Book Review: City Of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Book Stats:
City Of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
(Book #2 of The Mortal Instruments)
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover, 453 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: 3/25/2008
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Goodreads 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? In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

Whereas, I only liked City Of Bones, I loved City Of Ashes. Maybe it had to do with being less confused because I got the gist of the major characters and the world from its predecessor but I also found the story more consistent in this one. I loved the action, the tension, the twists and the turns! The characters we're given more depth and more difficulties that would keep you flipping from page to page.

After that rather breathtaking cliffhanger from City Of Bones, I immediately dove into reading this one. I was dying to know what happens next to characters I had fallen in love with. Clary despite her commendable character improvement, you can feel for her when she's feeling inadequate to fit in the Shadowhunter's world. Also, the confusion between her feelings for her alleged-brother, Jace and the growing attraction from her bestfriend, Simon. If you take out the fairies, angels and warlocks, It almost sounded like realistic fiction to me which is good. It makes them more relatable. 

I loved the Unseelie court scene, it was pretty heartbreaking especially from Jace's POV. To some, it might be a little bit of turn off considering what they found out in City Of Bones but I honestly didn't! I had faith in Cassandra Clare that she wouldn't leave one of my favorite couples hanging like that. This book was pretty heavy on the emotions when it came to the romance department!

City of Ashes was really a beautiful sequel and it was no question I was going to start City Of Glass after reading it. Cassandra Clare is probably the master of masters with cliffhangers! The ending makes me want to shake her and hug her after.

★★★★★

Other books in the series that I've reviewed:

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