Conflict Analysis: City of Bones

The conflict in City of Bones reminds me of an onion. A large, fat, stinking onion. And I don't say that because I think the plot sucks, nope, on the contrary. It's really interesting. But what makes it interesting? Remember what Shrek said?

And just like Shrek points out, layers are what makes things interesting and lovable. There is always more to the story, and in this case, the conflict, when they have layers. There is always more angst to cut into and make you cry. But like all onions, this story also has a core.

The main conflict that spurs this all on is the one between Valentine, the novel's supposed villain, and the Clave, or, shall we say, the leaders of the Shadowhunter society. Valentine believed that the Downworlders (i.e werewolves, vampires, faeries) should be exterminated forever, contrary to the beliefs of the Clave. Whereas with any other Shadowhunter, the Clave could have easily shut them up, Valentine was a particularly powerful and charismatic warrior, and drew up his own army to defeat the Downworlders, thus creating a war.

During this war, Valentine loses and gains followers, but in the process, starts conflicts between his ex-wife, his daughter Clary, and his supposed son Jace with whom, prior to their knowledge of their lineage, had started a romantic relationship with Clary. Not to mention, Valentine's past comrades have drifted apart and nursed different views of the world, starting the shenanigans with kidnapping on a grudge and whatnot.

You see, starting from that one conflict, we now have a tangled up mess. And from that tangled up mess I call an onion, a plot ensues, and it is a very interesting plot at that. Once one problem ends, there is always another. And then another. And another. And that is what makes the book so interesting for me: the conflict never ends.