City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
YA Fantasy
This is the second book in a series. Therefore, this review contains spoilers for the first book.
In the second instalment of the Mortal Instruments series, Clary Fray is beginning to wish she was a mundane. Her mother is in a coma, the gorgeous Jace turned out to be her brother, and her father isn't dead but, rather, is the most infamous Shadowhunter of all time: Valentine. Trying to take her mind off all this, Clary begins to date her best friend Simon. However, she can't ignore reality forever.
Her issues with Jace and the health of her mother are not Clary's only problems. The Inquisitor from Idris has come to investigate Jace's connection to his father, Valentine, and has him on a short leash. Meanwhile, Valentine steals another of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul Sword, and begins murdering Downworlder children. This increases the Inquisitor's suspicions of Jace. How can Clary and her friends stop Valentine if even they are not sure of Jace's loyalties?
This book was just as fun as its predecessor for the most part. Clare invites readers further into the world of the Shadowhunters as Clary and company must battle Valentine to stop him from murdering and from gaining power over the demons. I still take issue with the use of the term Nephilim. I'm also not particularly fond of the change in relationship between Jace and Clary. I don't find incest particularly interesting, and the books would lose a great amount of their appeal without a love story between Jace and Clary. Hopefully there will be another "discovery" that will prove they are unrelated. However, if that is that case, then I'd find the whole brother/sister branch of the plot unnecessary and unenjoyable. However, this supernatural action/adventure is exciting, fun, and (generally) original. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who enjoy the genre! Clearly read the City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) first, though!
Labels: B+, Fantasy, Review, Young Adult