Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Published on: March 14, 2009 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Is love worth betraying everything? Plunge into the second adventure in the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly).
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil—and also her father.
To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings—and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil—and also her father.
To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings—and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.
Clary isn’t a full-blown Shadowhunter yet. She’s been living with Luke Garroway, an old friend of Jocelyn’s whom she loves like an uncle. Luke recently let Clary know that he’s a werewolf. He has his own pack as well (which he took command of to protect Clary). Clary also has a best friend, Simon Lewis. They’re dating now, but taking things slow. Simon has been in love with Clary for years, which shocked her. Clary loves him, of course, but as a friend. She wonders if she can learn to love him the way she loves a certain blond guy.
Yes, Jace Wayland (Morgenstern?) is still in her life. He’s the Shadowhunter who introduced Clary to the Shadow World. Clary and Jace were sort of romantic enemies for most of City of Bones. What changed that? Valentine Morgenstern, Clary’s father, returned after everyone believed him dead. Valentine revealed that Clary isn’t his only child: Jace is too. The pair still aren’t at ease with this news. They’re not comfortable having romantic feelings toward each other, as siblings. Anyway, Clary and Jace’s relationship isn’t the only thing Valentine messed up. He’s the leader of the Circle, a band of rogue Shadowhunters. They seek to eliminate all demonkind from Earth, including Downworlders (werewolves, vampires, etc.). That sounds okay on paper, but Valentine’s methods are extreme. He’s more than willing to kill fellow Shadowhunters who oppose him.
In the previous book, Valentine took possession of the Mortal Cup. It is one of the Mortal Instruments, powerful objects of angelic origin. Clary managed to find it after her mother hid it long ago. The Mortal Cup is capable of turning mundanes into Shadowhunters. This takes time, so Valentine’s taking advantage of its more immediate use: the Cup can also control demons. With a powerful new ally on his side, Valentine turns his sights on another Instrument, the Soul-Sword. What he plans to do with two Mortal Instruments is anyone’s guess. This is Valentine, though, so whatever he’s up to is not good.
The news that Jace is Valentine’s son shook things up among the Shadowhunters. His best friends, Isabelle and Alec Lightwood, see him the same as they always have. It’s a different story with the older Shadowhunters. Maryse Lightwood isn’t sure about Jace’s loyalties, so she called the Inquisitor. She’s a high-ranking Shadowhunter with a chip on her shoulder. The Inquisitor hates Valentine, so she treats Jace as an enemy until he proves himself trustworthy. Jace chafes at this, which lands him in trouble. Jace and the Inquisitor are at odds through most of the book. Their relationship reminded me a lot of the enmity between Harry Potter and Dolores Umbridge. The Inquisitor doesn’t seem to be nearly as evil as Umbridge, at least.
City of Ashes introduces new characters. One of the most significant is Maia Roberts. She’s a young werewolf in Luke’s pack. He lost two of his high-ranking wolves in a tough battle, so it seems Maia will now be his beta. Maia is fond of Luke, looking up to him as a mentor and perhaps parental figure. Clary and Simon also get along with Maia easily. There’s one thing that happens that puts Maia and Simon at odds. It’s brief, though. I was familiar with Maia already, as I saw her in the show Shadowhunters. She was one of my favorite characters. I was glad to finally meet Maia in the books. She seems to be as lovable as she was in the show.
The fairies also have a more prominent role than they did in the previous book. Clary, Jace, Alec, Isabelle, and Simon visit the Seelie Court. This answered one question for me: why they call the fairies “seelies”. I thought that was just for the show. Anyway, the Seelie Queen is just as scheming as you might expect. She sets in motion one of the book’s complications. At least the Queen provides help for the Shadowhunters when they need it. There’s a showdown with Valentine at the end. It’s thrilling, more so than it was in Shadowhunters. Clary and Jace are amazing in particular. I strongly look forward to seeing what happens next.
In the previous book, Valentine took possession of the Mortal Cup. It is one of the Mortal Instruments, powerful objects of angelic origin. Clary managed to find it after her mother hid it long ago. The Mortal Cup is capable of turning mundanes into Shadowhunters. This takes time, so Valentine’s taking advantage of its more immediate use: the Cup can also control demons. With a powerful new ally on his side, Valentine turns his sights on another Instrument, the Soul-Sword. What he plans to do with two Mortal Instruments is anyone’s guess. This is Valentine, though, so whatever he’s up to is not good.
The news that Jace is Valentine’s son shook things up among the Shadowhunters. His best friends, Isabelle and Alec Lightwood, see him the same as they always have. It’s a different story with the older Shadowhunters. Maryse Lightwood isn’t sure about Jace’s loyalties, so she called the Inquisitor. She’s a high-ranking Shadowhunter with a chip on her shoulder. The Inquisitor hates Valentine, so she treats Jace as an enemy until he proves himself trustworthy. Jace chafes at this, which lands him in trouble. Jace and the Inquisitor are at odds through most of the book. Their relationship reminded me a lot of the enmity between Harry Potter and Dolores Umbridge. The Inquisitor doesn’t seem to be nearly as evil as Umbridge, at least.
City of Ashes introduces new characters. One of the most significant is Maia Roberts. She’s a young werewolf in Luke’s pack. He lost two of his high-ranking wolves in a tough battle, so it seems Maia will now be his beta. Maia is fond of Luke, looking up to him as a mentor and perhaps parental figure. Clary and Simon also get along with Maia easily. There’s one thing that happens that puts Maia and Simon at odds. It’s brief, though. I was familiar with Maia already, as I saw her in the show Shadowhunters. She was one of my favorite characters. I was glad to finally meet Maia in the books. She seems to be as lovable as she was in the show.
The fairies also have a more prominent role than they did in the previous book. Clary, Jace, Alec, Isabelle, and Simon visit the Seelie Court. This answered one question for me: why they call the fairies “seelies”. I thought that was just for the show. Anyway, the Seelie Queen is just as scheming as you might expect. She sets in motion one of the book’s complications. At least the Queen provides help for the Shadowhunters when they need it. There’s a showdown with Valentine at the end. It’s thrilling, more so than it was in Shadowhunters. Clary and Jace are amazing in particular. I strongly look forward to seeing what happens next.
My rating: ★★★★★
5 stars - Absolutely must-read. It's outstanding!!!
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