Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Erica

City Of Ashes
Cassandra Clare
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Publisher: Margaret K. Elderry
Pages: 464

Rating: 4 stars

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.

This next installment of The Mortal Instruments was full of action, suspense, and surprises! I really enjoyed City of Ashes, but it didn't grab me like City of Bones did. City of Ashes was too focused around Jace, and while Jace is a great character, I wanted more of the others. City of Ashes is just full of shockers and moments that will make you gasp.

In City of Ashes you really get to know some of the old characters, particularly Jace. While you get to know some characters better, I felt other faded into the background. Isabelle for example is almost never heard from, and I love what she brings to the scenes she's in. You also get introduced to many new characters, one such was Maia, a werewolf who I hope to hear more from!

It'll be interesting to see where Jace and Clary's "brother-sister" relationship goes in the next book. Conflict is hot between the two of them throughout the entire book, and you never know where it will lead.

I love the cover for this book! Of the 3 books in the series, this cover is my favorite. I'm sure happy book 3, City of Glass, is already out so I don't have to wait to read it!