REVIEW: City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare

Pages: 453

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.

So, this book is the second in the Mortal Instruments series. Great book, this is. I was captured the instant I started.

There is a whole world that humans can't see. The Downworld. This consists of werewolves, vampires, faeries, warlocks and the like. And then there are Shadowhunters, children of Angels, who keep order among all. The Clave is the governing body and presides over and organizes the Shadowhunters. It is not without flaws and corruption. And Valentine is out to destroy it.


I really did like this book. I was so captivated. I was a little disappointed that Isabelle's role seemed to have gotten cut, but I really liked hearing about Max, Mayrse and Robert Lightwood. The Lightwoods are such a complex family. Mayrse is bipolar, it seems, but is a loving mother, and fierce and protective by nature. Max is cute, I love him. :)


The plot of this book coincides directly with the first book. I'm not saying this could not stand alone, but there is a lot of background referenced. Valentine's plan is to get the Truth Telling Sword, the Soul Sword, but when turned by Downworlder blood, can be used to control demons. To compound matter, the Inquisitor, the Clave's enforcer, suspects Jace of stealing it, especially when he, Isabelle, Alec, and Clary are found at the scene of the Silent City.

Valentine is so interesting as a character. He's self-righteous, proud and unyielding to the Clave, but he supposedly hates demons, yet has them do his bidding. He is also both loving and destructive and uncaring toward his children. It's downright baffling. You have no idea what he will really do up until he actually does it.

I would recommend this series to anyone who is really into fantasy, and the whole "other" world type. I love werewolves and vampires, if it isn't apparent already, and the added races to this book interest me a good deal.


Simon, Magnus and Alec are some of my favorite characters. I'm always feeling for them and trying to lend my heart to them. But I still have to say Jace is my absolute favorite. He takes after Valentine so much, and his love is just so forbidden. I feel bad for him, but then angry cuz he's such an ass. :P Clary and Jace's newfound abilities are coming into effect more than ever, especially now that Clary is fully immersed into Shadowhunter life and their world.

Good book. I loved it. :D



Rating: 9 of 10

Until next time,
Addy