City of Bones: The Mortal Instruments, Book 1

This book is entertaining - I often am able to pull clever, well written young adult fiction into my adult fiction list and enjoy the hell out of them. This book was much more difficult to do so - relying heavily on sarcastic, teenage humor and relationships.
If you are a teenager - you will like this book. If you are an adult looking to a bit of fun...I'd look for another book that won't have you rolling your eyes.

I didn't have time to read the print version, so I used a credit on this.

The story is good and aimed at the teen reader, but the narration fell short enough to only get 2 stars. As another reviewer put it, the story is read and not performed. If that doesn't bug, I'd go for it. I've recently been spoiled with some absolutely excellent narration and this one suffered a jarring lack of delivery style. I don't know if that was intentional, or if the narrator just needs to grow and develop as an artist. The voice itself, was pleasant but at the bottom of the reader's register, allowing little room for inflection. The accents were affected and off and better not attempted. Almost every sentence ended on that 'down' note related to just reading aloud. This said, I believe the narrator shows promise with vocal training and experience. I'd like to hear from this narrator down the road, but right now, it's making the book difficult to finish (I'm in the second half of the download and struggling).

No.

Not a crossover book for adults. Fine for kids.

Her performance was acceptable.

This is definitely a book for young teen girls. I should have heeded earlier comments from adults, but arrogantly thought..."surely this book is better than they thought." I was proven wrong. If you are an adult who enjoys YA and have read past the other negative reviews and made it to mine. Please stop and do not purchase this book.

Decent book for 12 yr old girls, not interesting enough for adults. Save your credit.

This book is more suitable if you are a young adult. The subject matter is interesting, but the manner of presentation is certainly more suited for teens, and the narrator reads it in that sense. It moved along well, but felt like I was listening to my teenage children talking.

I enjoyed this teen book almost as much as an adult book (I am in my 40's). At first I found the banter/conversation in the book and the readers voice too young and distracting but as the story unwound I quit noticing these things and was pulled in by the story itself. I liked the twist on common fantasy themes (werewolves, vampires, demons etc). There were quite a few twists and turns and the end was very much un-expected. If you like fantasy I definitely recommend this book. I am looking forward to listening to the next book, City of Ashes which I just downloaded.

Teens who liked the Twilight series might like this, but it seemed unoriginal to me; you'll probably recognize elements of other books. The narrator was more of a reader than a performer. For me, something to get through rather than something to look forward to.

This is one of the greatest books I've ever read/listened to, apart from the Hunger Games trilogy of course. The storyline is great and the characters are likable, the only thing that bothers me really much is that there isn't the second audiobook of the series on audible.It'd be great if they could upload it! The Narrator was okay, although it sometimes was hard to tell the characters apart.
Overall it's a great audiobook and I highly recomend listening to it!

I read a lot of series books and I found this one very charming. I try not to compare stories and keep an open mind to new stories and new story lines. I am really enjoying it so far. I'm listening to Book 3 now, and I can't quite put my ipod down. I finished Book 2 in a day. There is an element of the stories that makes you want to find out how it all ends, and I am looking forward to Book 4 which I just saw is available. The narrators change, but sometimes that's not a bad thing. I do like Ari and that she has a really young voice to mirror the voice of Clarie. I also am enjoying Natalie Moore also whose really good. I see on Book 4 that the narrators change again, which I'll just accept and move on. Sometimes I get irritated about the narrator changes, but sometimes they have reasons for the change...move forward. Check it out if you like series books.

It's a new concept that I haven't come across before. I finished all 4 that are out so far and can't wait for the next one! It was keeps your attention and adds puzzles and a little hidden humor, All in all, I loved it!!!

All I can say is this series is perfect. Better than any fantasy/sci-fi (yes, including Twilight) and I CANNOT WAIT for the film and the next book. A must read!!!
One note - the narrator changes after this book - and it's for the better. This narrator is regularly sarcastic, regardless of the characters.