Is love worth betraying everything? Plunge into the second adventure in the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly). 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 … 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.more
Cassandra Clare did another amazing job in this book, the second in the Mortal Instruments. If you read my review for the City Of Bones you may notice that I have given that one five stars, while this one is only four. I do that because I am a in depth reader. I immerse myself into the book, and I feel that the first one was just better.
This book is still great, though. I love it. It’s just not my favorite. The suspense still carries from the first book. It is very engaging and keeps you on the edge for the whole book. New characters are introduced and it is not hard to fall in love with them once you meet them.
Jace and Clary continue their struggle with each other and their feelings. It is infuriating. But that is what makes the readers come back for more. And keep coming back. Cassandra has figured out how to keep us all into her series, and for it to never leave us. As this book keeps the magic of the first, you will be drawn into this world even more.
I absolutely LOVED this book. I read the first one after seeing the movie, so even though it was good, I knew the major plot points already. But for Book 2, I had no expectations. It blew me away. I’ve already purchased the next book and can’t wait to see where this story goes!
Another excellent read by Cassandra Clare. Thoroughly enjoy her engaging style of storytelling.
*if you haven’t read book 1, stop reading this review and go read it*
I couldn’t start this book fast enough after the ending City of Bones gave us. Clary and Jace have feelings for each other, plot twist, they are brother and sister according to Valentine. I felt for Jace. Every thing he thought he knew was now so different. Clary is still trying to figure out where she fits into this new world she was thrown into. Get ready friends to lovers fans. Simon and Clary start to see if they can be more than friends. Clary still cares deeply for Jace but convinces herself it’s just a love for a brother. But that doesn’t stop her from coming to Jace defense constantly. The Clave is accusing Jace of being a spy for Valentine, his newly found father. With the help of Alec, Isabel, Luke, & Clary, Jace is fighting to prove his truth.There are characters that make you want to scream but by the end you’re heart with soften. I love when an author does that to me! Get ready for more surprises and twist and turns. And talk about action. If you think you have this story figured out you will see how wrong you are. And of course it leaves us needed more in the next book.
Excellent book in the series I can’t wait to read more to tell Such a detail story
I’m enjoying this series quite a bit. It’s a lighter read that really packs a punch. It had my head spinning. This author truly loves a steep cliffhanger. So, be ready with the next book or you will deeply regret it.
All the Mortal Instruments series are excellent
Cassandra Clare writes great characters. City of Ashes ups the stakes for the Shadowhunters and their mundane friends. Lots of development in both the series and the relationships. One of my favorite fantasy series.
Once you’ve discovered the world of the Shadowhunters, you will never go back to just being a mundane. Clary Fray is no exception. Her mother is trapped in a magical coma and her father, Valentine, continues his quest to steal the mortal instruments. If he has his way, he will bring the Shadowhunter world to its knees. Clary must help Jace and the others track down Valentine before it is too late. But this time it’s going to cost her someone she loves.
The characters are what make this series so enjoyable. Each one of them has a unique role to play, and Cassandra Clare does a great job of pushing them all towards what it is. There is a balance between the wide cast of characters, and I am never left wanting more from any of them. Each book builds on the last and allows us to see more into each of these characters and what motivates them.
This is one of the first series that I read such a manipulative villain. I still think Valentine is one of the best written villains of the young adult genre I have read. The way he can even trick the reader and make them doubt what they know is true leaves me impressed. Having read this series years ago, I already know the lies and the truths, but Valentine has a smooth way of talking that made me contemplate if I remember the series as well as I do.
In my original review, I mentioned how Cassandra Clare doesn’t limit herself. And I still believe this is true. The variety in demons, cultures and the overall world of the Shadowhunters is proof of that. She is also one of the few authors that can break her owns rules, but still, make it believable to the reader. And she isn’t afraid to break her characters, allowing them the opportunity to reforge themselves into something better, or worse.
controversial opinion: i liked it more than 1st and i still don’t like main character and their relationship.
So much more is revealed in this book. Filled with action and more mystery. Easy read and really enjoyable. Action packed.
Cassandra is one of the best author..her writing is beautiful that I’m loss for words to say how amazingly she brings the book and it’s characters to life…
EXCELLENT JUST EXCELLENT. On to the next in the series.
Love the whole series
It was a lot like the first one. I finished it but got a little bored and never finished the series.
I absolutely love it
This entire series is sooo amazing and addicting!!!! Read it you will love being absorbed into their world!!!
I loved this book so much!
City of Ashes was far better than I imagined. I sped through this book at lightening speed, simply because I just could not put it down. I have to say, City of Ashes is even better than City of Bones. The story kept moving along while meeting new characters and facing new obstacles. One of the things that Cassandra Clare is good at is details. Details, details, and more details. To some, this is tedious and unnecessary. When I am reading the books, the details make the story that much stronger. Clare really made the Mortal Instruments world feel absolutely real. You truly feel like you have been transplanted into this world while you are reading these books. It’s amazing!
In City of Ashes, Clary and Jace are struggling with their feelings for one another after the realization surrounding them from City of Bones. Jace seems to struggle with it even more so than Clary because it is affecting the people around him. Simon makes his move with Clary and she casually accepts. Something happens that changes Simon forever. I just loved experiencing Simon’s transformation in this book. We get some insight into the love lives of Isabelle and Alec. Luke has become even more of a father figure to Clary. Magnus is still, well…Magnus. I really loved how his character developed in this book. He has so much more emotion and his wit and snarkiness is still there. Maia was a new character and she was just so darn likeable. I kind of felt sorry for her because of her past. We get to meet the Lightwoods, the parents of Alec, Isabelle, and Max. Imogen is also a new character that I couldn’t help but despise. I really loved Magnus and Simon in this book.
The major conflict of the book is centered around Valentine and stopping him from fulfilling his plans. After following the clues for what they are, they find out what Valentine is up to. The epic battle scene at the end of the book includes all of the characters. I loved finding out how each character reacts during the boss fight. I think that Jace’s reaction when he finds Simon is one of the most touching moments in the book. It was definitely one of my favorite moments in the book. At the end, Clary uses her newfound power to stop Valentine. Though, no one is certain if he escaped or not. A new character emerges at the end of the book and tells Clary that she is the only one that can help bring her mother out of her coma.
I am extraordinarily excited to see what happens in the next book in the Mortal Instruments series!
Excellent read