City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Aug 18, 2010 Lyndsey O'Halloran rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya

My TBR pile is already pretty big but after reading City of Glass, I couldn’t wait for this one and had to buy it straight away. As soon as it arrived I got myself comfortable and began to read…and I didn’t stop.

After the first book, I was quite nervous about how Cassandra Clare was going to approach Clary and Jace’s relationship. I had no reason to be nervous at all though as these parts were so well written and believable. My mind was telling me that I should have thought it sleazy but I just My TBR pile is already pretty big but after reading City of Glass, I couldn’t wait for this one and had to buy it straight away. As soon as it arrived I got myself comfortable and began to read…and I didn’t stop.

After the first book, I was quite nervous about how Cassandra Clare was going to approach Clary and Jace’s relationship. I had no reason to be nervous at all though as these parts were so well written and believable. My mind was telling me that I should have thought it sleazy but I just couldn’t think like that in the end. There is so much tension between the two but neither really wants to talk about it with the other. I thought it was really clever of Cassandra Clare to make this such a big issue throughout the story instead of choosing to ignore it. Secrets regarding both characters were hinted at and I think they will be something to do with this. I still have hope for this relationship to work out in the end somehow.

Jace’s character developed so much this time around. He faces many hard decisions and events throughout the story and the cracks slowly begin to show. Gone is the big macho guy who isn’t afraid of anything. Of course, he doesn’t turn into a complete wimp but he really does begin to show his emotions. I truly enjoyed seeing a softer side to Jace, especially when it came to Clary, but also while he had to deal with Valentine. It was good to see that he could still be cocky and a little bit full of himself at the same time though. I wouldn’t want him to lose any of the things that I love about him.

Many of the secondary characters get a much bigger role in City of Ashes as well as having some new ones introduced. I really loved Simon in City of Glass so I was glad to see that he got a storyline all of his own instead of just being Clary’s friend although I would have liked for him to have had a bit more time if his own. Other characters that I enjoyed learning more about were the Inquisitor because of her past and what she had to do with the story as a whole and I also liked Mr and Mrs Lightwood being around more. I thought that they should have been around in the first book even though their absence was explained.

The excitement kicked in very early on in the story as it began to unfold but it didn’t stop there. There was action throughout the whole story with a lot happening. City of Ashes had one of the most thrilling and exciting fight scenes that I have ever read. I really didn’t want this part of the book to end because I loved it so much. City of Ashes is a rollercoaster ride that made me want to read as fast as I could so that I could find out what was really going on.

One of the things that I love the most about this series is how the real world and the world of Shadowhunters, Vampires and Warlocks etc are intertwined. I love that all different kinds of people are involved in the story and made a part of the action. I did have one small problem with the story though and that was timeline. I have no idea when the book is set. Maybe I missed it so correct me if it is actually stated. Clary and Simon should still be in school and they weren’t at all during this book. I assume they are on break or something but because I didn’t know for sure, it made me wonder.

The inclusion of Clary and Jace’s unknown abilities was fabulous. This gave both characters a lot more depth and mystery as it seems that there is so much more to learn about them. The fact that I got to see snippets of what they might be capable of made me really excited to see what was going to happen in the next book and now the latest three books to be announced.

Although there isn’t much resolution to be found in City of Ashes, it has set the scene well for the next book in the series, City of Glass. I wish I had bought it with this one so that I could pick it up straight after I finished reading City of Ashes. In only two book, I have become a big fan of Cassandra Clare and will be reading anything that she brings out in the future.
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Feb 09, 2011 Jesi rated it it was amazing

I’m going to try to write this without spoilers, so forgive me for being cryptic. You know that huge plot twist at the end of the first book? Well, let’s just say it really complicates the relationship between Clary & Jace all through this book. The tension between them is almost tangible. I love it!!! Now, there are enough clues throughout this book that I have an idea on how this little problem will work out, but not sure if my ideas are right yet.

Okay, on a less cryptic note…the action in th I’m going to try to write this without spoilers, so forgive me for being cryptic. You know that huge plot twist at the end of the first book? Well, let’s just say it really complicates the relationship between Clary & Jace all through this book. The tension between them is almost tangible. I love it!!! Now, there are enough clues throughout this book that I have an idea on how this little problem will work out, but not sure if my ideas are right yet.

Okay, on a less cryptic note…the action in this book is great! The Clave is suspicious of Jace now that they know of his history with Valentine. They send the Inquisitor to interrogate him, but Jace’s smart mouth lands him a night in jail in the City of Bones. While there, Valentine breaks in to steal the Mortal Sword, and the Inquisitor assumes Jace is in on it. It seems the only option he has is to go after the sword himself to prove his loyalty to the Clave. Of course, getting the sword form Valentine when he is surrounded by an army of demons is going to be tricky. Luckily, Clary has a new trick up her sleeve.

One thing I really liked in this book was how Clary and Simon’s relationship changes. They have been best friends since they were young children. I think many people will relate to the issue of taking a friendship into a romance and what to do if it doesn’t work out. In the end, I found Simon to be very mature. I was lukewarm about him before, but I am really starting to like him better. There is also a really interesting scene between Jace and Simon that occurs near the end of the story which was very touching.

Another relationship that I think was well handled was the one between Jace & Valentine. Jace’s entire world has been turned on its head and he is struggling to figure out where he fits anymore. The Lightwood’s and the Clave are treating him differently. The scene where Jace confronts Valentine in the middle of the night on the ship really showed the depth of each of their characters.

It sounds like I am focusing a lot on Jace, but really, most of the book revolves around Clary. She is upset that her mother is still in the hospital in a coma. We see a little more of Luke in this one and how fatherly he is toward her. Without him, I have no idea what she would do…live at the Institute maybe?

My only problem with this series is the way the author handles time. One scene it will be morning and before you know it, the sun is setting. It can give a reader whiplash. Also, the first book was about a month long in plot time and started in July. This book picks up a few days after the first ended. So if I’m following correctly, this should be August or September. However, they keep talking about how cold it is outside. They are wearing gloves and heavy jackets. At one point Clary mentions she can see the fog of her breath. This is New York City, not Alaska. She shouldn’t even need a jacket. Another thing, the idea of her going back to school is never mentioned. It’s like now that she is a Shadowhunter, she no longer needs to complete her education. Very weird.

Overall, I give City of Ashes…

Plot – 4 ½ bookmarks
Character Development – 4 ½ bookmarks
World Building – 4 ½ bookmarks
Love Story – 4 bookmarks (The author does something gutsy with Jace & Clary that might put off some readers, but I am completely caught up in it.)

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Rachel Hurd-Wood (Clary), Alex Pettyfer (Jace), Luke Pasqualino (Simon), Zac Efron (Alec), Christopher Backus (Magnus Bane), Christian Serratos (Isabelle) ...more

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Sep 07, 2010 Danya Bakhbakhi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, paranormal, young-adult, ebooks

I honestly have no idea what to say about this book. It was as good as City of Bones, but with a better end. And that's why it deserved 5 stars.

I just loved it. It was a fun read. Loaded with fantasy, but yet still kinda light. a perfect YA. ...more

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Nov 01, 2010 Megan rated it it was amazing

I loved this one too. The Mortal Instruments world is just amazing. I think Alec, Simon, and Magnus have to be my favorite characters though. I can not wait to finish this series!!!!

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Apr 15, 2010 Rachel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was a reread and once again I loved it! Cassandra Clare really knows what she is doing and keeps the reader on the edge of their seats to the very end.

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