From the Bookshelf of My Vampire Book Obsession…

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)

Cassandra Clare

Start date: August 1, 2012

Finish date: August 31, 2012

Discussion: 2012 Crypts

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2012 Crypts

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Monthly Challenge - December!
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What are you reading? 2012
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What Members Thought

Sep 27, 2019 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: vampire, werewolves, demons, brother-sister, warlocks, mgr

First of all, book 2 much better then book 1 in my opinion.

City of Ashes picks up just after the events of City of Bones, Clary's mother is still in the hospital. Jace and her still fighting their forbidden feelings. Valentine still up to no good, or is it good, to him he thinks it's good. Magnus Bane is great as I assumed he would be. Simon, oh Simon, you gave me many moments of breath holding.

Alot goes down this book, another of the Mortal Instruments has been stolen (in the most brutal ways ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Dec 02, 2013 Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* rated it really liked it

Shelves: shapeshifters, young-adult, 4-star, demons, a-own-book-form, paranormal-romance, angst, vampires

3.5

The first book was a good introduction into Cassandra Claire’s unique world filled demons, vampires, shape shifters, magicians, and the magic circle. The second book ended up being a bit better than its predecessor, and while it’s not a book that I rave over, it was almost impossible to put down.

The story continues with focusing (a bit too much) on Clary and Jace being attracted to each other, despite the end of the last book and it’s “surprising revelation.” I didn’t feel the chemistry then 3.5

The first book was a good introduction into Cassandra Claire’s unique world filled demons, vampires, shape shifters, magicians, and the magic circle. The second book ended up being a bit better than its predecessor, and while it’s not a book that I rave over, it was almost impossible to put down.

The story continues with focusing (a bit too much) on Clary and Jace being attracted to each other, despite the end of the last book and it’s “surprising revelation.” I didn’t feel the chemistry then and now it’s just growing old. Thankfully we’re not dulled with a love triangle for long as it’s resolved in this sequel. I’m much more excited about Magnus and Alec, seriously, it’s the best part of the book – but sadly takes up very little page time.

The villain ups his game and the story itself grows more interesting as the characters struggle with their relation to him, where he’s going and what this all means. He uses a frightening demon to help him, one that plays on people’s fears and opens with a creepy scene. The villain Valentine is bad news, but even he doesn’t irritate me as much as the obnoxious Inquisitor, who I wanted to reach through the book and slap. Hate unfair political internal powers that the good guys are supposed to belong to…At least with the bad guys, you’re expected to dislike them and their system, but when the people are involved with a system and fighting for something or someone annoying, it’s made worse somehow.

Unfortunately, while the story itself has progressed nicely and has all kinds of interesting things happen in the complex world with the supernatural, the author has upped the angst and emotional emphasis. It has now entered more into a traditional YA angst type level, which isn’t wanted. It’s not bad enough to turn me off from the book, but it is noticeable.

It’s not perfect, but there’s something about these books that make them hard to put down, and anxious to read more. Just give me more Magnus and Alec please, and I’ll be much happier!
...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2013 Keri rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned, series-completed-all

This is a reread and I think I liked this one even better this time around! I don’t have a review to refer to(I first read this five years ago before I started doing reviews), but I liked knowing some things that are coming and picking up on little details I didn’t think twice about back then that mean so much now having read the whole series. I love the characters and the world and I can’t wait to continue my reread of the series.

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2023 Susan rated it liked it

Shelves: owned-tbr

I didn't think this book was as good as the first book but I've heard the first 3 books aren't the best. I'm different because I loved book 1 so much but not a huge fan of this book. I kind of hate that Jace and Clary are brother and sister. I hope we find out down the line of books they aren't related. I want that relationship to happen. Not sure if I'm the only one but I like Clary and Jace more then Clary and Simon. I really like Simon but not as a BF for Clary. Simon is a great character and ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 15, 2011 Marla rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, made-me-laugh, vampires, lgbt, paranormal, young-adult, with-reservations, series, fantasy, zz-2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Liked this action packed sequel better than City of Bones.

Likes:
* Jace is a cool, tough, handsome, smart alack Shadowhunter (you might want to be his girlfriend, but I wouldn't want to be his mother!)
* Luke, Clary's werewolf dad-figure is such a cool guy
* Maia, teenage werewolf
* Magnus, the High Wizard, High Warlock of Brooklyn
* Raphael, leader of the Night Children is likable and seems honest
* Clary's coming into her Shadowhunting skills
* the demons were so cool and terrifying, especially, Agr ...more

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Feb 20, 2009 Barbara ★ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: x-set-in-usa-new-york, read-2009, young-adult, urban-fantasy

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 Mor ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 15, 2010 Ashley rated it really liked it

Shelves: old-favorites

This book moved a lot faster than the last one, perhaps because the main ideas and characters were already established. Anyways, I enjoyed it. Fun personalities, witty banter, fast-paced plot.

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