Helpful Score: 2
It took me a bit to get into this book. (It may have been that I read a historical fiction previous.) Once I got into it though, it was pretty good. Great happy ending. Looking forward to the next one.
Helpful Score: 2
While this second installment in "The Mortal Instruments" trilogy is just as engrossing, just as creative and just as well written as the first, I found I had major problems with the turn of events that leave the H/h as brother and sister rather than boyfriend/girlfriend. While the problems dealing with their romantic feelings despite the situation may be entertaining for some, I found it disappointing and even with the very subtle "hints" that all is not as it seems, I consistently had to pull myself back from the overwhelming "ick" factor.
The huge cliff-hanger endings are also a minus. It's very annoying when one is required to read the next book. I prefer choosing to pick up a book because I love the writing (which I would do in Clare's case) to having to pick a book up because of a ploy.
The huge cliff-hanger endings are also a minus. It's very annoying when one is required to read the next book. I prefer choosing to pick up a book because I love the writing (which I would do in Clare's case) to having to pick a book up because of a ploy.
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments, Bk 2) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
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.
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.
Helpful Score: 1
Clary and the gang are back in this second installment of the beloved Mortal Instrument series. As if it wasn't bad enough that Clary and Jace found out they were brother and sister, they have to deal with the fact that their father is still running a muck and trying to destroy life as they know it. Add the recent deaths of downworlder children and what else could go wrong? And the answer to that is PLENTY. Every time they turn around, something else seems to happen that keeps Clary, Jace, Simon, Isabelle and Alec on their toes. Will they ever catch a break?
The plot thickens, new characters are introduced (and again, it's hard to hate anyone in this series) and things are getting even more out of this world, literally. More secrets are revealed and even better, Simon becomes bigger and badder than I ever expected of him. I love Simon. I can't express that enough. Clare has come back with full force and made yet another great story come to life in this series. I loved every second of it and I can't wait to continue my journey with the rest of the Shadowhunter loves around the world. These books are simply addicting.
The plot thickens, new characters are introduced (and again, it's hard to hate anyone in this series) and things are getting even more out of this world, literally. More secrets are revealed and even better, Simon becomes bigger and badder than I ever expected of him. I love Simon. I can't express that enough. Clare has come back with full force and made yet another great story come to life in this series. I loved every second of it and I can't wait to continue my journey with the rest of the Shadowhunter loves around the world. These books are simply addicting.
Helpful Score: 1
Pretty good follow up to bk 1. It did take a while for me to finish it though. The first half was kinda slow IMO. It started to pick up around mid book (Thank God). I can see why Clary is drawn to Jace. He's my kinda guy too. I knew he was not her brother, from the second they found out. I bet they find that out in the next book. Main pet peeve - Clary needs to woman up and stop letting everyone coddle her. She is a pretty bad ass shadowhunter, right?
Charlotte K. (diamondsae82) -
Helpful Score: 1
In this second installment of the Mortal Instruments series, the story only continues to get better. It is once again action from beginning to end. There is no part of this book that is boring.
Valentine is back and even more evil than before. The Mortal Cup is not enough for him, and now he is after the Mortal Sword. Jace is under suspicion of spying for Valentine and the Inquisitor is brought in to investigate. She has her own agenda though, and the lure of revenge is is stronger than common sense. Clary continues to learn more about her mother and the world of the Shadowhunters. The relationship between her and Jace continues to be a struggle for both of them. It is a true beauty and tragedy. They also learn some secrets about themselves that help change the game. Simon plays a bigger role in this book. It is actually more annoying than enjoyable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I love this series. I started the third book as soon as I was finished with this one. Clary seems to get a little more clueless as the story goes on and I don't enjoy that fact. She has her moments where she is normal, but sometimes she deserves a smack in the face. I love how every book opens the story up more and more, and not just a little bit. There are so many new pieces introduced at every turn. I love this series!
Valentine is back and even more evil than before. The Mortal Cup is not enough for him, and now he is after the Mortal Sword. Jace is under suspicion of spying for Valentine and the Inquisitor is brought in to investigate. She has her own agenda though, and the lure of revenge is is stronger than common sense. Clary continues to learn more about her mother and the world of the Shadowhunters. The relationship between her and Jace continues to be a struggle for both of them. It is a true beauty and tragedy. They also learn some secrets about themselves that help change the game. Simon plays a bigger role in this book. It is actually more annoying than enjoyable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I love this series. I started the third book as soon as I was finished with this one. Clary seems to get a little more clueless as the story goes on and I don't enjoy that fact. She has her moments where she is normal, but sometimes she deserves a smack in the face. I love how every book opens the story up more and more, and not just a little bit. There are so many new pieces introduced at every turn. I love this series!
Really just have one comment: Magnus & Alec... magic!!
Another exciting read as the series continues. At one point the book drags a bit and could have benefited from some editing but once you beyond that area the story picks up. Clary and her friends continue to clash with the clave, demons and Valentine. Clary and Jace discover powers they did not know they had while the full extent of Jace's powers as yet to be revealed. Clary's mother remains in a self-induced coma. Valentine disappears again setting the stage for the next book. All in all this appears to be an excellent series and I can't wait to read the next novel in the series, City of Glass.
This is a really good book. It's full of action, adventure, suspense, with a few brief flashes of romance. If you've read the first book, then you know there's something weird going on between Clary and Jace, and I'm letting you know right now that it's still going on. So if you were totally and utterly disappointed/shocked/disgusted like I was, you may not want to read it, but I think you should give it a chance.
Good young adult. A bit predictable but still entertaining.
I read this because of the book's massive popularity, despite my somewhat lukewarm feelings about the first installment. That and my interest in seeing how the relationship between Alec and Magnus Bane plays out. The story is generally interesting and the writing is adequate if not inspired.
However, even after the second book, the characters lack depth and any strong appeal. To use a term that you'd find in the books themselves, the characters are kinda "Mundane." I am still interested in seeing how this story plays out and I'll most likely read the third book when I encounter it but I'm not gonna rush out and buy it.
However, even after the second book, the characters lack depth and any strong appeal. To use a term that you'd find in the books themselves, the characters are kinda "Mundane." I am still interested in seeing how this story plays out and I'll most likely read the third book when I encounter it but I'm not gonna rush out and buy it.
Melissa B. (dragoneyes) -
This is the 2nd book in the Mortal Instruments series. I tend to find that half of the time I do not enjoy the 2nd book. Book 1 pulls you in and book 2 tends to be the filler for the great build up for book 3. Even though this is not a trilogy, it did start out as one. Luckily, the 2nd book held it's own for it's inventiveness and non-stop action.
In this book someone is killing downworlders, Valentine is back, Simon and Clary are getting closer and lots of other stuff. It was definitely a great page turner and makes me look forward to reading book 3.
In this book someone is killing downworlders, Valentine is back, Simon and Clary are getting closer and lots of other stuff. It was definitely a great page turner and makes me look forward to reading book 3.
A bit slower than the first in the series, but still so many questions left unanswered! Are Clary and Jace truly brother and sister? Oh the suspense! The teen lovey dovey stuff got annoying, but the action made up for it.
A wonderful sequel!
After I finished City of Bones, I went right out and bought this book. City of Ashes was a great second to the three part series. I went back to my local Barnes&Noble two days after finishing City of Ashes to buy City of Glass and they didn't have it. I found it elsewhere later that day. This series is one I can't put down.
Cassandra Clare has done it again. In City of Ashes, the second part to her ever-growing Mortal Instruments series, Clary, Jace, Izzy, Alec, Luke and Magnus are back to their magic- and drama-filled life in New York City. This time, there is a murderer on the loose who seems to be out to get Downworlders. If that wasn't bad enough, Jace is under investigation thanks to the events in City of Bones and the Inquistor sent from the Clave is not messing around.
I admit that this book was very hard to put down. Clare has an amazing ability to keep you on the edge of your seat with major events happening on almost every other page. Her writing is brilliant and she definitely knows how to keep a reader drawn in.
It seemed like a major portion of this book was focused on the definition of a family. The only thing that bothered me is that while the book focused on Jace's family, Clary's mother was mostly in the background. Due to the events in City of Bones, Jocelyn was left in a coma-like state. Though she was mentioned more in the beginning and the end, through most of the story she wasn't mentioned at all. I suppose she couldn't be a major character because she wasn't conscious, but I think it is safe to say that Clary would have been thinking about her mother quite a bit.
All in all, I loved this book and can't wait to get into City of Glass. Just like in City of Bones, Clare left the me dying to know what is next.
I admit that this book was very hard to put down. Clare has an amazing ability to keep you on the edge of your seat with major events happening on almost every other page. Her writing is brilliant and she definitely knows how to keep a reader drawn in.
It seemed like a major portion of this book was focused on the definition of a family. The only thing that bothered me is that while the book focused on Jace's family, Clary's mother was mostly in the background. Due to the events in City of Bones, Jocelyn was left in a coma-like state. Though she was mentioned more in the beginning and the end, through most of the story she wasn't mentioned at all. I suppose she couldn't be a major character because she wasn't conscious, but I think it is safe to say that Clary would have been thinking about her mother quite a bit.
All in all, I loved this book and can't wait to get into City of Glass. Just like in City of Bones, Clare left the me dying to know what is next.
Really like this series. Book 2 was just as good as the first one.
definately didn't take long to get into the second book. The conflicts the characters face especially Jace and Clary is one of the many things that grips me and keeps me reading. I liked how Simon grew as a "person". I would like to see Clary tell Jace what she had to say in the second book in the third so I'm on to the third to find out.
Michelle P. (plattfamily) reviewed City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments, Bk 2) on + 37 more book reviews
Mom Review: This is a GREAT teen trilogy. It was well written and engaging. Of all the other teen series I have read lately, I have the least reservations handing this one over to my tween/teen. It was a bit gory in the battle scenes but that is to be expected from a fantasy novel. The thing that really impressed me was the romantic elements didn't go further than kissing, in fact it didn't even discuss the desire to go further than that. All without detracting from the romantic relationships between the characters. Thank you Cassandra!
I am really enjoying this series. I read them because I wanted something quick and easy but I find myself really attached to the characters and really into the story! Some of it is a bit weird and esp. weird to find yourself rooting for the weirdness (don't want to spoil it). I am def going to continue reading this series!
Love everything she writes. Great paranormal fiction for teens and adults.
I got so tired of this book very quickly. Though the writing style has improved, the characters are just not doing it for me. Just there are good little moments, and funny things that made me smile but that was all I read for. This book was predictable, and mediocre. Clary is getting whinier, Jace and Simon are smothered in man pain, and Isabelle is still one dimensional. Magnus Bane and Alec was my favorite thing about this, and I barely got to see them together, much less in action. Needless to say, I will not be reading the third book.
The fantasy genre is well known for taking rich, varied, and well known mythology and twisting it up in new ways. Or at least, attempting to twist it up in new ways. Because let's face it, the vampire has already been invented. Now it's all about what you do with him.
So first, the really good- Cassandra Clare does a mighty fine job of taking rich and varied and well known mythologies and giving them a brand new spark of life that has not been written into the ground already. I enjoy that she picks bits of mythology from all over and uses it to create a world full of truths and half-truths and the people who have to deal with it all. This isn't just another fantasy novel. It reminds me of The Dresden Files for young adults.
The other really good thing about this book, is that the characters are a lot less cliched and stereotypical than most books in this genre. The main male character, Jace, might be pretty and the love interest (more on that in a moment) but he is also haughty, cocky, unlikeable and reactionary. She writes him so well that I sometimes find myself irritated with him- a beautiful and well drafted flaw. Who says our heroes need to be perfect anyway? This is also somewhat of a problem for her though too, because she tries so hard not to write predictable characters that they tend to fall out the other side of the extreme.
I'm also delighted by her fight scenes, which are clear and well written but not long and drawn out. Fight scenes have a tendency to be repetitive. She knows when to get on with it.
The bad- some of the prose is a little watered down. Contrite but clearly written with pleasure. Clare has never met a metaphor she didn't like. Still, the book was a page turner- I ferreted away in an empty cubicle at work to devour it during my breaks, flowery language or not.
The weird (and ugly)- The romance is bizarre. It's not even thinly veiled incestuous desire...it's right in your face and deals with it in a way that is going to make a lot of people uncomfortable. It makes me uncomfortable. I was at first horrified by her choice. Why would an author do this? But I am a little impressed with her ballsy choices for romances- a very homosexual blooming romance and a heartbreaking passion between two people who only recently found out their brother and sister. That's gutsy, and I can't say I haven't been craving some gutsy romances lately. But like I said, the incestuous romance is so weird it's not good. It reminds me a lot of the incestuous romance in The Royal Tennenbaums. I'm pretty sure we'll find out they aren't brother and sister, but honestly, the damage has been done.
Finally- I like Clary. She's weak and flawed and easily scared and up until the end of the second book, she's sort of a liability in every dangerous situation she's been in. And that makes sense, up until a very short while ago, she was a normal girl getting dressed up to dance at a goth club. It does surprise me though that no one offers to help her become less of a liability, until her powers manifest over night to make her super uber awesome. This is tragic. I'd rather have a main character who is just ok but brave and smart than one who can bring the world to its knees with no apparent explanation and no hard work.
But in the end, I was still captivated and still enthralled and I devoured it in a couple of days, to the neglect of everything else. In the end, that's what matters most to me.
So first, the really good- Cassandra Clare does a mighty fine job of taking rich and varied and well known mythologies and giving them a brand new spark of life that has not been written into the ground already. I enjoy that she picks bits of mythology from all over and uses it to create a world full of truths and half-truths and the people who have to deal with it all. This isn't just another fantasy novel. It reminds me of The Dresden Files for young adults.
The other really good thing about this book, is that the characters are a lot less cliched and stereotypical than most books in this genre. The main male character, Jace, might be pretty and the love interest (more on that in a moment) but he is also haughty, cocky, unlikeable and reactionary. She writes him so well that I sometimes find myself irritated with him- a beautiful and well drafted flaw. Who says our heroes need to be perfect anyway? This is also somewhat of a problem for her though too, because she tries so hard not to write predictable characters that they tend to fall out the other side of the extreme.
I'm also delighted by her fight scenes, which are clear and well written but not long and drawn out. Fight scenes have a tendency to be repetitive. She knows when to get on with it.
The bad- some of the prose is a little watered down. Contrite but clearly written with pleasure. Clare has never met a metaphor she didn't like. Still, the book was a page turner- I ferreted away in an empty cubicle at work to devour it during my breaks, flowery language or not.
The weird (and ugly)- The romance is bizarre. It's not even thinly veiled incestuous desire...it's right in your face and deals with it in a way that is going to make a lot of people uncomfortable. It makes me uncomfortable. I was at first horrified by her choice. Why would an author do this? But I am a little impressed with her ballsy choices for romances- a very homosexual blooming romance and a heartbreaking passion between two people who only recently found out their brother and sister. That's gutsy, and I can't say I haven't been craving some gutsy romances lately. But like I said, the incestuous romance is so weird it's not good. It reminds me a lot of the incestuous romance in The Royal Tennenbaums. I'm pretty sure we'll find out they aren't brother and sister, but honestly, the damage has been done.
Finally- I like Clary. She's weak and flawed and easily scared and up until the end of the second book, she's sort of a liability in every dangerous situation she's been in. And that makes sense, up until a very short while ago, she was a normal girl getting dressed up to dance at a goth club. It does surprise me though that no one offers to help her become less of a liability, until her powers manifest over night to make her super uber awesome. This is tragic. I'd rather have a main character who is just ok but brave and smart than one who can bring the world to its knees with no apparent explanation and no hard work.
But in the end, I was still captivated and still enthralled and I devoured it in a couple of days, to the neglect of everything else. In the end, that's what matters most to me.
I will admit, upon deciding if I wanted to read this series, I picked up the first three books and read the description on the back. It still interested me, though I was a bit disheartened by the fact that it took two books for the 'star-crossed' lovers to apparently fall in love. Deciding to give it shot, I read the first book and found the twist at the end of the first book to be an appropriate excuse for the delay in the relationship. However, the second installment was just as tiresome as feared in the anxiety filled teen romance department. Affection for the side characters was what kept me reading to the next chapter, and - I almost hate to admit - to the next book.
I due hope, for the sake of the "minor" characters, the central characters get their act together soon.
I due hope, for the sake of the "minor" characters, the central characters get their act together soon.
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Valentine is very prominent in this book and his evil is everywhere.
Valentine now has two mortal instruments and is calling up evil left and right. He has serious delusions of grandeur and tries everything he can to get Jace to join him. Jace, Clary and Simon team up with Luke and the Clave to fight the battle against the demons that Valentine calls up. The battle is spectacular and some amazing feats are attained. Lots of surprises in this one.
I really enjoyed the second installment of the Mortal Instruments series. Jace is wonderful and hopefully him and Clary will get together at some point. This teenage angst is a killer. This book immediately starts off where book one finished which was confusing since I couldn't remember who was who and what was what but it came back fast.
Valentine now has two mortal instruments and is calling up evil left and right. He has serious delusions of grandeur and tries everything he can to get Jace to join him. Jace, Clary and Simon team up with Luke and the Clave to fight the battle against the demons that Valentine calls up. The battle is spectacular and some amazing feats are attained. Lots of surprises in this one.
I really enjoyed the second installment of the Mortal Instruments series. Jace is wonderful and hopefully him and Clary will get together at some point. This teenage angst is a killer. This book immediately starts off where book one finished which was confusing since I couldn't remember who was who and what was what but it came back fast.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Winter has begun to settle over the busy streets of New York City, a far cry from the sweltering days when Clary Fray first discovered the magical world she had been blind to. She now has a newly-found brother and father. There are several complications to that, though. Jace, her infuriatingly arrogant and good-looking older brother, can't help but capture her heart in a way she knows is impossible. And Valentine, Jace and Clary's father, just happens to be the most dangerous Shadowhunter of all time, dedicated to "purifying" the world of Downworlders--werewolves, vampires, faeries, and the like--and willing to slaughter anyone who will get in his way.
In this second installment, Valentine has stolen the sacred Soul-Sword, which will give him ultimate control over all the demons if he performs a horrifying sacrificial ceremony. Jace, Clary (who is just beginning to understand her Shadowhunter abilities) and their friends work desperately to stop him, but it seems like the Clave itself seems to want to stop THEM. At least, they want Jace. The Inquisitor, a scary woman with no small resemblance in personality to Professor Umbridge of the Harry Potter series, is determined to punish Jace as being Valentine's spy.
And those are just the big problems. More personal but no less hurtful to Clary are her feelings towards two guys: her best friend Simon, whom she may not love enough, and Jace, whom she probably loves too much. She has no idea what she wants, but they all know one thing: to love is to be destroyed, to be trapped, to be in danger.
CITY OF ASHES brings back everything I liked in Cassandra Clare's first book and more. The dialogue continues to be refreshingly witty; there is no lack of action and danger, which will satisfy our adventurous sides, while the love triangle will ensnare our sensitive side.
In this second installment, Valentine has stolen the sacred Soul-Sword, which will give him ultimate control over all the demons if he performs a horrifying sacrificial ceremony. Jace, Clary (who is just beginning to understand her Shadowhunter abilities) and their friends work desperately to stop him, but it seems like the Clave itself seems to want to stop THEM. At least, they want Jace. The Inquisitor, a scary woman with no small resemblance in personality to Professor Umbridge of the Harry Potter series, is determined to punish Jace as being Valentine's spy.
And those are just the big problems. More personal but no less hurtful to Clary are her feelings towards two guys: her best friend Simon, whom she may not love enough, and Jace, whom she probably loves too much. She has no idea what she wants, but they all know one thing: to love is to be destroyed, to be trapped, to be in danger.
CITY OF ASHES brings back everything I liked in Cassandra Clare's first book and more. The dialogue continues to be refreshingly witty; there is no lack of action and danger, which will satisfy our adventurous sides, while the love triangle will ensnare our sensitive side.
Danielle R. (danielleraybuck) reviewed City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments, Bk 2) on + 76 more book reviews
Honestly one of the best books I have read in a very long time. I couldn't put it down!
Possible Spoilers:
This was pretty good. It was somewhat predictable. I'm sure everyone knew Simon would end up a vampire, but I didn't see the daywalker thing coming at all!
The Clary/Jace Show got a bit tedious, but I guess the drama needs to keep unfolding around them to make everything else happening around them more difficult.
And poor Alec. I wanna shake him and hug him. Growing up as he did, being gay must be terrifying for him. But you have this amazing, powerful, attractive Warlock that wants you and you basically spurn him in public. He'd better figure his s*** out or Magnus might leave him in the dust.
Luke and Jocelyn...honestly I think she's developed more-than-friendship love for him, if only he would get off his ass and just tell her how he feels! I believe she would reciprocate
And now the mystery woman who can wake her mother approaches Clary...seems mighty convenient that she's just now coming forward with this info. We'll see how it plays out in the next book.
It's not jump up and down great, but I like it enough to keep going with the series.
This was pretty good. It was somewhat predictable. I'm sure everyone knew Simon would end up a vampire, but I didn't see the daywalker thing coming at all!
The Clary/Jace Show got a bit tedious, but I guess the drama needs to keep unfolding around them to make everything else happening around them more difficult.
And poor Alec. I wanna shake him and hug him. Growing up as he did, being gay must be terrifying for him. But you have this amazing, powerful, attractive Warlock that wants you and you basically spurn him in public. He'd better figure his s*** out or Magnus might leave him in the dust.
Luke and Jocelyn...honestly I think she's developed more-than-friendship love for him, if only he would get off his ass and just tell her how he feels! I believe she would reciprocate
And now the mystery woman who can wake her mother approaches Clary...seems mighty convenient that she's just now coming forward with this info. We'll see how it plays out in the next book.
It's not jump up and down great, but I like it enough to keep going with the series.
Clary, Jace, and Simon are still appealing characters. The others are pretty much backdrop, and Valentine is not real believable to me. I don't feel like this book advanced the story much, although I gather there are six of these so we're just getting started. (I deliberately have not looked ahead to see what happens.) Seemed to me it was mostly about Clary's and Jace's feelings for each other...and I suspect some revelation that will allow them to act on it. What happened to Simon was inevitable if he were going to stay part of the story arc - and this may be the most interesting part of the book because what's going to happen when the vampires realize his secret? Valentine knew about it...hmmm. So, still an interesting storyline and lots of action but not a lot of forward progress.
good book
This was a great book. I cant wait to read #3~
okay book
Good read
Fantastic book! I love this series. It is my new obsession. Definite reread for me.
I'm really enjoying this series. I like these books as a nice change of pace from what I normally read yet they aren't "dumbed down" a whole lot. Yes they are for young adults and that's obvious but it's still an engaging story with lots of twists and likable characters. I'm already on the third book and planning to read all 5!
Excellent addition to the Mortal Instruments series.
Fantastic. Continuing on with the series.
Really enjoyed the series.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments, Bk 2) on + 724 more book reviews
Was ok,more of what was in the first book.
