CITY OF BONES Read-Along: Chapters 15 & 16

In honor of the movie coming out in theaters on August 21st, I have decided to join the City of Bones Read-Along. If you haven't read this book, now is the perfect opportunity! Especially if you're planning to see the movie. If you would like to join, click here for more info. NOTE: If you haven't read the book, please beware of spoilers in the Read-Along posts. There will be quotes and chapter summaries, as well as my own thoughts on certain events that occur within the story and I don't plan on holding back.

Chapter 15: High and Dry

Summary:

"The wolves crouched, low and snarling, and the vampires, looking stunned, backed away." Jace keeps saying "This is bad" over and over again. One of the wolves says they came for Clary, who is too shocked to move and stands still and confused. Jace says "You didn't tell me you knew any werewolves" to which Clary replies "I don't." Raphael tells the wolves they can't have her and the wolves launch their attack. Simon then takes off running, showing Clary and Jace a way out. As Jace rams his shoulder into the door, a wolf comes up to Clary and out of instinct she throws the dagger, lodging it in his side. Jace breaks through the door and they go through it. She slams the door shut and Jace draws a rune on the door. They then run up the stairs. At the top there is another door and they find themselves outside. They hop onto one of the motorcycles and take off just as the wolves come pouring out of the doorway. They fly over the city, Clary looking down and taking in the scenery until they reach the river and Simon the rat points toward the sunrise. Jace plunges toward the water but the bike continues on toward a parking lot until it finally dies. They crash, hitting the ground hard, and miraculously Simon isn't crushed, but instead turns back into a human. He rushes to Clary and they hug each other tight.

Quotes:

"You didn't tell me you knew any werewolves."
"I don't."
"This is bad."
"You said that before."
"It seemed worth repeating."
"Well, it wasn't."

"I thought you guys said only some of the vampire bikes could fly?"
"Only some of them can!"
"How did you know this was one of them?"
"I didn't!"

Thoughts:

Short chapter! Wolves and flying motorcycles?? Nice! It was definitely odd that the wolves were there for Clary, don't you think? And as for the flying motorcycle... It seemed like a rather large risk to take, souring over the edge of the roof without knowing whether or not it could fly. Not sure if I couldn't done it. But then again with my luck, I probably would've grabbed the only one that didn't and would have plummeted toward the ground.

Chapter 16: Falling Angels

Summary:

Upon their return, Hodge sits them down to a lecture. He then heals Clary's arm and she goes off to shower, heading to the infirmary to check on Jace and Simon afterward. She finds Alec sitting in the room with them. She tells Simon to meet her in her room after Hodge fixes up his leg and Simon leans over kissing her cheek to Clary's surprise. She leaves the room followed by Alec who tells her she should leave because she's giving them all nothing but trouble. Angry, Clary tells Alec that he's selfish and it's no wonder he hasn't killed a demon and the only reason he's angry with her is because he's in love with Jace. Alec threatens to kill her if she ever tells Jace then turns and walks away. Clary goes to her room, wanting to sleep but knowing she wouldn't be able to, she takes out her sketchpad, drawing random things, including her mother. Simon knocks on the door and he tells her that he had always been the one who needed her more than she needed him. Clary tells him that she's only ever loved three people in her life: her mom, Luke and him. They lie on her bed talking until he falls asleep. Clary takes his glasses off, then contemplates drawing some more when there's another knock on her door. She opens it to find Jace and steps out into the hallway. She asks Jace why he's there and he responds that her birthday is the next day and it's time to celebrate with a picnic in the greenhouse.

Quotes:

"Do you remember back at the hotel when you promised that if we lived, you'd get dressed up in a nurse's outfit and give me a sponge bath?"
"Actually, I think you misheard. It was Simon who promised you the sponge bath."
"As soon as I'm back on my feet, handsome."
"I knew we should have left you a rat."

"What are you doing here, anyway?"
"'Here' as in your bedroom or 'here' as in the great spiritual question of our purpose here on this planet? If you're asking whether it's all just a cosmic coincidence or there's a greater meta-ethical purpose to life, well, that's a puzzler for the ages. I mean, simple ontological reductionism is clearly a fallacious argument, but--"
"I'm going back to bed."

Thoughts:

This chapter has one of my favorite Clary and Simon moments in it, although I'm still shocked that he thought she wouldn't go searching for him.

Do you have anything you want to add/share about this chapter? Maybe a favorite quote?

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Happy Reading!