The Stats
📖 BOOK REVIEW⠀📚
BOOK: The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes
AUTHOR: Cassandra Clare
@Cassieclare
Publisher: Margret K. McElderberry Books @
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐
Published: March 25th 2008
The Review
Wait, we’re still dealing with this? Yeah, this book’s plot is Valentine trying to start a war with the Shadowhunters, but needs blood from downworlders to power up his new gizmo-mcguffin. Whatever. We spend far more time dealing with the fact that Clary is still attracted to her brother. Is it realistic to think that the attraction would just “go away” after they figured out their genetic bond? No. But this book spens A LOT of time with the will-they-won’t-they of this paranormal incest. Is there more going on here? Yeah, likely. I haven’t read the other books, so I don’t know the whole truth of their relationship.
Now, let me talk about what I DID like, and what I wanted to see so much more of: the Downworlders. While they figured briefly in the last book, this book gives each class of Downworlder (Fey, Warlock, Vampire, Werewolf) time to shine as good guys. Time to be pretty frickin’ cool. It also gives Simon time to be amazing, which is great news for any guy stuck in the friend zone. Oh, he’s not in the friend zone in this book? He’s actually Clary’s boyfriend? Could have fooled me. We get more time talking about her kissing her brother. Anyways, Simon gets a storyline devoted purely to his development, and I give it all my support. You live your best night-life Simon.
“The love triangle is resolved in a completely different way than the movie, and handled SO MUCH BETTER.“ -Marshall during his review of City of Bones.
So, Alec and Magnus. Personally, I think Magnus is too good for Alec. It’s not because Alec is a terrible character. However, I feel like he’s using Magnus as a silver medal when he really wants Jace. Tell me again what everyone wants Jace? He’s an idiot and a jerk. It’s like you took Jack from Will and Grace, handed him a sword and told him to hunt the demons. Not much there. Magnus, on the other hand, is thoughtful and considerate enough to prevent Alec from making some horrible life decisions. And sit there supporting the entire crew by enchanting a truck and acting as the party healer. Seriously, Could I have a book about Simon and Magnus on a road trip? Have them take werewolf Maia along, it would be epic. I call it “City of Self-Respect”. Hey, wasn’t Isabelle in this book too? What happened to her? Isabelle? Are you stuck in a well somewhere?
Oh, yeah, and the whole Valentine plot and the meanie-pants Inquisitor plotline weren’t bad, either. Sorry, that got lost in the shuffle. Seriously though, I liked the first book better, but this still had some great character growth. I hope the third, you know, picks up.
You can see more in my video review:
*****
“You might want to lie down,” Magnus advised. “I find that it helps when the crushing sense of horrible realization sets in.”
— Cassandra Clare (City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2))
Summary
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?
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.