Second in the Mortal Instruments series, this would not be a good place to start, but it's not a typical second novel/bridge to the third, either.

Someone's killing DownWorlder children, Clary's still confused about her feelings for Jace, and her mother's still in a coma, Valentine's back, and the newly arrived Inquisitor has locked Jace in the Silent Brother's prison. And that's just the first few chapters. Fast moving and intense City of Ashes answers a few lingering questions left over from the first book, but it raises plenty more. Can't wait to find out what happens next! ( )

I loved this series so much that I read it 3 times!! (and I'm 38!!) This is by far one of the best I've ever read. ( )

The second book in Cassandra Clare's series is better than the first. I enjoyed it, and the characters, and though I knew some of what would happen in the third book, I thought Clare did a nice job of moving the plot along. ( )

A disappointment after the first volume in this trilogy. With special effects it might make a good action movie but it's like treading water between "City of Bones," which sets up the conflict, the characters and their strange shadow universe, and "City of Glass" in which the mysterious relations everyone is oddly avoiding getting to the bottom of may finally be revealed. ( )

This is the second book of the series and about 1/2 way through it finally picked up steam. If you are going to read this series you have to commit to the whole series. It was definately better than the first. ( )

This is the second book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I liked this one just as much as the first. The relationship between Clary and Simon, her best friend really spices up, but the relationship between her and Jace is left hanging. You'll have to wait for the third book to see what happens there. The plot with Valentine gets predictably more complicated. Clary's mother is still left asleep and there's not much happening there until the epilogue at the end. Some new characters are introduced, including the rest of the Lightwoods, the faerie Queen, Maia, a new werewolf girl, and the Inquisitor. Magnus Bane, the high-warlock of Brooklyn is carried through into this book as well and becomes a major character. I really enjoyed this action packed book, definitely a page-turner. ( )

This series just keeps getting better and better. In my review of the first book I said you could not describe it as "sexy" but it's getting a little more that way not too adult. The realtionship between Clary & Jace is frustrating but keeps you on edge and guessing. It's fun, exciting & thrilling. Love it ( )

Book Two of The Immortal Instruments. Valentine steals another of the Instruments and looses a lot of demons into the world. Mostly the same cast of characters with a few additions. There are some new developments for Clary, Jace and Simon and a major battle near the end. Good enough that I immediately ordered Book Three from the library.

City of Ashes was even better than the first book, City of Bones. It had so much more in it and had even more action than in the first book. The author brought new characters into the story and they fit perfectly along with all the rest. My favorite new character in this book is the Farie Queen. She is full of humor, even though it is a little harse, and the author has described her so well i can clearly picture her in my mind. This book is awsome and i cannot wait to read the next book in the series. ( )

Reviewed by coollibrarianchick for TeensReadToo.com

Last week, I received a copy of CITY OF ASHES, book two in THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS trilogy by Cassandra Clare, for review. I was so excited because I just loved the first book, CITY OF BONES. I wanted to read more about Clary, Jace, Simon, Luke, and the rest of the Shadowhunters and their adventures. This book, as with the first one, thoroughly entertained me. With this series, Cassandra Clare will easily make herself a household name.

The story opens with Valentine summoning a demon to be at his beck and call. This demon plays against a person's worst fears. You would need a protection spell if you wanted to ward off the advances of that kind of demon. How is that for an opener?! Once again, Valentine is up to no good - no surprise there. At the end of the first book, Valentine gained control of the Mortal Cup, which can only mean trouble for....everyone. What is he up to?

The last few weeks of this new seeing and slaying life has both exhausted and exhilarated Clary. Everything was so simple before that fateful night at the club. Clary was an ordinary teenager with an affinity toward drawing and manga. Now she can see werewolves, vampires, and fairies, and sketch her own runes. Plus, her mother is in a coma and Jace, one of the Shadowhunters who annoys and attracts her at the same time, turns out to be her brother. Bad news for Clary but good news for Simon, who used it to his advantage to get even closer to Clary. She has a tough choice to make about her future. Clary can leave the Shadowhunter world behind like her mother did, or she can become one of them and work toward finding out what Valentine's plan is now that he has the Mortal Cup.

Clary is not the only one to go through personal upheaval. Jace is devastated that he is not who he thought he was. Nothing good can come out of being Valentine's son, which he learns when his "mother" returns home full of accusations. Soon he is cast out from the one place he can call home. The Inquisitor, a real peach of a lady, holds Jace's fate in her hands. Believe me, there is no love lost between his adoptive parents, his real father, and her. Needless to say, the meeting between them doesn't go well and he is sentenced to prison in the Silent City. Prison turns out to not be the safest place for Jace, as dear daddy pays him a visit there trying to get him to switch teams.

Will Jace join Valentine or remain true to the Shadowhunter's virtues? And if he stays true to his Shadowhunter's roots, will he and his cohorts be able to stop Valentine before the rest of the mortal instruments are collected?

To find out how these and many other surprises happen, pick up your copy of CITY OF ASHES. ( )

The City of Ashes is the sequal to The City of Bones. In this book Clary finds out who her true father and brother is. She can't help the feelings she has for Jace and she knows he feels the same but she thinks its wrong so she pushes him away. Clary finds out what her special talent is that seperates her from the rest of the shadowhunters she knows. Simon is still in Clary's life but he has a new look to him, he is a vampire. Now Clary is on an adventure to stop Valentine from obtaining all of the Mortal Instruments and bringing all of the demons into her world. ( )

Now this {pause then grin}...is more I like it. More action and deeper danger, fast-paced, funnier, romantic, hints of more family secret and heritage, revelations of hidden gifts that Jace and Clary have and a killer cliff-hanger ending. Never mind that there are still plot holes, who cares about that. At least this time the book doesn't look like a first draft novel anymore, now everybody improved. I have no idea why lots of people hates Simon, I love him (sometimes I cheer more for him than for Jace), he's a great friend, loyal, trustworthy and he got turned into a vampire. Considering the disturbing circumstances around his girlfriend Clary and her brother Jace. My favorite part was when they went to meet the Queen of the Faeries in Seelie Court, (which reminds me so much of a scene in Holly Black's book - Tithe, maybe she borrowed it there) I kind of freak out a little bit, well because it was wrong but I don't think Clary and Jace are related at all. Does anyone? We'll have to see about that. I'm glad for Alec too, it looks like he found a suitable companion in Magnus Bane, now he only needs to get out of the closet and come clean. I really hated the Inquisitor with passion, she is such a bitch and totally biased. A perfect example of how the law makers, abuse power. I am really happy for Clare, she did better in writing this book, there's more depth and thought in it, now only 25% of dialogues were left out. Thank God book 3 is out, I didn't have to wait like the others. ( )

Interesting characters and story line continues to develop nicely ( )

A very captivating sequel to "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare. The possible idea infringement I had concerns about in the previous book didn't bother me once while reading this one. A very enjoyable read, almost deserving of five stars. It's not that I found anything wrong with the book, it's just that I'm a tough judge. ( )

Once again, an awesome book, full of action, a page turner. ( )

This book was very intense. So much happened it was had to put down! I am happy that I was late coming upon this series of books, because if I would have had to wait for the next volume, I would have gone crazy! I know these are young adult books, and I nomally don't read them, but sometimes the best books are made for that age range. This is a must read if you have read and enjoyed the first book in the series. Clary, Jace, Simmon and the rest of the gang develop a whole new relationship, and Valentine is back for more. ( )

Book 2 in the Mortal Instrument series has just enough jaw dropping moments to make you want more. That's why I am reading book 3! ( )

I came across this series while looking for e-books online. While I didn’t find the e-book, I did find a sample of the audiobook for the first in the series, City of Bones, which I downloaded. I didn’t get around to actually listening to it until I had my wisdom teeth removed a few weeks ago, and I needed something to do to help me relax and take my mind off of my sore mouth before bed. The series had been on my reading list for awhile, but was always checked out and on reserve at the library.

Now I know why.

The series consists of the following three books: City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass.

The main character of the series is Clary Fray, a teenage girl who lives with her single mom in New York. Her life seems average, until the night when she comes across three Shadowhunters (demon hunters), in a local night club. What’s more is, Clary is the only one who can see them. Soon after her strange encounter, Clary’s mother disappears, and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. As Clary and her best friend, Simon, search for answers, Clary begins to realize that things are not always what they seem, and she is thrust into a world of demons, Downworlders (vampires, warlocks, faeries, and werewolves), and Shadowhunters.

This series was extremely well-written, and will satisfy teens looking for another fantasy romance as well as those readers who are looking for something a bit deeper. The characters are well-developed and the reader is easily able to identify with them, as well as with the situations they are placed in. The books deal with prevalent teen issues such as love, heartbreak, family, and friendship as well as more advanced topics such as redemption, temptation, and even the argument of nature vs.nurture. With an overabundance of teen fantasy novels being published since the onset of the Twilight saga, the Mortal Instruments series offers something that stands out above the rest. ( )

For some reason, it took me a while to read this after reading City of Bones. I read the first chapter and then got distracted. Then I tackled it again yesterday and it blew my mind that I had let it sit so long. This series is incredible!

Clare has done a fantastic job of bringing her characters along in this book. While City of Ashes is strongly plot-driven, it still managed to develop the characters more fully. Clary, Jace, Simon, and Alec in particular really got rounded out. I love how each of the characters has a speech pattern and personality that feels authentic and unique. Simon is not just a cookie-cutter Jacob Black with new clothes and a new home- he’s his own person. Same goes all around

I love City of Bones, but I don’t remember it being as much of an emotional roller-coaster as City of Ashes proved to be. It could be because I’m getting more attached to the characters, but this book was one exciting twisty-turning ride of tension. Clare’s writing style completely pulled me in to the world that she created and as soon as I finish this review, I’m going to go start City of Glass. Speaking of which....

Read this series. I guarantee you won’t regret it. End review. ( )

This somewhat melodramatic sequel to City of Bones has Jase going up against the Inquisitor for the Clave as she believes he is spying for his father Valentine. War breaks out between the Clave and Valentine and the demons that he has called forth. ( )

Clary's mother is still in the hospital, Jace is in trouble with the Clave and their Inquisitor, and a murderer on the loose appears to be targeting Downworlder teens and draining their blood. Not much time has passed since the first book ended, and this one jumps right back into the situation. Jace and Clary are trying to figure out how to act like brother and sister, and it's not going so well. Valentine is still on the loose, and his plan is anyone's guess.

Though fast moving and intense, this second book in the "Mortal Instruments" series is more about developing the main characters than about furthering the plot. On occasion, things seemed to be set up a little too neatly (a character just happened to be right where s/he needed to be for an action sequence) or forgetfully (Isabelle and Alec are suddenly Jace's stepsiblings?). But this was still an excellent read, and I can't wait to start City of Glass. ( )

This review contains spoilers.

The story picks up no long after the first book ended. Clary's mother is still in the hospital. Things with Jace are still tense.

The first section with Jace is pretty jarring because for some reason Clare starts to refer to Isabelle, Alex and Max as Jace's step siblings, when of course, they're not. Neither of Jace's parents have married one of the Lightwoods.

Isabelle, Alex and Max's mother, Maryse, returns home and she is decidedly unhappy about Jace's meeting with his father in the first book. She's so unhappy she tells him to get his stuff and leave The Institute.

Jace immediately heads to the werewolf bar where Luke's pack hangs out and picks a fight. Luke shows up just in time to stop things from getting too serious.

Clary is summoned to try and talk some sense into him, and Simon, newly convinced that he and Clary are an item, accompanies her. Simon hangs out with werewolf Maia, and Luke, Clary and Jace discuss what happened with Maryse and that someone killed and drained a demon child and attempted to do the same to a werewolf child. Naturally the assumption is that they were the targets of vampires, but the head vampire goes to Maryse and claims no knowledge or involvement in either case.

It turns out that the reason that Maryse sent Jace away was for his own protection. The Inquisitor has been called to deal with the events from the last book and she was trying to keep him away from her. Jace, of course, wants to prove his innocence, but can't resist mouthing off so is immediately sent to the prison which is guarded by the Silent Brotherhood.

Isabelle texts Clary to tell her what happened, and Clary shows up immediately, just in time to be there when the Silent Brotherhood sends a message for help to the Institute.

When Clary, Isabelle and Alex arrive they find the Silent Brotherhood slain, Jace in chains, and the second mortal instrument, a sword, missing. Naturally, Valentine is the culprit. And so the race is on to find Valentine and figure out why kids are being killed.

Now for the more spoilery section:

I'm not thrilled about Simon becoming a vampire. I liked that there was one non-supernatural being to serve as the "everyman" and it's especially annoying that he can be a vampire without suffering one of the major drawbacks, which is to say, he can still run around in daylight.

I do like the relationship forming between him and Maia though. I'm still unclear if the vampire/werewolf hate is genetic or simply learned behavior. I'm guessing the latter.

I like the that Simon respects himself enough to let Clary go. She loves him, but is clearly not in love with him, and I'm glad he can accept it and remain friends while also trying to move on with his life. Clary was being cruel by pretending to feel something she didn't, even if it was something she hoped to feel.

I continue to like the tension between Clary and Jace and I thought the scene with the queen of fairies was interesting. However, I think it's pretty clear that both the Inquisitor and Valentine were going to confess that they aren't actually related so to have both of them come within a sentence of making that point was more annoying than anything. I'm guessing that the Inquisitor recognized the scar and he really is Michael Wayland's son.

I also like the idea of retuning the sword and how that was done.

The Inquisitor's hatred of Valentine and distrust of Jace was rather predictable, but oh well.

I did find it interesting how big a role Maryse played while the Lightwoods' father is barely mentioned at all except that he gears up for battle.

I think Clary's power is interesting and I look forward to seeing how that plays out.

I continue to like Alec and Magnus' relationship, though I feel bad for Magnus since, like Simon, he clearly knows that the person he cares about is hung up on Jace. But they make a good couple, and I loved Magnus saving him from drowning. For a moment I thought Alec really had been killed and I had a strong emotional reaction to that. I also liked that Jace already knew that Alec was gay, which I thought was pretty realistic.

I like all of the characters and I don't want to see any individual killed, but by the same token I felt like by this point in the story there needed to be a sacrifice and the Inquisitor wasn't nearly enough of a player to be it. By now one of the main characters should have truly died. Yeah, a bunch of the Shadowhunters were wiped out in the battle and a few minor characters were killed, but there isn't really any emotional impact from that.

To have come as far as they have and have everyone still alive and well makes it seem too easy.

I'm really looking forward to the next book. I wish it were a series rather than a trilogy, but oh well. ( )

For readers missing Harry Potter, this book will help! I think I read this in about 6 hours as I couldn't put it down. This is really suitable for all ages, but there is some violence, some kissing, and well, nothing worse that wasn't in Harry Potter. Just an excellent story all around. I just got the third and last installment, City of Glass, but I will really be sad when this ends. I hope the author has more stories like this planned. ( )

Clary is finally coming to terms with her new Shadowhunter status, even though she feels more confused than ever. She still has feelings for Jace and the fact that he is her brother (or is he?) doesn’t seem to damper them at all. Then of course there is Simon. Their relationship has taken on a whole new turn, but it is even more complicated, now that he isn’t human. Valentine is back and once again he is stirring up trouble, this time he has stolen Maellartch, the Soul Sword, yet another mortal instrument now in his possession. Jace is taking the blunt of Valentines misdeeds when the Inquisitor of the Clave blames and accuses him of being a spy for Valentine. Is Jace really helping Valentine, even Clary isn’t sure. To complicate matters even worse Downworlder children are being murdered and there are demons on the loose. Valentine is bringing a war to the Clave, but the realization may come to late.City of Ashes is the sequel to City of Bones. I think this is my favorite of the two so far! I was in a constant whirlwind while I read! I have to admit the whole Jace and Clary incestuous tones would have totally grossed me out otherwise, but you just have this feeling throughout the book, that everything there isn’t what it seems. There was so much action in the book, plus some of my favorites from City of Bones were back, Magnus Bane and new characters which I hope to see more of, Maia. If you haven’t read City of Ashes yet, I suggest you so. Cassandra Clare’s world of fantasy once again lures you in and doesn’t let go! I can't wait to read more! ( )

My book review:

http://ganimede.dreamwidth.org/20299....

*CONTAINS SPOILERS* ( )