Cassandra Clare

This book was just so full of WTF and what the hell is going on moments. It was too damn confusing yet so freaking amazing in every possible way so totally worth it. It had moments where I just wanted to throw it against the wall, moments where I just wanted to hug it really close and couldn't stop smiling and moments where I was just like "what the actual hell is going on here?"
Of course, just like any Cassandra Clare book, it didn't lack of that hilarious atmosphere and this time was not show more just Simon but all of them had their moments here more than in any other book in the series.
The character development was on a whole new level here as well. They all finally accepted themselves, who they truly are and what they really want and just acted that way. Although something that frustrated me was that most of their arguments together would have been easily solved if they just sat down and talked about it! Now would that would have been so hard?!
The ending though! It was so heartbreaking cause of course of a certain that happened *cough* Malec *cough* and I was in tears denying what happened but I finally accepted it and decided to just hope it will get better in the next/final *sobs* book. When looking back to how I thought that the ending of CoFA was a major cliffhanger of course I didn't see this one coming! This is the worst in the TMI so far.
I really loved all the references from The Infernal Devices and the book Jace read to Clary from was actually Tessa's and I just couldn't. Also, Brother Zachariah and all his references of the two people he would have died for and all that and how he said he would do anything just to save the last of the Herondale line. And how Magnus talked about the Parabatai bond with Alec referring to Will and Jem of course. MY HEART!!! I literally wanted to scream about all that.
Also how we get to see a bit of the Blackthorne family with Helen and Jules and it made me so excited for The Dark Artifices.

Clary Fairchild: She was all shadowhunter-y in this book and it was really exciting to see that. I also really liked the way she thought about a lot o stuff but of course she wouldn't be Clary if there is not some irrationality. The deal she made with the Seelie queen was a bit stupid though. She should have known better by now that it will turn back and bite her cause Seelies can't be trusted! So of course she was working with Sebastian after all. I still think that the way the rings work is quite interesting and how she planned to use them was brilliant. But when the ring went missing I immediately knew sebastian took it, I don't know why she didn't think of that. Why wouldn't anyone think that the evil living in the apartment with them didn't steal the ring cause a ring that molds to your finger doesn't just fall of. How she would have given anything for Jace to be kissing someone else if that means he is there. When Jules asked her if she has a brother and she replies no, I was like but Sebastian is your brother, you can't deny that! How Aline was very supportive of them and spoke fondly of Jace that none of them could say anything but Clary managing to thank her. I felt bad for when she thought that her mother should have killed Sebastian when he was a baby, it's not like it was her fault. Something that really intrigued me and I wanna know, could the female warlock that performed the ceremony on her be Tessa and the silent brother be Jem? I also think that her ability to draw portals is one of the best things ever! The way she said she'll go on with the plan even though Simon kept telling her no just proves how how irrational she still is a bit. I laughed so much at how mad she was for breaking her nail while hitting Sebastian and how she just used a rune and destroyed the whole house. The whole fight scene in the end was just epic! In the end though when she stabbed Jace with Michael's sword, I was literally freaking out when he did not move. Then we have the whole epilogue scene between them and oh my god that was just so freaking adorable!!! It proved even more how perfect they are for each other and how they understand each other better than anyone else can. Also how her relationship with Isabelle been and it was amazing seeing them this close and talking about guy trouble for a change instead of just demons.

Jace Lightwood: So he was basically not himself the whole book and I feel really bad for liking this him even more. Here he is just more relaxed and cheerful and I know it's only because of Sebastian's control but still. I got pretty frustrated when The Consul decided to stop the search for him, he is one of their best Shadowhunters out there and they just decided to leave him?! But then we have Aline talking about him and everything he did for them and it showed that they actually or at least someone cares about him and appreciates him who is not from his family. The scene where he appeared with Sebastian at Clary's house, holy crap that was confusing! After Clary went with them and he freaking asked her on a date despite everything that was happening and the date actually went well! The fact that he mentioned his fear of ducks was just great!!! I liked how when The Silent Brother said that Herondales are survivors proving that Jace is really related to Will. Of course there was so many cute scenes between him and Clary that were just adorable and made me feel sad that he wasn't the real him. His death wish though has gone too far this time! I really did not blame Clary for telling Sebastian about it cause even if he is not himself, he is bette this way than dead. When he died or got stabbed to be more accurate, my heart was beating so fast till he started breathing again! And now he is glowing and we have no freaking idea why.

Simon Lewis: THIS GUY!!! Talking about how fucking awesome he is will never do him justice! He goes through so many things that any normal person would have just gave up on his whole life because of them yet, he comes back again and saves the day and he is just so amazing. He is such a fun character that the books would actually be dull without him. Like that scene where he said their Motto wrong and Alec corrected him realizing that Jace clearly messed with him that was so funny. Also how he kept saying No so many times to Clary's plan that was hilarious then agreeing to it any way cause he is just the supportive great friend he always is. How bold was he saying "Shocker" when the Seelie Queen wanted something in return, even Alec couldn't suppress his laugh! And when he suggested that Jace has Stockholm Syndrome and would go after him to tell him he loves him just to save Clary from going, how hilarious was that! Oh and how he left the whole plot of Team Good's plan and asked Clary if Azazel was from Smurfs. But he also had his heartbreaking moments, like when he feels bad for actually being a Vampire and it makes me feel so bad for him. And his awesome moments like when he did that quick Math to figure out that Clary is in Italy just by knowing the time there! An how great when they summoned the demon and wanted to get rid of him but it wouldn't budge till he went in the pentagram and the demon wished them luck and disappeared. I LOVED when he finally talked to his sister and how she accepted the whole thing and said she'd always be there for him, that was just perfect! Now to the irrational part of him which I'm guessing grew because of hanging a lot with Clary, summoning Raziel! I loved that scene I cannot deny that but I had my fingers crossed the whole time that he wouldn't die. He handled the situation beautifully but still! I like how he notices how people feel and noticed there was something wrong with Malec from Alec's expressions. His words to them before casting the spell and how he desperately wanted to reach Clary to talk to her one last time in case something happened to him!!! Let's just say that without Simon, a lot of things would have gone wrong here.

Alec Lightwood: A second just to appreciate him all dressed up for the clave meeting cause that was a great image to picture. I loved how he knows how much Clary means to Jace and that he finally started to act like a human being around her. I also loved that scene where Aline thanked him for coming out, it felt like he opened a whole new world to them. The whole Seelie queen was horrific when she turned him into the old man and I blame her for everything that happened between him and Magnus. Still, MALEC MALEC MALEC, should I say it again?! I love how he already has a key for Magnus' place and he feels home there. What i don't like about Alec is how he holds his feelings in situations that desperately needs them, like when Magnus asked if he'd do what Clary is doing to Jace and he just changed the subject. WHY?! I hate it when they fight and they did this quite a lot in this book and I just felt really bad for it. A moment to appreciate his and Isabelle's relationship. All their encounters in this were just heart breaking perfect! I hated how Camille could easily get on his nerves just by talking about the past and it actually scared me that he was a bit interested in the spell. Also a moment to appreciate how he jumped when when a mouse squeaked. The car ride scene and I felt really bad for him cause of how people are talking about them and then Simon just jumping in telling him the whole gay spider thing and he actually got it and I was so proud of this. The battle scene, he was so badass in that scene like never before and Magnus was all proud saying that's my boyfriend and MY HEART! Also how Alec seemed like he was about to die when Magnus got hurt just really broke me. Another moment to appreciate how he joked about not knowing who Magnus was after the demon took one of their memories and everyone including me, hearts' stopped for a second there. The last scene! I don't even know how to talk about this. I honestly still cannot believe it actually happened but it did and I hope things get better soon. His and Jace's parabatai bond though, of course it's nothing like Will&Jem's but it's a bit close and I loved that a lot.

Isabelle Lightwood: How amazing was it seeing her comfort Clary and support her about everything she wanted to do in order to save Jace. I always feel really bad for her when she remembers Max, cause we don't usually see her vulnerable side and it's always heartbreaking when it's shown, which happened quite in this. Her umbrella though and how Alec and Simon didn't wanna go under it, that was fun. Her and Simon though, oh my god!!! They were always there for each other, supporting and encouraging each other to do things and the fact that she actually slept with his shirt one time, I loved that. That scene where she went to Simon's apartment and Jordan was there by himself instead was hilarious, also a bit deep cause she did admit that she owes Clary for saving Jace's life and that she likes Simon. I loved the way she always talked about Jace here, it showed how much he really means to her. I also liked how Magnus and her were getting closer. But okay, how badass and fierce she was talking to the Iron Sisters, that scene was just on point for her character. Also her conversation with Jocelyn defending Clary that she she can do whatever she wants, I loved that a lot. That scene where she almost for a second there was gonna admit that she loves Simon, had me have my hand on my heart the whole time and I just!!! Also how she gave him the sword showed how much she trusts him and my heart oh my god! She was just phenomenal in this.

Magnus Bane: Sassy and perfect as always. I swear, he is like my all time favourite character ever written. Can we talk about how he woke Alec up calling him "sweet pea" that was so freaking adorable. But I also got a bit frustrated with him when Alec finally made a bold move and they started to make out but he dismissed it to go back to the papers. I'm not saying that Alec is a saint, in fact he made me furious with him a million times like that time with the scarf and how he made fun of it being given to Magnus by Queen Victoria making him get angry. But also he is too shady about his past and I sometimes cannot blame Alec for getting mad or curious. Can we talk about bow everyone just left their homes and they're all staying in his place now and using it as "team good" secret house. The summoning demon scene and how Alec said nothing good comes from demos and Magnus was all like "I'm pretty sure I came from someone summoning a demon" that just made me laugh for quite 2 minutes. I loved how after that scene he was all like "I'm not getting my security deposit back" as if it was his biggest concern at the moment. His and Simon's conversations are just the funniest thing ever and how he always messed up Simon's name too. But he actually cares about him that's why they drove to the farm instead of portaling there in order to give him time if he wanted to change his mind. The scene where he got hurt and used Alec's strength, I just cried cause they are just!!! The break up though, he was just heartbreaking and heartless of him yet I couldn't really fully blame him because Alec had it coming, I just wished they were not gonna break up. So like what now? Are they gonna have to pay him from now for his help?

Sebastian Morgenstern: I don't even know where to start with him. I have so many things to say about him that I honestly don't know where to begin or what to say and what not to. For a while I almost felt bad for him but other times he just got on my nerves that I wanted to kill him myself. The whole thing with him and Jace being bonded together and how he was dominant making Jace do everything he wants him to, just sickened me. Most of the things he did were just really UGH! And I think that's allI wanna say about him for now.

So, that's all I guess for this one and hopefully I'll get to reviewing the CoHF soon cause it's quite overdue. show less

I madly, truly loved this bookend story to our whole roller coaster with Magnus. I love just how terribly uncertain and certain everyone is, and how they keep messing up from both sides, and that outside world is not helping him them in the slightest really. But the nugget of gold at the center, that feeling of newness and wanting, is so fragile and raw and true. I love that we see a shadow hunter helping someone for no more reason than to help, and I like the tenuous feeling of hope and show more fledging joy at the end.

Definitely one of my favorite snippets of the series. show less

So, let me just begin by prefacing that this is one of those books where I can’t be expected to be objective, I already loved the characters too much before I began and there’s nothing that can make me not like this book. And as I thought, this book entertained me and made me very very happy, so let me try to gush less and maybe write some coherent sentences below. Also, there might be spoilers for all the previous Shadowhunters books, so please read at your own risk.

I thought I knew all show more about these two dearest characters of mine, but Cassie and Wesley managed to surprise me, so that was wonderful. Magnus has been the one fixture in every book in this universe but the beauty of him being a warlock is that we get to know new things about him all the time. And this book gives us a different Magnus - slightly insecure and uncertain, scared of loving another mortal again, regretting a lot of his past actions and unsure how Alec will react on knowing about them, and particularly terrified about telling Alec about his father. He has always been the one who is helping everyone and trying to make light of serious situations, but he is challenged and surprised every step of the way by Alec.

And wow was Alec a revelation. From a shy shadowhunter boy growing up in a homophobic society, he has grown into this wonderful person who is ready to live his truth and find his happiness despite the obstacles that threaten him. He may sometimes feel intimidated by Magnus’s unknown past or immortality and find himself not worthy of his dearest warlock, but one thing he is sure of is his love for Magnus. His whole character arc of deciding that he won’t follow a law that won’t protect Magnus and others like him, and deciding that he will work to change the laws is just so admirable and I was in awe of him many times in this book. And knowing that he will become Consul of the Clave in the future, it shows just how much he has worked towards this goal of his to change the world for the better.

Their relationship is also so adorable. To tell the truth, I don’t remember anything that happened in TMI except what’s happening in the TV show and the glimpses we got of them in TDA and the short story collections. So, reading about them in their initial days of dating, trying to get to know each other, wanting to have a fun vacation and just navigating the road of new love was very sweet. Every time Alec tried to protect Magnus during an attack and Magnus was surprised by it, I just couldn’t stop smiling. They are just too perfect for each other and I’m so glad we have a book featuring them as the main couple because they are my favorite in this universe. And it was especially beautiful to read the beginning of their story considering their wedding scene in Queen of Air and Darkness was one of my absolute favorite parts of that book.

The other amazing part of this book were the numerous cameos. All the little ones from Johnny Rook, Lily Chen, Hypatia Vex, Malcom Fade, Raphael Santiago etc were fun and nostalgic to read, especially because we already know what happens to most of them in the future. It’s always fun to see Tessa and Magnus reminisce about their past and I loved seeing her again. But the best part was the introduction of Aline and Helen - to each other. It’s the most adorable and true Shadowhunter style initial meeting and attempt at flirtation. And they made me sad too because I know the trials and tribulations they have to face in the coming days. Most of these characters are also unapologetically queer and it’s nice to see that all of them who have been mostly side characters in the previous books get to be the prominent ones in this book.

This world is obviously very familiar because it’s been a long journey, but it’s always fun to get to know about more types of demons. However, the highlight of this book was the European vacation itself. Magnus and Alec embark on a journey through Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome, and every single description of the Eiffel Tower or the canals of Venice or Boboli Gardens or the Colosseum completely blew me away. All I wanted to do was jump through a portal myself and join them. All the action sequences are also very thrillingly written and I could completely feel the emotions going through the minds of the characters while trying to save each other.

The themes in Cassie’s books are always special because she manages to write great parallels to our real world. We see the bigotry even more now because Alec and Magnus are dating, which is unimaginable for so many in their society. The mistrust with which Magnus’s friends treat him makes Alec realize how Downworlders have been mistreated till date and he really wants to do a better job. But he also knows he can’t do it by being defiant but by trying to change the system from within. And his trying to show solidarity to Aline and Helen and encouraging them to also do the same felt very touching.

The other major theme here was about not judging oneself or others based only on their past actions. Through Magnus and Shinyun’s stories, we realize that everyone has done bad things in their past due to circumstances or foolishness but one should always get the chance to redeem themselves and work to be a better person, and maybe even try to undo the consequences of the past actions. And Alec plays such a crucial role in trying to make Magnus forgive himself and show him that he has always been a kind and amazing person. Everyone deserves a second chance and Alec embodying this message made my heart warm.

Well, what can I say... if you are already a fan of the Shadowhunter universe, then you should read this book. If you are a Malec fan, then please go pick this up right now and be ready for the thrilling ride. This book should work fine if you have just read TMI, but if you have also read TDA, you’ll definitely appreciate the cameos more. This is a fun, entertaining adventure novel with the most adorable couple ever, the best European vacation spots and some fantastic fight sequences. I promise you will not be disappointed. show less

Some sequels aren't as good as their predecessors, and some downright flop. But "City of Ashes", if anything, exceeds the first Mortal Instruments book.

With all the background introductions and secrecy out of the way, this book gets down to pure emotion and character. Valentine still looms, deadly and evil, in the background, but his influence on the characters is subtle until the climax. Jace's struggle with two different kinds of loyalty is heartrending, but ultimately essential to his show more growth. Clary's indecision about both the dangerous Shadowhunter world and her forbidden feelings for Jace is likewise angsty, but not really in an annoying way. There is certainly plenty of tangled-relationship stuff going on, and it really makes you hope the third book will resolve it. But besides that, the action, witty and pop-culture dialogue, and twists still abound. The climax is definitely more riveting than the previous one; a massive clash aboard a demon-ridden ship.

And despite all the incestuous, scandalous, secret relationships, Clary and Simon's ironclad friendship continues to touch me the most. It doesn't matter if they're being romantic or just platonic (and there's plenty of both here), it just makes me choke up every time with how cool it is.

Oh, and Magnus is still awesome. :D show less