The Mortal Instruments:
City of Ashes (2)
by Cassandra Clare
Genre(s): Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 453
Published: January 2008
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry
Official Summary: "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."
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."
Review: This sequel to City of Bones picks up shortly after the first book left
off. Nothing new has happened except lots of thinking of the characters
behalf. Cassandra Clare does a good job backtracking just enough
information so that if the reader missed the first book they will not be
completely lost (but likely still confused and missing key story
elements) and works as a great refresher for those of us who had a gap
of time in between the books. Yet it is short and does not detract from
the new plot arc we are given. More adventure, magic and lots of angst
await us within these pages!
***Note: This review contains spoilers regarding City of Bones. If you have not read the first book, consider yourself warned!***
This book really hits on Jace hard. I feel bad for the guy. First he is kicked out of his home, locked up by the Inquisitor and then accused of working with Valentine. All because he is Valentine's son and is at the wrong place, at the wrong time! Not to mention the tension and "situation" with Clary. A guy can only handle so much, right? So his loyalty is soon questioned by everyone, especially when Valentines offers Jace to still join him.
We get a lot more love triangle and angst in this one. The twisted family ties seem to have little bearing on Clary or Jace's feelings, especially when the Seelie Queen gets involved. Yet Clary is with Simon. And that relationship is all sorts of awkward, if you ask me.
The Seelie Court and the fairies are an new aspect that we are introduced to. Interesting characters here that I wish I could get a better feel for but are left vaguely mysterious still. Although we do learn a thing or two about Isabelle!
There are several severe twists in this book. Some obvious, others not so much. Like the first book, it keeps the reader lightly on edge and eager for more! The world Cassandra Clare has created just keeps expanding as she draws more and more into this stories web. Sometimes I wonder if it is a bit too much but I can't help but enjoy being a part of that world while I read.
Overall, I enjoy the story. The angst is a bit much for me but it also is part of what draws me closer to the characters. Jace went from being an annoyance to someone who is showing potential in this book. Clary is a bit too emotionally led in her actions all the time and needs to learn to use her head more. One character I really am curious about is Magnus. He is still an enigma yet easy to like and feel drawn to for some reason. So, here is to some character development, and plot additions!
***Note: This review contains spoilers regarding City of Bones. If you have not read the first book, consider yourself warned!***
This book really hits on Jace hard. I feel bad for the guy. First he is kicked out of his home, locked up by the Inquisitor and then accused of working with Valentine. All because he is Valentine's son and is at the wrong place, at the wrong time! Not to mention the tension and "situation" with Clary. A guy can only handle so much, right? So his loyalty is soon questioned by everyone, especially when Valentines offers Jace to still join him.
We get a lot more love triangle and angst in this one. The twisted family ties seem to have little bearing on Clary or Jace's feelings, especially when the Seelie Queen gets involved. Yet Clary is with Simon. And that relationship is all sorts of awkward, if you ask me.
The Seelie Court and the fairies are an new aspect that we are introduced to. Interesting characters here that I wish I could get a better feel for but are left vaguely mysterious still. Although we do learn a thing or two about Isabelle!
There are several severe twists in this book. Some obvious, others not so much. Like the first book, it keeps the reader lightly on edge and eager for more! The world Cassandra Clare has created just keeps expanding as she draws more and more into this stories web. Sometimes I wonder if it is a bit too much but I can't help but enjoy being a part of that world while I read.
Overall, I enjoy the story. The angst is a bit much for me but it also is part of what draws me closer to the characters. Jace went from being an annoyance to someone who is showing potential in this book. Clary is a bit too emotionally led in her actions all the time and needs to learn to use her head more. One character I really am curious about is Magnus. He is still an enigma yet easy to like and feel drawn to for some reason. So, here is to some character development, and plot additions!
Nice review :) I liked Jace a lot better in this one than in City of Bones
ReplyDeleteGood review. I really like this series. Infernal Devices is still my favorite though. :)
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this series
ReplyDeleteI found this to helpful because when to younger ones need a book to make a report on I can recommend this book or any of the books in this series.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, and I agree with you about Jace.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I really enjoyed the series.
ReplyDeleteI adore this series. I even think it is my all time favourite :)
ReplyDelete