City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)

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City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2)

by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author)

4.30 · rating details · 78,200 ratings · 5,573 reviews

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 ...more

Hardcover, 453 pages

Published March 25th 2008 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

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Oct 19, 2011

Mello rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of City of Ashes, Fans of The Mortal Instruments

Shelves: why-did-i-read-this, thanks-for-ruining-my-favorite-myth, omfg-it-s-a-series, no-just-no, manic-pixie, boooored, could-have-been-so-much-better, annoyed-after-reading

Fans of The Immortal Instruments -- description

I've decided to rate this 2 stars. That's all I can give it.

Here we go --

First thing's first
Characters

JACE

The meme that most describes him?

description

Yes. Jace is a jackass. That much of a jackass.

In fact, this meme doesn't even do Jace justice. Jace is the reason I hate this book. Jace is not just a jackass -- he is a gigantic asshole.

He bosses Clary around cons...more

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Jul 29, 2009

Cara rated it

Recommended to Cara by: Victoria

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, series

I didn't go online, hardly talked, didn't eat (ok so I did eat), didn't watch TV just so I could finish this book. So basically I spent the whole day reading and I'm just bursting at the seams to read the next one.

The tension in the book is so great that you feel like the characters are literally going to break from the strain. Clary's mother is still in a coma and her relationships with Simon and Jace are fragile. At one point you just feel so down for everyone. Clary seemed to be g...moreI didn't go online, hardly talked, didn't eat (ok so I did eat), didn't watch TV just so I could finish this book. So basically I spent the whole day reading and I'm just bursting at the seams to read the next one.

The tension in the book is so great that you feel like the characters are literally going to break from the strain. Clary's mother is still in a coma and her relationships with Simon and Jace are fragile. At one point you just feel so down for everyone. Clary seemed to be getting in the way sometimes. Like she is more a liability rather than an asset. No worries in the end we get to see some real gumption from her. It's ever changing who is my favorite. I'll be thinking Isabelle is my favorite wait...no Max he's really cute but....Luke is great...then again Simon is just so painfully loyal , so I still don't have a clear favorite. I think it's because each and everyone of the characters have their own great scenes, so it's close to impossible to chose.

We see the same quick action sequences, same hilarious sarcastic remarks, and the same heart. Granted it can get over dramatic but that's why we are all reading it! I just think it's precious how with all their shadowhunter abilites they still have to rely on mundane technology, like cell phones. I must say they find themselves in some pretty sticky situations; the people and the cell phones. Jace is growing on me and Valentine is definitely getting more evil. One thing that kind of bothered me was that Valentine doesn't seem too clever. He hasn't done anything like WOW I didn't see that coming. He is suppose to be overthrowing the whole Clave, so he's got to be ultra smart right? Another little irk I had was when Simon was gone for the whole night or a good chunk of the day from his house, we never see the explanation he gives his mom. In the real world he would have to deal with that, but as the reader I get the impression that his mom doesn't care. I doubt that's the case though. Oh and does everything have to taste, smell, and look like metal? Just saying...

We are getting some serious hints that Jace's lineage is not what we think it is and I'm glad to see Simon trying to be the bigger person, however hard that may be. I definitely thought the second one was better than the first. New characters, more knowledge, and closer to seeing how this is all going to turn out. Bring it on because I'm ready for more!(less)

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Jan 04, 2011

Elle rated it

Shelves: wait-what, 2011-read, elles-reviews, fantasy-and-paranormal, everyone-loved-it-but-me, own-read

Well that was awkward.

*** SPOILERGRAM***

But before we head down the path of outrageous incest, I will say that City of Ashes was better than City of Bones. The pace was an improvement on that of the latter. Simon was still awesome as ever. I also felt that Ms Clare branched out a wee bit with her creativity with the Vampire transformation stuff, (except that I knew it was coming thanks to a certain Filipino minx who spilt the beans in a comment. You know who you are).

As for the abomination that ...more

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Mar 20, 2011

SKB rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. All right, so when we last left our creepy incestuous couple, Draco had just found out his dad was Voldemort, not Lucius Malfoy. Clarmione also found out that Draco was her brother, so that hot makeout session they'd had partway through the first book was now kind of icky, and further physical involvement strictly verboten.

So Voldemort is still alive! Oh noes. Enter the Clave and the Inquisitor, Dolores Umbridge. Umbridge has been sent to see if Draco is telling the truth that he had...more

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Oct 11, 2011

Palice Parrot Pepper rated it

Shelves: i-should-get-a-trophy-for-finishing, needs-cutting, really-needs-cutting, shit-on-paper-i-tell-ya, hate-a-female-character, hate-a-male-character, hate-most-characters, those-descriptions-so-not-needed, chocolate-gimme-my-chocolate, hate-all-characters, dissappointed, that-simile-makes-no-sense, why-am-i-reading-this-shit, wtf-is-with-the-cover

I’m in a good mood. It’s such a beautiful day, isn’t it? All that sun and warmth and -- no? Well, it is where I am. Soo beautiful.

Okay, City of Ashes. I think I had something to say about that. Clare is a genius. Oh, she is such a genius.

So, we’ve got Harry Potter. And it has millions of fans. We've got Twilight, and that has millions of fans. They’re both different, the only thing that’s similar is their million fans. What Clare did was put a ~~lot of~~ little bit of Harry...more

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Jan 25, 2012

Nina ♥ rated it

Shelves: ridiculously-hot-guys

“I don’t look at you,” Clary whispered.
“What?”
“I said, I don’t look at you.” She released the hands that had been clasped together in her lap. There were red marks where her fingers had gripped each other. “At least I try not to.”
His eyes were narrowed, just a glint of gold showing through the lashes, and she remembered the first time she had seen him and how he had reminded her of a lion, golden and deadly. “Why not?”
“Why do you think?” Her words were almost

...more

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Feb 23, 2010

Andi added it

City of Ashes, on the whole, is a much more cohesive piece that City of Bones. That said, I had two major problems with the text.

The first major problem I had was with the role of adult characters in the book. There was a constant dichotomy of 'with the main characters equals good' and 'against the main characters equal bad/evil' and life is never that simple. Luke, who always supports Clary, Simon, and Jace is firmly in the 'good' category. Maryse is slightly different. In the...moreCity of Ashes, on the whole, is a much more cohesive piece that City of Bones. That said, I had two major problems with the text.

The first major problem I had was with the role of adult characters in the book. There was a constant dichotomy of 'with the main characters equals good' and 'against the main characters equal bad/evil' and life is never that simple. Luke, who always supports Clary, Simon, and Jace is firmly in the 'good' category. Maryse is slightly different. In the beginning of the book she is comes off as cold, unloving, and arbitrary--all because she refuses to believe what Jace tells her. Later she is meek and powerless under the Inquisitor. Only after she believes in Jace does Maryse regain her power and take charge of the situation. Newsflash: You can not believe in Jace, and even go against what he is doing, and still be a good person.

This is particularly common selling technique of children's TV, from the past ten years. By setting up the dichotomy of adults verses children, TV programs appeal to children's fantasies and can better sell their products. Frankly, I didn't expect to see it in published teen novel. Some conflict with adults is normal. What is not normal is to assign good/bad alignment along with which side the adult takes.

The second thing that really bothered me was the character's problem solving abilities. Frankly, to me it sounded like a B-rated scifi show. In B-rated movies someone yells out "Oh No! The radiant shielding is gone! If we don't fix it, then we'll all be dead by radiation poisoning in 45 minutes!" In which the specially designated scientist replies "I think if we attach this gobbly-gook to the jibbly power supply and boost it by magic it will solve our problems." Then they do it, and it works at the last minute, after several possible mishaps. The scientist is never wrong, and there's never time to come up with a backup plan.

The same thing happened in this book. Ok, Valentine has stolen a sword and killed a few people. That obviously means he'll do this very complicated ceremony that Magnus Bane thinks of right away. Please. For a character that is supposed to be sneaky Valentine certainly does what everybody expects of him. I just kept waiting for the main characters completely random assumption about Valentine's plan to be wrong (which of course it wasn't). And that bothered me.

Now, the positives. Cassandra Clare's writing has improved quite a bit between the first and second book, as well as her characterization skills. They're still not great, but they're better. And frankly, there is something very captivating about this book. My inner-fangirl was squealing the entire time, while my inner-book critic was scoffing. Clare has the ability to make you care about her characters, which is amazing considering the massive handicaps they have as far as characterization goes. Her world is evocative, and more than anything, I want to believe in it. Clare has some obvious talent, but it's still rather raw and underdeveloped. I will be very interested to see where she is in five years, as she shows some serious promise.

I will be reading City of Glass, and I will read her Infernal Devices trilogy, hoping for the same level of improvement. But until she becomes better, I will just have to consider these a guilty pleasure.(less)

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Feb 20, 2008

Karin rated it

Shelves: youngadult, favorites, faeries, 2008-reads

CITY OF ASHES is the much anticipated sequel to last year’s City of Bones. Never have I been more excited to get a book in the mail. I have to admit, I was looking forward to CITY OF ASHES even more than when I was waiting for Harry Potter 7.

Re-entering the world of the Shadowhunters was thrilling. Clary and Jace are dealing with their father’s theft of the Angel’s Cup and are continuing to struggle with the fact that they are brother and sister.

In CITY OF ASHES we mee...more

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Sep 26, 2011

Zero vi Britannia rated it

Shelves: don-t-feel-like-reading-a-second-ti

WITH SPOILERS!!

The reason I'm writing this before my more detailed review of City of Bones is because I have no wish to reread City of Ashes.
Now onto my review (Edit: more like synopsis):

Simon's a vampire. There's some chick named Maia. Clary can draw runes. Jace and Clary have known each other less than a month and their love is so strong that it overrides the fact that they think they're related. A fairy queen makes Jace and Clary kiss. Alec loves Magnus. Maryse a...more

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Nov 28, 2011

Martha rated it

Shelves: 2011, cachinnation-ensued, awesome-ya

I loved it.

I just loved it.

Don't judge.

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Jan 07, 2011

Lora rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: fans of this series

Shelves: g-ya-paranorm

CAUTION: Some minor spoilers ahead for those who've not yet read this.

Everyone seems to love this series, and even though I enjoyed the first installment immensely, I didn't want to get my hopes up by setting my expectations too high for this installment (considering I've been burned on sequels quite a few times: e.g. Torment, Blue Moon, Captivate, etc . . .). But, I'm very happy to report that I FREAKING LOVED THIS! (Hence the all caps;) Really, though, with a leading male character...moreCAUTION: Some minor spoilers ahead for those who've not yet read this.

Everyone seems to love this series, and even though I enjoyed the first installment immensely, I didn't want to get my hopes up by setting my expectations too high for this installment (considering I've been burned on sequels quite a few times: e.g. Torment, Blue Moon, Captivate, etc . . .). But, I'm very happy to report that I FREAKING LOVED THIS! (Hence the all caps;) Really, though, with a leading male character like Jace? How could I doubt him? *grin*

Honestly, though, I found City of Ashes to be just as enjoyable and entertaining as its predecessor, City of Bones. It had all of the action, suspense, romance, and the ever-lovable cliffhanger/what-the-hell-are-they-going-to-do-now ending.

I felt a much stronger connection to Clary in this installment. I think maybe my reason for not connecting with her as much in the first one was because I was too busy getting used to all of the terminology and lore that is used in this series. After reading this installment, though, I can safely say that I'm not only hooked on this series, but I'm loving the world Ms. Clare has created and I'm certainly loving her characters; including Clary.

Jace. *sigh* Don't even get me started on that boy! He's smart, sweet, hilarious, and hotter than the Sahara Desert (not that I've ever been there, but I'd wager this is true ;). Plus, he can kick major ass while bleeding to death! Can we say hot, talented, and tenacious? Yes we can!

I can't believe what happened to Simon in this one! I'll I'm going to say is that I didn't foresee the author taking his character in that direction, but I'm kind of glad she did. I think it'll make for more interesting developments with his character in future novels.

I found the more intimate scenes with Clary and Jace to be very romantic in a this-would-be-creepy-if-I-didn't-already-know-you-two-aren't-siblings sort of way. I mean, come on, there's no way that they're really related. I just wish that that could have been revealed in this installment.

I also had one other problem with this one: If Valentine is so evil and untrustworthy, why don't Clary and Jace just get a blood test to make sure that they're REALLY brother and sister? I mean, if they want to be together, then don't take psycho Valentine's word for it!

Other than that I found this one highly entertaining and unputdownable. I'm salivating for City of Glass! (Thankfully, I have a copy *wink*)(less)

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Sep 15, 2010

Rose rated it

Shelves: challenge-2009, re-reading, challenge-2010

I'm beginning to understand why people prefer Jace Wayland to Edward Cullen.

I have to OH SNAP the ending. Is it March yet? I want City of Glass NOW.

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May 04, 2010

Thomas rated it

Shelves: five-stars, glbt

"City of Ashes" is the sequel to City of Bones, and the series so far is about Clarissa Fray, a shadowhunter girl who is in the midst of a large war between Valentine and his demon horde, and the Clave, the society that keeps downworlders like vampires/werewolves and shadowhunters in order. Not to mention that Clary might be in love with her brother, Jace. Also, she goes through some friendship issues with her best friend Simon. And, her mom is in a coma, her dad is an evil demon lord,...more

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May 03, 2008

Jennifer Wardrip rated it

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

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...moreReviewed 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. (less)

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Jan 30, 2011

Donna {Book Passion for Life} rated it

Shelves: favorites

City of Ashes was a brilliant sequel to City of Bones. I loved it and can not wait to read more.

I found the more I read this book the more I loved it and the more I read, the more I am hoping that Clary and Jace aren't brother and sister. There were a number of questions that were left unanswered and parts of the book that have lead me to believe that Valentine, knows that Jace isn't his son - however at this stage I'm just left guessing.

I loved the action and felt this...more

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Dec 30, 2010

Amelia, the pragmatic idealist rated it

Shelves: series-books, ya-kids-teen, 2009, simon-schuster, own, paranormal, annoying-protagonist

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 16, 2012

Jamie rated it

Shelves: books-i-obsess-over, books-that-break-my-heart, demons, fae, kick-ass-heroines, magic, multi-pov, series-i-can-t-wait-to-continue, shifters, unbelievably-sexy-heros, vampires, ya

****DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ CITY OF BONES****

This is an outstanding follow-up to City of Bones. In City of Ashes, we find Jace and Clarey dealing with the personal fall-out from City of Bones, Alec and Isabelle not as visible but are still included, Simon still mackin' on Clarey but finds his own bit of trouble, and Magnus Bane cementing himself as the flamboyant, awesome warlock I knew he would be. And then there's the psychopathic Valentine....grrrr....

...more

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Jul 17, 2011

Rina rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: my-favourite

I knew I wasn't going to be disappointed by this book! What a full-on action!

City of Ashes took off from City of Bones, still telling story about 16-year-old Clary Fray and her new realisation that she was born a Shadowhunter, destined to battle demons in the world full of Vampires and Werewolves that she didn't know even existed.

Now that Valentine (Clary's father and everyone's biggest enemy) is getting stronger after acquiring capabilities of summoning demons, everyone is v

...moreI knew I wasn't going to be disappointed by this book! What a full-on action!

City of Ashes took off from City of Bones, still telling story about 16-year-old Clary Fray and her new realisation that she was born a Shadowhunter, destined to battle demons in the world full of Vampires and Werewolves that she didn't know even existed.

Now that Valentine (Clary's father and everyone's biggest enemy) is getting stronger after acquiring capabilities of summoning demons, everyone is very... very... worried and on guard all the time. It seems that a war cannot be avoided and is lurking around the corner.
With everyone on the edge of their seats, it is not easier for Clary who is trying a new course of relationship with her best friend Simon, after her previous attempt of 'difficult' relationship with Jace Wayland leaves her broken-hearted.

On the surface, the book sounds like a typical Young Adult story about Vampires and Werewolves. It might be true to a certain point, but there is so much more added to the mix of the story. The exploration of the characters and the things they do because of either their past or what they think of their future is deeper and darker than your normal, every-day romance Young Adult books with a touch of paranormal stuff here and there.

Another thing I really love: this book has that touch of classical hero/heroine stuff, where stories are built on the base of relationships, people do extraordinary things in the name of love, and in the world where good and bad are blurred in the midst of war, you sacrifice yourself for your friends because you belong and you know they would do the same for you - it might be a blind faith (and stupid sometimes), but when there's no one to tell where the ground to stand for, it's always nice to have something to take as a core to life. I believe this is what character Jace Wayland goes through in the story.

All in all, great story, very strong plot, interesting characters, and full-on actions. Can't wait to read the next book: City of Glass.(less)

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Jan 31, 2009

Tez rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Demons are more personal when one's father is summoning them, in Cassandra Clare's second Mortal Instruments novel, City of Ashes.

Shadowhunters (Nephilim) can defeat antags by carving runes on their skin and surroundings, and by using various blades and whatnot. But Clary Fray's and Jace Wayland's father Valentine has stolen a Mortal Instrument or two, using them to summon demons. Why? I'm not sure. Will the teens hunt down their dad and destroy him? There's definite hunting, but we'...moreDemons are more personal when one's father is summoning them, in Cassandra Clare's second Mortal Instruments novel, City of Ashes.

Shadowhunters (Nephilim) can defeat antags by carving runes on their skin and surroundings, and by using various blades and whatnot. But Clary Fray's and Jace Wayland's father Valentine has stolen a Mortal Instrument or two, using them to summon demons. Why? I'm not sure. Will the teens hunt down their dad and destroy him? There's definite hunting, but we'll have to wait for the final instalment in the trilogy, City of Glass, for closure.

Meanwhile, Clary's BFF Simon really likes her - a little too much. She tries to give him a chance, but ultimately they can't stay in the more-than-friends category. And it's not just that Simon's getting to know werewolf Maia. After all, the one Clary really wants is...Jace. Yes, INCEST ALERT. You've been warned. Are they full siblings, or just half? I'm not sure who Jace's mum is, but Clary's mother Jocelyn is in a coma. Clary tries to avoid Jace, but he has no such care - he just wants to go for it, damn the repercussions. Out of all the people in New York they could've chosen...

The Shadowhunters seem rather up themselves, and that's evident in their name for others: those without paranormal abilities are "mundane", whilst vampires and werewolves are "Downworlders". Will someone please take the Nephilim off their freaking pedestal? They have yet to understand the concept of "everyone is equal".

An emo vampire acknowledges one's own emoness, so at least he/she (don't want to spoil) has humour. This is important, and well done on the author's behalf, for emo vampires who don't admit to being emo are just no fun. Also, look out for the delightfully creepy Silent City, a haunting setting to remember - awesome.

I can't recollect much of the first book, City of Bones, but I enjoyed it more, so City of Ashes comes as somewhat of a disappointment. Alas, there is still one book to go, and hopefully it'll engage more than this angsty middle.(less)

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Sep 08, 2008

notyourmonkey rated it

Shelves: fantasy, library, youngadult, 2008-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It's truly remarkable - Cassandra Clare has managed to create a slew of fantasy characters who are neither entirely one-dimensional (just slightly) nor your standard caricatures, with interesting motivations, with an engaging plot with a few gentle twists, and a mythology that is intriguing in its set-up and makes me want to know more, and yet I cannot stand a single one of her characters. I have zero emotional attachment to any of them and actually find several of them pretty reprehensible, yet...moreIt's truly remarkable - Cassandra Clare has managed to create a slew of fantasy characters who are neither entirely one-dimensional (just slightly) nor your standard caricatures, with interesting motivations, with an engaging plot with a few gentle twists, and a mythology that is intriguing in its set-up and makes me want to know more, and yet I cannot stand a single one of her characters. I have zero emotional attachment to any of them and actually find several of them pretty reprehensible, yet I am entertained while learning what happens to them next.

The Clary/Jace relationship is equal parts fascinating and baffling, as I can't decide if she's really going to keep them related to each other, and yet they are both so simultaneously flat and self-centered that the only thing interesting about them is their devotion to each other, even as that devotion seems entirely unwarranted. They're both pretty wretched to the other people who are in their lives, and I think she's shot too far with Jace in the "arrogant and infuriating yet still dastardly charming," as he's pretty much just irritating. For once it makes sense that these characters are fifteen or sixteen, even though they're doing all sorts of crazy stuff. They're just that emotionally dumb.

Simon is defined solely by his love for Clary, which seems equally inexplicable yet so very John Hughes movie-esque. At least he's slightly more fleshed out than Alec (who I hope realizes the folly of loving a tool like Jace and runs away to live a thoroughly debauched life with Magnus, who is the only one I don't want to punch in the face after this book). Isabelle is a nonentity.

I'm a little more intrigued by what happened with the prior generation, and I like that this book was much less coy about the past. I'm still not entirely sure I track where everyone's loyalties are/were, and the politics feel interestingly complex yet currently obscure (mostly due to my lack of emotional investment in any of the characters).

My favorite bit of the story in this book was Maryse Lightwood, Jace, and the Inquisitor, all wrapped around the issue of what it means to be a parent. That the Inquisitor's primary motivation for all her actions concerning Jace were in essence directed towards Valentine, and that her primary assumption was that Valentine valued his children enough to act in a rational-to-her manner. I'm still not sure which side of the line Valentine actually falls on (was he taunting the Inquisitor with his apparent lack of care for Jace just to torment her with her error, knowing that Jace was already escaped and safe...ish, or does he really not give a rat's ass? or is Jace even his son?), and I'm not sure if that's deliberate and skillful obfuscation or just I'm-smarter-than-you writing.

Also, I'm still a little fuzzy on the whole Jace swears loyalty to Valentine at one point but a) never gets caught and 2) never clearly reneges on that oath, even as he fights Valentine. Is he still bound to Valentine by that oath, or was that broken when he finally grew up a little? Maybe I shouldn't have torn through the book quite so fast.

All that, and I still gave it four stars, as it hung together much better than the first book, and I enjoyed being deeply irritated at all these characters.(less)

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Apr 13, 2008

Xanmarknayden rated it

Spoiler alert!

I really enjoyed this book more than the first one... It was really hard for me to get over Jace and Clary! I knew exactly what was going to happen when the madame read his tea leaves( in the first book)... I am just hoping there is a little misunderstanding. I think (hope) that is the direction the author is going! i am guessing Jace is of angel decent and isn't really Valentine's son, he just raised him, because in this book Valentine said something about how Clary's ...more

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Mar 30, 2008

Nikki Hobbs rated it

Recommends it for: Anyone

Recommended to Nikki by: Twilight Moms

CITY OF ASHES is the sequel to last year’s City of Bones. I bought this book the day it arrived at Barnes and Noble, I just could not wait to read it. I LOVED COB's but I have to say I love COA so much more. You really get to know the characters so much better, there is so much more pain in this book, I felt myself teary-eyed a few times. This book also packs alot of the witty humor the first one did, which I love (gotta love Jase and Simon). The "stuff" between Jase and Clary was more...more

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Oct 15, 2008

Marcy Jo rated it

Recommends it for: Absolutely EVERYONE

Shelves: myalltimefaves, reading-challenge-2008, reading-challenge-2010

Um...SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I feel a new obsession coming on. I can't get these books and characters out of my HEAD! I loved it so very very much, I couldn't stop reading. And now that I'm done reading, I'm going to listen to the audiobooks. Seriously , I'm in love.

And I'm a little disturbed by my shipping in this particular series, but not enough to be able to distance myself from it! WHEE!

Now...off to join a new fandom. ;)

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Nov 22, 2011

Katrina (Kindred Dreamheart) rated it

Shelves: ya

Writing Reviews is Not my thing. I usually just write 1-3 sentence opinion of jumbled up gibberish summing up my emotions at the time right after I’ve finished a book. With this book, I’ve decided to start writing my review early in an attempt to express myself in words that actually have merit and meaning.

Mainly because I believe no one should walk face first into a Cassandra Clare novel without warning!

BRACE YO SELF!

That first book TURNED ME...more

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Mar 27, 2011

Brittany (currently surrounded by text books) rated it

Shelves: 2011

Hmmm, well I still don't get what all the hype is about, but I will say City of Ashes was a vast improvement over City of Bones. The good news is that in this latest imstallment we didn't have to put up with the awful world-building. It wasn't a straight Q&A which was better. What bothers me most is that I feel like Clare gets lost in her characters without really having the ability to progress the plot. Yes, getting to know your characters is important... but let's love it along. There is n...moreHmmm, well I still don't get what all the hype is about, but I will say City of Ashes was a vast improvement over City of Bones. The good news is that in this latest imstallment we didn't have to put up with the awful world-building. It wasn't a straight Q&A which was better. What bothers me most is that I feel like Clare gets lost in her characters without really having the ability to progress the plot. Yes, getting to know your characters is important... but let's love it along. There is no reason for her books being so long. They could be easily cut in half. So again I ask... where is the editor?

I also thought the story itself was better. I liked the ending so much more. What I fail to get is the continuous way in which Clare telegraphs what is going to happen. It's not foreshadowing, it basically giving the whole thing away before you even know why something has to end the way it does. Foreshadowing is one thing, this is just a little too obvious.

Will I read City of Glass? Yes because I'm finally getting attached to the characters. Magnus Bane is quite intriguing and I loved watching him and Alec towards the end. Also Jace is growing on me because I really enjoy his no-nonsense attitude and I've come to respect it. Even if he is being a pain most of the time. Luke is the glue that is holding everyone together and Simon... well Simon is that tragic loveable character you can't help but fall in love with because he is loyal to our protag to a fault, and he wouldn't want it any other way.

There's nothing new or groundbreaking about this story, it follows a pretty common story arc, the writing is only so-so, but it is improving. But I like the characters and they alone are why I continue to read.

Update: just for the sake of seeing exactly how predictable these books are I'm going to write down what I think will happen. I haven't read a single page in City of Glass, not even the cover with the synopsis... That being said, here are my predictions...

1) Jace is the son of the Inquisitor's friend who died when she was 8 months prego, either that or the son of the Inquisitor herself. I don't know how or why, but Jace and Clary have to have a way to be together and this is the solution.
2) It's inevitable... Jace and Clary will be able to be together. Somehow, someway we all know it's going to happen even if the above prediction turns out to be completely wrong
3) Valentine is going to go after a 3rd Mortal Instrument. It's the rule of 3 people...
4) Dare I say sparks will fly between Simon and Maia... I mean the BBF deserves his HEA too right? I mean vampires, werewolves... who cares really. If they can make it work in Twilight surely they can make it work here.
5) Clary's mom is going to wake and eventually have to face Valentine
6) Luke is going to do one of 2 things either 1) sacrifice his life so either Clary or her mother will live, or 2) finally come clean to Clary's mom about how much he loves her and they get a weird and warped HEA too.
7) Magnus Bane will still stand out as the most intriguing character of the book.
8) oh... and the crew are finally going to have to make the trip to Idris.

Okay, there you have it. We'll see how it all goes. I'm hoping for surprises... really I am. I want to be wrong, about some things. (less)

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Apr 14, 2011

Emily rated it

Shelves: bad-boys, betrayal, genre-paranormal, genre-young-adult, series, shifters-changelings, vampire

Clary had hoped her life would get back to ordinary, but with her newly found brother Jace continuing to get into trouble, a maniac for a father on the loose, and her best friend Simon wanting to pursue a relationship her life continues to spiral. Just a sampling of the roller coaster ride City of Ashes has in store.

The second in the Mortal Instruments series. There are so many levels to this book and I find that amazon is not getting here quick enough with the third, because I am ...more

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Nov 25, 2011

Adeeb rated it

· review of another edition

I know, I give lots of books 5 stars. This time I am NOT exaggerating. This really deserves the 5 stars. The book is mind-blowing.

First of all, I liked this more than City of Bones because of the characters. I got used to them and cared for them. When I read City of Bones I felt really weird about the character for certain reasons(most important their love relationships), but now I got used to it and find this different than other books.

We are back with the adventure of t...more

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Jun 06, 2011

Kira rated it

· review of another edition

I love trolls! Trolly troll trolls! Down into my comment box! Trolls trolls trolls!

It's interesting, you know. Watching the different breeds of troll try to defend each individual train-wreck piece of YA shitcrack in the comments box of some unsuspecting reviewer is an excellent life experience.

For example, Fallen trolls are very distinctive in that they'll try to sound smart and probably tell you that you have no life, but they'll misspell most of what they write and th...more

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Jan 09, 2011

Nixy Snow rated it

Shelves: books-i-own

***SPOILER ALERT!***

Once again Clary is out to fight the Downworlders with her 'brother' Jace. Her mother now is in the hospital still in a 'coma', and the laws of the Clave decides to butt in their life. Now that everybody knows that Clary and Jace are Valentines -former Shadowhunter gone crazy- doesn't trust them. Just like father just like Son? Well, not exactly. Like any son who discovers that his father is an evil bastard trying to destroy everything around him, well you kind...more***SPOILER ALERT!***

Once again Clary is out to fight the Downworlders with her 'brother' Jace. Her mother now is in the hospital still in a 'coma', and the laws of the Clave decides to butt in their life. Now that everybody knows that Clary and Jace are Valentines -former Shadowhunter gone crazy- doesn't trust them. Just like father just like Son? Well, not exactly. Like any son who discovers that his father is an evil bastard trying to destroy everything around him, well you kind of go crazy. You think the people who are around you and who loves you are in deep danger. I guess that's why he's been acting like as asshole and pissing everybody up.

Simon is a new vampire, and is abducted by Clary's father Valentine. Why? well he wants to raise hell on earth releasing all of the demons you can name. How? by slaying a new born Vampire, Werewolf, Fae, and Warlock. The blood (slayed by the Sword) will be used as the weapon. Well too bad that didn't turn out too well.

Clary now is known to create new runes (something that no other shadowhunter can do), the end of the book demonstrates her as some kind of heroine, she destroys her fathers plans by blowing up everything. Besides breaking her skull about the whole love triangle well, who can blame them? Clary and Jace were meant to be together. Simon? Well hopefully he'll fall in love with the Werewolf girl. But then again, they are brother and sister, or are they?

The Clave decides to take action and take Jace under custody, just so far as we know, it's just some old rag taking vengeance over Valentines son, but Jace escapes by 'Flying' or for you Jumping. She decides to trade Jace for one of the mortal instruments, and even though Jace tells her that his father would choose to kill him before he gives her the mortal instruments (A cup & a Sword) she doesn't believe him.

Well after the whole rescuing Jace and blah, blah, blah; the lady that works for the Clave finally contacts Valentine who assures her that she can kill Jace and she will not get the mortal instruments. That's when she realizes that she was wrong and the teenager Jace was right. Well all hell breaks lose and all Shadowhunters goes to war against the Demons and Valentine.

How did that turn out? well the old rag discovers the star birthmark on Jace's shoulder and goes all nutty. Well lets just say that there are more secrets to discover. I'm going to be honest and say that I hate the fact that Clary and Jace are brother, or are they? :)(less)

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Jan 06, 2011

Iyah rated it

***SPOILERS PEOPLE***

In 5 seconds I'm gonna sound like a 14 year old fan girl. (Please bear with me.)

5.....
4....
3...
2..
1.

I am lost for words. Like seriously.

I wanted this review to be full of praises about CoA, but for some reasons I can't put it right.

All I can say is, it was great! So great. I love it.

And that's it. I can't even explain why I did.

So there's a lot of questions left...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Sandpiper Book Club: Suspense	1	1	18 hours, 7 min ago
I absoulutly loved this book!!	5	29	Feb 09, 2012 03:49pm
Tess or Clary?	122	355	Feb 09, 2012 03:48pm
Kneisel/ Rdg 334 ...: Week 6	1	1	Feb 09, 2012 12:49pm
Paranormal Romanc...: City of Ashes	1	11	Jan 12, 2012 03:09am
Get Your Fill On Malec (Magnus and Alec)	27	175	Dec 31, 2011 06:07am
Mortal Instrument...: City of Ashes	1	4	Dec 08, 2011 08:58pm

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About Cassandra Clare

Hello Goodreadsers. Here's my official bio:

"Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal ...more

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Books by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3)

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)

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Quotes from City of Ashes

“I don't want to be a man," said Jace. "I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront his own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead."
"Well," said Luke, "you're doing a fantastic job.” — 3,320 people liked it

“We came to see Jace. Is he alright?"
"I don't know," Magnus said. "Does he normally just lie on the floor like that without moving?” — 2,760 people liked it

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City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2)

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