City of Ashes Review

I finally finished City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. Usually I read a lot faster, but with work and life being so busy these days, it's taking a bit longer. I can promise about two reviews a week now, which I think is fair, eh? Ok, onto the review...

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?
Taken from GoodReads

City of Ashes continues the story of Clary Fray as she discovers more about the darkness of the world she was born into. A Shadowhunter in the making, Clary teams up with Simon, Alec, Isabelle, her brother Jace, and Luke to continue fighting the threat of Valentine, Clary and Jace's father, as he seeks to conquer the Clave with the Mortal Instruments. Along the way, Clary and Jace discover they have powers far greater than they knew, and they must use these powers to save their world from Valentine. That's just one of the threats they face though because although they might just be brother and sister, Clary and Jace have a connection, and that connection might just be love.

Ok, first of all, the cover definitely didn't disappoint! While I loved the half-naked man on the cover of City of Bones, I still adore this cover. It's beautiful, it's eye-catching, and it totally fits the scheme of the book. Love it!

The book was as good, if not better than the first book. I loved the tension between Clary and Jace since the discovery that they're actually (maybe?) siblings...leading up to that oh-so-steamy kiss. Damn incest! Why did it have to be such a lovely kiss?! Cassandra Clare certainly has a few tricks up her sleeve to play with us as readers. I have to say, though, Simon bugged me in this book...a lot. I liked him a bit better near the end with all that happened, but in the beginning, I just wanted to punch him. Magnus Bane, on the other hand, grew on me this time. I really enjoy his character now. One thing I particularly loved about this book was when Alec finally came out to Jace...I thought that was great, and Jace's reaction solidified how wonderful he is.

I'm partial to sequels, so when I finally started this series, I knew I'd be hooked no matter what. This book was a stunning sequel. So many books these days are in series, but if you read one without the other, the book doesn't resonate the slightest bit of meaning. It was refreshing to read (part of) a series that can actually hold its own as individual novels, as well. I give this book a 5 out of 5, and I can't wait to read City of Glass!