City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare 

Title: City of Ashes

Author: Cassandra Clare  

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Published: July 10 2004, Walker Books

Pages: 411

Blurb: 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?

City of Ashes is told in multi povs, normally I hate that kind of thing but it’s needed in this story. Plus I actually liked it because you realise that Clary is not always the centre of attention and that this is Jace’s story as much as hers.

So its starts off with the bad guy – Valentine – stealing the second Mortal Instrument, don`t you just hate it how the bad guy always steals something precious that is so highly guarded. What a cliché. I won`t be surprised if he takes the third Mortal Instrument. Anyway so Valentine steals it and he needs to perform some kind of twisted blood sacrifice to gain the sword’s control, I think? That’s when Simon and the werewolf girl come in, just to say Maia’s pov was totally unneeded unless she becomes a main character later on – you know Simon and her in a relationship. He needs the blood of a child werewolf, vampire, warlock and faerie.  They have to be younger than 18 and be drained of blood so naturally it’s the vampires fault, right? Anyway Valentine is a clever, twisted and heartless guy who loves his children so much that he’s willing to let them die for his own selfish reasons, power and control. Good for him.

Clary is not kickass! However that is perfectly fine because she’s had no training – you don`t spout all these skills from thin air. However she is special (cliché) she can draw unique runes – kind cool – this is probably due to Valentine experiments (hint hint – he’s twisted) She actually uses her brains to figure out things and her and Jace have this in common – you know what he did – questioning the demon to tell him where Valentine is. Jace is also special – something to do with his butt kicking (didn`t want to use kick ass again) he has something in his blood - remember what happened to Simon when he fed from Jace (oh yeh Simon’s a vampire who can walk in sunlight) – I think it has something to do with angel blood? Anyway Jace changed a lot, he was less charming and more moody and impulsive – like dude we get it you’re hurting no need to pick a fight - although he can hold his own against a bunch of werewolves. But Jace is very dedicated to saving people and he’s surprisingly caring.

Anyway enough of those two – Alec and Magnus or should I say Malec – so cute especially how Magnus doesn`t let Alec says anything about their relationship because Alec’s not ready- inner fangirling. Isabelle – now that’s awesomely dedicated to family and she can hold her own in a fight. I didn`t really get to know the Lightwood’s (the parents) hopefully we’ll see them more later on in the books. Surprisingly I didn`t hate The Inquisitor mainly because she apologised for being wrong and she also died to protect Jace and a pity about her son. Lastly Luke, just tell her you love her – Clary’s mum.

The plotline was good with all the action, mystery and Valentine’s mind trickery. Not to forget the Silent Brothers- creepy and easily killed – could’ve made their deaths more of an event – just saying. And to the last part – the romance…

This must be the weirdest awkward love triangle ever. Okay it’s not really a love triangle because Clary kissing Simon was like her kissing her brother whilst her kissing Jace is (um) kinda not brotherly. I wanna say – omg they should be together but that’s weird and uhh. In the beginning Jace is all like Clary I love ya in more than a sibling way and then he changes whilst in the beginning Clary is like this is soooo not going to happen whilst in the end she’s crying over her broken heart. For once in a love triangle (the ones I’ve read) the boy breaks up with the girl – go Simon! You deserve someone who loves you – in more than a friendly way.

Not bad for a second book – it’s a four star!