City of Ashes

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 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 show more 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

As I always state when I write up a review for a YA fiction novel, I am most certainly not in the target audience, but when something draws my interest, I give it a chance. Having read the first book in Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments’ series, CITY OF BONES, and liked it well enough despite some flaws, it was natural to move on the second book in the series, CITY OF ASHES. Many YA series get off to a good start with a first book that pulls readers in with a decent hook and characters, who if not original, at least feel like a new take on familiar tropes. The hard work comes in the subsequent novels when suspense has to be kept up, and character arcs sometimes begin to bend to the breaking point.

CITY OF ASHES begins pretty much show more where the previous book left off with the series MC, Clary Fray, wanting to get back to a normal life even though she is now involved in a secret world filled with supernatural creatures—vampire and werewolves—along with magic and warlocks. Not only that, but her mother is still in a coma, and she has to deal with the fact that she is the daughter of a Big Bad named Valentine, which makes her the sister to Jace, the hot boy Shadowhunter (warriors who keep order in this secret world). Not to mention that her mundane (normal human) best friend Simon, wants to be way more than friends. Things take a turn when Valentine steals a couple of McGuffins, and uses them to drain the blood from warlocks, vampires and werewolves as part of some ritual that would release hordes of demons into the this world—the usual Big Bad stuff. Jace is suspected of helping his evil father, and then Simon gets turned into a vampire, and it is up to Clary to set things right.

The pacing of CITY OF ASHES is one of its strongest points, and Clare does know how to hit the basic plot points to keep me turning the pages. In this second book, she allows many of the supporting characters to grow and step out so that they are more than knock-off versions of people we met in the Harry Potter books and Star Wars, something I took the author to task for in my review of CITY OF BONES. Her world building skills are more than adequate here, so that I felt part of this fantasy secret world, and not a “mundane.” For these kind of fantasy books to work, the reader, especially teenage ones, need to feel like they are just as special as the main characters. There is a mean adult authority figure who makes life tough the young characters, who at first seems like a standard YA fantasy trope, but then Clare puts a spin on it that keeps it from becoming a cliché. And as a villain, Valentine has some moments that elevate him from being a discount Voldemort.

The big problem with CITY OF ASHES is that Clare fails to make Clary more interesting, she’s still just a standard YA fiction heroine. Many of the supporting characters and their stories, such as Magnus and Alex, Maia and Simon, often feel like they would be more interesting MCs. Then there is the incestuous feelings between Clary and Jace that come off as just plain oogy. For me, it was a real distraction, especially when Clare goes out of her way to describe Jace, a typical YA fiction dude with attitude, as having “golden” skin and hair, not to mention long eyelashes. But as some reviewers have pointed out, the forbidden attraction of incest is a big theme in fan fiction, which was where Clare got started in her writing, so I guess it is a real thing with a lot of readers. I’m just not one of them. I couldn’t help but think that a series centered on Clary and Simon, might have worked better, where a teenage Shadowhunter has to deal with her boyfriend after he is turned into a vampire.

Anyway, this second book in the series ends on a note of suspense that sets the stage for the next volume. I have the third book in the series, CITY OF GLASS, on my shelf, and I will be taking it down to read in the very near future. show less

Ok, I need some time to think on this one, my head is SPINNING!
Ok, I've had a bit to think on it and I still don't know where to start.
I love Clare's writing, that's the first place. I haven't read a book by her yet that I didn't like. Her characters are so well described and interesting. And her descriptive ability leaves me speechless.
In this story we once again meet up with Clary, Jace and the gang. They fight off Valentine as he tries to gather all the mortal instruments and create a demon army to take down the Clave.
One thing I loved about this book is that Clare did not hold back from taking chances. The love relationship between Clary and Jace still exists, despite the fact that we were told they are brother and sister (although show more I am pretty sure this is somehow going to be resolved at a later date). Simon is turned into a vampire, what? I was surprised Clare took this chance, but it worked. Jace remains aloof, although you do get the sense that he really feels this is somehow protecting everyone around him. Alec and Mangus' relationship and alluded to, but Jace remains in the dark (although I can't see how). It's all these things that just lend to making this such a great story.
And, despite the badness of some characters, you just can't help but love them all. Ok, so I'm not out there waving my pom-pons for Valentine, but there is something about him that makes me want to like him. Why is that? Is it because there seems to be something underlying his infatuation with taking down the Clave? Like there is something evil there that we just don't know about and will be revealed at a later date!
The book keeps you guessing, keeps you wanting more. Really, I had a hard time putting it down. I didn't feel this way so much with the first book. I liked this one better, to be honest.
I really can't find anything bad to say about this book. It swept me away and I've already started reading City of Glass!!! I can't wait to see how much more the characters continue to develop! show less

A book and a half about a boy trying desperately to force a girl to love him, to change into the girl he wants her to be, and throwing fits when she doesn't do it. And he's the 'nice' guy. Can we... can we just stop telling young women that this is romantic? That stubbornly ignoring 'no' isn't loyalty? That insisting you be who they want you to be isn't love? That the pain of your rejection isn't a horrid wrong you have to right? That growing and becoming as a person and loving whoever you love isn't a betrayal? I'm so tired.

City of Ashes picks up right where City of Bones left off, and let me tell you—this book does not slow down for a second. Clary is still coming to terms with her new life as part of the Shadowhunter world, and things are only getting messier. If you thought the first book had drama, just wait until you dive into this one.

The stakes are higher, the secrets deeper, and the action non-stop. Clary and Jace’s relationship is complicated, to say the least, and it adds a ton of emotional tension to the plot. I love how the chemistry between them keeps you on edge—just when you think things are about to get steamy, something happens that makes everything feel a little more complicated (typical, right?).

I really enjoyed seeing Clary grow show more as a character. She starts to embrace her powers, but she’s still figuring out who she is and where she fits into this strange new world. It’s refreshing to see a character who isn’t perfect but works hard to become the hero she needs to be. And of course, Jace’s arrogance and charm continue to make him impossible to ignore. There’s just something about his cocky attitude and vulnerability that makes him such an interesting character to follow.

The plot is packed with twists and turns, and I loved how it kept me guessing. There’s a lot of danger, betrayal, and plenty of surprises that keep the tension high. But the best part? The relationships. Whether it’s the intense love triangle or the deep bonds between friends, it’s impossible not to get caught up in the emotional rollercoaster.

If you enjoyed City of Bones, City of Ashes is a must-read. It deepens the story, ramps up the tension, and gives you even more of what you loved in the first book. It’s a fun, intense ride, and if you’ve made it this far, you’ll definitely want to see what happens next.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars. A solid sequel that keeps you hooked and sets up some major twists for the next book. show less

Mortal Instruments is the sort of series that not just sucks you in, but makes you feel as if you've swirled down a whirlpool. If you try to swim your way out you just get dragged down deeper into the world of Shadowhunters, Warlocks and demonic forces in their battle between light and darkness. Lines are blurred and drawn between our heroes. Possibly one of my favorite new additions to this part were the Seelie Court and the lycanthrope, Maia, who may or may not be interested in Simon. As for Simon, Clary's best "mundane" friend, his life is altered to a degree you might suspect but wouldn't believe. We learn more of Valentine's plans to conquer the world for mankind. Like any great supervillian, he's convincing enough that even the show more reader starts to question the goodness of the Clave he's determined to tear down.
The High Inquisitor, meantime has arrived to find out where the loyalties of the New York Conclave lie, and Jace is used as a tool or revenge and retribution. Clare does an amazing job of interveaving character view points and motivations so you aren't sure who to root for, or exactly where their loyalties lie.
At the heart of the novel is the forbidden love between Jace and Clary. I have my suspicions that the "children" of Valentine may not be quite as he declares them to be. And it's heartbreaking as well as rendering to watch them fight the feelings they have for one another. In almost any other circumstance you know you should be revolted by the idea of them together, but Clare once again, burrows you so deeply in her characters that you feel as helpless and anxious to see them come together.
Anticipating to see what City of Glass brings to light. show less

I'm starting to agree with everyone who says this is basically just Harry Potter fanfic with the names changed. 500 pages of hardly anything happening besides Valentine/Voldemort trying to kill everyone and Umbridge/Inquisitor (real creative, there.. "Inquisitorial Squad"). Clary is still boring and pointless. And the incest is getting super creepy. Its obvious that there is a big possibility that they aren't actually related, but its still gross. I can't imagine lusting after someone who I thought was my brother. What the heck is wrong with this author? Not sure whether I'll finish the series or not. It's getting a little too weird for my taste.