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Sixteen-year-old Clary continues trying to make sense of the swiftly changing events and relationships in her life as she becomes further involved with the Shadowhunters and their pursuit of demons and discovers some terrifying truths about her parents, her brother Jace, and her boyfriend Simon.
Not one of my favorites so instead of an in-depth review, I'll add brief pros and cons.
Pros: The "idea" of the series is entertaining. It has fantasy, escapism, magic, etc. The writing, while not great, is sufficient. In this book we learn a lot more about Valentine and he appears several times and I think that the plot progresses, which is good.
Cons: The romance plot is a mess. The entire false notion that Clary and Jace are siblings and their star-crossed, potentially incest lovers theme is off-putting but more importantly boring. Nothing really happens or occurs to develop their relationship and as such it remains superficial. Despite the progression of the plot I felt that the characters were fairly stagnant, particular Clary. As for the men, maybe I have high standards but Jace and Simon both lack any really redeeming or likeable qualities with the exception of Simon's devotion to Clary. ( )
Full disclosure, I have not finished reading this book but I am finished with it. I just can’t take the implied incest; yes, I’m sure the characters are not really brother and sister, but they have no reason to believe they are not. Just not my cup of tea ( )
I was surprised at what Clary can do, but I won't spoil it!! :D I felt bad for Jace because of what he had to go through. It's worse than not having a father, ( )
I know your streets, sweet city, I know the demons and angels that flock and roost in your boughs like birds. I know you, river, as if you flowed through my heart. I am your warrior daughter. There are letters made of your body as a fountain is made of water. There are languages of which you are the blueprint and as we speak them the city rises. -Elka Cloke
I believe I am in Hell, therefore I am. -Arthur Rimbaud
Before me things created were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here. -Dante, Inferno
Dedication
For my father, who is not evil. Well, maybe a little bit.
First words
The formidable glass-and-steel structure rose from its position on Front Street like a glittering needle threading the sky.
Quotations
Last words
"Yes," Madeleine said. "I mean I can show you how to wake your mother up."
Sixteen-year-old Clary continues trying to make sense of the swiftly changing events and relationships in her life as she becomes further involved with the Shadowhunters and their pursuit of demons and discovers some terrifying truths about her parents, her brother Jace, and her boyfriend Simon.
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Book description
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.
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Not one of my favorites so instead of an in-depth review, I'll add brief pros and cons.
Pros: The "idea" of the series is entertaining. It has fantasy, escapism, magic, etc. The writing, while not great, is sufficient. In this book we learn a lot more about Valentine and he appears several times and I think that the plot progresses, which is good.
Cons: The romance plot is a mess. The entire false notion that Clary and Jace are siblings and their star-crossed, potentially incest lovers theme is off-putting but more importantly boring. Nothing really happens or occurs to develop their relationship and as such it remains superficial. Despite the progression of the plot I felt that the characters were fairly stagnant, particular Clary. As for the men, maybe I have high standards but Jace and Simon both lack any really redeeming or likeable qualities with the exception of Simon's devotion to Clary. (