City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, 485 pages

"When Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder. Much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with odd markings. This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons - and keeping the odd werewolves and vampires in line. It's also her first meeting with gorgeous, golden-haired Jace. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in an ordinary mundane like Clary? And how did she suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know..." -Back Cover

Okay, this is a total guilty-pleasure book/series, like right up there with Twilight guilty pleasure, especially with that Fabio-esque cover. My sister gave it to me for Christmas and...being a frequent guilty-pleasure reader I couldn't put it down. The characters were fun. I especially loved the smart-alec banter between several of them. I liked the concept of the book. There were some great action "scenes" in this, like when Clary and Jace battle the vampires to save rat-Simon and then escape on the flying motorcycle.

*SPOILER ALERT*
Being a sucker for a good romance I was totally bummed when Jace and Clary suddenly think their siblings. I loved his birthday surprise for her and the subsequent run-in with Simon in the hall. Not wanting to be totally disappointed through the next one (and not convinced they actually are siblings), I have to admit that I cheated and went online to find out. I'm not ashamed. Now I can patiently wait for the next two to come in the mail...and hopefully be able to put them down every now and then to get some work done around here.