just shrinking back. The first book was a good step into the story and leaves us with several hanging threads yet to be answered. Clary’s past, Jace’s, heritage and if he and Clary are really related, as well as more information left hanging about Valentine the antagonist. We learn a lot but we don’t learn nearly all there is to know.  And that’s where a first book should leave you, with twenty questions but only five answers.